DAP is TPN Gold Certified
send files

Designing the sound of the Dallas Stars Video Game arena open



Dallas Stars Video Game Open

Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars Video Game Open

Dallas Audio Post designed and mixed the Dallas Stars’ video game-themed arena opener, a piece inspired by EA Sports’ NHL player selection screen that plays to 18,000+ fans on game nights. The project demanded a custom analog synth library and a creative AI voice workflow capable of handling constantly shifting NHL rosters. The concept earned two IDEA Golden Matrix Award finalist nominations for Best Show Open and Best Theme Game Presentation.

The sound design truly elevated the piece and brought everything together seamlessly. The fan response was overwhelmingly positive, and the industry recognized our hard work. The piece was a finalist for the Information Display & Entertainment Association (IDEA) Golden Matrix Award (GMA) for ‘Best Show Open’ across all professional and collegiate sports.

Kevin Harp & Jonathan Maniet

Executive Director, Entertainment and Events & Manager, Game Presentation, Dallas Stars Hockey Club

The Challenge

The Dallas Stars wanted a playoff opener that would hit every demographic in the building. The concept drew inspiration from the EA Sports NHL video game franchise, specifically the player selection screen. Fans would watch as real Stars players were “selected” to the team in video game style, then deployed onto the ice for real. Because the NHL game franchise spans multiple generations, the idea had built-in appeal for fans of all ages.

However, the concept’s success created a new problem. After the piece debuted in the 2023 playoffs and the Stars wanted to bring it back for future seasons, NHL roster volatility became a real issue. Players get traded, called up, or injured on short notice. As a result, the voice elements naming each player needed frequent and sometimes last-minute updates.

Initially, the in-arena director’s wife provided the voiceover. That worked fine for the first cut, but it created a bottleneck for ongoing changes. Bringing her back into the studio for every roster move wasn’t sustainable under tight timelines. On top of that, hockey players frequently carry names that are notoriously hard to pronounce: Heiskanen, Lundqvist, Rantanen.

Our Approach

Building the Sound from Scratch

René Coronado handled the entire sound design as a solo effort. The foundation started months before the first delivery, with a custom library built entirely from analog synthesizers. Specifically, the library consisted of bespoke beeps, glitches, and electronic textures designed to match the video game aesthetic. René designed each element to feel native to the EA Sports visual language the Stars’ creative team was referencing.

One standout detail is the custom logo sting at the top of the piece. It serves as an homage to the iconic EA Sports sound, but René rebuilt it from scratch with a Dallas Stars identity. As a result, it lands as both a familiar callback and something distinctly original.

Solving the Voice Problem

For the player name callouts, René developed a repeatable workflow using ElevenLabs. Rather than typing names into a text-to-speech engine and hoping for correct pronunciation, he performed each name himself. He spoke them into his microphone with flat, intentionally computerized delivery. Then he ran the recordings through ElevenLabs’ voice changer using a locked female voice print.

Because the concept is a video game, the slightly artificial quality actually enhanced the performance. After generating the raw voice files, René ran each one through a complex processing chain to push them further into stylized territory. The chain included EQ, distortion, phasing, and delay. In addition, each processed element was placed into the mix and reconformed to match the updated visual edit.

The Annual Update Workflow

The real elegance is in the repeatability. Each year, René opens the previous session, updates the roster names and the current opponent, and generates two complete versions of the piece. He produces one version for each goalie on the roster, since the starter isn’t always confirmed in advance.

The Stars’ production team handles picture updates on their end first. Then René receives the new edit and turns the sound around in three to four days. Ultimately, this workflow eliminated the recurring production headache. No talent re-booking, no pronunciation coaching, no scheduling conflicts.

The Work

Project image
Project image

Results

The piece earned two finalist nominations for the Information Display and Entertainment Association (IDEA) Golden Matrix Award. The first recognized it as Best Show Open across all professional and collegiate sports. Subsequently, a theme night adaptation received a second nomination for Best Theme Game Presentation. For context, the IDEA Golden Matrix Award is the primary industry recognition for in-arena entertainment and presentation.

Fan response was overwhelmingly positive from the debut. The piece plays to over 18,000 fans on each game night at the American Airlines Center. Furthermore, the Stars organization credits the sound design with elevating the concept and bringing everything together. The project validated their creative vision and proved they can build concepts that resonate well beyond hockey.

Perhaps the most telling result is longevity. The piece has survived multiple seasons, roster overhauls, and format adaptations without losing its impact. Because of the workflow René built, annual updates take just three to four days instead of requiring new voice talent sessions. What started as a one-off playoff opener has become a durable piece of arena content the Stars return to year after year.

18,000+
Fans Per Game Night

2
IDEA Golden Matrix Award Finalist Nominations

3–4 Days
Annual Update Turnaround

3+
Seasons Running

Services

  • Sound Design
  • Voice Production
  • Mix

Deliverables

  • Stereo arena mix
  • Two goalie-specific versions per game
  • Annual roster updates
  • Custom logo sting

Specifications

  • Pro Tools
  • ElevenLabs
  • Custom Analog Synth Library
  • Stereo Delivery

Ready to elevate your project?

Let’s talk about what Dallas Audio Post can do for you.

Get in Touch

view portfolio