Innovation, based in Sunderland, designed and installed the new club's sound and lighting systems, using Turbosound TCS and THL models throughout the venue. The club's impressive street-level entrance takes you into a ground floor bar area, leading to a VIP lounge, with eight TCS-59 units and four TCS-118 subs in the bar, plus a combination of TCS-10 enclosures and TCS-108 subs in the lounge. A large void on this level opens down onto the basement dance floor, where Innovation has installed its favourite club combination of THL-2 mid-highs and THL-828 subs, complemented by a surround system comprising TCS-35 and TCS-59 loudspeakers. The THL mid-highs are flown either side of the club's live performance stage area, with the subs hidden below the stage. Two Turbosound LMS-D6 controllers have also been installed at Blu Bam Bu, and these handle the whole club system. Other audio equipment includes RAM power amplifiers, a Formula Sound mixer, Technics SL-1210 turntables and Denon CD players, plus a Denon DN-M2300R dual MiniDisc jog-wheel system, which allows DJs to record their own loops and segments.
Rob Hutchinson of Innovation explained: "During the first system tests, we measured a plentiful 112dB on the dance floor! Here in Newcastle, big is beautiful, so the owners solved the problem by simply upgrading the exit doors to contain the sound! We find that our favoured combination of THL speakers suits the current club scene perfectly, and we are anticipating a typical lifespan of 5 to 10 years for these systems. The system at Blu Bam Bu is producing excellent results, both for the DJs and for the club's live performance programme."
Owned by Ultimate Leisure PLC, an extremely successful club, pub and hotel operator, Blu Bam Bu features an interior designed by Fluid Design Solutions and can accommodate some 1000 club-goers.
(Ruth Rossington)
