All system processing, switching and routing is handled by proprietary Soundweb components from BSS Audio, a company with which system specifier, Dave Bradshaw has enjoyed a long relationship. The 700-capacity venue is divided into eight zones, spread across two floors. This includes the pure white 'Kandi Bar' downstairs, replete with giant leather beds. Bradshaw has set up a DSP network based around a Soundweb Original SW9000iis hub, and three SW9088iis base units, four SW9008iiis breakout devices and six local SW9010 'Jellyfish' programmable remote control panels. In addition the technical project manager has selected two SW9016 devices for AV matrix switching.
Crown Audio amplification was chosen to power the system in the form of MA5002VZ's (for the subs) and various dual and multi-channel CTs for all other areas. All BSS Audio and Crown Audio components were supplied by Harman Pro UK.
With so many inputs and destinations the Minibar needs Soundweb's full channel capacity, as Dave Bradshaw explains. "While a server plays background music, programmed from MoS headquarters in London, there are two separate DJ rooms offering CD, MP3 and analogue playback from proprietary devices."
All of the venue's imagery is stored on an Edirol PR50 video playback machine while a number of fixed cameras are situated throughout the different rooms. "Via the Jellyfish, different cameras or visuals can be locally selected and put up on the plasma screens, along with any of the four different audio streams," explains Bradshaw. "All the video control is handled by the SW9016s, which can switch any eight inputs to any of four different zones."
The sound system from Martin Audio. The Ministry of Sound's relationship with Martin Audio has been consolidating since they first put a 5.1 DJ monitor system into the original Ministry at the Elephant & Castle five years ago. Since then, MoS's Dave Bradshaw and his technical team have rarely missed an opportunity to up-convert to the UK company's range of Blackline, Contractor and Wavefront Line Array products in various parts of the venue. And last month, the largest, 3,360-capacity Ministry to date opened in Singapore to reveal a Martin Audio Wavefront system reinforced with Blacklines.
In the corners of the main dancefloor the Ministry has flown four Blackline F15s, reinforced by four S218 subs, with a pair of F12 monitors, while in the main bar there is a total of eight F12s, with two S218s (and a pair of F8s providing the DJ's reference sound at the booth).Elsewhere there are a total of 11 F8s performing infill duties throughout the high profile areas, while down in the Kandi Bar, six F8s and two S15 subwoofers provide sound reinforcement.The VIP rooms (which offer local control) see 20 of Martin Audio's C115 Contractor series, supported by five C256 subs.
Bradshaw estimates that the brand will eventually roll out to between 20 and 30 units. "We are now firmly on the acquisition trail," he confirms.
(Lee Baldock)
