The company re-used the serviceable equipment (redeploying some of the existing speakers as fills) and specified a powerful amplifier rack to drive the 21k Intense T250/T36 rig, which drives the main dancefloor system. The system is based around a QSC PL9.0 - to drive the four ground-stacked Cerwin Vega T36s and four S218 subs - and Powersoft DIGAM 7000 and DIGAM 5000 amps to run the T250 mid/highs (these are flown, using Matthews' own bespoke rigging).
Tim Matthews knew the sound needed to be powerful, and by angling some of the T250s at the dancefloor and pointing some across it, he has achieved a 'phenomenal' result. The Intense! T-36/750 subwoofer is compact and loud, featuring a larger radiating area than direct-radiating woofers, these folded horn trapezoidal cabinets draw their heritage from the company's L-36 Portable Earthquake, but occupy a smaller footprint.
All new cone and compression drivers were developed for the T250 mid-high frequency cabinet, which employs a large 10in diaphragm driver in the midrange. Other infill speakers were used for peripheral areas. Matthews said he had received a lot of support from Cerwin-Vega. "They were surprised we were using it in this context because it's their biggest-selling live rig - but it sounds great for playing back vinyl. In fact, the sound in the main room is awesome. We have headroom for 21K but only push it to around 60% capacity."
He adds that in due course he will be up-speccing parts of the system to Cerwin-Vega Prostax PS215s in the next phase of the development.
Matthews Electronics' Mark Broadhead ensured that The Dome's reputation for having the largest moving lighting rig in the Midlands was maintained, redesigning the fixtures on the six giant concentric rings (the outer of which measures a staggering 30m in diameter). A number of the existing Martin fittings were replaced with MAD ITM scanners and EVL moving heads, although four Martin Wizards, three Atomic strobes and no fewer than ten centrepieces were reutilised as were 130 pieces of neon, 130 Par cans and 120 pinspots. A Griven Cubo uplighter is positioned in the centre of the dancefloor.
The complicated redesign took Broadhead six weeks to accomplish, including the programming of the Show Magic software, which accurately sync's the lighting to the WAV file on the computer to provide one button operation. In the back bar he deployed MAD Q-Scans, Q-Colours and Spin Lights (a twister effect) in multiples, and placed a further two Q-Colours in the downstairs bar. Another design feature is the £50,000 of UV paint accentuating the two bars, which have been designed as rock faces, incorporating waterfall effects. The Dome has cost in the region of £1.3 million to refurbish, and just under £150,000 will have been spent on the sound and lighting.
(Lee Baldock)
