CP Sound’s Colin Pattenden reveals that they excelled themselves in the invisibility department. By the time the CP Sound team had finished the install, the only visible evidence of any sound was four neat volume controls by the downstairs bar. CP Sound utilised JBL speakers throughout, as they have in other Conran establishments, using speakers from the Control 25 Control 25T (with 100 volt line transformer), Control 28 ranges, complete with SB2 subs. The DJ area uses the Control 28s and SB2s. The Control 25s in the adjacent downstairs lounge area are driven as low impedance, receiving 150 Watts per speaker, thus matching well with the SPL levels of the DJ area. Pattenden originally experimented with this method at Zinc Edinburgh, which proved highly successful. Upstairs in Zinc Birmingham’s restaurant area, the Control 25Ts are configured in 100 volt line mode. All speakers are concealed in the ceilings.
Downstairs by the bar are four zone controls covering the DJ area, the seated area to the rear of the room, the middle section by the bar and finally, the seats to the right of the entrance. Upstairs is the main dining area and a private dining room, both of which are controlled from the amp rack located in the adjacent office.
All speakers are powered by the new PFX range of RSE amplifiers, chosen for their reliability, robustness and low maintenance. The zoning is achieved with a Cloud Z8 controller. The background sound is supplied via computer hard disk music system. For the DJ booth, CP Sound specified two Technics SL1210 turntables, a Citronic CDM 10:4 mixer and a DENON DN-1800F twin CD player for the booth.
For Colin Pattenden, the biggest challenge was getting the speakers to work through the false ceiling. They lie, face down and projecting through a special foam - custom formulated for the job - which is totally transparent to sound.
(Lee Baldock)
