CTS Productions carried out the technical upgrade at the venue - previously the studio and gallery of Polish born artist, Feliks Topolski, whose stunning works are featured throughout. The high railway arches, lined with exposed scaffolding, bare wood, combine with a huge bar and servery to create an impressive visual feast.
The venue itself is constructed around the two arches and a smaller more intimate space to the rear, with Martin Audio AQ enclosures specified throughout to ensure comprehensive coverage.
CTS Productions owner, Carl Broadhurst has deliberately given each space a different feel; Arch 1 features the main system, comprising a pair of Martin Audio AQ10, three AQ8 and five AQ5 for fills, augmented by a single WS218X sub bass. This room has the effect of packing a potent punch, while remaining visually minimalistic, almost blending into the space and artworks. This area was specified not only to reproduce upbeat background music, but also provide sufficient power for a band and deliver crystal clear audio for the numerous DJs who work the highly specified DJ booth.
Meanwhile, in Arch 2, the system is slightly more subdued, comprising eight AQ5 with a single AQ212 sub to reinforce the lower range and provide the capability of clear, dynamic music that can ramp up to mid club levels if required. The final space features four AQ5 with a single AQ112 sub to provide a discrete system that is capable of running as an independent space, complete with its own DJ inputs.
Additional inputs are situated in Areas 1 and 3 to accommodate any kind of audio source - from DJs to laptops to bands - while each area has its own BSS BLU-6 remote control to allow local control of input and level. A manager's touch screen control is located in the rear office space, with a BLU-10, programmed to allow finer controls, full system muting and also an engineer log-in when required.
The system is amplified using Martin MA-Q series amplifiers; an MA6.8Q drives the potent main system, while a pair of MA4.8Q powers all the additional cabinets and another amplifier was deployed to fulfil the additional channel required to drive the AQ112 sub. All control and processing is handled via a single Soundweb fixed format BLU-100 DSP with a BLU-BOB output expander, programmed and tuned by Carl Broadhurst.
LMC Audio Systems supplied the equipment, with Will Hinkly managing the logistics and ensuring everything arrived on-site at the right times to meet the tight installation schedule. CTS Productions' installation team of Broadhurst, Tadeusz Zebrowski, Daniel Burt and Matt Rehm fitted the system in four late night shifts to ensure other contractors would be free to work in the same spaces during daylight hours.
(Jim Evans)
