UK - Harman Pro UK has supplied Sound Division with an integrated audio solution including JBL speakers, BSS routing and processing, dbx zoning and Crown amplification for the impressive new Albannach venue in Trafalgar Square. The contemporary Scottish restaurant, bar and cocktail lounge is divided into three distinct areas - the bright and open main lounge bar on the ground floor, featuring large windows, lots of natural light and the stunning urban views; the more intimate mezzanine restaurant area above the rear portion of main lounge bar; and a discreet cocktail bar area downstairs. All three areas have diverse ambiences and so all required a variety of acoustic treatments when it came to the sound design. The three zones also had to be able to function either independently or simultaneously, so the global audio design had to be highly versatile.

Harman Pro UK's Andy Duffield worked closely with Sound Division's David Graham to create the optimum sound scheme. Together they produced initial drawings and acoustic modellings and made their proposal, taking into account Westminster City Council's strict guidelines regarding noise pollution and leakage containment.

The basement cocktail bar also contains a small dancefloor. Duffield explains that this is designed as a high fidelity club dance music system. The chosen speakers are JBL Control 29 AVs from the Control Contractor range for the mid-tops, plus the dual 15" AL6125 sub from the AE range for bottom end. Tucked away in the far end of what were once the cellars, are five VIP booths. Each of these has two Control 23 speakers with its own independent volume control via a dbx ZonePro (which also offers source selection - the main basement Rolec hard drive feed or video sound) from within each of the booths. There's also the facility to plumb a portable DJ system in at any one of three points throughout the venue. Sound sources are routed to the booths via the BSS Soundweb which handles audio management for the entire venue plus processing and EQ.

Upstairs in the main bar and lounge, sound is delivered by six Control 29AVs inset into the wall, with only about 5cm protruding of each enclosure. This is easily enough to fill the large and lively open part of the space. Infill underneath the mezzanine area is supplied by Control 24Cs and Control 19Cs. The mezzanine restaurant area features more Control 24 and 29Cs. The basic sound is designed to be a pleasant 'conversation' level, but with plenty of headroom for private parties or more boisterous occasions if needed.

(Lee Baldock)


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