The system consists of eight Vertec VT-4889 elements - and was specified by David Bradshaw, the Ministry’s Head of Production. Bradshaw was looking for a system with large amounts of energy and direction that would adequately cover all areas of the unorthodox shaped room: apart from that, it had to look good, and work in the context of the space’s aesthetics. Bradshaw had realized the versatility of Vertec during the Ministry of Sound’s University tour earlier in the year, where they "used it in all conceivable venues, rooms and configurations, getting a great result every time." Vertec was also used at Ministry of Sound’s massive summer event staged at Knebworth Park last year.
Bradshaw’s decision to use Vertec in the permanent installation was taken after careful consideration of other options. Although designed as a concert system, he was totally confident it would work as an installed club system, easily offering the required power, coverage and characteristics needed for Ministry of Sound. Arbiter’s acoustic engineer Dan Eades surveyed the Bar using JBL’s Line Array Calculator software, and worked out the optimum configuration for the Vertec and the required between-element angles. The Vertec is flown - using standard JBL array frames - in two arrays. Eight ground-stacked JBL SP-128s and VS-125s subs complete the system. The Vertec’s light weight (72kg per box) meant it could be hung from the existing roof RSJs without any structural reinforcements being necessary.
The entire system is powered by six Crown Macro Tech MA-5002VZ amplifiers and processed by BSS Soundweb, on a CAT 5 network which links the whole venue together digitally, allowing real time control from a central source. Eades comments: "The project was a great collaboration between Dave Bradshaw and Ministry of Sound, Arbiter and Over Audio."
(Lee Baldock)
