Sound Control, Dundee supplied four PS15's and four PS10's, which are flown over the dancefloor and peripheral areas, reinforced by a pair of LS1200 subs - all powered by three Camco Vortex 6 amplifiers (2100W/4 ohms).
The full-range speakers are either suspended from tie bars or fixed direct into the standard four-inch brick ceiling using the NEXO hardware, reinforced by a special epoxy-based chemical and fixing screw rod. The system, along with the lighting, was installed in the two-zone rectangular room by long-serving technical manager, Bob Lamb, who has optimized the Nexo rig with the aid of the PS15TD and PS10 AMP dedicated controllers.
Commented Lamb: "We run other sound systems on the other floors but the Nexo is the most impressive by far. The fact that it has a vertical/horizontal rotatable CD horn is excellent with the restricted ceiling height. By concentrating the sound over the dancefloor we are able to achieve a vastly superior sound, which measured 105dBa." At the same time, the signal is attenuated off-floor to avoid any environmental health issues.
He and Angus Robb made the decision after meeting Mick Butler from UK distributors, Fuzion plc, on the company's stand at last September's PLASA Show. For Angus, who took over the venue three years ago, this is the third development in a phased upgrade (he has so far spent £3.5 million developing different themes and moods on each floor).
With so many different sound and lighting sources, Bob Lamb is now considering installing a switching matrix for the music and VXCO DMXCreators which will enable 1024 channels of DMX lighting signals to be switched.
Fat Sam's was already a heavy hitter on the entertainment map, having hosted concerts on the first floor by (among others), Ash, Embrace, The Music, Texas and Proclaimers; but the addition of the Karma Lounge is certain to boost its reputation - among corporate clients as well as its established base - still further.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
