Nexo has had a long history with the live music venue, which opened in 1992. For a decade, the original Nexo SI 2000 system provided sound for live acts including Oasis, The Libertines and Radiohead. Destroyed in 2002 by a fire which ravaged the Cowgate area of the city, the club's owner, Hafid Mahboubi, has fought a long and hard battle to have it rebuilt.
"After 13 years it was a great feeling to be able to return to the venue we built and bring it back to life," says George Macdonald, who worked as club promoter, resident DJ and technician at the club until the fateful fire. "I was lucky enough to be trained on the original Nexo system, and I have many fond memories of what we achieved with it. I ended up taking co-ownership of that system with the original manager, Martin Coull, and when we both came back to work on the new venue we felt drawn back to Nexo to continue what we started back in 1992."
Macdonald returned to the venue as technical manager after 12 years running Underground Solushn Records, a long-established music and audio equipment emporium in central Edinburgh. "I was in a perfect position to spec and supply a new sound system for the new club," he says. "Working with Leisuretec and Nexo UK, we designed a live music and club setup around the Geo S range. However when the M28 became available just before we reopened, we took the leap to STM and couldn't be happier with the result."
The main system installed in the 600-capacity room consists of two M28 mains and one B112 bass module per side, plus two STM118 subs and a further 2x LS18 sub bass cabinets at the front of the stage. Two PS8 speakers have been used as fills for the bar area, with PS15s as stage monitors. The system is driven by three NXAMP 4X4000 and one NXAMP 4X1000 powered controllers. The installation - STM's first permanent setup in the UK - was handled by Underground Solushn.
"We've had great success with all types of club music and live shows here since we opened," continues Macdonald. "The acoustics of this brand new, custom built space have come alive in a special way because of the exceptional clarity and power of our STM system."
(Jim Evans)
