Adding to the ambience throughout the large open-plan ground floor is guitar and film soundtrack-inspired music, sensitively programmed and delivered by iPod and Denon 6-disc multi CD player.
Based nearby, audio system designers and installers, Sound Division Group, has a long association with Simon Wright's ventures. Here they were called on to enhance the existing background system - fitted when the hotel was built.
Sound Division Group's David Graham reports, "The challenge here was to interface with a perfectly acceptable background system but augment the feature areas at the bar and front lounge, where the DJ booth is set up. At the same time we provided system equalisation and protection via a dbx 2031 31-band graphic EQ/limiter and used a Cloud Z8 zoner to route the signal source."
In the front lounge, JBL Control 29's complement the Penton 100v line speakers providing the background sound in the 100-cover restaurant, Out in the 40-seat terrace Sound Division specified four of Work's cost-effective weatherproof Studio 30's, one in each corner.
Restaurant manager Richard Moore says that the Hoxton Grille will not only service hotel guests but provide a much needed facility for the thriving local community from 7am. This includes live DJ sessions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons, operating alongside a daily-rotating playlist. To facilitate this Sound Division has provided a plug-in point and highly-specified DJ console, complete with portable flight case. The equipment includes Technics SL1210 turntables and Denon DN-D4500 twin CD players, Allen & Heath XONE:62 mixer and Alesis powered DJ monitor.
David Graham adds, "It's great to be working again with Simon Wright, with whom we have had a relationship stretching back to his days as F&B manager at the Sanderson Hotel."
(Jim Evans)
