Situated opposite Brighton Pier, the converted cinema, which operated most recently as the Kuku Club, wanted to extend its scope from pure playback facilities to become a genuine 350-capacity circuit venue.
The technical team opted for the versatility of a Soundcraft Vi1 digital console, purchased from dealers Crystal Pro Audio and installed by experienced local production and installation company, C3 Productions.
Run by John Crawley and John Castrillon, C3 Productions was chosen for the fit-out, based on their extensive experience with high profile events, including Great Escape, the Brighton Festival, Gay Pride, Brighton Fashion Week, and Brighton and Sussex Universities' Freshers' Balls.
At The Haunt, there had been no technical infrastructure until C3 Productions took over. "It was purely used by DJs," confirmed the company's operations manager, George Ridal.
"We wanted to offer the venue something superior to other mid-range, small format digital desks. It also needed to be a product aimed at visiting engineers and be something they would recognise." Although The Haunt's new management was offered a choice of desk brands, C3 made it clear that their recommendation lay in the Soundcraft Vi1, with its inbuilt Lexicon FX.
At the same time the venue also invested in expertise, with technical manager Andy Goodwin arriving at the club to work alongside live manager, Ade Dovey, while the installation was overseen by The Haunt's new general manager, Rory Knapp.
"Increasingly Soundcraft Vi desks are appearing on technical riders, so it made perfect sense," said Goodwin. "I have shown a lot of engineers over it, and everyone loves it."
At the same time the venue has two house engineers in the female partnership of Zoe Martin and Vicky Elston. Both have worked extensively on the Soundcraft Vi platform while on tour - the former with Esben and the Witch, the latter with Exit Ten. And both tours have exposed them to many of the venues' in-house Soundcraft Vi desks.
Zoe Martin agreed that the Vi1 was the logical choice. "Because I do a lot of touring, and have worked on the bigger Vi desks, I got into it straight away."
(Jim Evans)
