Independent live music business MAMA & Company - which already runs venues such as the Jazz Cafe in London and The Ritz in Manchester, as well as the Global Gathering, Lovebox, and Wilderness festivals - worked alongside UK pro audio supplier Dimension Audio to specify TURBOSOUND for the venue's three defined spaces, which each required individual approaches.
"The main theatre room is predominantly a live performance space, so the requirement was for a system that could deliver clean, dynamic, high SPL output whilst minimising sightline intrusions which are already affected by the room's two large central pillars," says TURBOSOUND's Paul McMullan. "For this permanent installation Andy Laurie of Dimension Audio opted for the contracting series TCS-1061 - a permanent install version of the touring 3-way Flex Array line arrays, with low end reinforcement provided by the ubiquitous and ever popular TSW-218 double 18" folded horns."
The TCS-1061/75 high performance modular trapezoidal three-way line array contains neodymium drive units throughout to achieve the cabinet's low net weight, and features focused horizontal dispersion to avoid unwanted reflections from walls and pillars. "We needed to carefully consider sightlines in the intimate audience space, as well as the roof weight loading," explains McMullan. "The TCS-1061 with its high output versus small footprint and reduced weight was the ideal candidate." The flown TCS-1061 mid/highs are supplemented by TSW-218 horn-loaded double 18" subwoofers which incorporate TURBOSOUND's patented loading principles and are designed to deliver accurate and powerful reproduction of low frequency energy at very high levels.
"The Loft room has historically been used to hold events of a more DJ orientatednature, and the vaulted ceiling meant that a ground stacked system was a more sensible option," continues McMullan. "The new sound system made use of some TURBOSOUND Aspect TA-500 cabinets already owned by the MAMA Group, and a pair of TFS-900L Flashline subwoofers, to deliver the impact required for bass-heavy dance music, whilst maintaining the fidelity expected for the inevitably wide range of material to be handled by the Arts Club.
"Downstairs, a new bar and grill area has been created requiring an unobtrusive BGM system capably handled by TCX-8 full range cabinets. An additional portable self-powered Milan system has also been supplied for use by comedy, acoustic, spoken word, and other performers when required."
The compact TCX-8 passive two-way loudspeaker presents a discreet installed appearance with no visible side handles, comprising an 8" low frequency driver and a 1" high frequency compression driver, and offers wide dispersion from its Converging Elliptical Waveguide(TM) in a trapezoidal enclosure.
Dimension Audio supplied and installed the equipment throughout the two main performance spaces, restaurant and Loft Bar for the renovation, which has seen the inside of the historic building being fully modernised while retaining its original features.
Formerly the Masque Theatre, the East Village Arts Club stands at the heart of Liverpool's once thriving mercantile area and near the site at the corner of Seel Street and Colquitt Street of the stately late-Georgian house built in 1799 for wealthy merchant and slave trader Thomas Parr, which was later converted into the Liverpool Royal Institution and dedicated to the promotion of literature, science and the arts.
"The Mama Group and Dimension Audio have a long standing and successful relationship with TURBOSOUND," continues McMullan. "With the wide range of products available and expertise at hand TURBOSOUND provides an excellent one-stop-shop for loudspeaker systems. Andy Laurie and I have a great long standing working relationship which really became apparent throughout the project."
"We've had a very positive response from audiences at club nights," comments venue manager Georgia Hock. "Everyone loves the sound, and gig-wise as well the loft room sounds fantastic!"
TURBOSOUND is a leading designer and manufacturer of professional loudspeaker systems serving the most demanding audio professionals on major tours, festivals, theatre, worship and A/V markets. Since building their first system for seminal rock group Pink Floyd in the late 1970s, a number of principal patents and honours have been bestowed upon TURBOSOUND including three Queen's Awards; most recently for Innovation in 2012, which recognises two ground-breaking design concepts — the Polyhorn and Dendritic waveguides. Both now form the heart of TURBOSOUND's core product ranges — Aspect, Flex Array and large-scale Flashline loudspeaker systems.
TURBOSOUND is owned by MUSIC Group.