ALBANNACH

Sound Division marches into Trafalgar Square with Albannach

(Albannach photographs courtesy of Theme magazine)

Located in the heart of the capital on Trafalgar Square, rubbing shoulders with the National Gallery and the Trafalgar hotel, Albannach is doubtless one of the hottest openings of the year. London sophistication with a Scottish twist, Albannach is a brand new contemporary Scottish bar and restaurant offering the very best in food and drink for the capital's pleasure seekers, along with the latest technology in sound and lighting to provide an unusual location for corporate meetings, events and product launches. AV systems integration specialists, The Sound Division, Group were called in to design, specify and install the sophisticated audio visual system throughout, which includes LCD screens for laptop presentations, an impressive 12ft projection screen with a powerful Mitsubishi projection system on the lower ground floor, and a 50" plasma screen in the VIP room. All are equipped with the usual DVD, CD and VCR facilities along with terrestrial and SKY TV feeds.

The brief was for a high-class, fully integrated and zoned audio visual system with the ability to route any audio and/or video signal to any part of the venue depending on requirements, thus permitting separate events and groups to enjoy a full range of audio and video material simultaneously in different areas of the venue. To that end, Sound Division's David Graham specified a complete Harman Pro audio system based on JBL Control Series loudspeakers throughout, powered by Crown amplification and controlled by BSS Soundweb. The video systems are equally sophisticated with equipment from Mitsubishi, Fujitsu and Relisys with an Elca matrix video switcher at the heart of the system. A Rolec Music Management system provides the main background music source. There are input points on all three floors to accommodate a portable DJ system which can be fed to any or all parts of the venue.

According to David Graham, nothing has been left to chance. "Every eventuality has been covered, and we've worked hard to make sure that the client has every possible option at his fingertips. The entire AV system is controlled centrally by a dedicated Elca MX88 video and audio matrix switcher, enabling almost any configuration of audio and video feeds throughout the venue. The result is a truly integrated, multi-zone audio visual system that works on a number of levels and is capable of handling many tasks at once."

The ground floor, mezzanine and lower ground floor areas each feature a distributed, multi-zoned foreground sound system based on various configurations of Crown-driven JBL Control 29AV and Control 24Cs plus Control 19C ceiling subs. There is also a 12 x 7ft projection screen with Mitsubishi projector, with a choice of DVD, S-VHS or SKY feed via a video switcher, plus a VGA-UXGA PC input for laptop presentations in the main bar overlooking Trafalgar Square. On the music front, a Rolec Music management system is available along with local DJ/PA/mic inputs on the ground floor and basement levels. The lower ground floor vaulted bar boasts a number of Control 28 and Control 29AV loudspeakers with a JBL AL6125 2 x 15" sub for a harder-hitting, more club-like atmosphere.

Still at lower ground level, Albannach offers five booths, which are ideal for intimate events such as small business meetings or private parties. Each booth comes complete with its own discrete audio system which may be controlled locally by the customer. The two largest booths are equipped with 20" Relisys LCD screens for presentations and private screenings plus a choice of main basement feed or video sound.

The jewel in the crown is the private VIP room with its own Scotch whisky library and classic décor. Here Sound Division has installed a self-contained Infinity Oreus 5.1 surround sound hi-fi system with audio hardware from Harman Kardon and a 50" Fujitsu plasma screen with a choice of independent local DVD and S-VHS playback, terrestrial/SKY feed and local XGA computer input. There is also an independent JBL foreground loudspeaker system for larger parties.

"This has been a complex, but nevertheless rewarding job in one of London's most prestigious venues," commented Graham. "It's a novel concept and one that is bound to work well for the brand in this, their flagship site. We're looking forward to the next one!"