According to EAW systems application specialist Steve Badham, the key criterion for the audio installation was flexibility. Comprising three bars and two performance spaces of 750 capacity (1500 capacity when combined) as well as shops and cafés, there were a number of areas to be taken into consideration. The main FOH system is a powerful KF850 rig comprising two KF850zF cabinets and two SB850zR subs per side with an LA215 stage monitoring system. The secondary system, which may act as a stand-alone rig if the room is being used separately, or as a delay to the main system if the whole space is required, comprises two EAW AX344 three-way full range loudspeakers with an additional SB850zR sub per side.
"We understood from the outset that high quality and high power went without saying," explained Badham. "When you've got a line-up that consists of bands like Embrace, The Zutons, The Charlatans, Cooper Temple Clause and The Beautiful South in the next three months alone, you're talking straight away about a full professional live system, which explains our decision to go for the industry-standard KF850 as the primary rig. It provides a real 'live' feel to the music, and it's bombproof, which is a very important factor in a Student Union environment!
"However, we also had to bear in mind that this system had to be flexible both in terms of configuration and purpose," continued Badham "We therefore decided on the EAW AX Series for the secondary system. AX is specifically designed to deliver high-fidelity audio for both live music, as well as playback - a DJ, for instance. Using a combination of KF850 and the AX Series allowed us to offer the best of both worlds, either separately or in conjunction with one another."
System requirements didn't stop there, however. Engine Shed also features a mezzanine bar with a capacity of 250, that required an audio system that could be incorporated into the main system on a delay, or act independently. Here Stage Electrics opted to install one UB52, two MK5394 cabinets and one SB250zR sub per side. "The MK5394 is ideally suited for this sort of work," commented Stage Electrics' Davie Bell. "It's a compact installation loudspeaker that is designed to act as the main PA for smaller venues, or for distribution or fill purposes in larger venues, so perfect for what we wanted."
Processing throughout the venue is handled by a total of four EAW MX8750 digital processors with a Soundweb for matrixing.
The live element catered for, Stage Electrics looked to the EAW Commercial portfolio to handle sound reinforcement in the other bars throughout the building. The main entrance atrium bar is furnished with a foreground music system comprising six VR62 high definition two-way loudspeaker cabinets and four VR61 cabinets which are supplemented by two FR250z subs for low frequency reinforcement. Two further Sky TV/Sports bars upstairs are equipped with a total of ten CIS400 ceiling speakers and three SB48z subwoofers.
"There's no doubt that the Engine Shed is a magnificent venue," concluded EAW's UK sales manager, Moray McMillin. Indeed, a BBC journalist has already rated it 'world-class,' noting that the developers have retained a lot of the original Victorian brickwork, including the arches, from the old engine sheds and combi
