Since Club Seven would host both live acts as well as present recorded dance tracks, Hill set out to design a high-energy sound system that was versatile and easy enough for a single sound engineer to run and alter as needed. Hill also wanted to ensure that as much of the system's energy as possible remained in the dance floor area, allowing patrons at the bar and the adjacent seating areas to enjoy easy conversation.
For the heart of the system, Hill and the Triamp team chose a Mackie TT24 Digital Live Console. "Digital was the obvious answer because we were aiming for a state-of-the-art club, and Mackie's TT24 was the standout," Hill noted. "Anyone who's comfortable with an analog board can get up to speed on the TT24 pretty quickly. And with all the processing - delays, comps, reverbs, equalization, gates and limiters - as well as a clean signal in a console that's easy to run, the TT24 was easily the best value."
Loudspeakers were another pivotal selection and Hill was determined to make the room the best it could be. "We knew going in that we wanted to work with EAW," Hill explained. "Partly because of our own knowledge of its loudspeaker design quality, but at the same time, we knew an EAW rig would be a selling point for just about any professional act considering whether or not to perform at the small nightclub."
With the help of the local distributor, Hill's team tapped the engineering resources at EAW for some assistance. Two EAW KF650z three-way speakers were selected for vocal clarity and extended lower-end pattern control. Flown above the stage, the KF650z loudspeakers serve as mains. Two EAW SB1000zP dual 18-inch subwoofers supply the low-end and are encased in a concrete housing under the main stage. This installation technique allowed the Triamp team to keep the low-frequency energy on the sunken dance floor and prevent it from resonating through the stage and outward into adjacent parts of the casino.
A pair of EAW KF360z two-way loudspeakers serve as delay fills near the bar seating area. Amplification horsepower is courtesy of five QSC PowerLight series amps, while system processing is courtesy of a Rane RPM 88 Digital DSP. The net result is exceptionally clear, powerful and well-controlled sound in a relatively small space say the company.
Hill's team outfitted the stage area with a monitoring system also built around a second Mackie TT24 Digital Live Console. "One of our favourite features of the TT24 is its fast, intuitive recall of scene settings that we can program for recurring bands. This feature is handy for both the monitor and front of house positions," Hill explained.
The TT24's on-board processing suite is complemented by a TC Electronics EQ station and a Motofader set for eight mixes, which are sent out to up to 10 EAW SM159z two-way stage monitors. Six QSC PowerLight amplifiers power the monitors.
Since opening its doors in January 2005, Club Seven has become a popular attraction for patrons and performers alike. "The club has hosted a number of big events with bands from all over Western Washington," said Hill. "People are travelling from cities like Seattle, Tacoma, and even Victoria, British Columbia to hear their favourite bands."
Hill and the Triamp team attribute this success to finding the perfect balance of catering to the patrons as well as the talent."
Hill concluded, "Naturall
