The youth centre, founded in 1965, is run by Youth Connexions Hertfordshire in conjuntion with a management committee and has a long history of association with music -n The 60's band The Zombies formed there and current post-hardcore band Enter Shikari played many of their early gigs here in the noughties.
Herwin Acoustics is run by Paul Herwin who, with a previous life as a performing musician, is an associate member of the Institute of Acoustics and is still actively involved in live sound engineering for jazz artists such as John Surman, Richard Galliano, John Abercrombie and Jack DeJohnette. Herwin Acoustics' strong musical background has been put to use in building recording studios and live performance spaces particularly for the educational and community group sector.
Twelve db Technologies T4 line array active speakers were flown from a Milos Truss with four dB Technologies S20 subs handling the low end. Three dB Technologies DVA-DM28 and one DVA-DM15 active monitors were provided for stage monitoring. Audix and Shure microphones were supplied by SCV London and Leisuretec along with cabling from VDC.
The original stage was refurbished with acoustic treatment inside it to dampen resonance from the S20's and RPG acoustic panels were utilised throughout the hall to tame the lively acoustic.
An Allen & Heath iLive T112 control surface and IDR-32 mix rack system were installed along with a lighting system provided by sub-contractors Earley Creative .
Paul Herwin comments, "We all hear a lot about this and that digital console being just as easy as analogue to use. The T112 is just that but goes even further, I think it is easier to use without even trying to ape the traditional analogue layout especially as most young people today are familiar with digital devices. The included effects and large channel count along with the touch screen and channel strip LCD displays make it a massively powerful and tuneful system at an unbelievable price. dB technologies were very helpfull with the install, bringing a complete system down to demo in the hall before a decision to purchase was made and replacing a unit damaged by a courier within 24 hours."
Simon Wright, project manager for Youth Connexions Hertfordshire, adds, "Herwin Acoustics installed this equipment and kept to a strict budget and schedule. The transformation of the hall at Pioneer Youth Centre is incredible and young people are able to play in a venue which is better equipped than many venues in St Albans and indeed the country."
(Jim Evans)
