Compact Monitor Systems Australia designed and installed the audio system throughout the venue opting for a total JBL speaker solution.
"The JBL Control Series are my favourite speakers by a million miles," said Bill Richardson, managing director of Compact Monitor Systems Australia. "I've been a JBL-head for many years and Compact has been affiliated with JBL since the 1970's. The JBL Control Series of speakers is the first thing - and almost the only thing - we recommend to our clients. The only exception is if someone has a very specific request for a certain type of speakers."
Richardson describes the JBL Control Series as very simple, always sounding good straight out of the box.
"The ceiling mount speakers come with a back can and they don't have to be pre-installed," he added. "You just cut the hole, fit it in, turn the little clips and it locks into place. It's really very easy. They come in low impedance, high impedance and really couldn't be any simpler to use. With the back can all the energy comes out of the front of the speaker and doesn't get wasted in the ceiling cavity. Most importantly they sound great.
"The wall-mount speakers such as the Control 29AV come with a magnificent mounting system that again couldn't be any easier to use and is tamper proof. The Control 29AV and 25AV can be used outdoors so all you have to do is put a little flange on the back where the cable goes in and it becomes highly water resistant."
Seventeen JBL Control 24CT in-ceiling speakers are used in the bar, TAB, and dining audio zones. Ten of the more powerful JBL Control 47LP and a couple of JBL Control 40CST subwoofers are used in the VIP area.
The beer garden is an indoor / outdoor area thanks to a retractable roof and so four JBL Control 29AV outdoor speakers were chosen.
All of the JBL speakers are running off Crown amplifiers; two CDi1000, three XTi6002, an XTi4002, an 1160A, and an XTi1002.
"The Crown amplifiers are also a no-brainer," remarked Bill. "It's a Harman product that is really married to the JBL speakers. They have a wide variety of products from entry level to smart amplifiers with processing built onboard. Crown amps are excellent and we never have to convince anyone to use them, they are industry leading products. The Crown three year warranty deal that is transferable is brilliant."
Carmen's nightclub posed several problems particularly an inconvenient roof angle and weight constrictions plus acoustic problems with neighbours. Close liaisons between the builder Infinity, an acoustic consultant and Compact Monitor Systems through the build ensured acceptable sound proofing of the venue.
"The acoustic consultant asked me what I wanted the reverb time in the room to be and I answered zero," commented Bill. "I asked them to make it as dead as possible and then we'd control what came out of the speaker boxes."
Richardson chose the JBL VRX Curvature Line Array speaker system which is compact and lightweight. Hung in each corner of the venue is a stack of three VRX speaker cabinets.
Three JBL ASB6125 dual-15" subwoofers, configured in 2.6 ohm resistance, are installed under the stage in a centre cluster.
The BSS BLU range of products was chosen for the audio control and signal processing. Two of the BLU-100 12 x 8 processors were chosen for the job; one acts as the signal processor for the main PA in the nightclub, and the other as DSP and control for the balance of the venue.
(Jim Evans)
