The Grade II-listed building has retained its original 1930s art deco features but now also contains a stage, dance floor, four bars and a full kitchen. With a capacity for up to 2,600 people, it provides a venue for large-scale parties, awards ceremonies, conferences and exhibitions. The addition of a high-specification Electro-Voice XLC line array sound system, with full digital control, and an impressive lighting rig from Halo Lighting has expanded the Troxy's potential even further.
London-based audio specialist Systems Etc has completed the design and installation of the powerful EV PA, working with John Ellis from EV distribution agents Shuttlesound. "The spec is to the highest standard," says Systems Etc MD Bernard Mani. "Using newly-launched line array cabinets - the XLC 127 DVXi - we have given the Troxy the infrastructure to handle high-profile live concerts, and a lot of music promoters and event organisers are keen to explore this."
Entering the Troxy through its glamorous marble-floored reception foyer, with hallmark art deco lamps and wall-panelling, the first element of the Electro-Voice installation comes in the shape of six ZX1i wall-mounted speakers presented in white to harmonise most effectively with the surrounding aesthetic.
Inside the vast auditorium, with its distinctive colour scheme of turquoise, green and gold, the left and right arrays of the Electro-Voice XLC line array have been flown above the spacious dancefloor. Each contains nine 127DVXi cabinets, which provide even coverage to the furthest seat in the back row of the balcony. Up to eight Xsubs are available for use on the ground. To service the area under the balcony, Systems Etc have installed a delay system of six more EV ZX1i cabinets.
Although the line array components are the very latest to be released by Electro-Voice, the secret advantage of the Troxy's system lies in the use of EV's NetMax audio processing and matrix system, At the heart of the Troxy audio installation is the N8000, a fully programmable DSP (digital signal processor) engine with an extensive array of audio processing devices available. Fitted with a CobraNet card, the N8000 connects directly to the venue's Yamaha M7CL digital audio mixing consoles, and controls the bank of EV Tour Grade power amplifiers, which have all been fitted with RCM network cards.
Bernard Mani is one of the early adopters of NetMax functionality in the UK, and says: "NetMax can control all the amplifiers directly. We can control the whole system via wi-fi from a laptop, in fact we can control it from any location in the building, or indeed even from my office on the other side of the River Thames. It allows us to define user areas and to set passwords, and if anyone's fiddled with the system, we can reset to the default settings. Using NetMax completely removes the need for any external devices."
(Jim Evans)
