GLASGOW, UK – The Kong Complex, a multi-site venue with a variety of bars, restaurants, nightclubs and event spaces, is relying on Dynacord’s MXE5 Matrix Mix Engine for networked audio control. Flashlite Technical Services worked closely with the UK team from Electro-Voice and Dynacord to equip each space with Electro-Voice loudspeakers and Dynacord electronics, all networked via four MXE5 performance matrices.
More details from Dynacord (www.dynacord.com):
Located in the heart of Glasgow city center, Kong has been created as a day and night destination featuring two bars, three separate open-air winter terraces and a night club to meet the needs of clientele at any time of day. Open seven days a week, Kong has been designed with elegant interiors and a focus on providing the right atmosphere for each space. The audio part plays the key role in defining the ambience, driving the desire for a premium yet reliable solution throughout the complex.
Glasgow-based Flashlite Technical Services was tasked with the sound system design for the whole complex. “The concept was to provide a value-engineered solution for the client with multiple zones and areas,” recalls Flashlite Director Andrew O’Neill. To achieve this, the systems integrator enlisted the support of the Dynacord and Electro-Voice team to create a solution that would meet the needs of every space in the extensive facility.
“Flashlite wanted a system that could be fully IP-networked across the whole site,” explains Arthur Achard, Senior Sales Manager UK for Dynacord and Electro-Voice. “In order to do this, Dynacord MXE5 matrices were deployed along with TPC-1 touch panel controllers and networked WPN-1 wall panels. All MXE5 matrices can work inside one network, so the system can be easily accessed remotely and can be monitored while in use. Having so many venues to cater for, the MXE5 proved to be a flexible and powerful solution to fulfil the technical requirements.”
“The MXE5 devices allowed total configuration with ease and the TPC-1s have multiple pages to allow control of each area independently and also control of the same area from multiple panels,” adds O’Neill. “This was all handled through SONICUE Sound System Software which we found to be an incredibly powerful package. MXE5 combined with IPX amplifiers make life a lot easier than the alternative!”
With the MXE5 matrices in control, the rest of the solution drew on the great portfolio of Electro-Voice and Dynacord. “Electro-Voice and Dynacord were the right choice due to cost, reliability and total cost of ownership,” explains O’Neill. “Added to this, there is the superb UK support from Arthur who always goes above and beyond – including answering my calls late at night and at weekends!”
From ZX1i-100T loudspeakers driven by C Series amplifiers on the terraces to EVID 4.2T cabinets covering the corridors, or ZX3 loudspeakers with L Series amplifiers in the bar to X12-128 subwoofers in the club, the sound quality follows customers everywhere they go within the complex. “Different areas required different levels of sound but had to be completely configurable,” says O’Neill. “Unobtrusive speakers were also high on the requirements for certain areas.”
The venue features hundreds of loudspeakers, but what encapsulates the project best can be found in the Wunderbar Ballroom performance space. This dedicated live music venue and bar features performances from DJs and live bands every day of the week. To support these performances, three TX1122 and 11 ZX1i loudspeakers form the main system, supported by four TX2181 dual-18” subwoofers. On stage, a pair of MFX-15MC multi-use coax monitors and a further two TX1152FM floor monitors provide foldback for performers. Power for the system is via three IPX10:8 amplifiers alongside a single IPX20:4. There is also an MXE5 matrix and a pair of TPC-1 wall panel controllers to give the venue’s staff intuitive control over the whole system.
“Amplification was “interesting due to space restrictions,” furthers O’Neill. “This led us to the IPX range due to their low power consumption and low levels of heat generation.” The low power consumption of the IPX range is due to Dynacord’s ecoRAIL advanced amplifier power management technology. This dramatically reduces idle power consumption while still providing audio output, full system supervision and the capacity to restore full output power without any delay.
Reflecting on how Dynacord and Electro-Voice have been able to support the concept behind Kong, Achard is clearly very happy. “This project was complex and covered a diverse range of entertainment areas,” he notes. “The ability to mix and match amplifiers and speakers from the Electro-Voice and Dynacord families to cater to the specific needs of each space from powerful SPLs to inobtrusive form-factors made sure that we could provide a complete end-to-end solution for the whole Kong Complex.”
“The end result is that the client is happy, and as long as they are happy then I am happy,” concludes O’Neill.
Equipment List:
Kong – Bar:
- 1x Dynacord MXE5 Matrix Mix Engine
- 1x Dynacord TPC-1 touch panel controller
- 2x Dynacord Sub 1.15 passive subwoofers
- 9x Electro-Voice ZX3 12” passive loudspeakers
- 4x Dynacord L1800FD (2 x 950 W) power amplifiers
- 1x Dynacord L1300FD (2 x 650 W) power amplifier
Kong – The Box
- 1x Dynacord TPC-1 touch panel controller
- 2x Electro-Voice ZX1i-100 White two-way passive loudspeakers
- 1x Dynacord L1300FD (2 x 650 W) power amplifier
Kong – The Salon
- 1x Dynacord TPC-1 touch panel controller
- 1x Dynacord L1300FD (2 x 650 W) power amplifier
Kong – Small Terraces
- 2x Electro-Voice ZXi-100T two-way weather-resistant passive loudspeakers
- 1x Dynacord C2800FDi (2 x 1400 W) power amplifier
Kong – Large Terrace
- 2x Electro-Voice ZX1i-100T two-way weather-resistant passive loudspeakers
Kong – Corridors
- 2x Electro-Voice EVID 4.2T dual 4” two-way surface mount weather-resistant loudspeakers
