Fashion rocks

AV integration specialist and distributor Triangle Entertainment Services was tasked with supplying and installing a variety of pro audio technologies at Dubai’s recently opened Cavalli Club. Here, Sound & Stage profiles the installation process and the challenges that confronted the Triangle team.

Project:

The installation of professional audio technology at the Cavalli Club, Fairmont Hotel, Dubai.

Client brief:

Supplying the main sound reinforcement system for the facility, DJ technology, and the backup sound system for the elevator, bathrooms and other peripheral areas of the club.

The dinner club was personally designed by prominent Italian fashion guru, Roberto Cavalli, and as such, Triangle had to adhere to a very stringent set of guidelines and ensure all technology was concealed and positioned far from the focus of guests.

Time frame:

Triangle spent approximately three months planning for the project, and another three months installing the audio kit.

Joseph Jabbour, project manager for the company, says the last two weeks of the job, in the lead-up to the club’s May opening, were the most challenging for his crew. He says the company’s employees were stretched, as they were working on four different installations during the time.

Key brands:

d&b audiotechnik supplied the main sound reinforcement components including speakers and amplifiers. Pioneer was the most prevalent brand in the DJ setup, and Sonance speakers featured in the backup sound system.

Audio control system:

From an operational perspective, Triangle ensured that the DJ would have the ability to control the sound across the club from one central point. The company claims that the controls for each zone can be easily accessed from a single, easy to use interface.

The d&b audiotechnik amplifiers included in the installation, were perfect for the project, due to their built-in settings for delay, crossover and speaker presets, says Chadi El Masri, systems engineer at Triangle.

He claims the processing aspect of the installation was executed flawlessly, due to the intrinsic ease of the d&b audiotechnik system. He says compared to other installations, there were fewer concerns in this instance about how many processors were required, how many zones had to be processed, or how many equalisers should be included.

Other than some minor alterations and adjustment which were made to the system later in the process, this aspect of the installation was completed in the space of 24 hours.

Unique aspects:

As a specialist in nightclub technology, Triangle had to employ a different approach when working on the deceptively titled Cavalli Club project. This installation was a far cry from the company’s regular nightclub work, due to its primary role as a lounge and dining facility. As such, pro audio technology had to be well-concealed, at Cavalli’s behest.

The immersive nature of the sound system employed in this example, also provides a contrast to the more focused nature of audio in a traditional nightclub installation. Triangle had to ensure a very even spread of sound across the venue’s several lounge, bar and dining areas, some of which are elevated and encircled with crystal curtains.

Main challenges:

Making alterations to speaker placements outlined in the original design documents at the request of the designer and his team was one challenge faced by the Triangle crew. El Masri says that despite this, 95% of the company’s initial designs for the audio system were implemented as planned.

Crews also mention that one of the most difficult aspects of the project was checking the feasibility of their initial blueprints by eye. Jabbour says fitting audio technology around the crystal curtains was at times difficult, because before they had viewed them first-hand it was unclear whether or not they would impede the installation, or be sound-transparent.

Positioning brackets in the roof of any club can present difficulties, due to the placement of ducts, wiring and electrical equipment. The Triangle team had to remain constantly conscious of this fact during the Cavalli Club project.

READERS' COMMENTS

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM