Turbosound installations

Camino, UK

Venue: Camino
Location: London, UK
Venue-type: Club
Loudspeaker system:
TCS Compact series
TSB

Successful Shoreditch operators The Cantaloupe Group, have opened an authentic Spanish Bar/Restaurant in the new Regent Quarter development at London’s Kings Cross.

As with all three of their venues - including the influential Cargo in Shoreditch - the company has turned again to Marquee Audio to deliver their sound reinforcement requirements. Their solution has been to provide a discreet background music system in the new building to meet the eclectic tastes of directors Richard Bigg, Nigel Foster and Chris Greenwood.

It is the company's music guru Chris Greenwood - the man responsible for programming the music at several of London’s top Cuban and Latin bars - who has drawn on his huge library of cool Latin American grooves to create the playlist. "I have tried to make the music much more contemporary and wide-ranging than just the usual Gypsy Kings soundtrack," he said.

Sound reinforcement is via a Turbosound TCS system, divided into three separate zones - the front bar, lounge and separate restaurant, which is accessed by walking through the courtyard.

Marquee Audio project manager Scott Wakelin has been careful to preserve the natural aesthetic of the 5,000 sq. ft interior by recessing pairs of TCS-101C passive two-way full range speakers into the rafters above. These are supported by Turbosound TSB-110 10in bass units.

For matrix control Wakelin has again turned to his favoured Biamp Nexia PM digital processing. Providing two separate DJ plug-in points for the hosting of party nights, he has ensured that the sound source can be selected and volume controlled at the bar where a Volume 8/Select 8 volume control panel is positioned.

Chris Greenwood commended the sensitive way in which Marquee Audio had interpreted the brief. "Unlike a live music venue, we didn't want any speakers visible," he said.

Turbosound has long been a favourite brand, not only of Cantaloupe Group, but also Scott Wakelin, after they recently replaced their system at Cargo with the new Turbosound Aspect. "There was no question of using anything else as we have a good relationship with the company," said Chris Greenwood. "As a full-range speaker the TCS series performs exactly as we wanted it to - but it also means we can swap any of the enclosures round if we need to."

The Cantaloupe Group man also commended the flexibility offered by the Biamp wall control panel. "With the use of DJ’s for private parties it was vital that we had independent zonal control," he said. “We are very happy with the Nexia Select 8, and the ease with which the duty managers are able to set the volume levels and change the sound sources."

The music library will be updated on a monthly basis and will include "anything 'Hipspanic'", according to Greenwood. It is also planned to import some live recordings from Cargo.

The audio is the final piece in the jigsaw for Richard Bigg, who is passionate about Spanish cuisine and wines, having spent much time in the country. "Camino means 'roadway' or 'path', and implies journey, and we wanted the operation to be pan-Spain rather than represent one region," he said. "It's authentic and down to earth."

Cantaloupe Group spent Ł1.1m building the infrastructure, entrusting the design to The Formation Creative Consultants and bringing in celebrated Spanish chef Miguel Masero.

Bigg himself contributed some objets trouvés which he found in Spain, which sit comfortably in a world of raw materials including exposed brickwork, wood, cork, a pewter bar and complementary murals. He describes the building, with its tasteful murals, domed skylight and sun-kissed courtyard as "beautiful and historic."

"We were all very keen to be in King's Cross because of the excitement in the area - and I got the same buzz as I did about Shoreditch when we first opened Cantaloupe Bar there in 1995," he said.

Chris Greenwood is so enthusiastic that he sees the potential for rolling out Camino. "It' a really grown up venue and I would like to think we could do three or four of these," he says.

Camino will trade Monday to Wednesday until midnight (opening at 8am for a typical Spanish breakfast and freshly squeezed juice) and will operate until 1am from Thursday to Saturday.

With thanks to Jerry Gilbert and Marquee Audio.

	Camino, UK

	Venue: Camino Location: London, UK Venue-type: Club Loudspeaker system: TCS Compact series TSB

	Successful Shoreditch operators The Cantaloupe Group, have opened an authentic Spanish Bar/Restaurant in the new Regent Quarter development at London’s Kings Cross. As with all three of their venues - including the influential Cargo in Shoreditch - the company has turned again to Marquee Audio to deliver their sound reinforcement requirements. Their solution has been to provide a discreet background music system in the new building to meet the eclectic tastes of directors Richard Bigg, Nigel Foster and Chris Greenwood. It is the company's music guru Chris Greenwood - the man responsible for programming the music at several of London’s top Cuban and Latin bars - who has drawn on his huge library of cool Latin American grooves to create the playlist. "I have tried to make the music much more contemporary and wide-ranging than just the usual Gypsy Kings soundtrack," he said. Sound reinforcement is via a Turbosound TCS system, divided into three separate zones - the front bar, lounge and separate restaurant, which is accessed by walking through the courtyard. Marquee Audio project manager Scott Wakelin has been careful to preserve the natural aesthetic of the 5,000 sq. ft interior by recessing pairs of TCS-101C passive two-way full range speakers into the rafters above. These are supported by Turbosound TSB-110 10in bass units. For matrix control Wakelin has again turned to his favoured Biamp Nexia PM digital processing. Providing two separate DJ plug-in points for the hosting of party nights, he has ensured that the sound source can be selected and volume controlled at the bar where a Volume 8/Select 8 volume control panel is positioned. Chris Greenwood commended the sensitive way in which Marquee Audio had interpreted the brief. "Unlike a live music venue, we didn't want any speakers visible," he said. Turbosound has long been a favourite brand, not only of Cantaloupe Group, but also Scott Wakelin, after they recently replaced their system at Cargo with the new Turbosound Aspect. "There was no question of using anything else as we have a good relationship with the company," said Chris Greenwood. "As a full-range speaker the TCS series performs exactly as we wanted it to - but it also means we can swap any of the enclosures round if we need to." The Cantaloupe Group man also commended the flexibility offered by the Biamp wall control panel. "With the use of DJ’s for private parties it was vital that we had independent zonal control," he said. “We are very happy with the Nexia Select 8, and the ease with which the duty managers are able to set the volume levels and change the sound sources." The music library will be updated on a monthly basis and will include "anything 'Hipspanic'", according to Greenwood. It is also planned to import some live recordings from Cargo. The audio is the final piece in the jigsaw for Richard Bigg, who is passionate about Spanish cuisine and wines, having spent much time in the country. "Camino means 'roadway' or 'path', and implies journey, and we wanted the operation to be pan-Spain rather than represent one region," he said. "It's authentic and down to earth." Cantaloupe Group spent Ł1.1m building the infrastructure, entrusting the design to The Formation Creative Consultants and bringing in celebrated Spanish chef Miguel Masero. Bigg himself contributed some objets trouvés which he found in Spain, which sit comfortably in a world of raw materials including exposed brickwork, wood, cork, a pewter bar and complementary murals. He describes the building, with its tasteful murals, domed skylight and sun-kissed courtyard as "beautiful and historic." "We were all very keen to be in King's Cross because of the excitement in the area - and I got the same buzz as I did about Shoreditch when we first opened Cantaloupe Bar there in 1995," he said. Chris Greenwood is so enthusiastic that he sees the potential for rolling out Camino. "It' a really grown up venue and I would like to think we could do three or four of these," he says. Camino will trade Monday to Wednesday until midnight (opening at 8am for a typical Spanish breakfast and freshly squeezed juice) and will operate until 1am from Thursday to Saturday. With thanks to Jerry Gilbert and Marquee Audio.