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F1 System for Exeter University
Oxford-based Beat Audio has designed, supplied and installed a fully integrated Funktion One audio system throughout the newly refurbished Lemon Grove venue at Exeter University Student’s Guild with support from Dave Cole of Blue Box London Ltd.
The 800 capacity venue has just undergone a £100,000 technical refit as part of an overall £1 million facelift to the entire student complex.
Beat Audio’s Mark Kelly – an individual renowned for being passionate about sound – first came into contact with the venue after working with one of the Exeter promoter/bookers at the Glade Stage in Glastonbury. He’s supplied powerful sound with his F1 Resolution system for several shows over the year at the Lemon Grove – relishing in taking on the most awkward sonic challenges that many are scared to take on!
Beat Audio also has a special ear for reggae, hip hop, rap, urban, dance and R ‘n’ B music, and is renowned as one of the premier sound systems in the country to showcase these genres of music.
Everyone was impressed with Beat Audio’s consistent live sound at the Lemon Grove gigs. At the end of a Killa Kela show - arguably the world’s most innovative multi vocalist and beatbox musician – Kelly was approached by George Foden, general secretary of the Students Guild, and asked to advise them on a Funktion One installation for the Lemon Grove.
Kelly conducted several site visits, designed a system and sorted out a great deal with Funktion One. The Guild also asked if he could help arrange lighting for the venue, so he introduced Neil Marsh of Hayden Cruickshank’s Colour Sound Experiment to advise, design and supply this element of the project.
The main gig is geared towards DJ performance with some live acts and an emphasis on hip hop and urban which the sound system had to reflect. It was a prerequisite that any genre of DJ could turn up and be happy with the facilities . . . and as is often the case, there was a tight timeframe to complete the job.
The new system features Funktion One equipment throughout – speakers, amps crossovers and even the DJ mixer and monitors are Funktion One – with all elements designed to work together. “It’s only recently that all the elements have come online to be able to offer a fully F1 solution,” says Kelly. “And it absolutely rocks in every respect - it’s designed and built by people for whom audio is a lifestyle and an obsession.”
Kelly started at the bass of the matter, with two Funktion One 218 bass bins per side, added to which are two Resolution Four flown full range speakers per side. Both weight issues and aesthetic considerations made him choose the skeletal version cabinets – weighing just 38kgs and running passive at the top end.
Amplifiers are the new F1 E-Series manufactured by MC2. There are E45s on the subs and low mids and E25s running the high mids, with passive crossovers inbuilt into the speakers.
The Resolution 1 DJ monitors – the first time these have been used as such in the UK – have their own E25 amplifier and are also running passive so they can be run in stereo.
The DJ Box was an interesting area to design explains Kelly. Here Beat Audio specified two industry standard Pioneer CDJ1000 Mk II CD dex and Technics 1210’ record dex, complete with Stanton 680 carts optimised for scratching and club mixing.
Funktion One’s definitive F6000 DJ mixer, the result of a collaboration with Formula Sound, is hailed as a revolutionary combination of DJ friendliness, innovation and stunning sound quality, offering up the ultimate mixmaster tool.
Background music is supplied via a computer music source, and voice alarm priority interfacing is via a Formula Sound Guardian CX4.
The new look Lemon Grove was officially opened for Fresher’s Week by the university’s VC Steve Smith . . . and they have had nothing but positive feedback ever since.
Kelly says the biggest audio challenge was the timescale in which the system had to be delivered and completed, and working alongside the other building contractors in the relatively tight space hence the call to Dave Cole the most experienced F1 installer in the world. Luckily, being involved at the start of the project also brought many advantages for the audio department. Kelly advised them to source fabric rather than metal ducting for ventilation in the venue to minimise the standard environmental problems caused by metal on site, and they also addressed other issues like acoustic dampening where needed.
“The result is a world class sound and lighting system that puts the Lemon Grove right up there on the professional touring and performance circuit in the West of England,” states Kelly.
Exeter University Students Guild entertainments manager George Campbell comments: “The new system is fantastic! Our audiences and performers absolutely love it!”
In picture: Mark Kelly (installation project manager, Beat Audio representing Funktion-One), Steve Smith (vice chancellor Exeter University), Geoff Campbell (entertainment manager Exeter Uni. Guild of Students), Neil Marsh (lighting installation project manager, Colour Sound Experiment).
24th October 2005
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