A majestic stage for a very special day: ‘The Grand Banqueting Suite’ in Bradford, England is primarily aimed at wedding functions and offers everything that characterises a magnificent wedding celebration.
To ensure that the ‘wow’ factor is also emphasised acoustically, ShropshireNet Limited opted for a multi-zone audio system based on solutions from LD Systems, with centralised audio and lighting control provided by QUESTRA design and management software.
The Grand Banqueting Suite includes several areas spread over three floors: via the entrance hall on the ground floor, visitors enter the impressive main hall with a capacity of 1,500 people. A second entrance on the upper floor leads to two further rooms for around 800 people, complemented by a spacious outdoor area.
“The venue management asked for a sound system that meets the high-end demands of their wedding clients,” explained Jonathon Hanleyphillips from ShropshireNet.
“We aimed for a system that would be powerful, yet visually discreet and blend in seamlessly with the venue.”
To achieve this, a flown LD Systems MAILA line array system consisting of one MAILA COL active column module and four MAILA SAT passive array satellite loudspeakers per side provide the main sound reinforcement in the main hall, while two MAILA SUB subwoofers, embedded in the stage floor, ensure additional low-end punch.
In addition to MAILA, eight LD Systems MAUI i1 installation column speakers provide additional sound support for the wedding guests, who are usually seated at tables spread across the entire hall.
With its compact dimensions, ShropshireNet was able to mount the MAUI i1 almost unobtrusively on the surrounding balustrade posts.
Furthermore, LD Systems STINGER SUB 15 bass reflex subwoofers were integrated on both sides of the raised catwalk, which runs through the centre of the room and serves to stage the bride and groom.
“The Grand is an enormous project, with sound required in all areas of the venue, both inside and outside and this is the first time we have used LD Systems for a project, and we are truly impressed with the quality and the support from Adam Hall Integrated Systems,” said Hanleyphillips. “We’re so impressed that we are already in the midst of planning and designing a similar system for the Grand’s sister venue.”
In total, ShropshireNet divided the wedding venue into five audio zones: large hall, ground floor entrance area, upper floor entrance area (LD Systems CICS 62 in-ceiling speakers), garden (LD Systems COGS 52 garden speakers) and washrooms.
Signal amplification is carried out by LD Systems IPA 424 T DSP installation amps, equipped with X-EDAI Ethernet and Dante audio interface expansion cards.
The expansion cards are connected to the LD Systems DIO22 and DIO44 Dante interfaces, which provide additional input sources (including for the LD Systems U500 wireless microphones) and distribute the mixer audio signals to the MAILA and STINGER subwoofers in the main hall.
An LD Systems RSMP Radio Streaming Media Player serves as a media player for background music and more.
In addition to the sophisticated multi-zone audio environment, ShropshireNet had to ensure that staff on site could control all zones wirelessly via a standardised tablet interface.
“This was one of the main criteria for our client,” continued Hanleyphillips.
“With LD Systems QUESTRA, we were able to realise these requirements and integrate every single speaker, player and mixer.”
With QUESTRA, ShropshireNet designed a unified user interface for Android and iOS tablets, which can be used to control the levels of the input sources in all zones (mixers, wireless microphones, media players, etc.) as well as the corresponding outputs.
Furthermore, various pre-programmed scenes are available for quick selection, which include not only audio (via Dante) but also the installed lighting fixtures (via DMX). For signal distribution between LD Systems QUESTRA and the lights, ShropshireNet opted for two Cameo DVC CUE DMX interfaces including Ethernet connection for external control.
The following LD Systems and Cameo products are used in The Grand Banqueting Suite:
1x LD Systems MAILA XL Line Array System
8x LD Systems MAUI i1 Passive Indoor/Outdoor Installation Column Loudspeaker
3x LD Systems STINGER SUB 15 G3 Passive 15” Bass Reflex PA Subwoofer
6x LD Systems CICS 62 6.5″ 2-Way In-Ceiling Speaker
6x LD Systems COGS 52 5.25″ Outdoor Garden Speaker
2x LD Systems MON 12 A G3 W 12″ Powered Coaxial Stage Monitor
2x LD Systems IPA 424 T 4-channel DSP Installation Amplifier
2x LD Systems X-EDAI Ethernet & Dante Audio Interface Expansion Card
2x LD Systems RSMP Radio Streaming Media Player
1x LD Systems DIO 44 4×4 Input/Output Dante Interface
1x LD Systems DIO 22 2×2 Input/Output Dante Interface
1x LD Systems DEEP2 600 PA Power Amplifier
1x LD Systems U508 HHD 2 Wireless Microphone System (2x Handheld Microphone)
1x LD Systems U508 HHD Wireless Microphone System (Handheld Microphone)
1x LD Systems VIBZ 12 DC 12 Channel Mixing Console
2x Cameo DVC CUE DMX Interface
