Sound Division dishes up audio spice for Shish
When David Azouri opened his first restaurant in Willesden Green specialising in Middle Eastern cuisine, Shish became an immediate and resounding success. The concept is to serve fresh, tasty, authentic Middle Eastern dishes in a modern environment at refreshingly reasonable prices, or if drinking rather than eating is the order of the day, there is also a classy cocktail bar where customers can choose from a vast array of original cocktails, accompanied by a selection of mezze dishes should hunger start to gnaw. The concept has proved so successful that Azouri has recently opened a second unit in the increasingly trendy area of Hoxton in London, and turned to installation specialists, Sound Division to specify and supply the audio system.
Sound Division’s audio design team, David Graham and Elliot Patterson, opted for a Crown-powered JBL system based primarily on JBL Control 25AV loudspeakers. “Once again, as is the case with so many of our restaurant clients, the keyword here was quality,” said David Graham. Mark Evans, operations manager for Shish, agreed. “We were looking for a high quality background music system which would do justice to the kind of World Music we feature here that is quite unique and crucial to the atmosphere we are trying to create. For the restaurant it was particularly important that the music be both audible and crystal clear without being overpowering, while downstairs in the cocktail bar where we also have provision for a DJ, the system needed to be able to pack a bit more punch.”
To that end Sound Division supplied a total of eight JBL Control 25AV’s for the restaurant area on the ground floor with a further eight gracing the cocktail lounge and bar area in the basement. The DJ control area features a pair of JBL Control 29AV’s plus an Allen & Heath Xone 62 pro DJ mixer, twin Technics SL1210 mk3 turntables and a Denon 1800F twin CD player. The whole system is controlled via an Allen & Heath DR66 digital processing unit and two Allen & Heath PL1 remote music source and level control panels for maximum audio control and flexibility throughout the venue.
Mark Evans also pointed out that Sound Division have sourced much of the music that is a defining part of Shish’s identity. “They’ve done a good job,” he commented. “I’d say they’ve provided us with good, all-round service, and helping us out with the music was a definite bonus. The installation looks good – nice and discreet – and sounds good. Everyone got what they wanted!
August 2003