Sound Division serves up great sound for Cafeteria
Cafeteria, one of London’s hottest new eateries, is the result of a collaboration between celebrity chef John Torode, owner of Smiths of Smithfield, and Simon Wright, most recently GM of Food & Beverage for Schrager hotels, specifically St Martin’s Lane and Sanderson. Just opened on Ladbroke Grove, Cafeteria boasts an all-day restaurant downstairs that serves fresh, organic food from 8am-11pm daily and a classy cocktail/DJ bar upstairs open from 5pm until midnight or 1am. Wright and Torode were just as selective about the quality of the sound system for their new venture as they were for every other detail, and had no hesitation in turning to specialists Sound Division to specify, supply and install all the audio equipment.
Sound Division’s audio design team, David Graham and Elliot Patterson, opted for a Crown-powered JBL system based primarily on JBL Control 29AV loudspeakers. “Although it’s not a massive system, the keyword here was quality,” explained David. “The client wanted a high quality system that would cruise from background to foreground levels with the minimum of effort, and the flexibility to zone the system as required with remote, independent level control.” Elliot agreed. “John and Simon both have strong views on audio quality and feel that the sound system is an essential part of the overall experience, so like everything else in the restaurant, it has to be top class.”
To that end Sound Division supplied a total of six JBL Control 29AV’s for the restaurant area downstairs with four more gracing the cocktail lounge upstairs. These are supplemented by four JBL Control 23’s in the entrance area and four Control 24C ceiling speakers in the washrooms. The DJ control area is also extremely well equipped with an Allen & Heath Xone 62 mixer, Technics SL1210 mk3 turntables and the latest Denon DN-D4000 twin CD player with MP3 playback capability. For background music when the DJ is not there, Sound Division has supplied a Pioneer 100-disc multi-CD player. The whole system is controlled via a Cloud Z411 Zone Venue mixer and Cloud RSL-6 remote music source and level control panels for maximum audio control and flexibility throughout the venue.
Cafeteria’s Simon Wright explained that he had already worked with Sound Division on many occasions through Schrager Hotels, and had always been very impressed with the results. “If there’s one thing that stands out about Sound Division, it’s the quality of the service they provide,” he stated. “I would say it’s second to none. As a company, they are always willing to go that extra mile for you to make sure you’re truly satisfied with the results, and I can safely say that here at Cafeteria we are delighted. As an all-round package, the quality of the service you receive along with the quality of equipment supplied represents great value for money. I’d have no hesitation in recommending Sound Division to anyone.”
June 2003