Sound Division Group works its magic on Whisky Mist
For the second time in four years the Sound Division Group transforms Park Lane Hilton’s Zeta Bar with inspired sound and lighting integration.
Mayfair’s legendary Zeta Bar at the Park Lane Hilton — already outfitted with JBL loudspeakers by the Sound Division Group (SDG) four years ago — has now transformed into ‘Whisky Mist at Zeta’. This has given the same installation company the opportunity to add a further generation of Harman Professional sound reinforcement products to the existing infrastructure as part of a seductive package of integrated sound and LED lighting.
The new bar and club, which has already revolutionised the Mayfair nightlife scene, is a joint collaboration between the Hilton Hotel, two of London’s most successful nightlife pioneers — Nick House and Piers Adam — as well as Jacobi Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe and Marc Burton.
Open from 5pm every evening, with last entry at 2am, SDG’s managing director David Graham knew instinctively how to transfigure the environment in this sophisticated venue to optimum effect, having previously collaborated at the über-chic Mahiki for House and Adam.
Working alongside Tim Mutton and Jayne Furniss, from interior designers Blacksheep, SDG have injected a new momentum, while at the same time servicing and upgrading some of the existing audio system.
The main dancefloor system has been built around six flown JBL Control 29 AVs and a ground-stacked AL6125 2x 15 sub, powered by Crown amplification. Further Control 29AV’s can be seen in the bar area, retrofitted into the existing sound system, with further Crown amps providing the power.
The Sound Division Group has reused existing JBL Control 28’s for the VIP Lounge, reinforcing this with a new Martin Audio AQ210 sub. Similarly, they have overhauled the existing JBL Control 25’s, which continue to provide the background sound in the main reception area. To power this they have reassigned the existing Crown XLS 402 and XS500 amplifiers.
The DJ is given high priority at Whisky Mist and SDG have specified the booth with industry-standard devices, reinforcing the existing Technics SL1210 turntables with Pioneer CDJ-1000 Mk3 CD turntables and new Allen & Heath XONE:62S installation mixer. Meanwhile, a plug-in point has been provided in the VIP Bar to allow either a portable DJ flight case, fitted with Pioneer CDJ and Allen & Heath mixer, or a karaoke system.
The VIP Bar is one of three zones (the dancefloor and main bar being the others) which are under the control of the existing BSS Soundweb DSP network, built around SW9088iis devices and SW9010 ‘Jellyfish’ wall remote, and this has been reprogrammed accordingly.
SDG then turned their attention to the lighting, installing some stunning illumination high up, with 38 metres of single-metre X-chip strip lights fixed between the ceiling and 12 floating panels; each side of the 12 panels can be individually controlled to create an amazing range of effects.
Aside from the MR16 LED’s which are used to uplight the wall mirrors, equally creative is the way in which SDG have washed the hanging Whisky Mist perspex feature in a cloud-like effect, formed from 12 blue, white and amber RGB wall-mounted MR16’s, which project onto the feature. All the LED lighting is under the master control of ShowCAD software, operated from a laptop.
Sound Division Group’s installation project team was led by Elliot Patterson and Dean Osborne of Intense Audio.
Said David Graham, “We had to strip out, service and overhaul all the equipment before we began, in order to keep costs to a premium. We have amalgamated this with new cutting-edge technology to provide an integrated design that a bar with Zeta’s pedigree deserves. Not only have we helped create a thoroughly dynamic environment, but have been able to do so cost-effectively.”
Nick House added his delight at the quality of installation. “We are really happy with the overall ambience that Sound Division has created with the sound and light. I have worked with David Graham over a long period, and he’s a top man.”
August 2008