HERE at Outernet chooses live sound solution from d&b audiotechnik.
HERE, the live music venue at London’s newest entertainment destination, Outernet Venues, has completed the installation of its in-house sound solution, where they have opted for d&b’s XSL system. Designed and installed by Clair Global Integration in close partnership with d&b, the audio solution was chosen by the client following demonstrations at the manufacturer’s headquarters in Backnang, Germany.
Standing on the historic site of the London Astoria, Outernet aims to create a 21st century experiential environment for music, arts, and culture. Central to this, HERE is its 2,000-capacity underground venue, hosting big-name DJs and live music. A second, 250-capacity space, called The Lower Third (formerly The 12 Bar Club on Denmark Street), is a grassroots venue with a focus on emerging talent.
When it came to technical infrastructure, the Outernet Venues team wanted to explore the possibilities of d&b’s XSL system. The smallest member of the SL family brings the features of the larger GSL and KSL systems – including high SPL and market-leading cardioid low frequency performance – to a broad range of installations and events.
Because XSL had only recently been announced at the time, the product was in great demand. The d&b team, led by technical sales specialist Richard McLean, took Outernet Venues’ representatives, along with Tom Williams from Clair Global Integration and Stuart Wright from Eighth Day Sound, to see a demonstration of XSL at its HQ in Germany. There, they were able to hear and assess Clair Global Integration’s system design.
The main venue has two XSL line array hangs, each with five XSL8 and two XSL12 cabinets. Four 10S-D loudspeakers from the xS Series and 12 E8 compact coaxial loudspeakers are used for fills, while, at ground level, five SL-GSUBs provide the low-end. Power is supplied by three D80 high-power amplifiers, and seven 40D and three 30D installation-specific units. The d&b units supplied also included 10 M4 and six M6 monitors, a pair of V7P speakers for side-fills, and further low-frequency support from a B6 subwoofer and four V-GSUBs.
In The Lower Third, meanwhile, the system includes five horizontally mounted 10S-D loudspeakers and a pair of V10P point source cabinets. Low end is from a further four V-GSUBs, and power from a pair of 40D amplifiers. Because system flexibility was a key requirement, all the loudspeaker hardware (aside from the fixed, installation-specific 10S-D units) comes from d&b’s mobile range, complete with carry handles and touring spec rigging options. Clair Global Integration were the integrator and installer for all the audio systems in the Outernet Venues complex.
HERE is the biggest live music venue to be built in central London for a long time, and Williams and the team at Clair Global Integration are delighted to have been able to work with Outernet Venues on the project.
The project was overseen by Clair Global Integration’s Jake Miller, and the installation, led by installations manager Jon Hardy, was completed within a six-week period. In addition to these, Williams credits Wayne Hall and Stuart Wright from Eighth Day Sound, who also contributed to the system design.
