100 year old Bakery installed with discrete Harman system
Published: ASIA
AUSTRALIA: An award-winning café located near to Australia’s Byron Bay has opted for a discrete Harman installation in its new venue, a 100 year old Bakery that is set to host intimate live music events. The system was designed and installed by Paul Morris of Morris Communications, with assistance from Australian Harman distributor Jands.
The Harvest Cafe is described as ‘blending country charm with a dash of contemporary style’. Situated in Newrybar, near Bangalow and Byron Bay, the café recently expanded into an adjacent 100 year old bakery which now boasts a selection of JBL loudspeakers alongside a small-format Soundcraft analogue console.
‘Initially it was to be a simple background system neatly crafted into the existing building, but a couple of days into the project the owner decided that he wanted to have live performances through the background music system,’ explained Mr Morris. ‘That changed everything! We had a frank discussion and I told him that what he wanted was completely different and the budget would need to increase considerably.
‘I did suggest using JBL Eons and a Soundcraft console that could be stowed away when not in use but he insisted on everything going through a background music system.’
To create a suitable solution, Mr Morris collaborated with Jands’ David Burke. ‘We designed a system which included a dbx ZonePro 640 plus remote panels mounted behind the bar to control the audio level in the four zones and the source selection.
‘It also gives us the ability to control, equalise and set parameters individually for the zones and for the sources. So you can walk around the entire venue with a wireless microphone and have absolutely no feedback and it just sounds great.’
The completed installation comprises four JBL 29AV speakers fitted into the main area of the venue, each of which is unobtrusively mounted high on wooden beams. Special order JBL in-ceiling speakers were also installed.
‘The in-ceiling speakers chosen for the lower roof were four JBL Control 47LPs,’ Mr Morris added. ‘Aside from being able to handle some power, we required a low profile back can due to limited space and we also didn’t want sound leaking out of the premises disturbing neighbours. We then installed some smaller JBL Control 23 speakers outside and another pair will soon be installed into the private dining room. Powering all of the speakers are three Crown XLS digital amplifiers.’
A Soundcraft EFX8 mixing console is also included in the design, having been secreted into a bookcase. A selection of microphones from Shure including a wireless channel and two Beta 58s complete the design.
The sound is even and balanced throughout and very clean,’ concluded mr Morris. ‘They even did a live recording recently off the console.’