Sindo Exports and Hertz II bring QSC to Cleopatra
Published: ASIA
SINGAPORE: Hertz II recently installed an audio, lighting and LED wall system into Cleopatra – a karaoke themed nightclub located within the Park Lane shopping mall in Singapore. A QSC system supplied by Sindo Exports serves as FOH at the venue, which welcomes large numbers of patrons seven days a week.
The nightly entertainment usually begins with an LED and moving head show at 9pm before DJ Steven Junior takes control of the Pioneer CDJ850 players and DJM850 mixer. The singers start performing soon after on the main stage using Shure SM58 SLX wireless microphones.
The FOH system is comprised of four self-powered QSC Audio KW152 speakers configured as a L-C-R system with two cabinets suspended from the ceiling in the centre. Meanwhile, the low frequencies have been enhanced by four floor-standing QSC Audio KW181 subwoofers.
This marked the first occasion in which Hertz II director Gerard Ng specified QSC Audio speakers. ‘I was apprehensive about using self-powered speakers, but I have changed my mind now,’ he admitted. ‘They’re extremely powerful and each cabinet provides over 1,000W RMS of power.’
Despite residing in a shopping mall and being open for business when its neighbours have long departed the building, Cleopatra’s management cannot be complacent. ‘We have to be sensitive with such a high powered system, but even with lower SPLs the KW system is really powerful.’
The control room is accessed on the first floor via a ladder, which plays host to the DJ equipment in addition to an Allen & Heath iLive GLD80 console. ‘I hadn’t used a GLD console before, but I am very impressed,’ commented technical engineering manager Sulaiman Satriadi Simatupang. The 24-channel digital console has been extended by adding a GLD-AR84 expander audio rack with eight XLR inputs and four XLR outputs. The dSNAKE protocol connects the Cat-5 cabling to the AR2412 stage-box on stage, providing control to the remote preamp.
‘The GLD-80 has an analogue-style channel processing section complemented by an 8-inch touch screen display,’ Mr Simatupang furthered. ‘Anyone who hasn’t operated digital before can easily convert – there’s even a user guide on screen. The USB ports allow direct playback of music but they can also accept live stereo recordings of some assigned, or all of the channels. In addition, the 20 fader strips are well lit and are clear to navigate. In fact, the GLD80 comes with everything – there’s no need to start ordering extra hardware or software as everything you need is there.’
The overhead lighting truss contains a large assortment of beams, spots, LEDs and par cans, but fail to distract from the audio system – rewarding the singers with plaudits and prizes from the patrons.