Outline
The Stables, Spain’s Hall, Essex is a prestigious conversion and extension of listed stable buildings, creating an immaculately finished venue for weddings, social and corporate functions. CGA Integration were commissioned to provide high quality, zoned, adaptable audio for a wide range of functions. Scope for future developments was part of the brief from the outset.

Challenges
Audio quality came top of the list for project requirements, with system flexibility and ease of routine use close behind. Zones from ceremony to vaulted dining rooms required separate design, while installation needed to be impressively finished to match high standards of decor.

Zoning Control
Audio flexibility was achieved by providing multiple inputs and selection to each zone. Mediamatrix provided programmable control over routing and volume in zone to enable either local or central control, paging overlay or customisation for special events. Audio inputs included a background hard drive player, local inputs, radio mics or local inputs from alternative zones. Two induction loops ensure DDA compliance.

Ceremony room
As the legal venue for weddings, this room required crystal quality audio, provided by discrete Evid ceiling speakers. The provision of local inputs here enables personal music selection.

Dining Hall
The high roof of the dining hall creates an imposing venue for food and entertainment. Background sound was delivered evenly to the tables using Evid 4.2 speakers finished in white. Zoning these speakers enabled custom scenarios for top table positioning or variations in volume across the room if required. Audio feeds to the kitchen from all zones assist monitoring of speeches and event timing

Live entertainment PA
Augmenting the background audio was a comprehensive PA for live bands, chamber groups or singers. 16 channels at the stage area allow for bands of all sizes, with duplicated channels across the room expand possibilities for multiple entertainment or positioning.

Bar area
The bar area benefits from Evid ceiling speakers creating a pleasing background ambience. As elsewhere local selection and volume controls provide flexibility for a range of event configurations.

Response
During commissioning Spain’s Hall commented that the system had been made particularly easy to understand for non technical staff. They have also chosen to enhance their system with the addition of a Wesley ceremonial music device, improving remote cueing of music, and a sound meter to ensure good neighbour relations and Council Compliance.