CASE STUDY: GAME ON

GAME ON FOR POWERSOFT

Powersoft’s Dynamic Music Distribution (DMD) solution is at the heart of the versatile, userfriendly and cost-effective audio system providing the soundtrack to Kent’s newest sports and entertainment destination.

With Dynamic Music Distribution, Powersoft says it offers installers the ability to scale inputs and zones conveniently and efficiently with dynamic routing capabilities embedded on its amplifier platforms. This makes it simple to dynamically route music and other signal sources along with control signals between different zones and across multiple amplifiers – all independently of source location and without the need for a centralised DSP.

Two Mezzo 604 ADs (Powersoft’s fourchannel, 600W compact amplifier) are powering the entirety of the 250-capacity Matches Sports Bar, Grill & Social, forming the core of a unique hospitality venue, incorporating multiple distinct audio zones and spaces. Tucked away behind the counter, a single 4.3in wall-mounted Powersoft WM Touch screen gives complete control of the entire DMD system, including Mezzo’s embedded dynamic routing capabilities.

“By using Powersoft’s Dynamic Music Distribution solution, we were able to keep our design simple all the way through, from designing the project to handing it over to the client,” explains Ashley Bond, managing director of system designer and installer MADE Worldwide. “The client is then left with a powerful start-to-finish solution from a single industry leading manufacturer, providing them with a safe and secure audio system that’s really going to push through.”

Matches Sports Bar – located at Elwick Place in Ashford, Kent, has been a roaring business since it opened with its food and drink, live sports and evening entertainment proving popular with both locals and Eurostar passengers.

Jon Shephard, Matches’ owner, says the concept for the venue is to combine “all the best bits of the bars I’ve been to throughout my life, all into one place” to create the “ultimate sports bar experience”.

With a single four-channel Mezzo amplifier now able to drive up to four independent zones of audio, thanks to Powersoft’s new ArmoníaPlus 2.2 software release, the DMD ecosystem was a strong choice to bring to life Jon’s vision for the venue, with a “tailored sound experience in each individual area”.

Jon explains, “For example, we have three semi-private self-pour beer areas. In those areas, whilst customers want to be able to hear the experience, the volume still allows them to have a conversation with others across the table. We also have other semi-private areas, such as the snug and the private room, where customers are all-encapsulated in high-quality, 3D surround sound.

“In the main bar area, we wanted a system where customers could really feel like they’re in the stadium watching the match live. However, once that match is finished and we turn the [TV] sound off, we want to get the music pumping – to turn it up loud and have no loss in quality with regards to the audio. And believe me, if you come here on a Friday and Saturday night, you’ll definitely experience that.” The two Powersoft Mezzo amplifiers are responsible for managing the audio throughout Matches, including in the corridor and washrooms. Powersoft’s UK distributor, CUK Audio, supplied MADE with the Mezzos and WM Touch, as well as the AUDAC loudspeakers (ATEO wallmounted speakers, CIRA ceiling speakers, and BASO10 and NOBA8 subwoofers) the amplifiers power. Installed AV channel manager, Steve Barton, says multiple output options like those on the Mezzo 604 AD were essential for a venue like Matches, where a single amplifier is able to power both Lo- and Hi-Z loudspeakers.

“DMD was key here,” comments Steve, “because it provides a really cost-effective and stylish way of routing audio around venues like this. Here, we need small amounts of power going to smaller zones, like the toilets or corridors, and a large amount of power to provide high-quality, pumping audio to get the atmosphere going in the bar area. This is where the Mezzo amplifier running the Dynamic Music Distribution system really shines.

“The Powersoft amps have up to four channels running 600W, with full power sharing across all the channels. And the key here is that they can do low impedance and a 100V line on the same amplifier, all using the integral DSP – in a half RU space – so you can fit a heck of a lot of processing power in a really, really tiny space.”

Ashley adds, “One of the challenges on this project for us was to keep everything nice and tight with a small-rack install. Because the Mezzos are so small in the rack, we were able to fit three satellite boxes, and an AUX input, so we could come in and throw [sound] around in different zones and make it easy for the client to use.”

Despite its high spec, Powersoft argues that the system is so competitively priced that recommending it to MADE for the Matches project was very straightforward. Steve says, “Dynamic Music Distribution is very easy to justify to integration partners and end users because it offers supreme flexibility while being really cost effective. When you look, in terms of money and size, how much power, processing capabilities and content you’re getting out of it, it’s a no-brainer.”

Jon says he is, “delighted with the AV system we have in Matches”, which made its public debut ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 football championships. “The WM Touch system is super user-friendly – we have a control panel behind the bar, which any of our staff can log on to and be able to change the audio in a couple of clicks. Plus, the training [from MADE] only took a minimal amount of time – no more than half an hour – because it’s so simple to use.

“The system is basically automated as far as it can be, and that’s based on the fact that we used the Dynamic Music Distribution system by Powersoft. It’s made our lives easier because we know that the customer benefits from a userfriendly system.”

In fact, so impressed were the MADE team by the system installed at Matches that the company is already specifying an almost identical system for several upcoming projects. “That’s off the back of how strongly it’s performed at Matches,” Ashley continues. “It’s definitely become our go-to solution for hospitality projects – so much so that we even hold stock of it just to have it when we need it.”

Equally important as its equipment’s technical prowess are the people at Powersoft, adds Steve of CUK, which has been distributing the brand in the UK since 2008. “It’s not just about the products – it’s about the relationships, and the guys at Powersoft are fantastic.

“They’ve demonstrated time and time again that they’re approachable, personable and flexible, which is exactly what you need in a working relationship. And it’s a rare combination to find a top-level manufacturer that has such fantastic people working for them.”

Made Worldwide madeworldwide.co.uk

Essential Kit List

• Audac Speakers ATEO 4 x5 • Audac Speakers ATEO 6 x9 • Audac Subwoofer BASO10 x3

• Audac Ceiling Sub NOBA8A x1 • Audac Speaker Bracket WMA40 x3 • Audac Speaker Bracket WMA60 x9 • Audac Subwoofer Bracket MBK101 x3

• Powersoft Mezzo Amp MEZZO604A x2 • Audac Ceiling Speaker CIRA724 x3 • Audac Wall Controller MWX45/B x1

• Audac Stereo Amp AMP523 x1 • Procab Loadspeaker Cable 300m CLS215-

CCA/3 x2

• Procab Network Cable 305m CCT65F-

CCA/3 x5

• Procab HDMI Male-Male 3m CLV100/3 x13

• Procab Mic Cable 100m CMC222-CCA/1 x1

• Speakcon Connectors x3 • Procab Patch Panel 24 Port x2

• Procab RJ45 Male x48

• Procab RJ45 Female x48

• Powersoft Wall Controller x1