Comprising bars, restaurants, leisure spaces and a cinema, Manchester Printworks recently undertook a £27m refurbishment that included the largest digital ceiling in Europe. The screen uses augmented reality technology to display CGI content day and night, supported by Renkus-Heinz IC Live Gen5 Series and UBX Series loudspeakers.
The CUK Group supported the project as technical distributor, working alongside integrator PAS Sound Engineering. As well as the video wall, new PA will serve events held in the centre, from yoga classes to festivals and parties.
‘The UBX Series features Passive UniBeam technology, and we specified these models for the walkways leading out of the centre,’ explains CUK Group Director of System Solution Sales, Mark Bromfield. ‘The beam-steering capabilities of the IC Live Gen5 Series also influenced our decision. The models are great looking, offer excellent coverage and dispersion and deliver incredible audio quality and performance.’
CUK demonstrated the IC Live Gen5 Series to the venue during the design phase of the project, allowing the project team to verify performance and sound quality, while having the opportunity to refine the design proposal. Working with PAS Sound Engineering, CUK created schematic drawings with Ease modelling to provide optimum coverage for the venue. The resultant system comprises four ICL-F-RD models, six UBX8 loudspeakers and two SX118 subwoofers.
The audio system for the screen needed to be mounted high up and flat to the wall, which was achieved using the active beam-steering capabilities of the series. IC Live beams can be steered up or down while the array remains vertical – and nearly invisible. The compact UBX8 models employ the same beam-steering technology in a passive column. Delivering precise vertical pattern control and a combination of innovative features, the UBX models delivered consistent coverage across the entire Printworks complex.
‘All of the loudspeakers are independently powered,’ Bromfield says. ‘The ICL-F-RDs are self-powered models while Powersoft Quattrocanali 2404 and 1204 amplifiers drive the two SX118s and the six UBX8 loudspeakers. Clock-audio shotgun microphones are also in place throughout the site to monitor and adjust the audio levels automatically in response to real-time footfall. A Symetrix Prism 12×12 with Dante is used for DSP and audio system control throughout the venue, distributing signals to the Renkus-Heinz IC Live Gen5 loudspeakers and Powersoft amplifiers.’
Additionally, CUK and PAS Sound Engineering installed a Symetrix T-10 touchscreen panel offering a custom GUI for intuitive control of the system by the staff who can change presets and tailor the audio feeds and levels for specific events. Further commands can be sent via the Green Hippo server used to synchronise the audio with the screen content.
‘This project has been met with critical acclaim; it’s quite the spectacle when you see it in person,’ Bromfield says. ‘Deciding on a Renkus-Heinz audio system has added that extra layer of premium. Being able to sync up the sound with the video content has created a completely immersive experience. It’s like nothing we’ve ever seen before at a hospitality venue. It really is worth a visit.’
