Founded as a charity in 1941 to support young evacuees during World War II, the Pioneer Club has long been a cornerstone of St Albans’ cultural fabric. Having been a beacon for the arts, with 1960s bands such as The Zombies and Argent performing at the venue, today it is home to the UK’s oldest indoor skate park and has hosted early performances from modern music icons like Enter Shikari and Gallows.
Despite its illustrious history, however, The Pioneer found itself in need of a facelift to ensure its relevance for future generations.
A collaboration between Headliner Spaces and Enter Shikari has brought the club up to date, with a Dolby Atmos studio at its core. This was not just a technical upgrade but a statement of commitment to the next wave of aspiring musicians, engineers and producers. Its 7.1.4 immersive monitoring system built around Genelec’s the The Ones family of three-way coaxial monitors. The system includes three 8351Bs paired with W371A woofer systems for LCR, complemented by 8341A and 8331A monitors for surround and overhead channels. Low-end performance is supplemented with a 7380A subwoofer, and the entire system has been configured and calibrated using Genelec’s GLM software.
The upgraded studio is proving to be more than just a space for professionals; it’s a resource for the entire community. With an emphasis on accessibility and education, the studio is poised to host workshops, masterclasses and recording sessions for young and aspiring artists in the area, helping them learn the craft in a world-class environment.
‘The new set-up not only preserves the legacy of this legendary venue but enhances its future, bringing cutting-edge technology to the local community and fostering the next generation of musicians and producers,’ says Genelec Regional Business Development Manager, Andy Bensley. ‘It’s exciting to be part of a project that so closely aligns with our values of supporting education, culture, and innovation in music.’
In addition to regular studio use, future plans include the launch of two Academies – a Music Academy for young children starting at age five and a Pro Academy for students interested in careers in music production and pro-audio. Both will make use of the Dolby Atmos studio, ensuring that students not only learn technical skills but also gain hands-on experience in a professional environment.
Designed to be as versatile as possible, the studio’s integration of Dante networking allows for seamless live recording across the site’s multiple performance spaces, enabling immersive Dolby Atmos mixes of live events. This set-up makes The Pioneer a truly unique venue, capable of hosting live gigs while simultaneously capturing the performances for future production work.
By combining cutting-edge technology with a deep-rooted commitment to the local music scene, Genelec has not only equipped the space with world-class audio capabilities but has also ensured that the local community, especially young and aspiring creatives, can benefit from a high-quality, future-proofed environment. The Pioneer Club is now more than a historical site; it stands as a forward-looking hub for creativity and innovation.
More: www.genelec.com
