The  expanding Botanist chain of UK music-led bar/restaurants recently opened its latest outlet in Marlow, Bucks. Having overseen all previous six Botanists (as well as the other venues in the operators’ 12-strong portfolio), music consultants Genre Music managed the installation of Martin Audio CDD installation range loudspeakers in the venue –on the recommendation of sub-contractor, F1 Sound Co.

‘While we handle all the operators’ music requirements and book their live acts, we bring in technical experts for the sound system installations, working in conjunction with several partner companies,’ says Genre Music MD, Steven Walter. ‘In the south, this is F1 Sound Co.’

Run by Matt Bate and Sam Liston, Bate had wanted to use CDD since attending its launch in 2015.  CDD (Coaxial Differential Dispersion) was engineered to deliver class-leading coverage consistency to demanding venues. And they don’t come any more demanding than the Botanist with its seven nights a week live music policy and daytime background music, programmed and playlisted by Genre Music themselves, and played out through a C-Burn hard drive system. Not for nothing is its slogan: ‘Real music by real musicians’.

‘We try to maintain consistency of style throughout the estate as far as the hardware is concerned, and the CDD range fits perfectly into that ethos,’ Walter  says. ‘I have worked with Matt Bate since 2000 and knew he had been a big user of Martin Audio over the years.

‘The demand from interior designers is always for the speakers to look good – stylish and discreet but at the same time be powerful and transparent. CDD is extremely slick and with its clever bracketry and curves ensure that it can be mounted right into the corners.’

The venue is divided into four zones to serve a clientele of 180. This includes Bar, serving ales, craft beers and chic cocktails, Restaurant, serving deli and rotisserie inspired food, heated Outdoor Garden and Toilets/Ancillaries. Eight CDD6 (6-inch) speakers can be found in the bar, including a musician monitor on the tiny stage, wall mounted above the piano, with two CSX112 12-inch subs concealed behind grilles across the front of the bar.

Over in the restaurant there are 11 wall-mounted CDD6s, run full range, while outside four CDD5s are recessed under a garden roof.

‘The system was really easy to set up and very little EQ was necessary,’ Walter reports. ‘The response from the clients and musicians has also been excellent – and you feel with these boxes that they are no bigger than they need to be to deliver first class sound. It also meets the budget and fits with the operational requirements.’