The first and largest integrated resort in the Philippines, Resorts World Manila (RWM) features gaming, entertainment, unique events and lifestyle options. Its Bar 360 references a circular stage 360° with a bar running 360° around it, and the dancefloor and audience seating surrounds it all. Equally unusual and appealing, the circular layout presents an audio production challenge – especially as Bar 360 is located in the centre of the casino’s gaming floor, contributing its own cacophony of sounds.
A recent sound system upgrade aimed to establish clear and dynamic sound all the way around the audience area, capable of delivering a level of 95-100dB without disturbing the casino operations.
‘We want our guests to experience the real live sounds of our bands,’ explains Ernie De Leon, Director of Entertainment Operations at Bar 360. ‘The challenge is we’re in the middle of a gaming floor, so we also need to consider our guests outside the bar.’
MD of Clair Brothers Australia, Wayne Grosser worked in with Systech Lighting Controls Incorporated on the solution: ‘They did a great job with the installation to make sure sounds from our stage are contained inside the bar area by levelling out volume and controlling sound distribution to prevent spill,’ De Leon says. ‘This Clair Brothers system is exactly what we’ve been looking for. No other gear required.’
Replacing the previous system was essential because it was aimed at the band on stage from the outer ceiling perimeter, with two subs under the stage in the centre. This resulted in sound feeding into vocal and instrument mics on the stage, and the sound was washing out over the audience seating areas. For the band, it made for a great side fill, but not a satisfying listening experience for customers. Bar 360 needed a new configuration.
The new FOH system runs in mono and comprises eight R2D-III bi-amplified, 12-inch, two-way speakers with four CS18-II single, 18-inch subs positioned on the floor at the four column positions. A side marble area has two R2D-III bi-amped, 12-inch, two-way speakers that are time-aligned to the stage centre – the same as the main FOH system. The stage monitors consist of four FF2-HXs, along with four Clair Brothers 2kW D80:4L amplifiers with Lake processing.
‘The intelligibility, clarity and impact we’ve been looking for in a sound system are achieved with our new system,’ De Leon reports. ‘In fact, this is the third Clair Brothers system installed at a venue at Resorts World Manila. The results speak for themselves and so many customers have made it a point to comment how clear the sound is. And that’s the goal: satisfied customers.
‘Bar 360 is one of Resort World Manila’s most popular venues, where top performers are showcased every day and night,’ he closes. ‘It is therefore imperative the sound quality of our speakers is up to par. We are very pleased with our new Clair Brothers system. When it comes to loudspeaker systems, why consider another brand?’
More: www.clairbrothers.com
