Power, clarity and reliability were the key requirements when Bucharest’s Hard Rock Café called in Romanian integrator Paradigma Teknik to install a new sound system.
Every Hard Rock Café centres on its rock stage, where Paradigma Sales Manager Laura Angelescu has placed eight Martin Audio W8WDQs and four WS218X subs, driven by two eight-channel Powersoft Ottocanali 12K4 DSP+D and a single X4 DSP+D amplifiers.
‘We have a very strong relationship with Paradigma Technik,’ says AudioVision’s Marius Craiu. ‘We have worked together for many years, and Powersoft aligns very well with Martin Audio – for many reasons, but primarily because of the DSP.
Understanding the venue’s needs, AudioVision specified DSP+D versions of Powersoft’s Ottocanali and Quattrocanali amplifier platforms for the restaurant’s multi-zoned audio system. Powersoft’s green energy product solution ticked every box. The installation is managed by Powersoft’s Armonía Pro Audio suite, which offers complete and user-friendly web-based control of the system.
Powersoft’s X4 amplifier platform provides trusted high-grade sound accuracy and high-density power to the sub bass units. In common with the Ottocanali series DSP+D versions, the X4 channels two redundant Dante streams and features fully-protected circuitry. The Ottocanali 12K4 power amplifier provides up to a total of 12kW (4Ω) with maximum reliability and efficiency at reduced power consumption thanks to Powersoft’s Power Factor Correction and SRM (Smart Rails Management) technology.
The seated dining zones of the restaurant are served by 23 channels from three Ottocanali 4K4 DSP+D amplifiers, driving 23 Martin Audio CDD8 ultra-compact two-way speakers, while front fill is supplied by two high-output CDD12 speakers driven by a single Quattrocanali 4804 DSP+D amplifier. Eight MA W8WDQ loudspeaker systems are used for main tops, side fill and delays and bi-amplified by two Powersoft Ottocanali 12K4 DSP+D, while the LF uses four WS218X powered an X4 DSP+ D amplifier.
Simple operator control of the entire system was a further requirement of the installation. AudioVision specified Powersoft’s Armonía Pro Audio Suite software, which offers full graphical control of Powersoft amplifiers via a web app, making the installed amplifier platforms remotely accessible and operable.
Armonía provides password-protected levels of system control. At the ‘advanced user’ level the system can be set up and commissioned with full access to all settings on the amplifiers. Operator view is customisable by the audio engineer to create a safe view to manage specified zones and volume control.
In the case of Bucharest’s Hard Rock Café, Armonía is used in Operator View by the house sound engineer. ‘The sound engineer can control the gains of some of the advanced groups, like subs, delays, main, front fill, side fill etc. This helps him achieve the desired power for low and hi frequencies and also for different areas,’ Craiu says.
The initial system set up via Armonía was created by Project Manager Daniel Marius Albu and technician Catalin Serban from Paradigma Teknik, with support from Craiu and Powersoft System Engineering Manager, Luca Gianni. Once the system was fully embedded with minor modifications made in weekly tweaks, Craiu transformed the system control into the user-friendly Operator View interface.
The new system has gone down well with Hard Rock Café Marketing Manager, Bianca Dragota: ‘What were we using before?’ he ponders. ‘Now we have music.’
