What appears to be an average apartment building in the heart of the Hillcrest neighbourhood of San Diego, California, is actually the InsideOut urban oasis restaurant Requiring an update to its audio system to create an immersive environment for diners while being conscious of residents surrounding the location, the restaurant recently installed LEA Professional technology and Pioneer Pro Audio products.
Opened in 2018, InsideOut is situated in Eitol Towers and adjoined by the Harvey Hillcrest apartments. It offers a casual, ambiance, and is known for pop-up installations. The venue comprises a main dining room that leads to an outdoor open-air atrium with walkways, seating nooks and a striking water feature. The menu, curated by Executive Chef Johnny Duran, is updated seasonally to reflect his creative approach to California-Mediterranean-inspired fare, using ingredients sourced locally.
InsideOut engaged Ramiro Valenzuela of R-Tech Productions and his team to provide an system to fit the multi-format venue’s needs. The company combined the smart technology of LEA’s Connect Series 354 and Pioneer Pro Audio’s discreet CM Series to create an immersive environment for patrons while respecting the other building occupants.
‘I had a walkthrough with the InsideOut team, and it was clear the original audio system had not been well-maintained,’ Valenzuela says. ‘They were looking for a reliable sound design that wasn’t overpowering to the guest’s experience but also allowed for adjustments for different areas inside the restaurant. I knew LEA Professional would be a great fit as the technology allows easy installion in the correct profile and adjustment with no other hands touching it.’
The Connect Series 354 was installed to serve ceiling loudspeakers, the amplifier’s smart capabilities being able to delay the audio or adjust the level by channel. The four and eight-channel amplifiers support HiZ (70V or 100V) or LoZ loudspeakers, with built-in Wi-Fi access, and the ability to connect to any local area network via Cat5 or Cat6. The Network Connect Series is also the first amplifier family in the industry to offer cloud connectivity, providing an additional layer of reliability through remote troubleshooting and support.
‘Pioneer Pro Audio came into play once I replaced the patio loudspeakers because the original speakers had experienced a lot of wear due to outdoor exposure,’ Valenzuela says. ‘Around 60 per cent of the seating is outdoors, so having a durable audio system was a necessity. InsideOut had a seasonal event planned and wanted the system to be done prior. I was able to get the Pioneer Pro Audio products, install them, and have the system fully up and running in time. Enjoying the sound throughout the venue made for a great addition to the event.’
R-Tech Productions used Pioneer Pro Audio’s black CM-S58T throughout the patio. The 8-inch surface-mount loudspeakers are ideal for discreet installation in spaces where reliability is crucial, especially in outdoor environments.
‘InsideOut is a great example of how flexible LEA Professional’s technology is,’ adds Scott Robbins, VP of Sales at LEA Professional. ‘Harnessing our revolutionary cloud capabilities and combining it with Pioneer Pro Audio’s superior loudspeaker technology was the perfect combination for this multi-format venue. We are confident that this new system will provide an immersive experience for InsideOut’s guests.’
