A Martin Audio sound system has been installed in Studio 88, a brand new entertainment venue close to London’s Leicester Square.

Billed as “a non-stop, audience requested, live music experience”, Studio 88 features a stage that has been equipped with a Martin Audio sound system by W1 Productions, using a variety of the company’s components and control.

Every night two piano vocalists and accompanying musicians form a six-piece band who play a non-stop repertoire of music through the new system, decided only by the customers who visit the 350-seat restaurant.

“I have always been a Martin Audio person, and so it was a no-brainer to specify the brand,” said W1 Productions operations manager Alan Beck. “Here the company has designed an ingenious stage system based on the venue’s extremely low ceiling height. Two XD12, mounted horizontally stage left and right, are complemented by four CDD8 in a pelmet line, which project the sound forward towards the main dance floor. Low frequency extension is provided by three strategically placed Martin Audio S18 bins, and a further CSX112 sub.”

W1 Productions had been recommended to the client by a mutual friend, and managing director Stuart Turvill put together the design after visiting Alan Lorrimer’s other venue – The Piano Works in Farringdon. Studio 88 itself had previously been a basement nightclub that had closed down, making the low ceiling height an obvious challenge. “We had to make it as unobtrusive and flexible as possible,” added Beck. “The long rectangular shape of the building, with reflective surfaces and lots of little alcoves coming off it, was another problem we had to contend with.”

W1 Productions found the right combination In the user-rotatable 80° x 50° constant directivity horn of the XD12 matched with the CDD range, without needing to set delay taps. All channel presets are stored in a pair of dedicated DX0.5 system controllers. Beck continued: “From a physical perspective this design fitted perfectly, and the XD12’s provide plenty of ‘grunt’. With the S18’s stage left and right, and a third at the rear of the bar, we have achieved uniform distribution throughout the main performance area.”

Senior sound technician Tom Wheatley added: “We are extremely pleased with the Martin Audio equipment that has been installed at the venue. It responds well to our needs, providing clarity for both our live music and DJ requirements. The system offers great quality at the price point and we are happy to give positive reviews for the money invested.”