Glasgow, UK – Dynacord’s MXE5 Matrix Mix Engine has proven its flexibility and power at Glasgow’s Kong Complex. The multi-site venue comprises a variety of individual areas, ranging from bars and restaurants to night clubs and event spaces. Each space benefits from an individually tailored sound system of Electro-Voice loudspeakers and Dynacord electronics, all networked via four MXE5 performance matrices.

Located in the heart of Glasgow city centre, Kong has been created as a day and night destination featuring two bars, three separate open-air winter terraces and a night club to meet the needs of clientele at any time of day. Open seven days a week, Kong has been designed with elegant interiors and a focus on providing the right atmosphere for each space. The audio part plays the key role in defining the ambience, driving the desire for a premium yet reliable solution throughout the complex.

Glasgow-based Flashlite Technical Services was tasked with the sound system design for the whole complex. “The concept was to provide a value-engineered solution for the client with multiple zones and areas,” recalls Flashlite Director Andrew O’Neill. To achieve this, the systems integrator enlisted the support of the Dynacord and Electro-Voice team to create a solution that would meet the needs of every space in the extensive facility.

“Flashlite wanted a system that could be fully IP-networked across the whole site,” explains Arthur Achard, Senior Sales Manager UK for Dynacord and Electro-Voice. “In order to do this, Dynacord MXE5 matrices were deployed along with TPC-1 touch panel controllers and networked WPN-1 wall panels. All MXE5 matrices can work inside one network, so the system can be easily accessed remotely and can be monitored while in use. Having so many venues to cater for, the MXE5 proved to be a flexible and powerful solution to fulfil the technical requirements.”

“The MXE5 devices allowed total configuration with ease and the TPC-1s have multiple pages to allow control of each area independently and also control of the same area from multiple panels,” adds O’Neill. “This was all handled through SONICUE Sound System Software which we found to be an incredibly powerful package. MXE5 combined with IPX amplifiers make life a lot easier than the alternative!”

With the MXE5 matrices in control, the rest of the solution drew on the great portfolio of Electro-Voice and Dynacord. “Electro-Voice and Dynacord were the right choice due to cost, reliability and total cost of ownership,” explains O’Neill. “Added to this, there is the superb UK support from Arthur who always goes above and beyond – including answering my calls late at night and at weekends!”

From ZX1i-100T loudspeakers driven by C Series amplifiers on the terraces to EVID 4.2T cabinets covering the corridors, or ZX3 loudspeakers with L Series amplifiers in the bar to X12-128 subwoofers in the club, the sound quality follows customers everywhere they go within the complex. “Different areas required different levels of sound but had to be completely configurable,” says O’Neill. “Unobtrusive speakers were also high on the requirements for certain areas.”

The venue features hundreds of loudspeakers, but what encapsulates the project best can be found in the Wunderbar Ballroom performance space. This dedicated live music venue and bar features performances from DJs and live bands every day of the week. To support these performances, three TX1122 and 11 ZX1i loudspeakers form the main system, supported by four TX2181 dual-18” subwoofers. On stage, a pair of MFX-15MC multi-use coax monitors and a further two TX1152FM floor monitors provide foldback for performers. Power for the system is via three IPX10:8 amplifiers alongside a single IPX20:4. There is also an MXE5 matrix and a pair of TPC-1 wall panel controllers to give the venue’s staff intuitive control over the whole system.

“Amplification was "interesting due to space restrictions,” furthers O’Neill. “This led us to the IPX range due to their low power consumption and low levels of heat generation.” The low power consumption of the IPX range is due to Dynacord’s ecoRAIL advanced amplifier power management technology. This dramatically reduces idle power consumption while still providing audio output, full system supervision and the capacity to restore full output power without any delay.

Reflecting on how Dynacord and Electro-Voice have been able to support the concept behind Kong, Achard is clearly very happy. “This project was complex and covered a diverse range of entertainment areas,” he notes. “The ability to mix and match amplifiers and speakers from the Electro-Voice and Dynacord families to cater to the specific needs of each space from powerful SPLs to inobtrusive form-factors made sure that we could provide a complete end-to-end solution for the whole Kong Complex.”

“The end result is that the client is happy, and as long as they are happy then I am happy,” concludes O’Neill.

Equipment List:

Kong - Bar

1x Dynacord MXE5 Matrix Mix Engine

1x Dynacord TPC-1 touch panel controller

2x Dynacord Sub 1.15 passive subwoofers

9x Electro-Voice ZX3 12” passive loudspeakers

4x Dynacord L1800FD (2 x 950 W) power amplifiers

1x Dynacord L1300FD (2 x 650 W) power amplifier

Kong – The Box

1x Dynacord TPC-1 touch panel controller

2x Electro-Voice ZX1i-100 White two-way passive loudspeakers

1x Dynacord L1300FD (2 x 650 W) power amplifier

Kong – The Salon

1x Dynacord TPC-1 touch panel controller

1x Dynacord L1300FD (2 x 650 W) power amplifier

Kong – Small Terraces

2x Electro-Voice ZXi-100T two-way weather-resistant passive loudspeakers

1x Dynacord C2800FDi (2 x 1400 W) power amplifier

Kong – Large Terrace

2x Electro-Voice ZX1i-100T two-way weather-resistant passive loudspeakers

Kong – Corridors

2x Electro-Voice EVID 4.2T dual 4” two-way surface mount weather-resistant loudspeakers

Kong – The Club

1x Dynacord TPC-1 touch panel controller

2x Electro-Voice X12-128 dual 18” subwoofers

2x Electro-Voice TG-EVID S5.2XB

7 (2 x 2500 W) power amplifiers

4x Electro-Voice ZX3 12” passive loudspeakers

2x Dynacord L1800FD (2 x 950 W) power amplifiers

2x Dynacord Sub 1.15 passive subwoofers

12x Electro-Voice ZX1i-100 two-way passive loudspeakers

3x Dynacord L1300FD (2 x 650 W) power amplifiers

Kong – Garden

1x Dynacord MXE5 Matrix Mix Engine

1x Dynacord TPC-1 touch panel controller

84x Electro-Voice EVID-S5.2XB IP65-rated 5” loudspeakers

2x Dynacord L3600FDi (2 x 1800 W) power amplifiers

Hide & Seek

1x Dynacord TPC-1 touch panel controller

8x Electro-Voice ZX1i-100 two-way passive loudspeakers}

2x Dynacord Sub 1.15 passive subwoofers

Hide & Seek – The Treehouse

2x Electro-Voice ZX1i-100T two-way weather-resistant passive loudspeakers

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CONTINEUD