Old school sound for Club Couture
by Sarah Todd | 08 Sep 2010
When Walsall club owner Graham Pinches bought the former Zanzibar in Stafford, UK, in June last year, he knew he was inheriting a building with a rich heritage.
Formerly owned by Springwood Leisure (and later Nexum) the newly-named Club Couture can trace its roots back to the era of disco as Cinderellas Rockerfellas, and also Northern Soul haunt, Top of the World.
Couture Leisure's general manager, Scott Miles, was determined to reintroduce classic club sound and lighting. Ministry of Sound's former head of technology Dave Bradshaw - now part of Sound Technology's Project Support team - advised Miles on a matched system, based on JBL components, that would deliver the classic sound that he was looking for.
"What we've tried to do is recreate what nightclubs used to be about - with separate light jockey and a sound system that would make people go 'wow'," says Miles.
Four JBL AM6340/95s were placed in each corner of the dancefloor, with four ASB6128s, coupled in pairs, in front of the DJ podium. Further JBL SRX712Ms and an SRX718S sub were provided for high-class DJ reference sound. At the club's far end a pair of JBL AC2212/95s are recessed into the newly-extended stage apron.
Finally 12 JBL Control 25s provide infill around the main club periphery and in the Games Arcade.
Around £2m was committed to completely refitting the 1700-capacity club.
When Walsall club owner Graham Pinches bought the former Zanzibar in Stafford, UK, in June last year, he knew he was inheriting a building with a rich heritage. Formerly owned by Springwood Leisure (and later Nexum) the newly-named Club Couture can trace its roots back to the era of disco as Cinderellas Rockerfellas, and also Northern Soul haunt, Top of the World. Couture Leisure's general manager, Scott Miles, was determined
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