QSC’s shares go up at the Bar Stock Exchange
Published: ASIA
INDIA: QSC products were called upon earlier this year for an audio installation at the third of the Bar Stock Exchange chains in Mumbai. Covering 1,100 sq-m, the Bandra Kurla Complex bar and site has opened to positive reviews due to the unique concept offering that the chain gives its guests. The essence of the experience at the Bar Stock Exchange venues is that it operates with a stock market drink pricing system where the drink prices change based on real-time demand. Drinks orders can be placed either in person or using the downloadable app. With Mumbai being the financial capital of the country it has been embraced by the surrounding corporate crowd in BKC.
Carl Alfonso from Mumbai-based installer Elektra was approached to look after the BKC site after previously working on the Saki Naka and Parel venues. The bar design simulates a real stock exchange with LCD screens lining the wall, LED tickers and of course the pre-requisite ‘gong’.
‘The owner was convinced that he wanted to have a consistent sound across all the bars,’ explained Mr Alfonso. ‘There were challenges of course, but we’ve been able to give them the same quality for all of their venues and keep in budget.’
Mr Alfonso once again approached QSC’s distributor Pro VA to supply him with the inventory he required. In the BKC venue two QSC K12 speakers have been hung above the bar area along with two QSC KW181 18-inch ported, 1,000W subwoofers.
Placement for the subs, as Mr Alfonso explained, needed some adjustments. ‘Because of the construction, we had to raise the subwoofers one foot up off the ground but we managed to deliver a good acoustic sound, we also had to bring the ceiling tops a little lower because of the AC ducting so, that's more straight in your face but we've not had any complaints.’
In the DJ booth one can find an Audio-Technica MB1K mic with a K10 used for monitoring. ‘It’s a straightforward set up, directional so no adjustments needed, and all tuned ready for the DJ so it has to be a simple and quick system. The owners didn’t want different DJs coming and changing things.’
Outside on the balcony area are five K8, 1,000W active speakers. Control is through a db Mark XCA48 and one XCA24 along with a 16-channel Yamaha MG16XU mixer. ‘We’ve worked hard with the volume levels out here as there are residential areas close by,' added Mr Alfonso.
Clearly the unique concept is proving successful with the owner planning further openings in Colaba, Singapore and Dubai in the not too distant future.