Category: Martin Audio

Situated in the bustling heart of Uganda’s capital, Kampala, Noni Vie Lounge & Restaurant has raised the bar as a premier destination venue—in terms of both its cuisine and its music.

The latter was something that the proprietors definitely weren’t going to skimp on. It was while on a visit to London that they visited the Tiger Tiger nightclub and marvelled at the quality of the sound. Investigating further they realised it was a Martin Audio rig, and after contacting the manufacturer, they were directed to Tech Ease Systems, who distribute the brand throughout Central and East African countries.

The systems consultant, Vincent Kasule recalls the original website inquiry. “When I met the proprietors, I could see they were trying to create a modern club and restaurant that would be unique in Kampala, with an excellent audio experience.”

Initially the emphasis was to have been more on a laid-back, lounge-type venue, incorporating bar, restaurant, dancefloor and two private rooms (VIP and VVIP spaces). While Martin Audio’s cost-efficient BlacklineX would provide the bulk of the solution, half a dozen CDD6 were earmarked for the VVIP Room and four weatherised CDD8-WR for the outside terrace.

I THINK IT’S THE BEST SOUNDING RESTAURANT AREA IN THE ENTIRE REGION.

Six Blackline X12 populate the dancefloor area while X8s are split between the Lounge and VIP Room, as well as the bar section of the dance area.

Coverage in the restaurant, meanwhile, is via Martin Audio’s elegantADORN ACP-55T Pendant speakers, concealed discreetly within the floral décor, in order not to intrude on the room’s aesthetic, and completing the deployment were six ADORN ACS-55TS ceiling speakers, feeding music to the toilets and ancillary areas.

However, it was immediately after the grand opening that the proprietors decided that they needed greater high-energy dance sound, preferring to move away from the softer lounge mood music. “And so we were called in to undertake an upgrade,” continues Vincent Kasule.

The solution was to introduce a pair of extremely potent THS 15” triaxial point source loudspeakers. At the same time they beefed up the dance area by redeploying a couple of existing Blackline X8 elsewhere, and replacing them with the X12s.

A pair of floor-standing Martin Audio SX218 (2×18) subs on the dancefloor are complemented by a further three SX110, ceiling mounted in the restaurant, while five SX112s provide LF extension across the two VIP lounge areas. The set-up is powered by a combination of Martin Audio VIA5004 and VIA2004 amplifiers, and to ensure the sound is fully optimised, the installation is under the management of Martin Audio’s dedicated DX0.6 and DX0.4 processors.

The sonic landscape and general vibe now have great appeal for DJs, and in addition to Uganda’s finest, the venue has also hosted DJs from South Africa, Jamaica and Europe.

Vincent Kasule agrees. In summary, he says “In terms of the audio experience Noni Vie is extremely impressive—in fact I think it’s the best sounding restaurant area in the entire region.”

The Westfield London Shopping Centre is inviting its customers to “step into a world of light, colour and wonder” for an inaugural winter light experience called Here We Glow. Based around a number of outdoor light art sculptures, it is designed to dazzle visitors of all ages, and will run until the beginning of March.

Of the eight commissioned exhibits, two—Shifting Visions by Adam Povey Lighting and Tessellis by Italian Angelo Bonello—are brought to life by sympathetic soundscapes delivered through Martin Audio loudspeakers.

The audio system for both of these quite diverse features has been designed by David Gregory, at London-based Clay Productions.

The company specialises in delivering large scale immersive projects, and in the case of Shifting Visions they have deployed Martin Audio ADORN A55—one atop each of the 38 x 3m high light columns, mapped across a 12m by 12m square. Providing additional warmth to the four-and-a-half-minute soundscape, which he commissioned from composer Max Pappenheim, are two Martin Audio SX112 subwoofers.

However, sensing that he could match the trompe l’oeil lighting effect with correspondingly disorienting spatial sound to enhance the visitor experience, he turned to sister company TiMax panLab’s 3D rendering engine—which he had previously deployed successfully on a Carnival Excel class cruise ship.

David Gregory explained how his search for the optimum product partnership had led him to the ADORN/panLab combo for Shifting Visions—described as “a mind-bending fusion of light and mirrors.” He said, “In this case I was looking for a small, lightweight IP-rated speaker on a budget that would deliver great sound.

IT HAS A REAL WOW FACTOR.

“I had heard good things about Martin Audio’s compact ADORN range and knew copious amounts of hire companies had invested in them. I got one to try out and it met all requirements.” An added SX112 subin each corner provided the added warmth.”

Electric Foundry who built and fabricated the light columns also custom fabricate a bracket to bolt the speakers to the scaff bars, enabling them to fire down at the optimum angle.

After his earlier success with the panLab mapping tool he could see that Shifting Visions would be an ideal project on which to deploy it again. And so he again turned to TiMax Senior Product Designer, Dan Higgott for technical support. “It was a question of how we were going to put sound through the columns and make it sound interesting.”

The solution was to distribute the instruments across each different area. “Stand in front of it and it’s as if you are immersed in a complete orchestra. But as you wander around you hear a different instrument at different times,” he observed. “I used panLab to do the gain sharing between the cabinets; by clicking on an object I could slightly move that object to increase the gain share. This saved me having to try and work out values; it gave me the opportunity to look at [the challenge] creatively, rather than mathematically.”

panLab is extremely easy to configure and Higgott provided excellent advice, he said.

The Pappenheim soundtrack plays continuously on a loop, under QLab control, running over Luminex GigaCore switches.

Summarising the installation, David Gregory says the impact on the visitors has been huge: “It has a real wow factor as they wander round and get lost in pillars of light.”

Clay Productions were on more familiar ground when specifying 18 CDD8 and four further SX112 for the Tessellis exhibit. Here visitors are invited to explore glowing tesserae “that blend ancient symbols with futuristic design” with LEDs mapped like a film to an abstract soundscape.

David Gregory has used CDD many times in the past for its warmth, overall superior sound and the fact that it comes in a weatherised version. ”Although the design team for Tessellis weren’t familiar with the box, once they heard it, they agreed that this is a very good speaker, backed up with the Martin Audio brand name.”

The CDD8 inventory was supplied by Stage Sound Services and the ADORN A55s were hired from Adam Povey Lighting.

Clay Productions are now contemplating their next series of projects which further push the envelope, and for which they are again planning to deploy ADORN A55 … as well as investing in Martin Audio’s newly launched A80T for other future projects.

India: Dubbed as Asia’s largest nightlife destination, Hyderabad’s new Quake Arena leverages over 100 Martin Audio components to distribute sound across the 5,000m² venue. Set on three levels, the venue, which is owned and operated by Jupally Rameswar Rao’s My Home Group, has capacity for 5,000 patrons and has played host to world-renowned artists such as European DJs Ben Böhmer and Afrojack.

In addition to the Martin Audio units, the venue features a cornucopia of technology, including over 1,200m² of LED displays, 1,000 lighting fixtures and a 12W laser show.

At the heart of the sound system is Martin Audio’s Wavefront Precision (WPC) line array. Artists can also rely on 20 of the manufacturer’s SX218 subwoofers for low-frequency rumble and LE100 monitors for their reference sound.

“The installation has completely transformed our venue into a sonic powerhouse,” said Quake Arena director Raja Srikar. “Every beat and note resonates with unmatched clarity and impact, leaving our guests amazed. The team’s attention to detail and expertise made all the difference in creating this electrifying audio experience.”

His co-director Kunal Kukreja agreed, adding that they envisioned a space that would redefine nightlife experiences. “The sound system has truly brought that vision to life,” he noted. “The clarity, depth and power of the audio are remarkable, creating an atmosphere that keeps our guests coming back for more. It’s an investment that has elevated our club to the next level.”

The centrepiece of the sonic solution is created by eight elements a side of WPC line arrays, driven in two-box resolution from Martin Audio’s iKON DSP multichannel amplifiers. Elsewhere, in the upper mezzanine level and VIP lounges are the CDD12B and CDD10B coaxial differential dispersion loudspeakers.

Aside from the amplifiers, dedicated DX4.0 processors add real-time processing and control over the system. They have been integrated to serve as a backbone of the system, offering stability, headroom and precise audio tuning for events.

Sound consultant Abhimanyu Chopra from Chopra Designs served as the guiding hand behind the audio solution. “Designing the audio experience for Quake Arena was both an exciting challenge and a rewarding achievement,” he said. “With its immense scale and high-energy requirements, the goal was to create a system that delivers precision, clarity and impact across all three levels. The Martin Audio system ensures seamless coverage and deep, resonant bass that truly immerses the audience.”

All the equipment was supplied by Martin Audio’s Indian distributor, VMT with pre-design and sales engineer, Sai Prem, noting: “The installation at Quake Arena reflects the perfect synergy of advanced technology and strategic design. Every component has been carefully tailored to ensure precise sound delivery, powerful bass and uniform coverage.”

VMT director Jeff Mandot added: “Quake Arena showcases the best of pro audio innovation. With Martin Audio at its core, the sound is powerful and precise. This installation defines what world-class audio should be.”

A two-storey Levantine themed bar restaurant has been set up in Washington DC’s Union Market District by award-winning, Michelin-starred restaurateur, Michael Rafidi.

On the ground floor is Yellow Café, the second location in an already successful bakery concept, and this has now been joined by the vibrant La’ Shukran restaurant. Both areas have been equipped from top to bottom, along with the outside rooftop patio and back stairs alley, linking the two venues, by the recently formed Beltway Audio Group. This is a merger between two young audio entrepreneurs, Doug Cyr of Precision Event Rentals, and his friend Brady Rall—both known in the region as engineers for large local sound systems, largely at raves and warehouse parties.

Rall was first introduced to Martin Audio over a decade ago at Washington DC’s once-beloved underground music venue, U Street Music Hall,while Precision Event Rentals had more recently run Martin Audio systems at events and festivals. “Their faith in the brand was further underpinned earlier this year when seeking potential powered speakers for their rental inventory. “We realised the Blackline range now came in active form and just started buying them in multiples, largely because of the price point and quality of the sound,” said Rall.

The connection with the La’ Shukran project was made after Brady Rall had been providing tech support and operating a DJ programme for Unordinary Inc, a high-concept cocktail and restaurant bar group run by Radovan Jankovic and Marko Bogdanovic. It was they who partnered with Michael Rafidi. “So back in March 2024 they invited us to design and install this new project they were working on.”

The fact that it was in a dilapidated warehouse area of DC that was being transformed into a more upscale neighbourhood attracted them. Cyr and Rall led the project, designing the space into four zones. The ground floor, the stylish Yellow, is based on eight Martin Audio ADORN A55, with flown SX210 (2×10) and SX212 (2×12) providing low end extension. Upstairs La’ Shukran required a more powerful approach with four CDD12 and an SX212 sub, with eight further ADORN A55. Here the sound system, described as “incredible” by the installer, plays out everything from Arabic rock and hip hop and Levantine funk to more cool Mediterranean vibes.

The latest roll-out of the Rock & Brews American bar/diner concept, specializing in classic rock, has opened at the Potawatomi Casino Hotel in Carter—the premier gaming and entertainment destination in northern Wisconsin. This follows its success at the nearby Casino Hotel, Milwaukee, where the Potawatomi Tribe first embraced the concept a year earlier.

Both operations feature a heavy deployment of Martin Audio products, installed by Green Bay-based partner, CCCP (Camera Corner). At both sites they were sub-contracted to carry out the installation by principal contractors, Dublin-based Audiotek, who supplied the visual media.

CCCP has a long-standing relationship as AV providers to the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe. CCCP project designer, Scott Tomashek, said the client had been keen to maintain consistency with Martin Audio having been impressed with its performance in Milwaukee, where it had been specified by Audiotek. So successful was the Rock & Brews concept there, that the operators duly decided to convert the restaurant at their Carter site.

“We were pleased to see that a lot of Martin Audio equipment had already been specified by Audiotek, as we have been partners with them for a number of years. Everyone was happy to be working again with a brand with which we were already familiar, and trusted.”

At Potawatomi CasinoHotelCarter, CCCP once again worked closely with architects, I-5 Design. But faced with a smaller 3,000sq. ft. footprint than Milwaukee, with a reduced stage and restricted ceiling height, a change of approach was required. CCCP turned to an alternative flown system other than TORUS which had served them so well in Milwaukee. “FlexPoint became the obvious solution,” Tomashek explained, “and it worked out really well.”

The primary system is the largest FP15—a single box flown left and right with the two subs set adjacent in the center. “This is a relatively compact box that still has plenty of output. And because we had to fly subs directly in front of the stage area, the ability to use the SXC115 cardioid versions meant we could keep some of that low frequency energy off the stage area.”

A pair of FP8 are located on either side of the two large Taylor videowalls. Five additional FP6 and the final pair of FP8 point out from the Rock & Brews restaurant into the main casino area on a delay ring, to attract customers in. “The coverage is excellent,” the installer confirms.

The entire set up is powered by Martin Audio iKON DSP amplifiers; a pair of iK42 are assigned to the main FP15 rig, the SXC115 sub and FP6 fills, while an iK81 powers all six FP8, one per channel.

Located in downtown Akureyri, Hof Cultural Center is at the heart of the northern Icelandic music and performing arts scene, and provides visitor services across the entire north-east corner of the country. Architecturally, the circular building also provides one of the town’s great landmarks. Inspired by the Icelandic igneous rocks, Hof Cultural Center attracts tourists all year round.

Owned by the Municipality of Akureyri, and with operation of the Center in the hands of Akureyri Culture Company, one of the key features is its new Martin Audio sound reinforcement upgrade in the main auditorium, provided by Reykjavik-based Atendi—the manufacturer’s territory distributor.

According to Atendi project manager, Gunnar Gunnarson his company bid successfully on a public tender put out in December 2023 and were duly awarded the contract in September this year.

The requirement was for a system to replace the original sound system, which had been in situ since the venue’s original opening back in 2010. It needed to provide even coverage for the 509-seat auditorium and deliver 103dB(A) with 18dB headroom, and a differential in SPL not exceeding ±3dB at any seat from FOH. This was achieved by specifying Martin Audio’s scalable WPS line array. ”We managed 104.6dB(A) @FOH without going to the limit of the system and +3dB / -0,7dB measured at the venue’s seats,” Gunnarson reports.

It’s amazing what Martin Audio was able to offer for the price.

The system also needed to be supremely versatile, not only providing reinforcement for concerts of all types—as well as conferences and theatre performances—but also be mindful that the venue is home to the North Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, when it is then used for concerts with Icelandic artists ranging from classical concerts to dance music.

The system design was a cooperation between Atendi and Martin Audio, while Atendi undertook the installation, with assistance from local subcontractors and Martin Audio product support engineer, Ben Tucker. He assisted with predictions, visualization, programming and tuning of the system.

Tucker confirmed that the venue acoustics were perfect. “I always start by keeping the Hard Avoid on stage, and having a listen before moving it. After a walkaround and a bit of tuning, I found no reason to move it from the stage.”

Gunnar Gunnarson admits the project was not without challenges, largely due to limited space, since the stage is heavily populated by equipment, surrounding it on all sides. “We were able to use existing hanging points for the main PA and at the same time create additional points for the subs.

The components themselves comprised Left/Right hangs of 10 WPS, with a pair of SXCF118 subs flown behind each main hang, which provided excellent sub coverage throughout. Providing front fills around the stage lip were eight FlexPoint FP4. The system was driven by three Martin Audio iKON iK81 multichannel, process-controlled amps and an iK42.

Stated Akureyri Culture Company technician, Árni F. Sigurðsson, “The tender documents were quite demanding, and we had high expectations for this installation. These were fulfilled as the new system is a game changer with regard to both headroom and sound coverage. I can confidently say that we have the most evenly distributed sound coverage of any of the bigger venues in Iceland and I’m looking forward to receiving feedback from guest engineers. We stage everything from opera, musical theatre, conference and corporate shows to rock, dance music and metal. Having sufficient headroom to present all of these genres will truly set a new standard for the venue.

“First impressions are very promising and Ben Tucker, who designed and tuned the system did an incredible job. It’s amazing what Martin Audio was able to offer for the price.”

Aside from giving Martin Audio another highly prestigious installation of its class-leading Wavefront Precision series, it also has the honor of being its northernmost location—located less than 100 kilometers from the Arctic Circle.

The Plaza Hotel Sydney: Elevating Nightlife with World-Class Audio

Martin Audio will showcase the expansion of the popular contractor series of ADORN ceiling, pendant and on-wall loudspeakers atISE 2025, with the addition of ADORN A80T.

A80T is a two-way passive speaker with an elegant design that is perfect for architectural environments that require high fidelity sound from an unobtrusive, compact enclosure. It brings class-leading performance, reliability and value to a wide range of commercial sound applications — from retail outlets, bars and restaurants to corporate offices and convention centres.

A80T is the perfect choice for background and foreground systems which require superior performance. Its Martin Audio signature sound characteristic also provides a seamless sonic transition within a multi-zoned complex using larger Martin Audio systems such as CDD or BlacklineX.

Comprising an 8” (203mm) LF driver and a 1” (25mm) polymer dome HF compression driver on a 90° x 50° horn, it handles 200W AES, 800W peak and can produce 120dB peak output at 1 metre. It has a smooth frequency response and strong bass reproduction that extends down to 63Hz.

With a nominal impedance of 8 ohms, multiple speakers can be driven in parallel from a single channel of a low impedance amplifier, such as the Martin Audio VIA2502 or VIA5004, thereby maximising efficiency and minimising cost. A80T also incorporates a high-quality transformer for 70V/100V line operation, with transformer taps selected by a rotary switch, and can be powered by the VIA 5002.

For full bandwidth protection, the low and high-frequency sections are individually protected against overload.

Available in black or white as standard, it can be readily painted to match any décor and can be wall-mounted vertically or horizontally using the supplied accessory WB6/8 bracket. In addition, for general outdoor use the cabinet only requires the additional waterproof connector cover to be IP54 compliant.

The product will be on display on the Martin Audio booth A300 at the front of Hall 7, and it will also be part of their audio demonstrations in F6, Hall 8.

More product details: https://generationav.net/products/martin-audio-series/adorn-series/a80t/

ADORN Series video: https://youtu.be/2JVTQz-sCw0

More on Martin Audio at ISE: https://martin-audio.com/events/ise2025

Based in Crawley, Sussex, Tulleys Farm turns into a seasonal theme park in the Autumn and Winter months. It’s then that they promote an evolving programme of festivals and visitor attractions with ‘Shocktober’ (developing into a Pumpkin Festival), now followed by a newly inaugurated Christmas Light Festival through its various woodland trails, occupying the month of December.

Owned for the past four generations by the Beare family, to give an idea of scale at this pumpkin farm, when Martin Audio partners SWG Events were brought in to create an integrated and immersive sound and light trail—part of an overall Christmas experience—it required around 400 of the manufacturer’s ADORN A55T series loudspeakers, spanning 40 zones.

SWG Events were introduced to handle the inaugural Christmas Light Festival, which occupies an entirely new trail through the woods.

Head of Audio, Simon Purse, says the installation is an extension of the Pumpkin Festival where ADORN speakers already featured. For the Christmas light trail, wooden fencing follows a pathway through the trees where the ADORN speakers, weather-protected by their purpose-designed IP kits, are festooned along the route. These are powered by a series of Martin Audio VIA2004 and VIA5004 amplifiers.

The quality of the system has brought the whole festival alive.

But it is within the 26 dedicated DX0.4 2-in/4-out network system processors that the magic takes place. “The client wanted to be able to control everything from a central position, and with the DX0.4s all on the same network we were able to use the Martin software in a single location. From here, any adjustments could be made to the sound remotely—and all 26 devices can be controlled from anywhere with access to our wireless network, which works remarkably well.”

He adds, “Of the 40 different zones each might have a different track or require a different level—all fed and adjustable from that master control location over a Dante network.” In terms of security there is a live mic override which ducks the system in the event of an alert.

Since the experience needs to be constantly evolving in and out of different themes, SWG are also sending timecode down the same network to various locations, as the content—played out from a media server—works through different genres … from love songs, to classical, rock and disco—synced to the various areas that require programmed lighting. Projection video reinforcement is also tied into the show control to further stimulate the senses.

Leading the project for SWG Events is Dan Jenkins. “It’s very much Dan’s vision of system deployment and flexible control,” says Purse. “In fact it took eight of us a month to put everything in.”

However, it doesn’t end there: the trail opens out to a pair of large lakes which offer stunning views of the lights, and alternate between different shows. To match this dynamic, SWG Events have beefed up the sound system, installing 48 Martin Audio Blackline X12 high performance speakers. “Since the lightshows are more impactful it required a bit more SPL and low end,” confirms Purse. A further area provides a live band stage and lasers.

Summarising the project Simon Purse says it’s the sheer scale of the event at Tulleys that makes this festival season special. “What they have achieved in a year is massive,” he says.

Added Sam and Stuart Beare, “Working with SWG Events for the implementation of the Martin Audio system has been completely seamless. The quality of the system has brought the whole festival alive.”