Powersoft’s Mezzo and Dynamic Music Distribution (DMD) are at the heart of a sound system delivering three zones of audio in Yebisu Brewery Tokyo, a historical brewery and museum located in Tokyo, Japan. Once a quiet museum, the new sound system overhaul and installation of the brewing facility have transformed it into a vibrant, multi-zone audio experience with beer tastings in the taproom, exhibitions and a shop for visitors to find the perfect stout souvenirs.
Yebisu Brewery Tokyo’s audio revamp was driven by the need to shift its image from “classic” into a lighter and more playful one, aligning with the changing taste of the modern audience. Tasked with this challenge was Mood Media Japan, which undertook the audio overhaul in the entire area.
In addition to Mezzo’s advanced sound management, Powersoft’s Dynamic Music Distribution (DMD) offers system integrators the ability to scale inputs and zones conveniently with dynamic routing capabilities embedded in its amplifier platforms. This is designed to make it simpler to share music between different zones independently from the source location without the need of a centralised DSP.
Stepping into the brewery, the visitors are welcomed by the Yebisu Beer theme song, “The Third Man Theme” by Anton Karas, played from two different sources to draw attention to the centre of the facility and convey the message of brand’s diversity. Using two different music sources highlights the many ways a single piece of music can be experienced.
In the museum area, soft background music allows visitors to focus on the exhibition and feel the atmosphere of Yebisu Beer. In contrast, the taproom features livelier music, creating a dynamic transition between the brewery’s history and its future.
Mood Media Japan adjusted speaker positions and utilised the DSP capabilities of a Powersoft’s Mezzo amplifier to fine-tune sound quality. The build-in delay function on Mezzo further synchronised audio across the entrance and the museum, eliminating any perception of sound lag between the zones.
Takako Okii, marketing division deputy manager from Sapporo Breweries, said: “We wanted to create a vibrant atmosphere that would change the YEBISU beer’s previous reputation. We also needed to get rid of the echo issues and we believe that high-quality sound was crucial in delivering an exciting and memorable experience. This is why we needed a new music system.”
Yamato Shibasaki, music designer from Mood Media Japan, said: “We installed the system in three zones, with each area playing a different sound. We designed it in a way that minimises the sound from overlapping.”
Shibasaki added: “It was a very interesting project for us. The brewery’s open layout posed acoustic challenges, particularly with high ceilings and minimal partitions.”
