As part of the redevelopment of the former Granada Studios in central Manchester, Tateside has completed extensive AV installations at Mollie’s Motel & Diner and Soho House Manchester, with systems covering live performance, video distribution, background audio, presentation and DJ applications.
At Mollie’s, the main technology focus is Studio IV – a basement cocktail bar and performance space featuring a 3m-wide LED wall. A Martin Audio system uses FlexPoint FP15 loudspeakers, SXCF118 cardioid 18in subwoofers, distributed CDD10 loudspeakers and dedicated stage monitors. The space also includes Elipson XLS11 loudspeakers above the bar and weatherised CDD units for outdoor coverage.
Studio IV is designed to support live performances, playback and streaming across the wider venue. A multi-camera BirdDog PTZ system captures performances for live or recorded output, while an IP video distribution system sends content to public areas and guest-room televisions. A green room provides camera monitoring and return feeds for performers and production staff.
Jack Cornish, technical director, Tateside, said: “Our remit was to deliver a range of AV systems, consistent with previous Mollie’s installs, and lead in shaping Studio IV into a fully-fledged live performance, broadcast and playback environment.”
He added that the venue includes a Boiler Room-style configuration, allowing live performances to be streamed to televisions throughout the premises, including guest rooms.
At Soho House Manchester, Q-SYS Core processing provides integrated control of audio and video systems across the seventh, eighth and ninth floors. The seventh-floor events space combines a white Martin Audio system with projection, Airtame wireless presentation, Sennheiser SL Series wireless microphones and an Epson projector concealed in a Future Automation lift, feeding a 124in Screenline screen.
The eighth-floor lounge uses Martin Audio CDD6B loudspeakers with SX210 and SX110 subwoofers, while concealed cabling, loudspeakers and control infrastructure are integrated into custom joinery. The ninth-floor performance space uses a d&b audiotechnik system based on 44S loudspeakers, which can operate either as a conventional left-right stage system or as a dedicated configuration for screen playback. Cornish said the projects required close coordination with other contractors, adding that Tateside also implemented the network infrastructure at Soho House.
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