A comprehensive Audac audio system has been installed in a new Nando’s restaurant in the Mall of Africa, Johannesburg. Retail solutions specialists Lumalytic secured the tender to install a solution providing background music and lighting with control across multiple zones, partnering Stage Audio Works (SAW) for the design and supply of the audio element. SAW specified the Audac system in response to the restaurant’s needs.
The goal was to deliver a high quality, zoned AV solution where the lighting and audio work in synergy. A key requirement was the automated control of these elements throughout the day to create the right ambiance at the right moment. A spectacular LED lighting solution runs on a DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) network and is controlled via a Q-SYS Core which also provides flexible audio control across three zones.
This system effectively splits the day into four distinct periods of business, where audio and lighting are scheduled according to the time of day and correlating levels of activity. For instance, from 6-9am, as the restaurant is preparing to open, both audio and lighting levels are raised to invigorate staff, setting them up for the day. During the day these levels are muted slightly to accommodate for the natural buzz, before the music is intensified, and the lighting dimmed for the evening. The Q-Sys core also handles physical audio zoning and source selection – including Nando’s radio station Heatwave Radio – throughout the restaurant.
The Audac audio solution is based on a variety of ceiling loudspeakers spread across three distinct zones: the main restaurant seating area, the back of house (BOH) staff-only area including the kitchen, stores etc, and the famous PERi-PERi chicken grill. To cover the restaurant floor, SAW specified eight ultra-compact CELO2s. Low end reinforcement is provided by a pair of CELO8S ceiling subwoofers. Both models were fitted with black grilles to match seamlessly with the restaurant’s interior. To ensure that audio playback was consistent throughout the site, multiple CIRA530D loudspeakers with Audac’s patented QuickFit mounting mechanism were installed in the BOH area, so that all staff, fondly referred to as Nandocas, share the same experience. Finally, a pair of Audac AWP06 waterproof, IP65-compliant ceiling speakers were installed by the grill, so that output would not be affected by any steam produced.
As part of the second phase of the installation, Lumalytic installed an ambient microphone which allows music to adjust automatically to ambient sound levels. This helps to regulate the volume according to the level of traffic in the store. The entire system is powered by two Audac EPA254 quad channel amplifiers, which are housed neatly along with the other rackmount equipment in a Stage Plus cabinet in the manager’s office. Finally, all cabling used in the integration was from PROCAB.
Shawn Godfrey, Executive Director of Lumalytic: “We were honoured to play a part in the reimagining of the Nando’s in-restaurant experience. With SAW’s assistance, we delivered a cutting-edge audio-visual system with sophisticated automation that manages every element to deliver appropriate levels and ambience throughout the day. ”
