Martin lights create a contemporary character for Edwards

Forming part of the dynamic regeneration of the Concert Square area, the venue is situated on the site of Mac’s, one of the city¹s former underground clubs.

Doug Chadd, Design Manager at Bass, explained, “This latest Edwards draws on the heritage of the previous thirty seven outlets and takes the template into the new century.”

Based on this brief, more automation and technology has been employed in the audio and entertainment lighting system than ever before. Orritt Electronics of Liverpool created an imaginative lighting set comprising exclusively of Martin Professional fixtures and specified BSS Soundweb Digital Signal Processing to control the audio side.

To emphasize the height and the atrium over the main entrance, a chrome pole with customized light mountings was installed. At the higher levels Martin’s powerful MX-4s were fixed to scan the upper floor, while MiniMAC Profiles were used to illuminate the ground floor ceiling level. The full range of movement offered by the MiniMAC allows its effects to hit all areas. The textured glass gobos pan across the ceiling while the focused hard-edged beams scan the dancers on the ground floor.

Two Martin Destroyers, capable of projecting a myriad of twisting, multi-colored beams and creating strobe-like animation, further vitalized the dance floor. Four powerful SynchroZap effect lights were also incorporated to increase the range of spectacular effects available to the DJ.

Martin’s LightJockey DMX Controller enables the show to start automatically and run all night without any DJ intervention. Alternatively the DJ can override the pre-programmed show at any time by simply selecting a button on Martin’s 2532 Controller. When required the cue list can be left to take over at the next transition point.

The appearance of the installation was extremely important as it has to appeal to daytime cappuccino drinkers, business lunchers and afternoon tea takers; none of whom want to take their repast under a heavy duty night club rig. The titanium finish and sculptural shapes of the MX and MiniMAC range, combined with the architectural look of the bespoke mounting structure, ensured that the installation was an integral part of the contemporary design.