Restaurant & Bar

Will Fraser

Restaurant & Bar

The audio system for a restaurant or bar has a number of unique requirements, including:

~The ability to select multiple audio sources and distribute them to several zones as either mono or stereo signals
~The need to control the audio from a number of locations in the restaurant/bar
~The necessity for host/hostess paging announcements to override the background music in selected zones

This configuration accomplishes all that...

Multiple audio sources (in this case, CD player and multiple satellite receivers), often have a significant difference in the level of their audio outputs. This variance needs to be controlled so that the levels of all audio selections are relatively constant. By using the Leveller within HiQnet™ London Architect™, automatic adjustments are made to compensate for discrepancies between the levels of different audio sources. This results in an even volume level when switching between sources.

After passing through the Leveller, the signals are then equalized using a parametric equalizer (EQ). This processing object can be used to adjust for the acoustics of the room and help make the system pleasing to the ear. Proper EQ also assures the highest intelligibility of voice announcements throughout the system.

Depending on the restaurant/bar and the wishes of the designer, music can be sent to the amplifiers/loudspeakers as either stereo or mono signals. In the case of this design, it was desired to have portions of the system in stereo, while other parts of the facility employed mono audio feeds. To accomplish this, the audio source was split. Part of the signal was sent to a summer processing object to create a mono source for the lobby, courtyard and restroom areas. At the same time, part of the signal was kept as a stereo feed and sent to the bar and restaurant zones for playback in stereo.

A BLU-3 analog remote wall controller mounted behind the bar allows a bartender to select from available audio sources as well as adjust the volume levels in the bar. A BLU-10 digital programmable wall controller mounted in the management office provides the manager with a more comprehensive control over source selection and volume for each zone of the restaurant/bar facility.

A stereo input from a small mixer located in the bar is routed to a pair of two-way speakers for live performance. This configuration requires a (two-band) stereo crossover and stereo parametric EQ. This provides the installer with the tools necessary to create the best sound for any space.

By using the Ducker processing object, a true override paging system has been designed that will automatically “duck” the background music (reducing it in level by a prescribed amount), so that announcements can be clearly heard above the level of the music. Upon completion of the announcement, the background music is automatically restored to its previous level. Duckers used in this way allow clear paging, whether the source is a paging microphone or Telco (telephone) interface. With this configuration, announcements would only be heard in necessary zones (lobby, bar and restrooms), leaving diners undisturbed.


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Technical Support Team
BSS Audio
8760 South Sandy Parkway
Sandy, UT 84070