A multi-level venue has redefined nightclubs in Cape Town. When Trinity’s owners
looked at launching a new nightclub in Cape Town, they looked to the US and Europe
for inspiration. Their objective – to give Cape Town a venue that surpassed any
other in the city, but not only that, they wanted to give Africa something it had
never had before.
“The aim was all encompassing,’ revealed Jonathan Inggs, Trinity’s marketing
manager. “To provide a premiere clubbing experience and, moreover, a custom
venue where corporate companies can have conferences, product launches and
goodwill functions, alike.’
Such aims require a flexible technical installation, which comes from capable
equipment. It also comes from expert advice. In every case, Trinity is covered. The
installation was split between three companies, with each handling a different kind of
entertainment technology. The venue’s multi-level configuration offers distinct
changes in mood and tempo, with the decor and finishes emphasising these changes.
Trinity Cafe, Trinity Grill and Trinity East offer different dining experiences. Salon
Prive is an exclusive, members club and Trinity Garden brings elegant outdoor
surroundings to the rooftop.
Funktion One speakers feature throughout, but like the rest of the technological
elements, the highest concentration of equipment is found in the Funktion Room – no
prizes for where the name came from. A central water feature, motorised projection
screen, stage and authentic Indian temple doors create a unique offering that is
both aesthetically pleasing and absorbing at the same time. A mezzanine level
overlooking the main dance floor allows for a respite from the action on the dance
floor and main stage, with plush seating and tables making for a relaxed environment
complete with a full view of the dance floor below.
Eight Funktion One Resolution 4E-C speakers have been flown on the left and right
hand sides of the room. Each one offers wide dispersion and a 3-way, mid-high
frequency range. It has been designed as part of a 4-way system, requiring the
addition of a bass enclosure. In this instance, four Funktion One F221’s (with their
infamous dual 21-inch bass potency) have been integrated into the set-up. Two
Funktion One F88 speakers have been added for center fill.
Trinity’s AV technician, Bradley Bruchhausen, described the Funktion One-effect:
“Trinity is kitted through-out with Funktion One sound, with the layout designed by
Tony Andrews himself. Every foot of the venue is coated with a warm, transparent
sound. It switches seamlessly between DJ and bands, lunches to club night, leaving
diners and clubbers alike foot tapping to every beat.’
A DiGiCo SD9 fulfils FOH mixing duties in Funktion Room. The SD9 is a complete,
integrated system powered by Stealth Digital Processing, which includes the mixing
surface, a D-Rack digital stage interface and CAT5E digital multicore, with the
additional ability to simultaneously record 56 channels direct to your favourite multi-
track software or DAW.
Two Pioneer CDJ-2000 decks and a Pioneer DJM-800 DJ mixer facilitate a varied
entertainment programme. Jonathan revealed: “We host at least two international
DJ’s a month, and we surely can boast that we are one of the top venues in
southern Africa, if not Africa. We have had Armin van Buuren, Tommy de Clerc,
Sebastien Leger, Judge Jules, Edu Embernon, Heist, James Zabiela… the list goes on.
Naturally, with our Funktion One system, this is the venue that DJs prefer to play
at.’
Lighting fixtures – supplied by DWR like the rest of the lighting infrastructure – are
controlled using an Avolites Tiger Touch. Described as “a hybrid of powerful Diamond
4 functionality coupled with the friendly Pearl interface’, the console provides user-
friendly functionality and high profile venue performance. Dimming is handled by a
Philips Strand Lighting wall rack.
The fixtures supplied by DWR include 12 Robe 575XT Scanners, six Robe ROBIN 300e
Spots and a Robe Dominator XT1200. With the XT1200, the rotation-speed of the
barrel mirrors is fully controllable. It has a three-facet prism effect, six different
gobos and three different dichroic colour filters. It offers a multitude of lighting
effects. Twelve Robe LEDforce 18 RGBW fixtures and 54 Robe LEDforce 7 RGBW
fixtures supply colour washes to the surrounding environment. Four 400W UV
cannons complete the room’s lighting line-up.
Discussing the lighting equipment, Bradley explained: “DWR’s Nick Britz did the original
layout however; Gideon Naude and I have moved the entire rig during the course of
last year and are constantly repositioning fixtures to keep the venue fresh or for
whatever the client’s needs may be.’
“Everyone has their personal favourite, but yes we were very happy when we found
out that Robe and Avolites would be in our arsenal of LX. We love the colour of the
Robe fixtures, the combination of Robe 575 scanners and Robe ROBIN 300e moving
heads peppered with LEDforce 18 and 7 cans works well for us making the palette
that is Trinity a pleasure to paint every night. These fixtures have been pushed
through some high heat and moist, smoky conditions and hardly give us any issues.’
“The Avolites Tiger Touch is the backbone of our shows. With the big touch screen it
makes selecting colours and gobos quicker than ever. Setting up workspace palettes
makes multi use a joy. Wireless control via an iPad or browser enabled phone makes
testing a dream.’
A framework of Prolyte trussing provides hanging points for the fixtures. There are
three trusses (Prolyte H30V) running across vertically and three trusses (Prolyte
H30V) running across horizontally overhead, in a grid format, installed above the
dancefloor and stage, which can be utilised for additional lighting and/or other
equipment. There are three beams at ceiling height (about 3.8 metres) running along
the width of the venue that can be utilised for any additional rigging required with a
maximum weight load of two tonnes per beam and 500kg per point.
Trinity is a multi-purpose venue, which means a high-energy club at night can be
followed by a corporate gathering the next day. The entertainment technology has
been prescribed with that in mind, including the video elements.
.
Motorised projection screens have been installed by Avicom, along with Hitachi CP-X
1000 and Cp-X 5021 projectors. Four Samsung LCD screens are found in the Funktion
Room. Discussing this technology, Bradley said:
“The projection elements are used for entertainment and presentations. We have
Arkaos Media Master Pro, which we use for VJ purposes when we don’t have an
external VJ on the screens at night. During the day PowerPoint presentations on the
5-metre by 4-metre projection screen will not be missed.’
Elsewhere in the venue, the same combination of manufacturers can be found. A
breakdown of the exact models and quantities are featured in the technical
information box at the end of this article.
A complete Audix microphone kit has been supplied by Metropolis Sound & Lighting,
along with K&M microphone stands and Radial DI boxes. All amplification is via Full Fat
Audio Amplifiers. Three FFA 4004s, six FFA 6004s, three FFA 8000s and a FFA10000
are used to drive the complete system. All processing is through BSS Audio
Soundweb London BLU processors, which are networked and controlled using a tablet
PC allowing for wireless control of the system from anywhere within the club.
An amp room overlooking the Funktion Room houses the three 42U amp racks. Each
rack is powered by a 32A three-phase Metrobox Rack distribution module, which also
accepts a feed from the rack mount UPS and protects and distributes it to all
processing and control gear in the racks. Metrobox patch points around the venue
allow signals to be input and extracted throughout the venue. Connection points for
monitor input and output are also included on the patch points.
Reflecting on the installation, Bradley picked out a personal highlight: “It was a great
honour to meet Tony Andrews himself at the beginning of this year. He imparted
knowledge to us that is invaluable in our industry and has such a zest for life that is
unparalleled.’
Technical Spec
AUDIO
• Funktion One speakers
• DiGiCo SD9 FOH console
• Soundcraft EFX12 console
• Pioneer CDJ-2000 & CDJ-900 CD decks
• DJM-800 DJ mixer
• Audix microphones
• Full Fat Audio amplifier
LIGHTING
• Avolites Tiger Touch & Pearl Tiger consoles
• Philips Strand wall rack
• Robe: ROBIN 300e Spot, LEDforce, Dominator XT1200 & 575XT Scanner
• 400W UV cannon
TRUSSING
• Prolyte H30V trussing
VIDEO
• Hitachi CP-X 10000 & CP-X 5021 data video projectors
• Motorised projection screens
• Samsung LCD screens
By Michael Nicholson
