How to design sound system installation for a small pub, or restaurant.
One of the most common requests we receive in our sound system installation department, is from
small independent bar & restaurant owners. They are generally looking to create high quality,
commercial sound systems that have the capacity to play background music during the day, provide
slightly elevated volume levels during the evening, but, are also capable of delivering a robust
nightclub quality sound over the weekend.
As most independent bar and restaurant owners are looking to maximise their entertainment
offerings, the necessity to install a versatile bar sound system is key. In this overview we will discuss
the needs of a small bar/restaurant (approx. 15 m x 10 m in diameter); key features include: a one-
step plug-in for DJs and live music mixers, as well as easy connectivity for a range of music players
including laptops, phones, iPods and CD players.
Our senior sound system installation engineer, Craig West, is tasked with designing and overseeing
all of our sound system installations. Craig has personally installed in excess of 1000 digital sound
systems throughout the UK and Europe. In this overview, Craig will discuss the key points you must
consider prior to installing a multi-functional, commercial sound system for a small single – zoned
bar, pub, or restaurant.
N.B. If you are considering a new installation always consult with a professional sound system
engineer first.
THE VENUE
Although the size of the venue is the major contributing factor when considering installing a new
sound system, special consideration should always be given to the fabric of the venue. Does the pub,
bar or restaurant have large glass or metal surfaces that may create reverberation and distort the
sound? Does the sound leak out of the building? Noise leakage can be a particular problem
especially in residential areas. If so, it may be advisable to bring in a professional sound acoustician
to dampen or sound seal the room prior to the sound system installation.
SPEAKERS & POSITIONING
For a small single-roomed pub, bar or restaurant requiring daytime background sound as well as DJ
and live music connectivity; we would generally install 4 – 6 mid-high speakers and two small bass
cabinets.
The mid-high speakers are responsible for delivering the music and vocals and will always be ceiling
or wall mounted, ideally positioned 2.6 m – 2.8 m high and out of the public’s reach. The two bass
bins which deliver the beat will generally be floor mounted.
SPACE
The layout of the space is an important factor when determining where the speakers will be fixed.
Consideration should focus on where the customers will be located both during the day and the
evening.
For day time usage, speakers must be positioned correctly so that music can be played at low levels
whilst still being clearly audible from all areas in the venue. This is of particular importance during
peak dining periods when customers are conversing at tables. During the evenings and weekends if
the seating area is to be transformed into a dance-floor space, it is very important that there is
ample sound dispersion from both bass and mid high speakers in that area.
Special consideration should also be taken in regards to the positioning of speakers near to bar and
food service areas. Nothing is worse than speakers pointing directly at the bar area which will result
in staff not being able to hear customer orders over the music.
If weekend discos are a major focus of the pub, bar or restaurant, then the type of speakers used will
need careful consideration. They must be small enough to blend into the venue during the day, but
capable enough to deliver a robust sound over the weekend.
Finally, does the space allow you to affix speakers to walls or will ceiling mounts be necessary? In
regards to the bass speakers which will generally be floor mounted, is there enough space for them
to be positioned without becoming a trip hazard or will they need to be concealed into a space?
DIGITAL SOUND PROCESSOR (DSP)
A DSP is a hardware product that is generally housed in a protective rack with the amplifiers. The
DSP is quite simply the brains of the operation. The DSP takes the raw sound sources from devices
such as DJ equipment, music players and live music mixers and cleans them up. This newly processed
sound is sent out to the amplifiers and then delivered to the speakers.
DSPs include a wide variety of processing tools and selection should always be based upon the
specific requirements of the venue and the installed sound system.
Typical processing tools can include:
Limiter: Sets the maximum volume level output for the sound system. So no matter how high DJ
Dave turns up the volume on his mixer, the speakers will never be blown or compromised.
Equalisation: Enables the manipulation of sound in specific frequency bands. Commonly used to fine
tune a sound system, eliminate room vibrations, as well as minimise frequencies that aggravate the
human ear.
Zone control: Allows easy switch-over and volume control of different sources in the venue (TV, DJ,
live music, CD player etc.).
Gain Control: Allows control and setting of volume levels for different types of speakers in different
areas of a venue.
Crossover: Ensures that the correct frequency signals are sent to the correct speaker, (bass
frequencies go to bass speakers etc.).
Output limiters: Provide volume control settings based on the frequencies of each speaker cabinet
which enables variable volume levels to be set for different speakers within a single cabinet.
Fire alarm connectivity: Provides a direct link from the amp to the fire alarm and will automatically
mute the music if the alarm is triggered.
For our solution we would not need a zone control option, but this feature may be of benefit in the
future. For example, if a TV showing sporting events were to be added but you still wanted to play
background music in the rest of the bar, a zone controller would be needed to provide independent
volume control
AMPLIFICATION
The amplifier is an essential piece of hardware equipment needed for all sound system installations.
In its simplest format, the amplifier takes in a sound signal from the DSP, boosts it and then delivers
that amplified signal to the speaker units.
Amplifiers come in many formats, generally based on the amount of power they can deliver into
speakers. The power of an amplifier is measured in watts. The type of amplifiers and the power
wattage needed for a sound system will be governed by the type, amount and power capacity of the
speakers being used. Careful consideration is needed when selecting amplifiers and a professional
engineer must always be consulted.
As a general rule we always try to locate the amplifier in a dedicated dry room with the DSP, away
from the public domain and housed in an air cooled rack. Once the amplifier has been set up, we
provide a remote control volume unit for staff, which is usually hardwired and positioned behind the
bar.
CONNECTIVITY
Connection points are plug sockets that enable external devices to be plugged in to the sound
system. For a venue that is playing background music during the day, from a playback device such as
an iPod, laptop, CD or phone etc., the ideal position for this would be behind the bar.
As our hypothetical venue will also be catering to a DJ and live musicians, a second connection point
will need to be installed in the area where they will be performing.
It is very important to ensure that there are ample electric points close to the connection socket, to
avoid having to run extensions cables.
CABLING
Please note that cabling will bring you into direct contact with electricity. Electricity can kill. It is
imperative that a qualified electrician is engaged when dealing with any matter pertaining to
electricity.
Cabling Methodology
When considering an installation always consult a sound engineer as early as possible. It is advisable
to have the engineers begin the installation prior to furniture being fitted and walls being decorated.
This will ensure that cables can be embedded into walls rather than having unseemly visible
trunking.
As cable routes will have to be navigated from the amplifier, to the speakers, input points, and the
remote system, defining a clear unobstructed route is important. This is much easier to do in the
early stages of the venue build out. It is also important that the cable routes do not run alongside
electrical cables as this may cause the system to buzz and hum.
Cables should always be installed in a manner that adheres to legal requirements. Domestic cabling
must never be used, and special attention must always be paid to points of termination ensuring no
frayed wires, and that positive and negative connections are always positioned correctly.
Speaker Cable
All speaker cables should be of a professional quality and must adhere to commercial building
regulations, (low smoke zero halogen cable jacketing).
Adherence should also be paid to the American Wiring Grade, which denotes that the grade of cable
should be governed by the length of the run and the amps it will carry.
Signal Cable
All signal cables should be of a professional quality and must adhere to commercial building
regulations.
Use balanced cable at all times.
At termination points, make sure soldering is of a professional standard and that all screws are firmly
affixed with no visible frayed wiring.
Electrical
Ensure that all electrical sockets next to input points and behind the amplifier rack are on an
independent circuit.
Attention should also be paid to ensure that power requirements are aligned to the wattage of the
amplifiers.
