Harman Pro UK (now Sound Technology Ltd) has supplied one of the world's most advanced integrated sound systems to KOKO, London's newest and most fabulous live music venue. KOKO is intended to be the best and most talked about live performance and entertainment space in the metropolis.

The system capitalises on the continuity of all the Harman Pro group brands. It features a JBL VerTec line array sound system in the main room powered by the new Crown I-Tech amplifiers; a full selection of AKG mics including one of the WMS 4000 wireless systems and dbx's DriveRack system processing units.

The 1500 capacity main room features 16 JBL VT4888 mid-size line array elements, complete with four VT4881 bass enclosures per side - split between two elegant hangs. JBL ASB 6128Vs subs from the AE Series are concealed under the stage for maximum impact.

Tim Hamper, Head Sound Engineer at KOKO explains the decision: "Buildings of this age are often irregular shapes, which is part of their charm. When it comes to setting up an audio system however, this has its drawbacks as the sound can be lost in some areas, severely affecting the output. We have chosen the JBL line array system specifically to combat this."

Harman Pro UK were closely involved with the refit at KOKO from the outset, and Hamper didn't see any benefit of going elsewhere when decisions for the latest upgrade were being taken.

"The sound check at the installation proved that there were no dead sound patches and the output power is incredible: really loud, but clean. It sounds disturbing!" laughs Hamper, clearly bowled over by the system.

"'If music be the food of love, play on; give me excess of it!' Now we certainly do have some excess to play with," agrees Daveid Phillips, KOKO's Head of Music "In fact I think we now have the best sounding venue in London, not just loud and crystal clear, but something physical that needs to be experienced."

The FOH system is powered by the new Crown I-Tech amplifiers, six IT4000s and two IT6000s, designed for the toughest of touring and corporate applications.

World class industry outboard mixing gear for the sound engineers was also a 'must have'. The dbx 1066XL Dual Compressor/Limiter Gates, featuring the new dbx V2 VCA, the superlative BSS DPR-901ii offering 4 bands of single channel dynamic EQ are part of KOKO's mixing arsenal. The PeakStop Plus limiting & sidechain input with monitor, together with dbx 1074 Quadgates, complete with frequency filtering and side chains for outboard processing.

Stage monitors are six JBL 4702s, also powered by Crown XLS amps. The stage side-fill system consists of two JBL SR4733s while JBL AM6215/95 speakers have been added as front fills to the dance floor.

Providing compression and EQ to each channel of monitor mix, two DriveRacks controlling the stage monitors are racked, networked and linked to a PC which gives regular appearing artists and acts the ability to save EQ and compression settings.

A wide range of AKG mics including the award winning C414 XLS, C451, C900 will cater for all types of live music performances, spoken word, speeches, and conference/corporate style presentations.

The installation includes a top of the range four channel AKG WMS 4000 wireless mic system. The product was specified for its flexibility, set up ease and operational simplicity. The plug-and-play nature of the WMS 4000 came into play on the club's opening night with performers, Mystique, who utilised several radio mics simultaneously. KOKO's ability to provide a high-end professional wireless system to their clients will make it a favourite on the live circuit.

Over 30 JBL speakers in different combinations were chosen from the Control Contractor, Marquis and AE series to provide coverage in the other areas.

Harman Pro UK also recently supplied two new Soundcraft Vi6 digital mixing consoles to Camden-based electrical contractors RAG Support Ltd for installation at KOKO. One of the Vi6 desks is used as the mixer for the on-stage monitoring, the other as the main front-of-house desk.

Tim Hamper is pleased with the new arrivals. "It's great to finally have our two Vi6 desks permanently installed here. Harman Pro UK have been closely involved with the design of the refit at KOKO from the outset, and so we were offered a Vi6 when it was still in development. We were wary at first. A lot of manufacturers have made mistakes with digital consoles in the live sound market in the past; many of them seemed to be designed more for studio-based use than for live applications, with too many nested menu control options and confusing user interfaces".

"But when Adlib Audio said they were using a Vi6 as a live FOH console last Summer, we decided we wanted to have a look at it. And shortly after that, the Scissor Sisters, who were using Adlib, played here, and bought their Vi6 with them. By then it was pretty much finished, and it won us over fast. It sounds really good, you've got access to 32 faders at all times without having to repatch anything, and there's no menu surfing for important functions when you need to turn something down fast! We've had a test desk in as the FOH console here for months and it's been easy to learn and easy to train people on - you can see them approaching it looking worried, and ten minutes later, they're up and running on it."

"I sometimes get stick from people I know who work at other venues who say, 'Oh, everything at KOKO is Harman gear, you're a Harman venue, you'll say good things about anything they sell'," he concludes, "but the truth is, this is a great-sounding, easy-to-use desk. And Harman Pro UK have been really, really good to us - how many other venues can say that about their equipment suppliers?"