Bespoke wedding and events venue, Blackbrook Barns found its perfect match in the Optimal Audio ecosystem which married its need for a simple to use system with the delivery of a diverse range of audio styles – from the soft melodies of a ceremony to lively evening celebrations – across the multi-zoned venue.
The venue team needed an audio system that would keep pace with the ebb and flow of a meticulously planned wedding day and a key challenge was the creation of an experience that covered a range of uses, including background music, speeches, live performances and live DJs, without complicating operation to ensure that staff could focus on delivering a flawless event rather than managing a complex sound system.
Local installer Richer Sounds, with the support of Logan Helps from Audio Technica, designed and installed an ecosystem that was both powerful and flexible, ticking the boxes for each area including the main ceremony and reception areas, a bar and two outdoor spaces.
Optimal Audio’s Cuboid 6 loudspeakers were chosen for the long barn, providing full coverage and voice reproduction for ceremonies and receptions. Cuboid 5 loudspeakers are wall-mounted in the bar area, delivering high-quality background sound without overwhelming guests. For the outdoor zones, weather-resistant Cuboid 6 models, fitted with waterproof covers, ensure great sound whatever the season.
Driving the system is the Zone 8P controller, offering eight zones of audio with a user-friendly interface. The Amp100 amplifier provides the necessary power for the outdoor loudspeakers, ensuring consistent coverage. With the added flexibility of Audio Technica’s AT-One wireless system, speeches and announcements are now crystal clear throughout the venue.
The entire system had to be installed and commissioned within a week, as a wedding was scheduled for the upcoming weekend. With tight deadlines, the ease of installation was a significant advantage. The venue team, with the support of Richer Sounds, was able to get the system up and running in record time.
One of the biggest wins for Blackbrook Barns was the simplicity of WebApp, Optimal Audio’s intuitive control platform. Instead of wrestling with complex settings, staff can now manage audio effortlessly from the convenience of an iPad located in the bar area, with preset scenes tailored to each part of the day.
From the gentle background music that welcomes guests to the clarity of speech during ceremonies, and onto the evening’s entertainment, everything is controlled at the tap of a button. While the venue opted not to use automated routines, the ability to switch between preset audio settings ensured that transitions between different event stages were stress-free.
Staff members, who may not have previous audio experience, found WebApp easy to use, as the intuitive interface meant that everything was accessible without technical training.
“The ability to adjust sound levels on the fly and move through the different parts of a wedding day with simple preset selections is a huge benefit,” says Peter James from Blackbrook Barns. “It means we don’t need a dedicated sound technician on hand – we can run everything ourselves with confidence.”
A key advantage of the Optimal Audio system is its scalability. With plans for a dedicated performance area in a future phase, Blackbrook Barns wanted a system that could grow alongside the venue’s ambitions. Thanks to the Zone 8P’s flexible architecture and the ability to add additional amplification, expanding the system will be seamless when the time comes.
Future plans include integrating a performance space in the Orangery, where live musicians and DJs can take advantage of the existing infrastructure. By selecting a system that allows for expansion, Blackbrook Barns has ensured they won’t have to replace their setup as the venue evolves.
Logan Helps, who supported the installation, highlights the speed and ease of setup, “The system arrived on Monday, and we had it fully installed and commissioned by the weekend for a wedding. The simplicity of Optimal Audio’s products made the installation process incredibly efficient, and the end result is a system that offers fantastic sound quality with effortless control.”