The Fifth Province

BIGGER IS BETTER

The Fifth Province’s expansion required an audio system that could adapt to various settings— ranging from live music performances in the Public Bar and stage to the more intimate ambience of the Whiskey Bar and the outdoor Beer Garden and Veranda. Simplicity of operation was important, providing staff with a user-friendly interface to control audio levels and sources seamlessly during busy periods, avoiding the need for a specialist technician. The outdoor areas demanded weather-resistant equipment capable of withstanding Melbourne’s notoriously fickle climate without compromising sound quality. And finally, aesthetics was a special consideration. The equipment had to blend with the venue’s design, maintaining that authentic Irish pub atmosphere.

Fin Brennan, Operations Manager for Ganley Group Hospitality, explained, “There are a few different things that were really important to us when we were thinking about the installation. One of those things was ‘bigger is better’. The crowd has been coming to this pub for 10 years; they’ve been really loyal to it, and in turn we’ve been really loyal to live music and local acts. So, keeping that going but putting it on a bigger scale was a focus. We needed a sound system to match that.”

That ease-of-use was a crucial factor. “It needs to be really easy to use for the staff,” Fin continued. “In terms of the system they’ve put in place, we’re clicking buttons on screens—volume up and down, automatic volume set for certain areas. With televisions, we’re now controlling everything from one place when it comes to commentary, music, advertising—whatever you want to put on the TV is with a touch of a button. With that now in place too, it’s been really great.”