Blazing Griffin, a BAFTA-winning games, post-production, film, and TV production facility based in Glasgow has installed an Alcons pro ribbon system for its high-end film mixing room. It’s the first Alcons mix room in Scotland and also the first installation of an Alcons CRMSC Compact Cinema Reference Monitor System in the United Kingdom.
Established in 2015, Blazing Griffin has brought together an array of talented sound and picture creatives, quickly becoming a major UK post-production house. The company added a 5.1 / 7.1.4 (Dolby Atmos) film mixing room, built to Dolby Features specifications and so needed a truly state-of-the-art loudspeaker system.
“The room was designed to accommodate theatrical film mixing as well as HETV drama, and feature doc work, and sonically had to translate well to both commercial cinemas and home systems,” said Paul Martin Blazing Griffin’s technical operations manager. “Working closely with Dolby throughout the process, the installation had to hit specific requirements in terms of loudness and intelligibility, and naturally we wanted the best sounding system available to us.
“We were aware that Alcons pro-ribbon systems are a go-to for higher end facilities and had known Laurence Claydon of consultancy and design service Mill Road Technology for many years. We trust his ears and were happy to listen to his vast experience and recommendations on the subject.”
The chosen system comprised three Alcons CRMSCompact three-way, 12-inch compact cinema reference monitor system, 16 CRMSC-SRHV/90 two-way, 6.5-inch compact horizontal/vertical reference surround and two CB211slFV 21-inch larger-format shallow subwoofer system, powered and controlled by three Sentinel3 amplified loudspeaker controllers.
One challenge was the very tight timescale for the project, there only being three months between the start of construction of the new room and the deadline for its completion.
“We hadn’t installed Alcons products before, but it was a very straightforward, seamless process,” said Paul. “Laurence commissioned the system and it was ready just in time for the handover date.”
Claydon said, “At Mill Road Technology we’re delighted that Blazing Griffin have chosen to join an increasing number of mixing facilities whose talent and clients are discovering the benefits of working on Alcons Pro Ribbon against traditional monitoring solutions. We receive consistent feedback that Alcons allows you to hear further into the mix and work more efficiently in making creative decisions”
Paul said, “The reaction has been brilliant and the room sounds fantastic. We’re now working on the biggest shows we’ve ever done in that room, like The Tattooist of Auschwitz for Sky. After a period of bedding in, we’re now confident that the system can take on any project, no matter how technically or creatively challenging.”