Audiotek

Audiotek installation

installation

audiotek

services, installation, january 2007, COMMENTS

Audiotek have for a quarter of a decade been a key industry installer catering for the nightclub and leisure markets. The company has grown in stature and experience since humble beginnings in the audio retail sector in 1982, and, under the leadership of Frank Murray, Audiotek’s infectious passion for top end lighting and audio coupled with a massive industry knowledge have made them one of the most widely sought after and highly regarded companies of its generation.

With 15 openings in December 2006 alone, coupled with a further two large installations and a US super club hot on the heels of new year, Audiotek’s engineers are some of the busiest installers of professional audio, lighting and AV in the UK. “All of our customers have my phone number,” says Murray, speaking to NIGHT at 2.30am on a cold December morning.

“And they use it frequently, almost always for good reasons. Most of our clients are now firm friends, and they regularly turn to us for industry advice about where installation trends are heading. If anyone has a problem, or needs a hand with a break down, then they get hold of us easily no-matter when. We never close and we never let our clients down”.

This twenty four hour commitment is bolstered by an experienced and talented teams of technicians, sound engineers and sales personnel. The technical crew is lead by Len Bolger, the man behind such key installations at U2’s Kitchen Nightclub and classic underground club Fabric, while Santi Arribas, the designer of the sound at God’s Kitchen, is the company’s chief sound engineer. The 15 strong team undergo regular training with their manufacturers to get the most out of their kit, and are currently involved in the Martin Professional training scheme at the lighting manufactuer’s headquarters. Audiotek strictly adheres to some basic guiding principles: team work, post-sales dedication to their clients, communication, and the use of equipment that provides real value - rather than sheer affordability - to their club installations.

Throughout its career, Audiotek has built its reputation on a range of equipment that delivers high quality coupled with excellent customer support. Their current range includes Denon, JBL Professional, Studio Due, Turbosound, Tannoy, Panasonic, Griven, Martin Professional and Pioneer.

"Above all else we value technical backup and support in our manufacturers,” says Frank. “If the manufacturer or his agent does not have product knowledge, service support and spares inventory immediately to hand then the product range is no use to us. We have to be able to provide our clients with adequate and immediate support and remedies.” And more often than not, this support comes at no extra cost to the end user. They have a large inventory of loan stock held in reserve to be loaned out to support their clients, including lighting, controllers, amplifiers CD players, plasmas and video projectors.

“Our reserve makes us no money but it’s a part of the package when you use us,” says Frank. “I look for the same attitude in our manufacturers and their suppliers as we exhibit in our business, because we are not in the sales business, but in the service business. This encompasses back up and support, and the ability to come through for a client in a fix. We have been privileged to work with such companies as Martin Professional on the lighting side, and Turbosound on the audio, both of whom are passionate about their work, showing a commitment towards both the quality of their products and the needs of their customers.”

Commemorating their 25th birthday in 2007, Audiotek have overseen and contributed to some of the most significant moments in the history of UK clubbing. Their stand out installations at God’s Kitchen in 2000 won a richly deserved BEDA Award, while an installation of legendary importance to the industry was carried out in Fabric in 1999. During a period where dance music and clubbing culture were hitting an apex in the UK, the two landmark installations secured the pedigree of Audiotek’s subsequent work in the late night sector.

“Godskitchen and Fabric will always rank as landmark venues for us and still are the pinnacle of dance club design, while U2’s Kitchen venue still ranks as a hugely exciting project. 2007 looks like it will extend our busy work schedule, having just had our plans approved for a superclub in America.”

From: January 2007 Issue

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