UK - Located at the site of a disused warehouse in Bradford, Loading Bay is a new pop-up venue created for Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. Throughout the year it will present an extensive and eclectic arts and entertainment programme comprising music, comedy, talks, exhibitions, theatre, live video-gaming, and exhibitions. Set across four floors, Loading Bay includes a theatre, gallery, multi-format basement room, as well as an outside courtyard space.
To ensure the best possible experience for artists, performers, and audience members alike, the venue’s team enlisted Bradford-based production specialists Pro Audio Systems (PAS) to supply and install much of the technology required for its extensive programme.
As well as installing the main front-of-house audio systems for the performance spaces, PAS also supplied a number of significant ancillary elements for the project including a background audio and venue-wide paging system, controlled via an Atlas IED Atmosphere multi-zone audio processor. Distributed in the UK by Polar, the unit’s powerful DSP combined with innovative algorithms offers custom solutions for a wide variety of spaces.
PAS supplied an Atlas IED AZM8 zone processor combined with remote Bluetooth (A-BT-EU) and RCA/3.5mm (A-RCA-EU) inputs, and two Atmosphere Zone Paging Stations (X-ZPS).
Dave Simpson of Pro Audio Systems comments: “The Atlas IED Atmosphere is fast becoming our go-to processor for multi-zoned audio systems. Anywhere from retail and hospitality settings to fitness centres, schools and visitor attractions, it’s an ideal platform, offering simple personal control from an end-user’s own mobile device. The AZM8 gives Loading Bay flexible control over the background music in its gallery and outside spaces, as well as facilitating a complete paging system for the venue’s live events programme.
“As well as the Atmosphere processor, we sourced a number of other products from Polar for this extensive project, including a quantity of Radial passive and active DI boxes for the venue’s main stage. As one of our most trusted suppliers Polar’s service was, as always, prompt and reliable.”
Samuel McCarthy-Robinson, venue technical manager at Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture adds: "It’s been a real pleasure working with the team at Pro Audio Systems. Right from the start, they were approachable, responsive, and clearly knew their stuff. They quickly built strong relationships with everyone involved, which made the whole process feel collaborative and straightforward.
“Their expertise and attention to detail gave us complete confidence, and they delivered everything on time without fuss. The end result at The Beacon has been fantastic – the kit works beautifully, and it's had a real impact on what we’re able to do in the space. We’re absolutely delighted with how it’s all turned out."