There is no single sound setting that defines the right atmosphere for every hospitality venue. Agree the character of each space and service period, then test the system in use with the operator and staff.
An operator may want different audio behaviour for lunch, occupied dining, a private event or performance. The useful starting point is an operating brief for each state: sources, active areas, level relationships, staff control and the transition to the next use.
SDS uses “energy band” as a design metaphor for that intended character. It is not a validated cognitive threshold, a statutory limit or a universal range of restaurant sound levels. Review the room under representative conditions rather than assuming a percentage of occupancy predicts a fixed outcome.
The system can provide separate controls and defined presets where the brief needs them. Those settings do not create physical isolation between open areas or establish compliance with a building or licensing requirement. Transmission and formal assessments need their appropriate specialist scope.
Use the operating-state plan as an illustration of source routing and control, not a measured sound field. Commission the agreed settings, test the handovers and give staff a clear way to return to the intended state. Assess the result against the venue’s actual service objectives; do not promise that a livelier or quieter setting necessarily improves spend.
One system. Several functions.
Illustrative venueAt concept design the venue is a plan: walls, openings and furniture. This is the point to design the audio, while ceilings, joinery and services can still move.
- Stage
- RIBA Stage 2
- Drawings
- Plan and furniture layout
The installed system: loudspeakers, integrated subwoofers and acoustic treatment, coordinated with the architecture. Every operating state that follows runs on this same equipment.
- Sources
- Playlist and DJ
- Routing
- Either source to any room
Music sets the character of the room without leading it. Even coverage and consistent level matter more than output.
- Source
- Scheduled playlist
- Preset
- Background
- Control
- Automatic
A private room separates for a dinner, launch or speech, then returns to service, without the team needing to touch the technical system.
- Source
- Playlist, private room independent
- Preset
- Event
- Control
- Private room panel
Where the brief calls for it, playback hands over to a DJ or live performer, with inputs, routing, monitoring and low-frequency support already designed in.
- Source
- DJ input, playlist off
- Preset
- Performance
- Control
- DJ or performer
Source
Active
Available, inactive
Speakers
Wall-mounted speaker
Integrated subwoofer
Bass trap
Coverage
Lower energyHigher energy
One system. Several functions.
Illustrative venueAt concept design the venue is a plan: walls, openings and furniture. This is the point to design the audio, while ceilings, joinery and services can still move.
- Stage
- RIBA Stage 2
- Drawings
- Plan and furniture layout
The installed system: loudspeakers, integrated subwoofers and acoustic treatment, coordinated with the architecture. Every operating state that follows runs on this same equipment.
- Sources
- Playlist and DJ
- Routing
- Either source to any room
Music sets the character of the room without leading it. Even coverage and consistent level matter more than output.
- Source
- Scheduled playlist
- Preset
- Background
- Control
- Automatic
A private room separates for a dinner, launch or speech, then returns to service, without the team needing to touch the technical system.
- Source
- Playlist, private room independent
- Preset
- Event
- Control
- Private room panel
Where the brief calls for it, playback hands over to a DJ or live performer, with inputs, routing, monitoring and low-frequency support already designed in.
- Source
- DJ input, playlist off
- Preset
- Performance
- Control
- DJ or performer
Source
Active
Available, inactive
Speakers
Wall-mounted speaker
Integrated subwoofer
Bass trap
Coverage
Lower energyHigher energy
Sources
