Lab.gruppen Steppes Out, Russian Style

The amplifiers are from a number of different ranges to better suit each specific application - C Series dedicated installation amplifiers, fP Series and FP+ Series high power workhorses.

The first installation is the Gorka Club in the ancient Russian city of Yaroslavl located some 250km north-east of Moscow.

The second, called simply “Europe” is far up in Russia’s frozen north in the Siberian city of Yakutsk. Located just 450km south of the Arctic Circle, Yakutsk has the dubious honour of being the coldest city in the world.

Also known as “The Hill” after the ski hill that adorns part of the roof
space of the complex, the Gorka Club in Yaroslavl is huge, multi-level venue comprising the “Hill” nightclub, bowling lanes, a sports bar and a billiards club on the lower ground level; a sophisticated city café/bar, a number of “European” themed restaurants and a shopping area occupy the ground floor, whilst the roof space has been designated as a large, landscaped children’s play area incorporating the famous ski hill and a cafe for weary parents.

The Lab.gruppen component of this enormous installation is principally to serve the nightclub, which also doubles as a live venue. Lab.gruppen FP+ Series amplifiers were selected to drive the main EAW KF730 line array dance system where the main criteria were for solid power and 100% reliability. A variety of C Series dedicated installation amplifiers were chosen to power the other EAW systems throughout the venue serving the chillout areas, the bar, several VIP areas and of course the bathrooms and jacuzzi.

Heading north to Yakutsk, the Europe club is a venture on an even bigger scale. Spread over five floors, Europe boasts its own power station, a brewery, and a hotel that is currently under construction next door. The rest of the complex offers a pub, a sports bar and a multipurpose hall on the first floor; an Italian restaurant, a billiards bar and a cafe on the second floor; the third and fourth floors are occupied by a massive nightclub, a strip club and a karaoke bar; while the fifth floor is dedicated to bowling lanes.

Unsurprisingly, the AV and lighting equipment list from MS-Max looks like a telephone directory. Top billing goes to Lab.gruppen for amplifiers, and EAW for loudspeakers throughout. For the nightclub, MS-Max opted for a distributed system based around EAW’s classic made-for-clubs Avalon Series using DC1 and DC2 powered by Lab.gruppen’s own classic fP Series amplifiers, the original workhorse. Surround systems throughout the club in the VIP areas, bar and elsewhere, are powered by Lab.gruppen C Series amplifiers. C

Series amplifiers can also be found powering an EAW NTL720 system in the restaurant and to drive the strip club sound system.