Canvas Manchester: Flexible Audio & Lighting Case Study
Canvas Manchester is a next-generation music venue, members club, and late-night bar set in the heart of the city’s innovation district. To support its multi-purpose use, Audiotek was commissioned to design and install a flexible audio and lighting system that delivers pro-level performance while remaining simple for staff to operate.
By integrating L-Acoustics, Tannoy, Chauvet Lighting, QSC Q-SYS, Avolites, Allen & Heath, BenQ projectors, and Resolume, the result is a system that adapts effortlessly to live shows, DJ sets, and everyday hospitality use.
Canvas Manchester Project Challenges
Designing for Canvas meant building a system that could do it all:
- Professional-grade audio: The main room needed clarity, power, and coverage for both live bands and DJs.
- Ease of use: Staff who weren’t AV engineers had to control complex systems quickly and reliably.
- Flexibility: With spaces ranging from intimate dining rooms to a full live venue, each zone demanded its own atmosphere and control.
Project Scope – AV Installation at Canvas Manchester
Audiotek designed and installed an integrated system covering audio, lighting, and video:
Main Live Room
- L-Acoustics A15 and KS21 for powerful, precise sound reinforcement.
- Chauvet RX1 Spot, RX2 Wash & Intimidator 575 for dynamic performance visuals.
- Avolites Quartz lighting desk for professional-level show control.
- Allen & Heath SQ6 sound desk for mixing live performances.
- BenQ projectors with Resolume control, creating immersive visuals across stage and walls.
Members Club & Restaurant
- Tannoy VX15 and VSX215 loudspeakers delivering distributed audio with balanced clarity.
- QSC Q-SYS networked audio system allowing seamless control and zoning across the venue.
Design Approach to Flexible Audio & Lighting
Audiotek’s approach was all about marrying performance with usability.
- Pro-level capability: L-Acoustics and Chauvet equipment gave Canvas the sonic and visual firepower expected of Manchester’s top live venues.
- Distributed control: Q-SYS ensured every space could run independently, allowing the restaurant to maintain ambience while the live room rocked at full volume.
- User-first design: Simple presets and intuitive interfaces meant staff could manage day-to-day operations without technical training, while professionals still had full creative control.
Key Innovations at Canvas Manchester
- Scalable Performance: One venue, many functions — the system adapts to dining, DJ sets, and live acts.
- Dual User Design: Equally accessible for professional sound engineers and everyday venue staff.
- Immersive Integration: Audio, lighting, and video united into a single system for total experience design.
Installation & Execution
Audiotek worked hand-in-hand with the project team to ensure a smooth rollout. Cable routing and equipment mounting were integrated seamlessly into the venue’s fit-out, ensuring functionality without visual clutter. Rigging and calibration of the L-Acoustics system delivered exceptional clarity, while projector mapping and lighting plots were optimised for impact and flexibility.
Educational Insights
This project highlights why flexible AV systems are vital for multi-purpose venues:
- Futureproofing: Systems must serve today’s needs while remaining adaptable for tomorrow’s formats.
- Operational simplicity: Staff confidence is just as important as technical capability.
- Holistic design: Audio, lighting, and video need to be integrated, not treated as silos.
Conclusion – Flexible Audio & Lighting That Works for Everyone
Canvas Manchester shows how Audiotek’s design philosophy transforms multi-use spaces into world-class venues. By combining professional-grade performance with intuitive controls, the AV system delivers for both seasoned engineers and everyday staff.
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