fabric Room 1

fabric, one of London’s most iconic nightclubs, faced a unique challenge: modernising its renowned Room 1 sound system while adhering to real-world sustainability principles.

The club faced the kind of challenge that will be familiar to many – an aging system that was losing its performance combined with inefficient, older electronics. The fabric technical team explored a variety of possibilities to overcome this by upgrading the solution, but this didn’t feel right.

After speaking with all key stakeholders, it was the desire to maintain the sound that the venue was famous for, combined with the sustainability principles it held dear that prompted a unique brief.

Rather than replacing its 20-year-old Martin Audio sound system, fabric wanted to refurbish the solution where it needed to, repurpose equipment where it could and only replace items where it had to.

Putting this concept to Martin Audio highlighted the scale of the challenge – many of the parts that needed refurbishing were no longer in production. But it also highlighted the opportunity – replacing the old amplifiers with new, energy-efficient smart DSP amps could significantly impact the amount of power the club used without reducing its performance.

Meeting this brief would prove to be a significant technical challenge, but the example it has set as a proof of concept made meeting the challenge even more worthwhile.

fabric’s 20-year-old Martin Audio W8C and W8L loudspeakers, which had long been integral to the club’s acclaimed sound experience, began to show signs of wear, with declining performance and ageing amplifiers. However, rather than opting for a full system replacement, which would have resulted in significant electronic waste and a larger carbon footprint, fabric and Martin Audio took a sustainable approach. This collaboration, built on a long-standing relationship, enabled the pair to find a solution that maintained the club’s signature sound while drastically reducing its environmental impact.

The primary challenges included inefficient power consumption, ageing equipment, and inconsistent low-end coverage. For many, this would be seen as time to throw away the old system and buy a new one. However, fabric chose the harder option of refurbishing key components, ensuring minimal waste while retaining the core sound of the room.

Inefficient power consumption was overcome by replacing the outdated amplifiers with high-efficiency iKON models, doubling power efficiency and cutting energy consumption. The original W8L and W8C loudspeakers were refreshed with new drivers, preserving the acoustics fabric is known for, while eliminating unnecessary waste.

Further enhancing sustainability, the project involved repurposing fabric’s iconic Blackline F12 loudspeakers, once used for monitoring, to serve as rear downfill, thus eliminating the need for additional speakers. Meanwhile, the DJ booth was upgraded with energy-efficient FlexPoint FP12 loudspeakers, ensuring top-tier performance while reducing power usage. The low-end system was also redesigned with eight SHX218 subwoofers, which were arranged in a broadside array to optimise power usage and eliminate sonic inconsistencies.

Additionally, the introduction of VU-NET software allowed for remote monitoring and energy-efficient system management. This ensured the venue could maintain peak performance while using less power. Through this innovative approach, fabric and Martin Audio have revitalised the club’s sound system. In addition to this the club has also achieved significant reductions in energy consumption and electronic waste, all while maintaining its world-famous audio experience.

The project has had some very positive impacts for fabric’s sustainability while also highlighting that achieving a great sound doesn’t have to come at a cost to the planet.

The ability to refurbish and repurpose the existing solution has led to a variety of advantages. Primarily this project has kept tonnes of electronic waste out of landfill. By refurbishing the main system, fabric has extended the lifespan of its equipment rather than throwing it away.
The subsequent benefit of this has been seen around reducing the need for new equipment. This means fewer raw materials, such as the rare earth metals commonly found in loudspeakers were required to equip the club. There were also fewer materials required for packaging the system and with the overall solution being significantly lighter that a new PA, the fuel used for transporting the new equipment was also significantly less.

An easier sustainability impact to measure comes from the change of amplifiers. The new iKON models at fabric are about twice as efficient as the old amps that have been replaced. These, combined with VU-Net software means that the club has become significantly more efficient in the way that it manages the power draw and performance of its systems. The increase in efficiency means that less power is being wasted, providing ongoing sustainability benefits to the club.

A key challenge Martin Audio faced in refurbishing Room 1’s sound system was sourcing and manufacturing components that are no longer in production. Martin Audio took on the complex task of custom-fabricating and re-engineering these components to give the systems a new lease of life. This required technical expertise and significant time.

Another challenge was the extended lead times for custom-manufactured parts. As Martin Audio worked to recreate or adapt components, the fabrication process took longer than standard replacements on current products. This created potential delays, especially with fabric’s limited downtime. Ensuring the delivery and installation of bespoke parts without disrupting the club’s operations required careful coordination and planning.

Finally, ensuring consistency across the refurbished components was crucial. While integrating new amplifiers and subwoofers, Martin Audio worked meticulously to ensure seamless compatibility with existing parts. Achieving the best quality sound throughout the system required expert calibration and engineering.

This project exemplifies how professional audio can embrace sustainable practices without compromising on sound quality. Rather than opting for a typical system replacement, fabric and Martin Audio worked together—built on their long-standing relationship—to take a refurbishment-first approach. This decision allowed them to extend the life of key components, reduce electronic waste, and significantly improve the energy efficiency of an iconic venue, all without sacrificing the club’s signature sound.

One of the key elements for this project has been reducing waste. Rivitalising the storied loudspeakers with new drivers and repurposing the old DJ monitors has kept electrical waste out of landfill. As an added environmental bonus, this approach reduced the need for new manufacturing, shipping, and raw materials.

A unique aspect of this project is Martin Audio’s commitment to remanufacturing the necessary components instead of offering standard replacement parts, a decision driven by their dedication to sustainability and the longstanding partnership with fabric. This additional effort, which required time, research and development, ensured that the equipment remained in service and aligned with the sustainability principles driving the project.

The impact on energy efficiency is significant. The iKON amplifiers have doubled power efficiency, while VU-NET software ensures real-time system optimisation, preventing unnecessary power use. The reconfiguration of the subwoofer system also helped reduce energy waste, ensuring even bass distribution with optimal power usage.

The commitment to sustainability doesn’t stop with the products themselves. For example, fabric has recently eliminated single-use plastic at the club, while Martin Audio’s offices run entirely on renewable energy, and the wider Focusrite Group has been Carbon Neutral in Scopes 1 and 2 since 2021, underscoring their dedication to reducing their environmental footprint.

This project is a clear example of how a longstanding collaboration between two industry leaders can produce a sustainable, forward-thinking solution for the live entertainment industry.

By prioritising refurbishment, optimising energy consumption, and implementing smart design, fabric has set a new standard for sustainable sound system management. This pioneering approach makes it a deserving candidate for the MONDO-DR Sustainability Award.