Education
Overview
Adlib delivered a comprehensive AV and Lighting system at Bank View High School to support a growing programme of performances, assemblies and film screenings
Partners & Collaborators
Client
Bank View High School
Sector
Education
Services
Audio / Lighting / Video / Track & Drape
Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom
Year
2025
Bank View School required a comprehensive AV and lighting system to support its growing programme of performances, assemblies, and film screenings. The brief called for a solution that would be versatile enough to accommodate both live music and drama, while also functioning as a community cinema - an important use case for the school. Critically, the system needed to remain accessible for staff with limited technical experience.
The venue turned to Adlib, which has maintained a long association with the building since it first opened over 20 years ago. Originally fitted out to a high standard with cutting-edge technology, the facility now required careful assessment. Part of the brief involved consulting on which existing equipment remained viable and contemporary, then proposing new installations to bring the venue up to date with fully integrated audio, lighting, video, and control systems at full operational capability.
The installed audio system is built around a scalable loudspeaker setup, tailored to suit both drama and live music performances, as well as a 7.1 system for a community cinema.
The system uses a combination of RCF Compact C45 and M10 loudspeakers, with S29 subwoofers providing the low-frequency support. The subs are securely flown using custom hardware, ensuring clean lines and optimal sound dispersion. System amplification is provided by Linea Research Dante-enabled amplifiers, offering power and networked control.
An Allen & Heath SQ-7 digital mixing console serves as the heart of the control system, offering advanced processing in a compact footprint. A dust cover was also supplied to preserve the console when not in use. Stage monitoring is handled by RCF NX 12-SMA powered wedges, supplied with covers, stands, and all necessary cabling for fast setup and flexibility.
The microphone package includes industry-standard wired microphones from Shure and Sennheiser, including SM58s, SM57s, e604s, and e614s, alongside a range of DI boxes for instrument inputs. All are stored and transported in dedicated production cases, supported by a full suite of König & Meyer microphone stands.
A Sennheiser EW-D wireless system was supplied, comprising 12 channels with both bodypacks and handheld transmitters, neckband mics, and an RF Venue diversity antenna system for coverage across the venue. The system is managed via a robust rack-mounted RF and power infrastructure, ensuring reliable performance in all conditions.
The audio signal chain is managed via a Q-SYS Core Nano processor, integrating analogue and networked audio with user interface control through QSC touchscreens. The backend also includes a Tascam ML-16D analogue I/O interface, HDMI audio extraction, and a managed network switch to support AV-over-IP routing.
The lighting system was designed to offer dynamic, full-stage coverage, suitable for school shows, concerts, presentations, and special events.
The rig includes a blend of Chauvet Rogue R1X Wash units and Elumen8 Evora moving head spotlights, delivering excellent beam shaping and colour mixing. Chauvet EVE P-100WW fixtures provide warm white washes, ideal for general coverage and stage lighting.
Control is provided by a Chamsys QuickQ 20 console, offering intuitive programming capabilities for staff and students. A Chauvet Net-X II node ensures flexible DMX distribution across the system.
Fixtures are mounted to 4-metre lighting trusses, with safe and secure mounting hardware included for each unit. The system was installed to offer flexibility for future upgrades and configuration changes.
A high-performance Panasonic PT-MZ20K laser projector forms the centrepiece of the video system, delivering 20,000 lumens of brightness and WUXGA resolution for high-impact visuals even in daylight. It’s paired with a motorised zoom lens for versatile throw distances.
Signal is managed by Blustream HDBaseT and switching hardware, enabling seamless connectivity for laptops, media players, and teaching devices. Wall-mounted wireless presentation interfaces allow staff to present content quickly and easily from any device.
The space was finished with a complete stage drape system, including a main front curtain, wing tabs, and track-mounted black masking, mounted on a dedicated truss. This gives the room the visual versatility of a true performance space, while also enhancing the acoustic properties of the stage area.
Whenever Adlib installs a fully integrated system, comprehensive training is included free of charge. The approach is carefully structured, starting with fundamental skills such as setting up mic stands and coiling cables before progressing to more advanced system capabilities.
To provide real-world experience, Adlib engaged a professional band during the training session, allowing students and staff to see all systems working together in practice. The training was delivered in stages, beginning with an overview and essential operations to get users started, then advancing to deeper technical levels for those wanting to explore further.
Amanda Quigley, Music Teacher at Bank View High School, commented: "The training today has been fantastic, as expected. Tim and Richard are very experienced, and they've structured it in stages: here's an overview, and then we'll cover just enough to get you started. If you're really interested, you can progress to the next level. Their signposting and guidance have been really important too. The next generation of technicians and creatives needs to get their hands on the latest equipment and receive quality training - this is the start of that journey. The fact that we have a relationship with Adlib, a world-class company right down the road, feels like it's meant to be. We feel like we're living in the future. The possibilities are endless, it's down to our imagination, so it's very exciting."
The final system installed at Bank View School is a fully integrated, production infrastructure that empowers staff and students to deliver professional-quality productions and presentations. Built around scalable, networked systems for audio, video, and lighting, the solution provides a solid foundation for creative exploration while remaining simple enough to operate on a daily basis.
Whether it's a school concert, assembly, film screening, or theatrical performance, Bank View now has a flexible and future-proof platform that will support their ambitions for many years to come.
Credits
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