Today I attended my second client meeting of the project with John to discuss the details of the rooms sound system and how this could affect the final product as well as a discussion of the projects context and how this fits within the business model. The sound set up of the ‘Reserve Lounge’ is particularly important as understanding its parameters will allow me to evaluate its limitations and how this affects the product. Also by understanding the context of the assignment I will be able to apply specific techniques to achieve a professional product within this context. After speaking to John I have discovered that the ‘Reserve Lounge’ features a stereo sound system installed by Kaleidovision, a company specialising in digital installations for retail spaces.

The installation consists of 4 JBL 12 inch speakers hanging from the ceiling at each corner of the room accompanied by 2 JBL sub-woofers to the left and right sides in the centre of the room, all linked to a digital Kaleidovision system running as an interface on the ground floor of the club where songs can be added, changed and put into playlists depending on the time of night and the atmosphere needed to extend the amount of time the customer spends within the VIP room.

Also within our last meeting there was some speculation of the context of the project. I needed to ensure exactly what John wanted from the product, whether it was an actual sound installation, including various pitches and frequencies made to effect the human mind directly to ensure they spent longer in the room or whether he wanted 3 musical ‘songs’ that helped create a fitting atmosphere for the room. After explaining the difference between the two John decided it was more appropriate to have a product that featured 3 musical songs but including some underlying elements of musical psychology  to attempt to affect the customers mind subconsciously.

Based on this meeting i was able to draw some more objectives in terms of research over the coming weeks. I must begin researching into music psychology to understand exactly what will ensure the customers stay within the room. My key research sources for this particular subject will include: ‘Mystic Chords: Mysticism and Psychology in popular music’ and ‘The Oxford Handbook of music Psychology’ as well as looking at relevant newspaper articles and internet sources. I must also research into the possible limitations of the sound system within the “Reserve Lounge’ as this could have a detrimental effect on my final product and the way it is ‘consumed’ by the rooms customers.