CLIENT
LGME
LOCATION
The Macallan Estate, Scotland
YEAR
2022
PROJECT TYPE
Live event – brand experience
Scope
Audio design, SFX simulation, show operation
Services Provided
- →Audio system design and specification
- →Special effects soundscape creation
- →System programming and show control
- →Live show operation
- →Onsite coordination and mixing
The Brief
We were engaged by Nick Levitt from LGME to design and operate the audio for a one-off special event celebrating the launch of The Spirit of 1926, a short film honouring Nettie Harbinson, the pioneering figure behind the Macallan 1926, the most valuable bottle of wine or spirit ever sold at auction.
Held at the striking Macallan Estate distillery in Speyside, Scotland, the event featured a live set from Simple Minds, who also composed the film’s soundtrack. Our brief was to deliver a bespoke audio experience that would elevate the narrative and atmosphere of the evening, while maintaining the architectural integrity and prestige of the setting.
The Challenge
The Macallan Estate is a beautiful but acoustically complex space, and preserving the visual and architectural aesthetic of the venue was a core part of the brief.
We also had a unique storytelling challenge: to sonically simulate the distillery in full operation, complete with a theatrical shutdown sequence at the top of the show. The actual shutdown process is hours long and relatively uneventful, so we needed to reimagine and condense it into a compelling, time-efficient experience that would cue the start of the evening.
With a high-profile audience and a global brand at the centre of the event, execution needed to be precise, discreet and polished.
Our Approach
We designed a dual-system solution: a performance PA for the live music set and speeches, and a separate SFX system to deliver our custom multichannel distillery simulation.
Our design ensured minimal visual impact, using existing architectural features to mount loudspeakers. We also created and mixed a custom multichannel SFX sequence, a stylised, theatrical soundscape of the distillery shutting down, triggered in sync with the lighting and staging cues.
From creative audio production to live operation, our team handled the entire audio journey from concept to delivery, ensuring each moment was sonically compelling and seamlessly integrated.
Technical Highlights:
Audio Design
Performance Loudspeaker System
- Four L-Acoustics Syva loudspeakers mounted to existing vertical poles
- Four Syva Low and four KS21 subwoofers
- Designed for discretion and clarity to preserve architectural sightlines
SFX Loudspeaker System
- Four L-Acoustics A15 Wide, four KS21, and eight X12 loudspeakers
- Distributed around the distillery halls
- Used to deliver a custom distillery simulation and shutdown sequence
DiGiCo SD10 with SD Racks for live mixing
Pro Tools for SFX design and sequencing
Show Control Design
Qlab for multichannel playback and cue control
The Results
The event opened with a dynamic and cinematic audio sequence that immersed the audience in the story of the distillery, setting the tone for the evening and creating a real sense of place and atmosphere.
Our discreet PA design ensured the audio performance was punchy and intelligible without ever compromising the aesthetics of the venue. From Simple Minds’ live set to the finely tuned SFX moments, every detail was delivered with clarity, control, and creativity.
Acknowledgements
Our Client
A huge thanks to Nick Levitt from LGME for getting us involved and the Production Manager for the gig Glen Thomson for keeping things on track.
Our Team
The system was designed by Scott Willsallen with Joe Callister creating the SFX and programming Qlab and Toby Chester mixing the show.
Our Supplier
Our thanks to Britannia Row for supplying, installing and maintaining the system for us.
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