dBTechnologies and ProductionOne Deliver for Lakeland

	ProductionOne deployed a dBTechnologies VIO system at Lakeland's first city-wide Freedom Festival, featuring 14x VIO L1610 line array modules and 8x VIO S218 subwoofers.

The City of Lakeland, Florida celebrated its inaugural Freedom Festival with a full-scale community event that brought together more than 2,000 residents for live music, food, and fireworks at the new Soccer Annex at Lakeland Preparatory School. To ensure the success of the city's first large-scale Fourth of July celebration, Lakeland enlisted Memphis-based production company ProductionOne, led by CEO Kiley Butler, to manage full production -- including critical sound reinforcement for the event's headline band, regional favorite Landslide.

While the event site was not exceptionally wide, it extended deeply, with scattered food truck generators creating persistent ambient noise. On top of that, the logistical layout was being shaped in real time, with teams adapting to the space for the first time. The challenge was clear: deliver consistent, intelligible sound from the front row to the furthest reaches of the field.

To meet these demands, ProductionOne deployed a dBTechnologies VIO Series loudspeaker system. A total of fourteen VIO L1610 full-range line array modules were flown in a traditional left and right configuration. These three-way systems, equipped with a 3" compression driver and 10" mid-woofers, are known for their powerful output and sharply defined dispersion pattern - well-suited for focused delivery in a narrow, deep venue. Eight VIO S218 dual 18" subwoofers were ground-stacked two high across the front of the stage, providing extended low-end frequencies.

The system was fine-tuned using Aurora Net, dBTechnologies' DSP control software, which allowed engineers to align delay, manage EQ, and maintain consistent SPL across the entire venue despite ambient noise and unpredictable terrain.

"The sound quality was fantastic. You could tell everyone was having a great time," says Matt Brown, Lakeland's public works director. "I can't wait until next year." City leaders echoed the praise for the technical execution and the atmosphere it helped create. "Everything had to be perfect - from the band choice to the stage, and most certainly to the sound! My wife and I were at the furthest reaches of the public area, and we heard both the band and Mayor Roman's kick-off speech for the fireworks clearly and without distortion! All I can be is proud of the entire team," says city manager Michael Walker.

Andrew Fisher, director of parks and recreation, adds: "Lakeland's first annual Freedom Festival was a huge success and one of our strongest events to date. The stage and sound setup played a major role in that, and the audio quality was clear and consistent throughout the event. I visited all the main seating areas, and the sound was easily heard by all."