JBL Professional and Epic Deliver Audio for KultureBall Annual Gala

	"The A Series rigging is hands-down the easiest to get in the air. We're always waiting on video and lighting to catch up," says Yancey.

Every year, KultureCity, the world's leading nonprofit for sensory accessibility, hosts KultureBall, a black-tie evening where celebrities and philanthropy walk hand-in-hand to promote acceptance, inclusion, and raise funds for individuals with invisible disabilities. Recently, the organization marked its tenth anniversary with an evening filled with surprise performances and sensory-inclusive design, powered by a JBL Professional audio system provided by longtime partner Epic.

The gala featured a unique mix of content, including a full orchestra, multiple presenters, ASL interpreters, a center-stage extension, and live performances from Arnel Pineda of Journey, Orianthi, and American Idol winner Taylor Hicks. The event called for a sound system with the power and clarity of a touring rig, but with the elegance and intelligibility of a symphony hall. To meet those demands, Epic deployed a JBL Professional VTX A Series loudspeaker system with Crown amplifiers and JBL Performance Manager software.

"We first demoed the JBL VTX A Series at an outdoor event in 2024," says Matt Yancey, front-of-house engineer for Epic. "Even with an orchestra playing alongside a rock band, the system provided incredible clarity and coverage. That same flexibility made it the perfect choice for KultureCity's gala, which again featured a full orchestra, multiple presenters, and top-tier talent."

KultureBall 2024 took place inside the historic Boutwell Auditorium, one of Birmingham's most storied venues. To accommodate the event's wide range of programming, Epic designed an AV layout that included a traditional main stage, an extended downstage platform for the orchestra, and a round stage in the center of the venue for keynote moments and performances.

"If the Boutwell could talk, it would tell countless stories of iconic performances," says Gary Teal Junior, CEO of Epic. "It's a beautiful space, but a challenging one for audio. With the orchestra pushed beyond the PA and a center stage added to the mix, feedback stability and full coverage were non-negotiable. The JBL VTX rig delivered on both."

Rigging the system presented its own logistical challenge, but the team, including Steve Huf, Stage Patch, Travis Navara, RF tech, and Marcel Natson, System Tech, were able to deploy quickly thanks to the VTX Series' auto-locking mechanisms. "I've used just about every major PA," says Yancey. "The A Series rigging is hands-down the easiest to get in the air. We're always waiting on video and lighting to catch up."

Jacob Moore, monitor engineer and system tech, adds, "The rigging in the venue is complicated, but having a PA that goes up easily saves so much time. And the punch of the JBL VTX M22 monitors are incredible as volume and clarity are never an issue."

For system design and configuration, the team used JBL Performance Manager, integrating data from JBL's Venue Synthesis software for seamless deployment. "The drag-and-drop functionality is fantastic," says Moore. "Once the Venue Synthesis file is ready, Performance Manager auto-populates everything. It's efficient, intuitive and reliable."

As with previous years, KultureBall included sensory accessibility features such as ASL interpreters, live captioning, and quiet zones, ensuring that every guest could experience the event comfortably. The JBL VTX system enhanced those efforts by providing consistent, high-fidelity sound throughout the room with minimal strain or distraction.

"The feedback has been phenomenal," says Teal. "From the presenters to our KultureCity partners, everyone was impressed with the clarity, warmth and presence of the system. It helped make this milestone gala truly unforgettable." Attendees and artists alike also praised the sound quality, including musicians from the headline acts who described the experience as "like listening to a hi-fi in your living room."