Plasa 2011: Outline adds to the GTO “family”

After Germany, United States and Italy, Outline’s large-format line-source system will be on show in London, on stand G35 at the Plasa Show, from 11^th to 14^th September.

 
The result of a positive two-year cooperation between Outline and some of the world’s best-known rental companies, GTO - Grand Touring Outline - can boast a successful feature right from its origin: the first systems that left the factory (summer 2010) were already sold and earmarked for immediate use on high-profile concerts and tours, initially in the USA and then Europe. Those systems were not prototypes, but already standard production models, the same as those officially presented in Frankfurt just four months ago.

 Currently, thanks also to the evolution of a market on which loudspeakers are increasingly sturdy and efficient, there is no doubt that almost all PAs effectively sound "loud". This has led to exaggerated use of sensational expressions such as "incredible output power" on behalf of more or less famous audio manufacturers - expressions that in many cases are backed up by facts.

 One certain prerogative attributed in writing to GTO by authoritative trade members is its ability to ensure intelligible output over long distances: higher than any competitor in the market’s large-format PA sector. An advantage that can be ascribed to Outline’s D.P.R.W.G. waveguide.

 However, the GTO family continues to grow. At Plasa 2011 the Italian company is unveiling its GTO-DF (Down-fill). This is an element that is mechanically compatible with GTO and conceived and designed with a sole aim: providing audio coverage for the first rows of the audience in every type of event at which GTO systems are used (an explicatory photo is attached).

 

From the point of view of design, the GTO-DF is definitely eye-catching, with its aperture (120°) gradually flaring out downwards. As opposed to the GTO, which has ten loudspeakers, this element uses six: four 8-inch mid-woofers and two 3-inch compression drivers.

 

Let’s take a look at the software sector. At Plasa 2011 Outline will present an APP for Apple iPads - written entirely in its in-house labs - with which it is possible to control the self-powered loudspeaker enclosures manufactured by the company (http://itunes.apple.com/uk/app/mini-com-p-a-s-s-linearray/id435900890?mt=8).

 

In fact, following in-depth research carried out in collaboration with the University of Brescia, Outline believes that man/loudspeaker enclosure interaction can be revolutionized with software interfaces on tablet computers.

 

Therefore, no more hardware interfaces with displays, pots and buttons, but a channel to communicate with the dynamic outside world of IT. This APP is not intended to be a "marketing accessory", but an enjoyable, efficient and precise tool for the rapid easy control of Outline’s self-powered systems. In short, the systems’ all-round remote controller.

 

It must be remembered that this is a native iOS APP, not a mere Web link. For example, the APP gives all-round control of Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. systems - including the complex group management that a line-array with adjustable horizontal dispersion implies - and the brand-new iSM series of stage monitors.

 By means of just an APP and relative tablet computer, Outline offers end users (FOH and system engineers, etc.) real all-round man/loudspeaker enclosure interaction.

 See you at Plasa on stand G35!