Outline at Plasa 2010

 

Outline’s all-in-one concept, pushed to the maximum - from console to enclosures in just one step.

 

The products Outline will exhibit on its stand (G35) at London’s PLASA Show from September 12^th to 15^th 2010 have a wide variety of applications.

 

Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. iMode

 

Outline presents its “Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. iMode” and receives a nomination for the famous “Plasa Awards for Innovation”.

 

Presenting a standard of loudspeaker enclosure control that has never before been achieved, Outline is proud to announce it has succeeded in an undertaking that was anything but easy, i.e. that of incorporating its most sophisticated technology - named “iMode” - in the most compact VLA in its range (what’s more, the only self-powered VLA on the market able to offer horizontal directivity that can be varied from 60 to 150 degrees).

 

In fact, in the latest generation of its Mini-COM.P.A.S.S., Outline has fitted an ”embedded” computer, complete with Web server and sophisticated network facilities, for a control that could be described as “geographically limitless”. Christened ‘iMode’, this innovative, continually evolving proprietary Outline platform is the company’s technological top as far as the specific sector of IT applied to loudspeaker systems is concerned.

 

Outline’s R&D team has put into concrete form the idea of equipping each enclosure with its own “intelligence”, which, thanks to the Web, is able to receive all kinds of feedback from users (FOH and system engineers, audio consultants, etc.). For example, a setting, or any other parameter they need to “communicate” to the enclosure.

 

The system is also able to send feedback to users, providing them information on its operating status, with an unprecedented level of precision, data quantity and quality.

 

To understand Outline’s iMode’s potential, it’s sufficient to imagine the operation of a Web site, which can be consulted and updated in every aspect (parameter) from anywhere in the world using a normal Web browser. Exactly same principle holds for the Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. iMode - each enclosure operates by exploiting its own on-board Web site.

 

Everything “runs” on a Linux operating system, with the advantages (well known in the most important IT applications, from military to hospitals) that this logic means in terms of stability and interoperability. In fact, Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. iMode is a highly flexible product looking to the future, ready to “interact” with modern digital consoles, smartphones and “intelligent” devices of today and tomorrow.

 

For just one practical example, let’s consider a live concert. Then a modern digital console, i.e. the main signal control centre. Thanks to its digital inputs and the use of plug-ins, the desk will be able to control all Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. iMode’s parameters.

 

The system has everything on-board: no software, matrix, DSP, amplifier or any other device is required in the audio chain, with obvious advantages in terms of costs and practicality. Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. iMode ensures top grade audio (24bit/192kHz) - the highest quality currently available - and its key features include FIR filters and IIR filters with a resolution of up to 64 bit, a delay time of up to 2 seconds for each channel (normally only possible with a matrix), as well as a twin dynamic processor (peak/RMS), to ensure reliability.

 

As can be understood from the above, Outline has given concrete form to the “all-in-one” concept, pushing it to the limits of its expression. All-in-one, because it goes from console to enclosures in just one step.

 

Numerous other important details and unique characteristics of Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. iMode can be found in the dedicated catalogue, a printed copy of which can be picked up at the Outline stand (G35) and will shortly be available on the Web site www.outline.it).

 

EIDOS

 

Presented in prototype form at Frankfurt, the EIDOS range met with even greater success than expected in terms of customer acceptance. It is now being launched at London’s PLASA Show in its definitive form, ready for sale.

The range features five models, equipped respectively with 10”, 12” and 15” loudspeakers, a sub with twin 15” speakers and one with a single 18”.

The lines of all the cabinets enable them to also be used as stage monitors. The wide-range models - EIDOS 10, EIDOS 12 and EIDOS 15 - are two-way units fitted with a passive crossover manufactured with top grade components (coils with very low resistance and metallized polypropylene capacitors).

The compression driver (with a 44 mm diaphragm) and the waveguide are the same on all three. The latter (90° x 60°) offers a great advantage for installations in small rooms or those with low headroom, as it can be rotated through 90° to ensure the necessary dispersion no matter what position the cabinet is installed in (horizontal or vertical). The mouth’s ample dimensions ensure effective directivity control.

The quality of the transducers used ensures excellent sonic performance when compared with the price bracket, in terms of overall timbre quality and as far as the ability to handle high power levels is concerned.

The two subwoofers are equipped with long-excursion loudspeakers fitted with demodulating rings, in order to handle (peak) power values that exceed the loudspeakers’ (electrical) power capacity. All the cabinets (including the subs) have integrated flying points for rapid suspension.

 

DVS 8-10 SP

 

PLASA visitors will be able to view the recently presented DVS 8 SP and DVS 10 SP models, both self-powered two-way enclosures. The 2010 release introduces a series of upgrades that put these units at the top of their class, not only in terms of sonic quality, but also as far as ergonomic lines and user-friendliness are concerned.

They reach 123 and 127.5 dB SPL respectively and, in spite of their dimensions, ensure unexpected dynamics with an insignificant distortion level.

Signal processing is handled by a modern (24 bit) DSP which also offers four presets (selectable at the press of a button), useful in the event of the EQ curve having to be changed during a show.

As far as electro-acoustic aspects are concerned, the cutting edge technology adopted by Outline in the molding sector has enabled the company to manufacture horns that are more rigid and lighter, with obvious benefits in terms of distortion and weight reduction.

Able to be used as stage monitors with two inclinations (25° and 45°), DVS 8 SP and DVS 10 SP also feature flying points with (M8) metric threads to facilitate suspension.

Outline will be on stand G35 and in the Innovation Gallery at London’s Plasa Show, from 12^th to 15^th September 2010.