Outline s.r.l, the leading European manufacturers of loudspeaker systems and associated technologies for professional audio, are delighted to announce the appointment of The Audio Specialists b.v. as their exclusive distribution partners for Benelux and Germany, with immediate effect (www.theaudiospecialists.eu).
TAS is the brainchild and property of former E-Audio Benelux Managing Director Axel Nagtegaal, under whom the company achieved spectacular results for a number of leading pro-audio brands in Benelux, including Midas, Klark Teknik, Electrovoice and others. Mr. Nagtegaal and his team pioneered the concept of 'service hatch' distribution in pro-audio, where a territorial distributor effectively becomes the local office for the manufacturer(s) they represent. This unique model was instrumental in his prior successes in Benelux and will be re-applied to his new distribution venture.
Mr. Nagtegaal explains his choice of Outline as a distributed line for his company: ‘The Outline product portfolio contains a whole raft of innovative and relevant technologies that really make it so much more than just another ‘me too’ brand. The MiniCompass system, as just one example, is simply brilliant in its approach to dealing with challenging acoustic spaces. In fact the whole Outline product range is packed with clever and practical ideas for solving everyday sound reinforcement problems’. He continues, ‘Needless to say we will be providing a full pre-and-post-sales service for all categories of pro-audio customers, including extensive demonstration capabilities for the whole Outline range, as well as flexible finance packages for qualifying professional rental companies'.
Chris Hinds, Outline’s Sales Director for Europe said, ‘Outline has so much potential in so many markets, we just need first-class distribution partners to help us realise those possibilities. We are very lucky indeed to have secured the services of someone whom many consider to be the best pro-audio distributor in Europe, especially when that partnership covers such important territories. The future is bright, the future is TAS!’.
OUTLINE MINI-COM.P.A.S.S. LINE ARRAY TAKES CENTER STAGE FOR BROADWAY SMASH ‘RELATIVELY SPEAKING’
Double Parabolic Reflective Wave Guide (DPRWG) Ensures Even Coverage of Highs NEW YORK, October 21, 2011 ? Outline, the maker of high quality, industry leading speaker systems for touring, installation and studio applications, is proud to announce its Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. powered line array speakers were chosen as the center stage, primary front-of-house speakers for the Broadway hit Relatively Speaking, playing at the Brookes-Atkinson Theater in Manhattan. The play, directed by actor/director John Turturro and penned by Ethan Coen, Elaine May and Woody Allen, consists of three one-act plays that deal with the topic of family relationships. As each play is essentially dialogue-driven, clarity is of great importance for the success of the production. Mini-COM.P.A.S.S., with its patented Double Parabolic Reflective Wave Guide (DPRWG) technology and integrated power amplifiers, allows for extremely directed high frequencies, ensuring intelligibility throughout the main audience areas.
“The challenge for designing the audio system was finding a speaker/amplifier system capable of capturing the articulation and emotions of the dialogue and delivering it to the audience,” says Carl Casella, the sound designer for Relatively Speaking. “Outline Mini-COM.P.A.S.S., which is comprised of four 5-inch loudspeakers for low/mid range and two 1.75-inch compression drivers on the proprietary DPRWG wave guide, lends itself perfectly to vocal articulation, whether sung or spoken. The loudspeaker is incredibly smooth in its frequency response and the sound is very consistent from cabinet to cabinet, so the quality control is there. Using Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. allows the audience to relax and get involved with the play, rather than straining to hear or understand the dialogue.”
Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. is capable of up to 150 degrees of coverage, but the ideal for the Brookes-Atkinson Theater is 120 degrees on all the different cabinets, according to Outline’s open-array 3D prediction software. A single array of seven cabinets does the job. The top of the array consists of four cabinets covering the balcony area with a spacer break at the bottom. Three more cabinets are hung below to cover the main seating area. The software accurately provided a map of the coverage that the loudspeakers should provide and the array was set accordingly.
“Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. is a self-powered, steerable loudspeaker that goes from 60 to 150 degrees of coverage in 15-degree increments, symmetrically or asymmetrically, so it can be used in a very wide range of applications,” continues Casella. “I’ve used the Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. in a number of different situations, from outdoor portable stage applications for music, to college commencements and other applications, where the ability to vary the high frequency pattern from loudspeaker to loudspeaker maximized the sound quality for each project. Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. is also lightweight, as it only weighs 52 pounds with its flying hardware. Each cabinet is able to deliver up to 1000 watts of clean sound from the integrated power amplifier without significant power draw on the theatre’s AC mains. This is remarkable for a cabinet of this size.”
According to Casella, the expectations for the success for Relatively Speaking are very high, with tickets already selling out months in advance. “This is a very special play that demands the very best from everyone involved. Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. delivers a sound quality commensurate with the expectations.”
The twelfth annual Classic Brit Awards took place on May 12th at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall. Hosted my Myleene Klass and in the presence of the Duchess Of Cornwall, the award presentations were interspersed with performances by Il Divo, Katherine Jenkins and the cast of Les Miserables.
Closing the show in tribute to the late songwriter John Barry, who was honoured posthumously with the Outstanding Contribution To Music Award, the incomparable Dame Shirley Bassey sang the theme to ‘Goldfinger’, just one of many instantly recognisable Barry compositions.
Despite the extensive technical demands of a complex and sometimes unpredictable event, the flawless production proved the capabilities of the design and engineering crew. The audio side was handled exclusively by Britannia Row Productions who deployed a 30-element Outline GTO system flown in three ten-deep columns, each with three Outline Mantas underhung for nearfills. The two side hangs comprised ten Outline Butterfly elements each, and the whole system was driven by Outline T-Series amplifiers run from Dolby Lake system controllers.
The Midas XL8 at FOH was operated by engineer Colin Pink, with Chris Coxhead handling the orchestra mix on a Midas Pro 6, while Dee Miller mixed monitors on a Yamaha PM-5D.
FOH engineer Colin Pink said, ‘The power of the Outline GTO system provided a very large dynamic range whilst keeping exceptional detail and intelligibility. It managed to retain its warmth and subtlety at all volume levels and never became harsh’. He continued, ‘Although the system looked like a normal left/centre/right arrangement, in fact the three hangs were time-aligned to four separate zones. The orchestra layout was over fifteen metres wide, so I split this into three areas across the width of the stage and timed each area separately to the PA hangs. The fourth zone was the stage itself, for the solo performers and singers. This gave us a much more natural sound with improved detail and imaging, and allowed us to get the most out of the GTO system’.
The overall audio design was done by special-event veteran Derrick Zieba who commented, 'For this event I would normally have specified another system, but a recommendation from my pal Richard Sharratt who has been using GTO for orchestral work made me want to try it. I liked it's basic character as soon as I heard it, and as we tuned the system I couldn't help but compare it with another high-profile loudspeaker brand I've been using recently, and I have to say that the comparison was very favourable. The GTO rig made it easy for Colin and I to get the sound we were looking for, which for this gig is not always so simple as we're actually trying to augment the acoustic output of a large orchestra to produce a totally natural response throughout a difficult room. The L/C/R speaker arrangement, with each hang time-aligned to separate zones, worked extremely well and the acoustic blend between the separate hangs was as good as I've ever heard. I really enjoyed using GTO and I look forward to doing so again'.
Britannia Row’s Bryan Grant said, ‘There’s only one way to do complex and challenging shows like this, and that is to combine a highly skilled and creative crew with the professional tools they need. The success of this year’s Classic Brits suggests that we and our team did just that’.
The presence of royalty and so many famous faces attracted much attention from the British media with both BBC and ITV giving significant airtime to coverage of the event the following morning The Classic BRIT awards 2011 will be broadcast in full on ITV1 on May 29th at 10:00pm.
Across the weekend of July 16th and 17th, Leeds Castle near Maidstone in Kent (‘The Loveliest Castle In The World’) hosted a major two-day musical event, with large Outline GTO and Butterfly systems deployed by SRD Group for both concerts.
On Saturday the Heritage Events Leeds Castle Open Air Classical Concert 2011 featured the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra conducted by John Rigby, playing a wide selection of popular classics. Sunday saw a complete change of pace with ‘Live At The Castle 2011’, featuring Europe’s No.1 boy band The Wanted alongside performances from Alexandra Burke, new girl-band Fanfare, Stacey Solomon, Eliza Doolittle and Aggro Santos amongst others.
The main L&R system was Outline’s new flagship GTO line-source enclosure, flown twelve-deep each side of the stage. Dual delay towers, each comprising twelve Outline Butterfly elements, were also deployed and combined seamlessly with the main system to provide the necessary coverage of a very large and awkwardly-shaped audience area. A further six ground-stacked Outline Butterfly elements per side provided front of stage fill. All the systems were powered by Outline T11 amplifiers and controlled by Lake LM26 processors via Dante networks.
On Saturday the primary orchestra mix of 128 channels was handled by Ian Barfoot with ten digital stems sent to FOH, handled by Chris Beddall mixing on an Allen and Heath iLive digital console. A further iLive handled the complex on-stage monitor mix. Sunday headliners The Wanted were mixed at FOH by Andrew Thornton on a Digidesign Profile, with all other acts mixed used an iLive 112 surface.
Barfoot also designed the system using Outline’s proprietary 'OPEN ARRAY' prediction software, and commented that, ‘The software predicted exactly what we consequently achieved and was flawless in its execution’.
After the show Chris Beddall commented, ‘The GTO system can certainly handle the subtleties of orchestral music as well as rock with its huge dynamic range, and has long throw capabilties without compare. I am truly impressed!’
Stuart Roberts of SRD GROUP said, ‘The GTO system is amazing and throws an incredible distance with even coverage and excellent intelligibility - what we experienced at Leeds Castle totally substantiates Outlines’ claims of unparalleled far-field performance’.
Robert Lawrence Creative Solutions, one of the UK’s leading event production support companies, recently installed Outline’s Mantas and Butterfly line array at the 2011 British Grand Prix. The system was used in Vodafone’s VIP area over the practice, qualifying and race days, including the live interviews with Lewis Hamilton & Jenson Button to a crowd of over 3000 supporters.
Lawrence Marchington, director of Robert Lawrence commented, “Our clients expect the highest level of quality and finish not only in appearance but also in sound. We have been using Outline equipment for over 10 years and it provides the reliability we need and an unparalleled audio quality. Our investment in a Mantas and Butterfly system was a logical addition to our already extensive range of Outline equipment, and one that will ensure we continue to offer the highest level of audio quality to our clients”.
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 11th to 14th 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, followingin-depth research carried out in collaboration with the University of Brescia, Outline believes that man/loudspeaker enclosureinteraction 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.
Shaping sound with an iPad? Outline is already on the Apple store…
Tablet computers have been with us, in one form or another, for some years. The launch of the original Apple iPad in April 2010, (followed by the sale of three million iPads within 80 days and almost 15 million by the end of that year), marked the point where tablet computing morphed into a mature technology suitable for professional use. The launch of iPad 2, with a range of upgraded features and an ever-growing selection of available applications for every conceivable purpose, takes tablet computing even further.
Here at Outline, we believe that we are witnessing a ground-breaking moment in technology history, comparable to the arrival of CDs or mobile phones on the consumer market.
The combination of a uniquely intuitive user interface, long battery life, wireless and 3G connectivity, light weight and compact size, plus a robust and stable operating system, means that the iPad can be almost anything you want it to be, from a gaming platform to a serious tool for commercial use.
“On the one hand, iPad might seem to be simply a toy for ‘geeks’. Then, when you use it, you stay up late at night and discover that, as well for playing games, it makes even serious work enjoyable. You can also leaf through books, navigate, keep the house under control from a distance, check the weather forecast, make video calls, record videos, take photographs, enjoy a film or a nice cartoon (ideal for the kids on the back seat of the car during long journeys), watch the TV news and do thousands - literally thousands - of other things…they all have an app available on the Apple Store”, comments Outline’s Michele Noselli.
Remote access to system control devices is a crucial part of the modern system technician's toolbox, and the massive global success of iPad as the user interface of choice for so many applications makes it the obvious choice as a remote control platform for Outline products.
Consequently, Outline’s development team have written a dedicated app to control its Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. iMode line array and, shortly, also the new iSM series of stage monitors (112, 212 and 115) ? which will facilitate full wireless control. The app is available on the Apple Store by following this link: http://itunes.apple.com/it/app/mini-com-p-a-s-s-linearray/id435900890?mt=8
“A direct connection between consoles and enclosures is the facility that enabled us to win an Award for Product Innovation at PLASA in London last year. Climbing aboard the ‘magic tablet’ was inevitable and relatively simple for our R&D team, thanks mainly to the iMode technology we launched in 2009 and which is gradually being incorporated in all our self-powered loudspeaker systems”, comments Noselli.
“iMode means having a computer in every enclosure, complete with web server and specific IP address. Users don’t access an enclosure, but a web page. And from that page they can control whatever they want, even from the other side of the globe, since the web knows no frontiers. Thanks to the eclectic iMode platform ? which is genuinely avant-garde ? it is now possible to do all this from an iPad, with a touch of the screen. This is what I’d call maximum digital interaction”, concludes Noselli.
At Frankfurt’s Prolight+Sound and Bergamo’s Show-Way, Outline showed clients and visitors what can be done with an iPad.
“In Frankfurt, we wanted to see the reactions of the public to this unique possibility. We didn’t expect to arouse so much interest and even a sort of physical pleasure ? even for ‘laymen’ ? regarding the control of an enclosure in real time by means of a tablet computer that can be carried around as easily as a diary”, comments Outline engineer Daniele Pagani, responsible for the project.
“Even using sophisticated FIR filters and carrying out complex operations really is child’s play…but the most enjoyable spectacle was seeing the look on people’s faces as they watched the ‘wings’ of our Mini-COM.P.A.S.S. move on the screen of the iPad a moment after having moved them by hand… this definitely enabled the concept of sensor technology to be instantly understood…”, concludes Pagani.
To discover more about the Outline app’s performance, write to info@outline.it
Dowlen Sound fields winning combination of Outline products at John Denver Tribute event
A very special tribute to the life and work of legendary American singer, songwriter, activist, poet and photographer John Denver recently took place at the 1STBankCenter in Broomfield, Colorado. To mark his commitments to humanitarian, sustainability and conservation causes the event was held on Earth Day, April 21st.
Hosted by Olivia Newton-John, a close friend of Denver and his family, the evening featured performances from a large roster of artists including Lee Ann Womack, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John Oates, Trace Bundy and the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra. The show opened with Denver’s induction into the Colorado Music Hall Of Fame, the first artist to be so honoured, and also included performances from his first wife and his widow. The conclusion was a stirring finale where all the artists gathered onstage for a massed rendition of Denver’s most iconic song, ‘Rocky Mountain High’.
Sound production for the event was handled by Colorado natives Dowlen Sound who deployed a combination of Outline GTO, Butterfly and Mantas loudspeaker modules in the 6500-capacity venue. The main L&R system comprised 12 GTO plus four underhung Mantas modules per side while 16 Dowlen Sound subwoofers provided low frequency reinforcement. Eight Butterfly modules were deployed each side as ‘wraps’ to provide the necessary coverage width for seats near the stage sides.
Eric Satre of Dowlen Sound said, ‘For us and many sound providers like us, shows like this are an important part of our work but as one-offs they can be hard to do profitably. The fact that our Outline systems are quick to rig and de-rig with minimal crew, plus the ability to combine them seamlessly as required, really contributes to our operational efficiency in this type of event’.
Company owner Bret Dowlen mixed FOH for the entire show and commented afterwards, ‘Gigs like this are always a challenge because of the number of artists, the sheer quantity of instruments and the fact that there is always an element of the unknown! The only way to do it well is to use a flexible and accurate PA that can handle anything we throw at it, and that describes our Outline GTO, Butterfly and Mantas systems perfectly. With 105 inputs from the stage and the PA flown 8 feet upstage of the downstage edge the rear rejection and coherence of GTO has proven to be unrivalled, in fact this show may not have been possible with any other system. On a personal note it was very nice to hear John’s music again after a long absence. I was his system engineer for his dates in this region for about 10 years. Making it sound like it was supposed to was much easier with GTO and the amazing engineering that has gone into this box’.
2011 ProLight & Sound Musik Messe Hall 8. F80에서 선을 보였다. 이번 전시회에서는 세간의 화제가 되고 있는 대형 라인어레이 GTO가 선을 보였다. 이미 미국 시장에서 초기물량 100통 이상의 판매와 함께 이후 계속된 판매를 이어가며 미국 시장을 공략하고 있는 OUTLINE 스피커는 이번 전시회를 통해서 GTO를 선보이고 본격적으로 국제 마켓에 박차를 가할 것을 표명했다. 전시회 하루 전날인 4월 5일 세계 OUTLINE 디스트리뷰터 미팅을 통해 OUTLINE의 동향과 앞으로의 발전 방향에 대한 구체적인 사안들을 토의했으며, 미국 시장에서 GTO의 활약에 대한 브리핑도 들을 수 있었다. 또한 국제 시장에 대한 시야를 더 넓혀 좀더 전문적인 지원 및 마케팅을 위해 국제 세일즈를 담당 Chris Hind가 새 가족으로 영입되었다. 또한 이번 전시회에서는 iPad로 컨트롤 및 모니터링 할 수 있는 App을 선보였으며 곧 MiniCOM.P.A.S.S와 iSM(기존의 H.A.R.D Series의 업그레이드 기종 iMode장착 모니터 스피커 시스템)의 App이 공개될 예정이다.
Outline launches major new loudspeaker system at Musikmesse 2011, combining Italian design flair with cutting-edge technology
Another show, another line-array? No, not quite...read on...
Line-source systems have become ubiquitous in professional sound reinforcement circles with the vast majority of touring applications now using them, usually in tandem with some point-source elements. Their dominant position has been achieved by delivering a combination of predictable, controllable acoustic performance and a range of operational advantages, including reduced truck space and crew requirements, speed of deployment and reduced impact on sight lines.
The physical principles of line-source technology are now well understood, and manufacturers are currently producing the third or possibly even fourth generation of products which exploit them. The new Outline GTO is a classic line-source loudspeaker product which adds a further dimension to the capabilities of contemporary systems by providing far-field SPL and coverage capabilities that are presently unequalled.
The principal advantage of this is the elimination of the need for delay systems, even for very large audiences, thus eradicating any possibility of phase incoherence between loudspeaker clusters. This allows the system technician to create a single, well-defined coverage area delivering incomparable seat-to-seat consistency, stereo imaging and intelligibility, particularly in the vocal range.
How is this power developed? Simply put, by harnessing the combined output of a large number of individual transducers which have been engineered into a compact cabinet. A GTO element contains ten separate drive units, (four high-frequency compression drivers each mounted on a patented DPRWG device, four eight-inch midrange drivers and two fifteen-inch low frequency drivers) which produce staggering sound pressure levels in tightly-controlled horizontal and vertical dispersion patterns.
Although Frankfurt Musikmesse 2011 is the official launch for this new system (which also includes the GTO-LOW bass extension cabinet), GTO is already a road-proven rig, having been very successfully deployed on several European and American tours and events. Artists as diverse as BB King, Peter Gabriel, Willie Nelson, Rufus Wainwright, and their production companies, have piloted the new system with consistently impressive results.
Dowlen Sound Inc. of Arvada, Colorado used their new GTO system for the first time at Colorado’s Mile High Music Festival in August 2010, as part of Outline’s ‘Early Adopter’ product introduction program. ‘Outline GTO continues to exceed our expectations, and has really established Outline as one of the top players in the large format line array market’ said Eric Satre, Dowlen’s Sales Executive and director of the company’s operations at the Mile High Festival.
‘We have a lot experience working in the high altitude, low humidity, and high temperature conditions of the Rocky Mountains’ commented Dowlen Sound President Bret Dowlen. ‘The GTO has output the likes of which we have never experienced before, especially under these harsh conditions. We have since used the GTO multiple times at Red Rocks, large arenas and theaters with excellent results. We are very excited about the future of Outline, and we are glad to be among the early adopters and key partners in bringing the GTO to the world’.
Also in the United States, leading eastern production company Special Event Services (SES) of Winston-Salem, NC, have been busy with their GTO rig. ‘We have been working behind the scenes for several years with Outline in the development of this speaker system’ says Jason Farah, SES Vice President. ‘It’s a good feeling to see it come from concept to completion and know that we helped influence the creation of the product and the culture of the company. We were the first sound company in the US to take delivery of the Outline LAB 21 HS subwoofer. With the combination of the GTO and this sub, the two-year search for our next generation large format PA is over. This truly establishes Outline as a leading innovator in the professional PA market’. The versatility of GTO was underlined when SES recently deployed their system at ‘A Night Of Hope’ with Pastor Joel Osteen at the 20,000-capacity Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. This was a major Christian event featuring a combination of praise and worship music for which SES used 15 GTO cabinets plus 4 LAB 21 subwoofers per side.
In Europe the GTO achieved a high-profile debut as one of the biggest and most respected names in global production, London-based Britannia Row Productions, deployed a large GTO system on the final leg of the 2010 Peter Gabriel ‘New Blood’ tour.
‘This tour was a wonderful proving ground for the GTO’ said Bryan Grant, MD and founding partner of Britannia Row Productions. ‘The system faithfully reproduced the complex orchestral arrangements of Peter Gabriel’s work in a variety of venues of different sizes and configurations. Having had several years of experience already with Outline product, notably the Butterfly line array, we were confident that the Outline team would deliver a great new product, which they indeed did. We were very impressed with GTO’s performance straight out of the box’.
Please be sure to come and visit us during Frankfurt Musikmesse. You can find us at Booth F80 in Hall 8.0.
About Outline… Outline S.r.l., based in Brescia, Italy, is a leading manufacturer of high quality loudspeakers of both powered and un-powered configurations. Founded in 1973, the company has a rich history in the development of high quality loudspeaker systems, test and measurement systems, and holds numerous technology patents. With offices in Italy and the USA and over 50 distributors on five continents with more than 4000 venues and users to its credit, Outline has assumed its place among the leaders in the professional audio market.