The Outline Newton family or processors combines advanced audio system control and networking for managing sophisticated audio systems such as those increasingly used in large outdoor events and music festivals. By combining new filter technology, multi-format audio signal routing, multi-format standards conversion, and digital signal synchronization in a single 1RU networkable chassis, the Newton was immediately adopted by leading touring and rental companies such as Britannia Row, Gabisom, Ampco Flashlight, and Rat Sound Systems.
The Newton processor was originally introduced to the global pro-audio industry at the Frankfurt Prolight+Sound show in 2017, and was adopted by a number of the world's leading audio hire operations and system engineers, praised for its unique feature set in a robust and user-friendly package. The professional audio industry recognizes Outline's innovation DNA and the fact that many of its products are already protected under international patents.
"It’s well-known that our company has been making a name for itself since the 1970s as a manufacturer of innovative audio electronics including modular mixers, parametric equalizers, encoders, tuners, crossovers, limiters, amplifiers and more. Latterly we have developed DSP and digital matrices, as well as futuristic embedded solutions connected with signal processing, including the outstanding ‘iMode’ technology that won a PLASA Award For Innovation at the London show in 2010," the company states.
"This decades-long process continues and the resulting know-how within Outline’s engineering team led naturally to Newton, currently the pinnacle of our proprietary technology and the leading edge of audio processor design globally. The Newton is currently the only FPGA-based device built into a single 1RU networkable chassis which can simultaneously provide multiple audio signal processing / distribution functions plus clock signal management along with a choice of interfaces for users and system integrators, all with the added safety of extensive backup facilities. Further, the whole feature set is easily and quickly accessible to any user."
The current Newton family of 1U processors is now equally at home in live sound with festivals and concerts as it is in fixed installations, broadcast and studio applications. Newton manages to combine the most useful features of several different devices, a combination which delivers unique operational capabilities that were previously impossible. And that is the reason why system engineers and audio technicians working with Newton have reported a dramatically improved workflow and operating efficiency alongside a significant saving on cabling and transport costs.
Newton processors are available in three hardware versions, with the basic Newton 16 solution offering simultaneous signal connections over Dante (AES67 compliant), AES3, MADI Optical and MADI Coaxial, with the capability of fully processing 216 Inputs and 216 Outputs simultaneously. All processed signals and direct outputs can be routed out of Newton using any of the available audio standards. This, as just one example, allows signals to be received over MADI, processed and then transmitted to multiple amplifiers on Dante with an AES3 output for backup. This direct out, processing and routing ability can also be used to create a backbone for a multiple Newton Network to share signals.
While Newton 16 is an all-digital device, the other two hardware models, Newton 16+4 and Newton 16+8, add local analog inputs and outputs. Each analog input is also provided with additional processing and matrix allowing inputs to be processed, routed and mixed into the main matrix. All three versions of Newton share the same motherboard and it is possible to upgrade from Newton 16 to Newton 16+4 or Newton 16+8.
Now protected by an Italian Patent (Nº102018000004143), the Newton concept already featured another Outline patented technology at the heart of its unique sonic capabilities. Internal processing is all at 96kHz, with an internal data depth up to 64 bits. In each processing section users have precise control over Level, Delay, Polarity and Raised Cosine Filters - implemented within exclusive WFIR Equalizers). These ‘warped’ filters provide 10 times more resolution on mid-low frequencies than traditional FIR filters.
The Newton processors are also complemented by a complete control tool developed by Outline’s IT team. Outline Dashboard (pictured above), is a powerful and versatile loudspeaker systems control software, designed for distributed networks of any size, including real time monitoring and quick access to all the processors parameters. Dashboard has been developed for macOS (it can be download for free from the App Store) and integrates a lot of native multi-touch gestures including Virtual Spaces and Mission Control, making extremely practical to manage multiple layouts of windows for fast recall of different working space configurations. It also fully integrates with Smaart measurement data (Rational Acoustics) providing a more accurate method of system tuning.
Outline is now getting ready to launch important firmware/software upgrades for Newton and its Dashboard control software, which will extend audio processing features even further.
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