Outline (欧浪) CEO Giorgio Biffi回顾公司的辉煌历史
Phil Ward与CEO Giorgio Biffi一起翻看意大利专业音频巨头Outline (欧浪)公司的辉煌历史......
45年来，总部位于布雷西亚的Outline (欧浪)公司已经明确了意大利声音再现的品质，并且在点声源、 线阵列以及现在的DSP和网络设备的技术细节上已逐渐挑战了全球的任何品牌。 在Guido Noselli创立Outline (欧浪)公司仅三年后，CEO Giorgio Biffi就加入了公司担任销售总监，直到2006年Guido Noselli去世，他们是公司成功背后的两股力量。 Giorgio Biffi现在与Guido Noselli的两个儿子Michele和Stefano一起继续传承这一遗产，担任专业音响界包罗最广泛的以及热情好客的销售团体之一。
Outline (欧浪)扬声器最具意大利什么特色？
设计的独创性。我们的产品有自己独特的风格，箱体增加了一些改进性能，并具有符合人体工程学的优点。
如果Outline (欧浪)是一种葡萄酒，它会使用哪种葡萄？
嗯，功能强大的，比如蒙达奇诺的布鲁奈罗红葡萄酒，当你品尝它的时候，它会充满嘴巴，但同时它又像汽泡酒 - 起泡的 - 弗兰奇亚考达白葡萄酒一样既清晰又清脆。
你是怎么认识Guido Noselli的？
他曾经是我的客户，当时我是哈曼卡尔顿和其他知名高保真品牌的地区代表 – 他当时在城里开了一家高档的高保真音响店。在他创立Outline (欧浪)不久后，他提供给我很大部分的股份，让我担任地区销售代表，以及后来担任全国销售代表。 只要产品系列合适，我就开始关注国际销售市场。我现在仍然这样做。
第一个选择Outline (欧浪)产品的“超级迪斯科舞厅”是什么项目？
首个选择Outline (欧浪)产品的工程项目是顶级的里米尼 L’Altro Mondo俱乐部，但使我们成为意大利俱乐部场所的顶级品牌是La Baia Imperiale迪斯科舞厅，它位于Gabicce Monte面向亚得里亚海的山顶上。它是全国最具标志性的迪斯科舞厅，拥有最好的DJ、音响和灯光。这两家俱乐部30多年来一直都在营业且经营良好。
Outline (欧浪)突破性的项目是什么？
90年代末，维罗纳MTV超级盛典与当地租赁公司Musical Box Rent合作举办的音乐大奖。 有史以来举办规模最大的一次是在2011年5月1日罗马劳动节，有50多万人参加，并在RAI 3频道全国直播。
你是什么时候意识到Outline (欧浪)可以成为一支国际力量？为什么如此重要？
Butterfly线阵列系统是变革者。 在一些国家，相比Outline (欧浪)的名气，专业人士更熟悉Butterfly的名气。 它最重要的特点是能在室外演出场合出色的远射程，在整个频率范围内具有惊人的一致性 - 包括高频，而不仅仅是低音和中音，就像大多数线阵列一样。
Guido最伟大的遗产是什么？
他的激情，就像我的激情一样，对于高保真音响来说也是声音再现的最高品质。
当今你的线阵列系统有何不同之处?
仍然是双抛物面反射波导管[简称DPRWG] - 它使Butterfly极好地再现中音和高音，并且具有最佳的一致性，并且在频率范围的高频具有非常低的失真和非常清脆的声音。
为什么在意大利生产如此重要？
因为意大利人做得更好！ 这不仅仅是一个过度使用的口号；这是事实。 我们从不放弃。 大多数员工对工作充满激情，并为取得好结果而感到自豪。
Superfly是Butterfly还是GTO的延续？
Superfly是Butterfly的演变，因为它共享同一个波导管以及V形号角，因此可以确保远射程以及常规的水平扩散。 Superfly使用5单元设计，其中3单元也在GTO使用 - 2个8寸中音和1个3寸高音 - 而双10寸低音单元采用独家供应商B＆C的最新产品，用于这些型号以及 所有GTO系列的型号。
Outline (欧浪)产品是如何顺应租赁市场需求的？
例如，Capital Sound租赁公司一直在寻找优质、小巧、轻便、良好的远射程和最自然声音的扬声器。 Superfly自然是他们的选择。 使用2个10寸低音单元，它补位了大型GTO-C12和小型Mantas-28的空挡，在大型演出、户外音乐节和小型剧院中由Capital Sound租赁公司提供大量扬声器系统。 目前在澳大利亚举办的Pink Floyd乐队欧洲巡回演唱，他们惊讶地发现，Superfly很容易覆盖演出的最大场地 - 多达7000，他们当时还打算使用GTO-C12或其他品牌的。
网络处理器设备是否能让你更接近其他品牌？
当然。 它并不是专门为Outline (欧浪)扬声器而设计。 这不仅仅是一个扬声器管理系统，不管它是多重应用之一，它可能会是不久的未来。 它的控制远远超出了这个范围。 像往常一样，我们以不同的方式做事，我们自豪地声称拥有自己的观点。 有意思的是， 至今Newton牛顿处理器大部分都是卖给没有Outline (欧浪)扬声器的演出商。
事实上，有些公司正在使用法国、美国或德国品牌的扬声器做巡回演出项目。 我们预见到大部分中型或大型演出商将购买并使用Newton牛顿处理器来配置音响系统，因为Newton牛顿处理器解决了在需要将产品与不同通信协议进行匹配时出现的若干问题。
接下来是什么？
Newton牛顿处理器是我们的未来。对我来说，今晚就是喝一瓶上等的阿玛罗尼葡萄酒。
Phil Ward casts an eye over Italian pro audio giant Outline’s illustrious history with CEO Giorgio Biffi...
For 45 years, Brescia-based Outline has defined Italian quality in sound reproduction and has grown to challenge any of the global names in the technical details of point source, line array and now DSP and networking. CEO Giorgio Biffi joined as sales director just three years after Guido Noselli had founded the business, and up to Noselli’s death in 2006 they were the twin forces behind its success. Now working alongside Noselli’s sons Michele and Stefano to continue that legacy, Biffi presides over one of the most inclusive and hospitable sales communities in pro audio.
What’s the most Italian thing about Outline’s loudspeakers?
The originality of the design. Our products have their own distinguishing style, which adds some performance improvements inside the box as well as having ergonomic benefits.
If Outline were a wine, which grapes would it use?
Hmm. Powerful, like a Brunello di Montalcino red, which fills the mouth when you drink it but at the same time is clear and crisp like some bollicine – sparkling – Franciacorta whites.
How did you meet Guido Noselli?
He used to be my customer when I was a regional rep for Harman Kardon and other leading hi-fi brands – he ran a high-class hi-fi shop in town. Soon after he started Outline he offered me a significant part of the shares to take care of regional, and later, national sales. As soon as the product range was appropriate, I began to look after international sales. I still do.
What was the first ‘super disco’ to install Outline?
The first top-class one was L’Altro Mondo Studios in Rimini, but what made us the top brand in Italy’s club scene was La Baia Imperiale on top of the hill facing the Adriatic in Gabicce Monte. It was the most iconic disco in the country, with the best DJs and sound and lighting. Both these clubs are still open and doing fine after more than 30 years.
What was the breakthrough event for Outline?
The MTV Awards in Verona, in the late ‘90s, with local rental company Musical Box Rent. The biggest ever was Labour Day on May 1, 2011 in Rome, attended by more than 500,000 people and broadcast live on national TV channel RAI 3.
When did you realise Outline could become an international force? Why was that important?
The Butterfly line array system was the game-changer. In some countries, professionals knew the name Butterfly better than the name Outline. The most important feature was the very long throw in the open air, with amazing consistency across the full frequency range – including the top end and not just the bass and mid, like most line arrays still.
What is Guido’s greatest legacy?
His passion, just like mine, for hi-fi and therefore the highest quality of music reproduction.
What distinguishes your line array today?
It’s still the Double Parabolic Reflective Wave Guide [DPRWG] – the way it made Butterfly reproduce the mids and highs so beautifully, with the best consistency and throw with very low distortion and a very crisp sound at the top end of the frequency range.
Why is manufacturing in Italy so important?
Because Italians do it better! This is not just an over-used slogan; it’s the truth. We never give up. Most of the workers are passionate about the work and enjoy achieving good results to be proud of.
Does Superfly follow Butterfly or GTO?
Superfly is the evolution of Butterfly, as it shares the same waveguide as well as the V-shaped horn, thus ensuring long throw as well as a regular horizontal dispersion. Three of the five components of Superfly are also used in GTO – both of the 8” mids as well as the 3” compression driver – while the dual 10” woofers are the latest from B&C, the sole supplier for these models as well as for all the GTO family models,
How do Outline products fit into a rental inventory?
Capital Sound, for example, was looking for premium quality, small, lightweight, good long throw capability and the most natural sound ever. Superfly was a natural choice for them. It fits the gap between the large GTO C12 rig and the small Mantas-28, featuring a pair of 8” woofers, intensively deployed by Capital Sound in large arenas, open air festivals and small theatres. It’s on the current Australian Pink Floyd Show European tour, and they were amazed to realise that it easily covers the largest venues they play – up to 7,000, where they expected to use C12 or other brands.
Is networking bringing you closer to other brands?
Of course. It hasn’t been designed specifically for Outline loudspeakers. It’s not just a loudspeaker management system, despite this being one of several applications it may get in the near future. Its control goes way beyond that. As usual we’re doing things differently, and we proudly claim to have our own view. It’s interesting to note that most of the Newton units sold so far have gone to production companies with no Outline loudspeakers in the inventory.
Indeed, some are touring with French, US or German loudspeaker brands. We foresee that most of the mid-size or large production companies will purchase and deploy Newton processors because they fix several problems that occur when you need to match products with different communication protocols.
What’s next?
Newton is our future. For me, tonight, it’s an excellent bottle of Amarone.
