Sony Electronics Introduces 60th E-Mount 50mm F1.2 G Master Lens

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Sony Electronics unveiled the newest edition to its G Master full-frame lens series – the FE 50mm F1.2 GM (model SEL50F12GM) – delivering excellent resolution and dramatic bokeh known to Sony’s G Master line, industry-leading AF (autofocus) capabilities and professional control and reliability in a compact and lightweight design.

The lens’s maximum F1.2 aperture combines an impressive shallow depth of field for maximum creative expression with incredible light gathering capabilities, allowing for faster shutter speeds and lower ISO in low light settings, making it ideal for portraits, wedding photography, video and more.

Excellent Resolution and Beautiful Bokeh

The FE 50mm F1.2 GM features the latest optics, including three XA (extreme aspherical) lens elements that contribute to high resolution across the entire image and is maintained even when full opened at F1.2. The new lens also ensures clear images in backlit scenes thanks to Sony’s Nano AR Coating III that effectively minimizes internal reflections so that flare and ghosting do not occur.

The FE 50mm F1.2 GM creates dramatic G Master bone at the maximum F1.2 aperture to provide dimensionality to every image. Using the newly developed 11-blade circular aperture unit and fine-tuned optical design with minimal spherical aberration, the lens can achieve smooth, deep bokeh in the foreground and background.

High Performance AF and Tracking at F1.2

The lens can keep subjects in sharp focus even at an extremely shallow depth-of-field with fast, precise, quiet tracking thanks to the four XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors which provide hight thrust efficiency. When precise focusing is required, especially when shooting 4K video with human eye tracking, the FE 50mm F1.2 GM allows the user to focus on composition thanks to its excellent response with minimum delay and low vibration. In addition, the lens’s floating focus mechanism, controlled by its dedicated lens drive algorithm, achieves high resolution over the entire focus range, with a minimum focus distance of 1.32 feet.

Professional Control and Reliability in a Compact Form Factor

The FE 50mm F1.2 GM was designed with professional content creators in mind. With convenient controls and functions such as a Linear Response MF (Manual Focus), aperture ring with a click on/off switch, focus mode switch and two customizable focus hold buttons, the FE 50 mm F1.2 GM combines easy operation with professional control. The FE 50mm F1.2 GM also features a dust and moisture resistant design and a fluorine front element coating that protects the lens from fingerprints, dust, water, oil and other contaminants. Developed using Sony’s latest simulation technologies and the latest optical design, the lens comes in a surprisingly compact and lightweight form factor, providing high mobility and easy handling for a 50mm F1.2 lens.

Pricing and Availability

The new FE 50mm F1.2 GM will be available in May and will be sold for approximately $2,000.00 USD and $2,600.00 CAD. It will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America.

Gretch Releases All-New Vintage Select ’89 Jet Models

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Gretch releases the all-new G6128T-89VS Vintage Select ’89 Sparkle Jet with Bigsby and G6128T-89VS Vintage Select ’89 DUO Jet with Bigsby.

These Vintage Select Jet models pay homage to the classic late-80’s design that rocked the forefront of the Pacific Northwest grunge movement that overtook the world in the early 1990s.

Delivering signature solid-body power and punch, these grunge-era beauties feature period-correct chambered mahogany construction, which magnifies harmonic richness by letting air resonate between the top and body for livelier and more articulate tone. TV Jones TV Classic Plus bridge and TV Jones TV Classic neck pickups replicate that unmistakable vintage FilterTron sound to fabulous sonic effect and can be intuitively commanded using a versatile control layout featuring master volume with treble bleed circuit, master tone, individual pickup volume controls and three-way pickup toggle switch.

Other features include a maple set neck, 12”-radius rosewood fingerboard with pearloid Hump Block inlays, bone nut, G-arrow knobs, Bigsby vibrato tailpiece, Adjusto-Matic bridge with pinned rosewood base and Gotoh tuners.

The G6129T-89VS Vintage Select ’89 Sparkle Jet with Bigsby comes dressed in Gold Sparkle or Silver Sparkle, while the G6128T-89VS Vintage Select ’89 Duo Jet with Bigsby comes in black. All models feature a silver pick guard, nickel hardware and late-80’s black headstock with Gretch logo and horseshoe inlay.

Canon Launches New Line of 4K UHD PTZ Cameras

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Designed for use in a wide-range of applications in broadcast, education, house of worship, sports, and corporate environments, Canon U.S.A., Inc., is excited to introduce the company’s first line of 4K UHD PTZ cameras – the CR-N500 and CR-N300 for indoor live-streaming and the outdoor CR-X500.

This new line of cameras capitalizes on Canon’s digital imaging and operational expertise from both professional camcorders and network cameras. This enables the cameras to not only deliver brilliant 4K imagery thanks to Canon’s CMOS sensors, DIGIC DV 6 Image Processor, and optical zoom lenses, but also smooth pan, tilt and zoom functionality that allows for on-air camera movement.

The new indoor PTZ cameras support various video interfaces, including HDMI, IP, and 3G-SDI, and are also compatible with popular live production protocols like NDJ|HX, RTMP and more. The new outdoor PTZ camera supports 12G-SDI, and includes a durable, IP55 rated weather-resistant housing. In addition to the cameras, Canon has also introduced a new remote camera controller, the RC-IP100, which supports IP and serial connections and can operate camera functions such as pan, tilt, zoom, focus, and iris.

The Vivid CR-N500 4K UHD PTZ Camera

When combines, the 1.0-inch CMOS sensor, 3.2um pixel pitch, and DIGIC DV 6 image processor featured in the CR-N500 4K UHD PTZ camera provide users with the capability to capture images with high sensitivity, low noise, and a minimum subject illumination of approximately 1.5 lux.

Utilizing a 15x optical zoom 4K UHD lens, users will also experience cinematic images with shallow depth-of-field and beautifully blurred backgrounds with brilliant image quality. The 1.5x optical zoom covers a 35mm equivalent focal range of 25.5-382.5mm, and the camera is capable of a variable pan and tilt speed from 0.1° – 100° per second to support smith on-air movement or fast preset transitions.

An independent, built-in-three-density ND filer and nine-bladed iris and nine-bladed iris create natural bokeh effects, with diffused, diffracted light. The CR-N500 features Dual Pixel CMOS AF with dual pixel focus guide, as well as face detection and tracking. The CR-N500 also supports Canon Log 3 for color grading and wide dynamic range gamma of 800%, along with image quality mode and adjustment functions to enhance an operation’s image customization capabilities form capture to post-production.

The Versatile CR-N300 4K UHD PTZ Camera

The CR-N300 4K UHD PTZ camera uses a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, DIGIC DV 6 image processor, and a 20x optical zoom lens with a 35mm equivalent focal range of 29.3-601mm. The camera features Canon’s Hybrid AF system that combines high-precision contrast AF and high-speed phase-difference AF, allowing operators to gain focus and lock-in subjects even in dim or dark situations. The variable pan speed of the camera clocks in a 0.2° – 300° per second and the variable tilt speed is 0.2° – 170° per second. The CR-N300 can also be used as a webcam via a USB connection.

The CR-N300 is equipped with four unique scene modes:

  • Portrait Mode: achieves sharp focus while blurring the background.
  • Sports Mode: enhances the ability to capture moving objects
  • Low-Light Mode: brightens images when in dim or dark shooting situations
  • Spotlight Mode: allows users to capture beautiful images in brightly lit situations

The All-Weather CR-X500 4K UHD PTZ Camera

The Canon CR-X500 4K UHD PTZ is rated IP55 for water and dust resistance, and is designed for outdoor users including sports, news/weather coverage, and television production. The camera features a 10-inch CMOS sensor that captures 4K UHD images in 60p/4:2:2/10-bit. The sensor’s 3.2um pixel pitch combined with the dual DIGIC DV 6 image processors produces improved signal-to-noise ration from previous HD models and a minimum subject illuminance of 3 lux.

The camera features a 15x4K UHD lens with an optical 35mm equivalent zoom range of 25.5-382mm. When the camera is in FHD mode, operators can use the camera’s 4K multi-pixel sensors for up to a 30x advanced zoom. Dual Pixel CMOS AF, Canon’s renowned and popular autofocus system, allows for superb tracking performance and successfully captures 4K scenes where outstanding accuracy is required. The camera also supports Canon Log 3 for color grading and a wide dynamic range gamma of 800%, as well as image quality mode and adjustment functions to enhance an operator’s image customization capabilities.

The Canon CR-N300, CR-N500, CRX500 are scheduled to be available in the Summer of 2021.

Sony Announced Two New Microphones

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Sony announced two new microphones with the launch of the ECM-W2BT Multi-interface shoe compatible wireless microphone and ECM-LV1 compact stereo cavalier microphone. Wireless high-quality audio recording and stable connection is possible with the ECM-W2BT wireless microphone, especially when paired with the ECM-LV1 stereo lavalier microphone and one of Sony’s cameras with digital compatibility.

This combination meets the needs of today’s vloggers, YouTubers and video creators who want to capture clear, reliable audio for a wide range of environments including street performance, product review, food review, travel vlogs, and more.

The ECM-W2BT wireless microphone enables low-noise digital sound recording by connecting the receiver to a camera equipped with a digital audio interface and compatible Multi-Interface Shoe. The digital audio signal output from the receiver can be recorded directly on the camera body without wiring and external audio cable.

Additionally, the ECM-W2BT has been completely redesigned for high-quality using an advanced omni-directional mic capsule to capture clear sound recording from any direction. The ECM-W2BT also allows recording flexibility by increasing the stability of the wireless recording from any direction. The ECM-W2BT also allows audio recording flexibility by increasing the stability of the wireless connection between microphone and receiver, even with obstacles or in crowded environments with wireless activity.

In locations with good visibility, communication is possible at up to 200m, significantly increasing the flexibility of audio recording. And the newly adopted Qualcomm aptX Low Latency codec provides both high-quality audio recording and low latency.

The ECM-W2BT wireless microphone also offers ultimate creative freedom thanks to its sound acquisition functions. Three sound pick up modes – MIC mode, MIX mode and a new RCVR mode – allows the user to record sound and ambient sound based on their desired preference. MIC mode will only pickup audio from the microphone transmitter so only the subject audio is captured. RCVR mode only picks up sound from the internal microphone at the receiver, so the user can record audio of themselves. MIX mode picks up both transmitter and receiver audio which is useful when audio from both the subject and the user is desired. The ECM-W2BT mic supports stereo audio input and an external 3.5mm stereo mini-jack to allow for stereo sound pickup, so it can be used in combination with the stereo-capable lavalier microphone such as the ECM-LV1 compact stereo lavalier microphone, as an unobtrusive microphone that can easily attach to the subject’s clothing and record sound with increased realism. Since the receiver is equipped with 3.5mm audio output, the ECM-W2BT can be used without Multi Interface shoe model cameras.

For challenging recording environments, the ECM-W2BT wireless microphone includes an attenuator function. The user can select one of three attenuator levels depending on the sound source volume to record excessively loud sounds at a lower volume or amplify quieter sounds to record louder audio. The ECM-W2BT also includes a windscreen to reduce wind noise, which is especially helpful when recording outdoors. When longer operation is needed, the battery assist function via the power supply from the camera’s Multi Interface shoe enables the user to operate the receiver for up to 9 hoursiii. For easy reference, the ECM-W2BT includes a LINK lamp to notify the user of the status of the communication between the microphone and the receiver and a POWER lamp to easily check the remaining battery charge. Besides, a connector protect holder for multi-interface foot cover is provided, which can be used to carry the receiver and microphone as one unit or can also be used as a microphone stand, for stable microphone positioning during interviews or other stationary uses.

The ECM-LV1 compact stereo lavalier microphone also allows for high-quality sound pickup paired with a compact design for easy carrying and convenience while shooting. The ECM-LV1 includes a windscreen for additional noise reduction, and the 360-degree rotatable clip allows, for example, horizontal attachment to a necktie, or vertical attachment to a pocket, with the microphone attached at the same angle. The power of this mic is supplied from the mic connector.

The ECM-W2BT wireless microphone will be available in April 2021 for approximately $230.00 USD and $300.00 CAD. The ECM-LV1 compact stereo lavalier microphone will also be available in April 2021 for approximately $30.00 USD and $40.00 CAD.

Eventide Introduced MicroPitch Delay

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Eventide introduced MicroPitch Delay. It is the “secret sauce” heard on countless hit records.

Popularized in the H3000 Harmonizer, MicroPitch Delay allows musicians to achieve subtle tone fattening, lush stereo widening, rich detuned delays, thick modulation, and tempo-synced special effects. It also features onboard tone controls with mono or stereo operation, MIDI, preset storing, and most importantly a new compact, easy-to-use, delicious red package.

By utilizing subtle pitch shifts to create a rich stereo spread, MicroPitch Delay makes anything you cook up sonically delectable. This pedal is the key ingredient for serving up flavorful tone: Instantly harness soaring leads that jump out of the mix, add distinct lushness to a compelling clean passage and get your fill of vibey modulation that’s sure to sweeten any pot with the push of a button.

Sample a bite of newly baked up Positive and Negative Envelope modulation sources and you’ll be sure to come back for seconds; and major and minor thirds. MicroPitch Delay adds unparalleled dimension to any source; it’s not just a guitar pedal – Use it to thicken vocals, keyboards, drums, strings, brass, winds and more.

Features Include:

  • Experience the latest incarnation of an iconic effect that originated with the legendary H910 and H949 Harmonizers, and later popularized with the H3000.
  • Dual pitch-shifted delay with fine resolution de-tuning and modulation on tap
  • Achieve subtle tone fattening, lush stereo widening, rich returned delays, thick modulation, and tempo-synced special effects
  • New positive envelope and negative envelop modulation sources
  • Five presets loaded at your feet with dozens more available with Eventide Device Manager (EDM) software
  • Dual-action Active Footswitch is latching or momentary
  • Real panel Guitar/Line Level switch for matching levels with guitar, synths, FX loop or DAW interface
  • Map any combination of parameters to an Expression Pedal
  • Use a single Aux switch to engage FLEX which doubles the pitches or a triple Aux switch for easy preset changing (up/down/load)
  • MIDI capability over TRS (use with a MIDI to TRS cable or converter box) or USB
  • Multiple Bypass operations: Buffered, Relay, DSP+FX or Kill dry
  • Catch-up mode helps dial in your sound when toggling between presets/parameters
  • Eventide Device Manager PC or Mac application for software updates, system settings and creating/saving presets

Line 6 Introduced POD Go and POD Go Wireless

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Line 6 introduced POD Go and POD Go Wireless amp and effects processor They get you on the road to ultimate tone via their ultra-portable and lightweight design, simple plug-and-play interface, and best-in-class tones.

POD Go Wireless lets you leave your cable behind and move – wherever you may be!

POD Go Wireless gives you all the goodness of the celebrated POD Go amp and effects processor, plus an onboard Relay wireless receiver and a plug-and-play Relay G10TII wireless transmitter.

Go wherever your inspiration takes you!


Features include:

Best in Class Tone: Professional-quality amp, cab, and effect models drawn from the celebrated HX family of effects processors ensure best-in-class tone. Third-party speaker cap impulse responses (IRs) can also be loaded, providing nearly unlimited additional options when crafting tones.

Simple User Interface: A streamlined plug-and-play interface and simple intuitive workflow make POD Go exceptionally easy to use. Choose, edit, and control sounds using the large color LED screen, five push encoders, eight foot switches, and a multi-function expression pedal – plus add a second expression pedal or two external foot switches for even more real-time control.

Portability: Remarkably light, compact, and portable, the POD Go guitar processor easily fits into any backpack, making it the perfect companion for short tours, fly dates, and rehearsals.

GO Wireless: POD Go Wireless features a built-in Relay wireless receiver and comes with a Relay G10TII transmitter. Move without restrictions and play where the vibe is right.

Snapshots: Snapshots enable you to create up to four variations within a single preset and seamlessly transition between them without experiencing audio dropouts occur of delay and reverb trails that normally occurs when switching between presets.

Essential I/O: Audio connections include balanced stereo outputs, a duplicate amp out that can be tapped before the Cab/IR block, a stereo effects loop, a headphone jack, and even a USB port for accessing the 4-in/4-out audio interface.

Recording Interface: A professional-quality onboard 4×4 24bit/96kHz USB audio interface makes it easy to record directly to your computer. Re-amping tracks is also a breeze, enhanced by the ability to load third-party speaker cabinet IRs.

Third-Party IR Loading: Third-party speaker cabinet impulse responses (IRs) may be loaded and incorporated into the signal chain of any preset, providing nearly unlimited additional options when crafting tones.

Leica Camera Released APO-Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH Lens

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With the APO-Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH., Leica Camera releases yet another M-lens whose optical performance can hardly be bettered. As with the successful APO-Summicron-M 50 f/2 ASPH., the designers were given just one brief: to achieve maximum imaging performance without compromise – the only difference being that this time, the lens in question has a moderate wide-angle focal length of 35 mm.

The result is a lens whose sharp detail rendition will challenge not just current, but also future image sensors; in addition, the APO-Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH. Is the only M-lens with a closest focusing distance of just 30 centimeters, which – in conjunction with the high light sensitivity – opens up a host of new compositional possibilities.

This exceptional performance capability is made possible by the elaborate lens design, combined with the high-precision manufacturing processes at the Leica production plant. The ten lens elements are divided into five groups; three elements feature aspherical surfaces (one of them on both sides). Six elements are made of glasses with anomalous partial dispersion, which not only reduce chromatic aberrations to almost zero, but also provide apochromatic correction – a quality that is rarely found in lenses of this focal length.

The APO-Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH. also delivers outstanding results at close range, thanks to a floating element that ensures a consistent performance at all distances. The focus ring has a particularly large throw of 300°, enabling precise focusing at all times despite the extended closest focusing distance. Via the rangefinder, the lens can be focused at a distance as close as 70 cm – at which point a slight resistance can be felt on the focus ring. At distances between 70 and 30 cm, the photographer can optionally focus via the camera’s display screen in Live View mode, the Visoflex electronic viewfinder, or the Leica FOTOS app.

The innovative construction of the lens hood, in combination with highly effective anti-reflective coatings, makes the APO-Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH. extremely resistant to any type of stray light – allowing the photographer to shoot into the sun or other sources of light. Optical flaws such as chromatic aberration and distortion are almost entirely corrected. This – together with the extremely high, edge-to-edge contrast rendition – facilitates an especially pronounced bokeh at open aperture. Seeing as the aperture is almost circular (thanks to the use of eleven blades), this effect is also retained when the lens is stopped down.

Even more than any other M-lens, the APO-Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH. only has to be stopped down for compositional purposes – never for exposure control. The rendition quality at the centre and edges of the image is already so outstanding that there is no scope for further improvement by stopping down. Despite its exceptional performance, the APO-Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH. is both compact and light-weight. With its classic reportage focal length, this is a lens for every photographic situation that can be used on any current and future model of the M series, as well as the Leica SL2 and SL2-S.

Gibson Announces Partnership with Dave Mustaine

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Gibson is proud to officially announce a new partnership with Dave Mustaine, the legendary guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and Grammy-winning founder and leader of Megadeth who joins Gibson as a Brand Ambassador. The new Dave Mustaine Collection will span acoustic and electric guitars across Gibson, Epiphone, and Kramer.

Dave will join the Gibson Artist Alliance – a forum which includes legendary musicians, innovative movers and shakers, and new talent – to share in thought leadership, research & development, mentorship of the next generation of players, as well as philanthropic endeavors. In addition to the Dave Mustaine Collection, Dave will be featured in original content and special projects across Gibson, Epiphone, and Kramer.

“One of first albums I ever bought was Kiss Alive. On the back of that LP was the Gibson logo, followed by ‘Kiss uses Gibson Guitars because they want the best’. Period,” says Dave Mustaine. “Years later, I’m still that same fan, but now I’ve been playing, touring, writing, and performing around the world myself, and I can say that I could not agree more with that statement. As I was looking for a change in my guitars, I met with Cesar and got his perspective on the vision and direction Gibson is taking. I saw passion, respect for the instruments, a focus on quality and a company that is led by guitar players. I feel I am finally at home with Gibson and I am proud of what we’re building together. I can’t wait for the world to get their hands on the new Gibson, Epiphone, and Kramer Dave Mustaine Collection guitars. This is a dream come true for me, don’t #@!# wake me up.”

“It’s an honor to welcome icon, pioneer and visionary musician Dave Mustaine to the Gibson family as our brand ambassador”, said Cesar Gueikian of Gibson Brands. “Dave is one of the most influential metal icons and riff lords of all time, having paved the way for multiple generations of players to carry the flag for hard rock and heavy metal, from riff writers to shredders and everyone in between. Working with Dave is especially gratifying because he is a guitar nerd like me, who gets involved in every aspect of the development of the concepts and ideas we have been designing with him at the Gibson Lab. When I was as kid learning how to play guitar, I aspired to play Dave’s riffs and I was one of the fortunate fans who attended their Youthanasia Tour concert at Estadio Obras Sanitarias in 1994, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where the ‘Aguante Megadeth’ chant was born over the song Symphony of Destruction. That was an epic night that I will never forget. I look forward to bringing this partnership to life and unveiling the first stages of the Dave Mustaine Collection to the world.”

PreSonus and Antares Partner to Offer Auto-Tune Unlimited Subscription

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Presonus and Antares are proud to announce that starting March 1, 2021, PreSonus customers who purchase and register any new PreSonus mixer or interface (including the ioStation 24c and Revelator) will receive a free three-month subscription to Antares’ industry-standard Auto Tune Unlimited vocal plug-ins.

Of course, PreSonus mixer and interface customers will continue to receive the Louisiana company’s popular Studio One Artist recording and production software and Studio Magic Software Suite as well.

Auto-Tune Unlimited includes every edition of Auto-Tune, as well as a suite of professional vocal production tools, such as Harmony Engine, Articulator, and all of the other plug-ins found in the Antares AVOX bundle. It is also available by paid subscription from Antares.

“Antares Auto-Tune is legendary; it really needs no introduction,” observes PreSonus Senior Vice President of Global Sales Rick Naqvi. “I use it in my studio, like many producers, including top professionals, engineers, and artists. We’re thrilled to be able to offer it to our customers. Once you’ve used Auto-Tune Unlimited for three months, you won’t want to be without it.”

Nikon Releases Free NX Studio Software to Process Still Images and Video

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Nikon announced the release pf NX STUDIO (Ver. 1.0), a new all-in-one software which enables seamless viewing, processing and the editing of still images with video captured with a Nikon digital camera. The new software is available to download for free beginning today.

With the new NX Studio computer software, users can enjoy the benefits of full-scale editing of still images, with a more intuitive operation and workflow. By integrating the functions of Nikon’s ViewNx-i image viewing software and Capture NX-D processing and editing software, NX STUDIO offers an intuitive yet highly functional single software solution.

The free NX Studio integrates a host of editing features to help users achiever their desired output, including picture controls, white balance settings and exposure compensation for RAW data. Additionally, users can explore the benefits of color control points, which enables color adjustment to a specific area of a photo, as well as a retouch brush feature for advanced correction of an area.

NX STUDIO maintains the same user-friendly interface of previous Nikon software applications, while also improving upon by offering a functional yet simple consolidated menu design organized by workflow categories: browsing, processing/editing and export/sharing. Additionally, Nikon has enhanced the overall response speed for each function to enable smoother processing of both still images and videos.

To further improve workflow and expand the possibilities of imaging expression NX STUDIO supports the transfer of images to NIKON IMAGE SPACE, Nikon’s image sharing and storage service, and enables users to easily upload and edited videos to YouTube.