Orban Optimod 8500, Audio Processor Orban_Optimod_8500__Audio_Processor



 

Featuring versatile five-band and two-band processing for analogue FM transmission, the 8500 provides consistent sound, track-to-track and source-to-source. This consistency allows you to create a sonic signature for your station with the assurance that your signature will stay locked in, uniquely branding your sound.

The 8500 provides stereo enhancement, equalization, AGC, multiband compression, low-IM peak limiting, stereo encoding, and composite limiting-everything that even the most competitive major market station needs to stand out on the dial. 

More than 20 excellent sounding, format-specific factory presets get you started. Although the factory presets are fully competent “out of the box,” you can customize them with easy one-knob LESS-MORE control or with more than 60 advanced controls, whose versatility will satisfy even the most finicky on-air sound designer. 

If you choose to use the 8500's superb DSP-based stereo encoder and composite limiter, be assured that they deliver an FM analogue signal that is always immaculately clean and perfectly peak limited, with full spectral protection of subcarriers and RDS/RBDS regardless of the amount of composite limiting. 

For HD Radio broadcasters who prefer using a separate processor for the HD channel, the 8500FM's built-in delay (up to 16 seconds) in the analogue processing path vastly improves installation versatility in HD Radio facilities, freeing you from the need to use the delay line built into the HD Radio exciter. This allows you to use the 8500FM's built-in stereo encoder and composite limiter to drive the analogue FM transmitter, ensuring no-compromise analogue-channel loudness. 

Ethernet connectivity is standard, as is an easy to use PC remote control application that can control many 8500s on a TCP/IP network. In addition, RS232 serial control and programmable contact-closure (GPI) control give you total freedom to interface the 8500 with your facility's remote control infrastructure, whatever it might be. 

An intuitive user interface round out the package. Features include an easy-to-use joystick, knob, and button navigation system and a bright, active-matrix color LCD that makes it easier to program the 8500 from its front panel. The panel's eye-catching metallic blue styling makes the processor look as great in your rack as it sounds on the air. 

There are two versions of Optimod-FM 8500. Model 8500HD is the full HD radio version and the analogue FM-only version is 8500FM. Both models can be upgraded to Optimod-FM 8600 functionality. 

New Version 3.0.1: 

  • Supports 8500V2 hardware, which is now shipping. The DSP board of pre-V2 8500s contains 12 Freescale (formerly Motorola) DSP56367 24-bit fixed-point DSP chips that execute DSP software code to implement digital signal processing algorithms. With V2 hardware, the DSP board contains nine Freescale 250 MHz DSPB56724 dual-core 24-bit fixed-point DSP chips. This is the same as the DSP board used in Optimod-FM 8600 and allows 8500V2 units to be upgraded to 8600 functionality (via a purchased upgrade kit) without replacing their DSP boards. Pre-V2 8500s can also be upgraded to 8600 functionality, but with these units, it is necessary to replace the DSP board. 

The upgrade kits can be installed in the field. Orban offers three versions of the upgrade kit at prices that are commensurate with the features that a given kit adds. These three versions upgrade 8500FM to 8600FM, 8500FM to 8600HD, or 8500HD to 8600HD. A given kit is compatible with all versions of 8500 hardware and includes a V2 DSP board. If your 8500 has a V2 board already installed, upgrading is more convenient (there is no need to remove the 8500 from the rack) and you may retain the DSP board in the upgrade kit as a spare. 

  • Diversity Delay Considerations: Unlike some older pre-V2 8500s, all V2 hardware offers up to 16 seconds of diversity delay. If you have an 8500 that requires an 8-second to 16-second upgrade, it is wise to consider spending the extra money to upgrade to full 8600 functionality at the same time. 
  • A new SPEECH DETECT control allows the 8500 to be forced into Music or Speech modes, overriding the automatic Speech/Music detector. This control is contained in the processing preset. Creating pairs of “Music” and “Speech” user presets gives you the ability to switch between Music or Speech modes by recalling one of the pair via the 8500's API, GPI, clock-based automation, PC Remote, or the 8500's front panel. 
  • The stereo/mono status of the digital radio processing chain can now be independent of the status of the analogue processing chain and stereo encoder. It is useful when a station is transmitting its FM analogue signal in mono (to minimize noise in receivers), yet wishes to transmit its program material in stereo on the HD1 channel (because doing so creates no noise penalty). 
  • The audible action of the Multiplex Power Controller is now more subtle because it has been moved after the Optimod's left and right peak limiters. Previously, the controller was located between output of the Optimod's multiband compressor and the input of the Optimod's peak limiters.
Features
 
User-Friendly Interface

  • A large (quarter-VGA) active-matrix color liquid crystal display (LCD) makes setup, adjustment and programming of the 8500FM easy. Navigation is by a miniature joystick, two dedicated buttons, and a large rotary knob. The LCD shows all metering functions of the processing structure in use.
  • Use the Locate joystick to navigate through a menu that lets you recall a preset, modify processing (at three levels of expertise), or to access the system's setup controls.
Absolute Control of Peak Modulation

  • The 8500FM provides universal transmitter protection and audio processing for FM broadcast. It can be configured to interface ideally with any commonly found transmission system in the world, analogue or digital.
  • The 8500FM provides preemphasis limiting for the internationally used preemphasis curves of 50 µs and 75 µs. Its preemphasis control is seldom audibly apparent, producing a clean, open sound with subjective brightness matching the original program.
  • The 8500FM achieves extremely tight peak control at all its outputs-analogue, AES3 (x2), and composite baseband.
  • The stereo encoder has two outputs with independent level controls, each capable of driving 37Ω in parallel with 47,000pF, (100ft / 30m of coaxial cable).
  • By integrating the stereo encoder with the audio processing, the 8500FM eliminates the overshoot problems that waste valuable modulation in traditional external encoders.
  • The 8500FM prevents aliasing distortion in subsequent stereo encoders or transmission links by providing bandwidth limiting and overshoot compensated 15 kHz low-pass filters ahead of the 8500FM's audio outputs and stereo encoder.
  • The 8500FM has an internal, DSP-based stereo encoder (with a patented "half-cosine interpolation" composite limiter operating at 512 kHz sample rate) to generate the pilot tone stereo baseband signal and control its peak level. The composite limiter is a unique, "you can only do this in DSP" process that beats composite clippers by preserving stereo imaging while fully protecting the stereo pilot tone, RDS/RBDS, and subcarriers.
Flexible Configuration
  • OPTIMOD-FM 8500FM is supplied with analogue and AES3 digital inputs and outputs. The digital input and the two digital outputs are equipped with sample-rate converters and can operate at 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.1 kHz, and 96 kHz sample rates. The preemphasis status and output levels are separately adjustable for the analogue and digital outputs. Each output can emit the analogue FM processed signal or the low-delay monitor signal.
  • An AES11 sync input allows you to synchronize the output sample rate of either (or both) AES3 outputs to this input. You can also synchronize the outputs to the AES3 digital input or to 8500FM's internal clock. The sync source of each AES3 output is independently selectable.
  • A defeatable delay line can delay the FM analogue processing output up to 16.2 seconds. Delay can be trimmed in intervals of one sample of 64 kHz to match the analogue and digital paths in the HD Radio system, eliminating the need to use the delay built into the HD Radio exciter and permitting the 8500FM's internal stereo encoder and composite limiter to drive the analogue FM exciter.
  • The analogue inputs are transformerless, balanced 10k instrumentation amplifier circuits, and the analogue outputs are transformerless balanced, and floating (with 50Ω impedance) to ensure highest transparency and accurate pulse response.
  • The 8500FM has two independent composite baseband outputs with digitally programmable output levels. Robust line drivers enable them to drive 100 feet of RG-59 coaxial cable without audible performance degradation.
  • The 8500FM's two subcarrier inputs are mixed with the output of the 8500FM's stereo encoder before application to the composite output connectors. One input can be re-jumpered to provide a 19 kHz pilot reference output. Both inputs have internal level trims to accommodate subcarrier generators with output levels as low as 220 mV.
  • The 8500FM precisely controls the audio bandwidth of its analogue FM processing to 17 kHz. This prevents significant overshoots in uncompressed digital links operating at a 44.1 kHz-sample rate (or higher) and prevents interference to the pilot tone and RDS (or RBDS) subcarrier.
  • The 8500FM has a defeatable multiplex power limiter that controls the multiplex power to ITU-R BS412 standards. An adjustable threshold allows a station to achieve maximum legal multiplex power even if the downstream transmission system introduces peak overshoots into the 8500FM-processed signal. Because this limiter closes a feedback loop around the audio processing, it allows the user to adjust the processor's subjective setup controls freely without violating BS412 limits, regardless of program material. The multiplex power limiter acts on all outputs (not just the composite output). It reduces clipper drive when it reduces power, simultaneously reducing clipping distortion.
  • All input, output, and power connections are rigorously RFI-suppressed to Orban's traditional exacting standards, ensuring trouble-free installation.
  • The 8500FM is designed and certified to meet all applicable international safety and emissions standards.
Adaptability through Multiple Audio Processing Structures
  • A processing structure is a program that operates as a complete audio processing system. Only one processing structure can be on-air at a time, although all are active simultaneously to permit mute-free switching between them. The 8500FM realizes its processing structures as a series of high-speed mathematical computations made by Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chips.
  • The 8500FM features four processing structures: Five-Band (or "Multiband") for a consistent, "processed" sound with 17 ms delay (typical), free from undesirable side effects, Low-Latency Five-Band (12 ms delay), Ultra-Low-Latency Five-Band (3 ms delay), and Two-Band (17 or 22 ms delay) for a transparent sound that preserves the frequency balance of the original program material. A special Two-Band preset creates a no-compromise "Protect" function that is functionally similar to the "Protect" structures in earlier Orban digital processors.
  • The 8500FM can increase the density and loudness of the program material by multiband compression, limiting, and clipping, which impove the consistency of the station's sound and increasing loudness and definition remarkably, without producing unpleasant side effects.
  • The 8500FM rides gain over an adjustable range of up to 25 dB, compressing dynamic range and compensating for both operator gain-riding errors and gain inconsistencies in automated systems.
  • The 8500FM's Two-Band processing structure can be made phase-linear to maximize audible transparency.
Controllable
  • The 8500FM can be remote-controlled by 5-12V pulses applied to eight programmable, optically isolated GPI (general-purpose interface) ports.
  • The 8500FM is equipped with a serial port to interface to an IBM-compatible computer running Orban's PC Remote software. The connection can be either direct or through an external modem.
  • The 8500FM has a second serial port that allows the user to set up security and communications parameters through a simple ASCII terminal program running on any PC. It also permits simple ASCII strings to trigger preset recall, facilitating interface to automation systems that can emit such strings through an RS232 serial port.
  • The 8500FM can be connected through its built-in 100 Mbps Ethernet port to a TCP/IP network.
  • The 8500 has a second serial port that allows the user to set up security and communications parameters through a simple ASCII terminal program running on any PC. It also permits simple ASCII strings to trigger preset recall, facilitating interface to automation systems that can emit such strings through an RS232 serial port. You can also use the 8500's Ethernet port to connect to an ASCII terminal program via the PPP protocol.
  • A Bypass Test Mode can be invoked locally or by remote control to permit broadcast system test and alignment or "proof of performance" tests.
  • The 8500FM's software can be upgraded remotely or locally through the 8500FM's serial or Ethernet port.
  • 8500 PC Remote software is a graphical application that runs under Windows 2000 and higher. It communicates with a given 8500 via TCP/IP over modem, direct serial, and Ethernet connections. You can configure PC Remote to switch between many 8500s via a convenient organizer that supports giving any 8500 an alias name and grouping multiple 8500s into folders. Clicking an 8500's icon causes PC Remote to connect to that 8500 through an Ethernet network, or initiates a Windows Dial-Up or Direct Cable Connection if appropriate. The PC Remote software allows the user to access all 8500 features and allows the user to archive and restore presets, automation lists, and system setups (containing I/O levels, digital word lengths, GPI functional assignments, etc.).
  • The 8500FM Audio Processor contains a built-in lineup tone generator, facilitating quick and accurate level setting in any system.
  • The 8500FM Audio Processor contains a versatile real-time clock, which allows automation of various events (including recalling presets) at preprogrammed times. To maintain accuracy, this clock can be synchronized automatically via the Internet to a reference time source.
Specifications

It is impossible to characterize the listening quality of even the simplest limiter or compressor based on specifications because such specifications cannot adequately describe the crucial dynamic processes that occur under program conditions. Therefore, the only way to evaluate the sound of an audio processor meaningfully is by subjective listening tests.
Certain specifications are presented here to assure the engineer that they are reasonable, to help plan the installation, and make certain comparisons with other processing equipment.
 
Performance

Specifications apply for measurements from analogue left/right input to stereo composite output and to FM analogue left/right output.
 
Frequency Response (Bypass Mode; analogue Processing Chain): Follows standard 50µs or 75µs pre-emphasis curve ±0.10 dB, 2.0 Hz - 15 kHz. analogue left/right output and Digital output can be user configured for flat or pre-emphasized output.
Sample Rate: 64 kHz to 512 kHz, depending on processing being performed.
Noise: Output noise floor will depend upon how much gain the processor is set for (Limit Drive, AGC Drive, Two-Band Drive, and/or Multi-Band Drive), gating level, equalization, noise reduction, etc. It is primarily governed by the dynamic range of the A/D converter, which has a specified over-load-to-noise ratio of 110 dB. The dynamic range of the digital signal processing is 144 dB.
Total System Distortion (de-emphasized, 100% modulation):
Total System Separation: >55 dB, 20 Hz - 15 kHz; 60 dB typical.
Polarity (Two-Band and Bypass Modes): Absolute polarity maintained. Positive-going signal on input will result in positive-going signal on output.
 
Installation
 
Delay

Defeatable analogue FM Processing delay: 16.2 seconds (maximum), adjustable in one-sample increments at 64 kHz sample rate to allow the delays of the analogue and digital paths in the HD Radio system to be matched at the receiver output. The delay can be applied independently to the analogue output, digital outputs, and composite output in any combination. However, all outputs configured for delay will have the same amount of delay applied to them.
Minimum Processing Delay: Processing structure dependent. Typically 17 ms for normal latency 5-band, 13 ms for low-latency 5-band, 3 ms for ultra-low-latency 5-band, and 17 or 22 ms for 2-band, depending on crossover structure chosen.
 
Analogue Audio Input

Configuration: Stereo.
Impedance: >10kΩ load impedance, electronically balanced .
Nominal Input Level: Software adjustable from -4.0 to +13.0 dBu (VU).
Maximum Input Level: +27 dBu.
No jumper selection available for 600Ω. Through-hole pads are available on I/O module for user-installed 600Ω termination.
Connectors: Two XLR-type, female, EMI-suppressed. Pin 1 chassis ground, Pins 2 (+) and 3 electronically balanced, floating and symmetrical.
A/D Conversion: 24 bit 128x oversampled delta sigma converter with linear-phase anti-aliasing filter.
Filtering: RFI filtered, with high-pass filter at 0.15 Hz.
 
Analogue Audio Output

Configuration: Stereo. Flat or pre-emphasized (at 50 microseconds or 75 microseconds), software-selectable. The output can be set independently to emit the analogue FM processed signal, the diversity-delayed analogue FM processed signal or the low-delay monitor signal.
Source Impedance: 50Ω, electronically balanced and floating.
Load Impedance: 600Ω or greater, balanced or unbalanced. Termination not required, or recommended.
Output Level (100% peak modulation): Adjustable from -6 dBu to +24 dBu peak, into 600Ω or greater load, software-adjustable.
Signal-to-Noise: >= 90 dB unweighted (Bypass mode, de-emphasized, 20 Hz –- 15 kHz bandwidth, referenced to 100% modulation).
Crosstalk: < -70 dB, 20 Hz–15 kHz.
Distortion: < 0.01% THD (Bypass mode, de-emphasized) 20 Hz–15 kHz bandwidth.
Connectors: Two XLR-type, male, EMI-suppressed. Pin 1 chassis ground, Pins 2 (+) and 3 electronically balanced, floating and symmetrical.
D/A Conversion: 24 bit 128x oversampled.
Filtering: RFI filtered.
 
Digital Audio Input

Configuration: Stereo per AES3 standard, 24 bit resolution, software selection of stereo, mono from left, mono from right or mono from sum.
Sampling Rate: 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.1 kHz, and 96 kHz automatically selected.
Connector: XLR-type, female, EMI-suppressed. Pin 1 chassis ground, pins 2 and 3 transformer balanced and floating, 110 impedance.
Input Reference Level: Variable within the range of -30 dBFS to -10 dBFS.
J.17 De-emphasis: Software-selectable.
Filtering: RFI filtered.
 
Digital Audio Outputs

Configuration: Two outputs, each stereo per the AES3 standard. The outputs can be set independently to emit the analogue FM processed signal, the diversity-delayed analogue FM processed signal or the low-delay monitor signal. 
The FM processed signal can be configured in software as flat or pre-emphasized to the chosen processing pre-emphasis (50µs or 75µs). Each output can apply J.17 pre-emphasis if desired. 
Sample Rate: Internal free running at 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.1 kHz, or 96 kHz, selected in software. Can also be synced to the AES3 SYNC input or the AES3 digital input at 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.1 kHz, and 96 kHz, as configured in software.
Word Length: Software selected for 24, 20, 18, 16 or 14-bit resolution. Optionally, first-order highpass noise-shaped dither can be added; dither level is automatically adjusted appropriately for the word length.
Connector: XLR-type, male, EMI-suppressed. Pin 1 chassis ground, pins 2 and 3 transformer balanced and floating, 110Ω impedance.
Output Level (100% peak modulation): -20.0 to 0.0 dBFS software controlled.
Filtering: RFI filtered.
 
Digital Sync Input

Configuration: Used for synchronization of either or both AES3 signals to an external reference provided at this input.
Sampling Rate: 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.1 kHz, and 96 kHz, automatically selected.
Connector: XLR-type, female, EMI-suppressed. Pin 1 chassis ground, Pins 2 and 3 transformer balanced and floating, 110Ω impedance.
Filtering: RFI filtered.
 
Composite Baseband Output

Configuration: Two outputs, each with an independent software-controlled output level control, output amplifier and connector. The outputs can be delayed by the diversity delay. If so, both outputs will receive the same delay; delay cannot be applied to only one output.
Source Impedance: 0 voltage source or 75Ω, jumper-selectable. Single-ended, floating over chassis ground.
Load Impedance: 37Ω or greater. Termination not required or recommended.
Maximum Output Level: +12.0 dBu (8.72 Vpp).
Minimum Output Level: -12 dBu (0.55 Vpp) for 0.5 dB adjustment resolution.
Pilot Level: Adjustable from 6.0% to 12.0%, software controlled.
Pilot Stability: 19 kHz, ±0.5 Hz (10 degrees to 40 degrees C).
D/A Conversion: 24-bit
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 
Distortion: 
Stereo Separation: At 100% modulation = 3.5Vpp, > 60 dB, 30 Hz - 15 kHz. At 100% modulation = 1.0 - 8.0 Vpp, > 55 dB, 30 Hz - 15 kHz.
Crosstalk-Linear: Crosstalk-Non-Linear: 38 kHz Suppression: >= 70 dB (referenced to 100% modulation).
76 kHz & Sideband Suppression: >= 80 dB (referenced to 100% modulation).
Pilot Protection: -60 dB relative to 9% pilot injection, ±250 Hz (up to 2 dB composite limiting drive).
Subcarrier Protection (60-100 kHz): >= 70 dB (referenced to 100% modulation; with up to 2 dB composite limiting drive; measured with 800 line FFT analyzer using "maximum peak hold" display).
57 kHz (RDS/RBDS) Protection: -50 dB relative to 4% subcarrier injection, ±2.0 kHz (up to 2 dB composite processing drive).
Connectors: Two BNC, floating over chassis ground, EMI suppressed.
Maximum Load Capacitance: 0.047µF (0Ω source impedance). Maximum cable length of 100 feet / 30 meters
RG-58A/U.
Filtering: RFI filtered.
 
Subcarrier (SCA) Inputs

Configuration: Subcarrier inputs sum into composite baseband outputs before digitally controlled composite attenuator.
Impedance: >600Ω
SCA Sensitivity (Both Inputs): Variable from 220 mV pp to >10 V pp to produce 10% injection. Sensitivity is adjustable by an internal PC-board-mounted trim pot.
Connectors: Two BNC, unbalanced and floating over chassis ground, EMI suppressed.
19 kHz Pilot Reference: SCA2 input jack can be jumpered to provide a 19 kHz pilot reference output or to serve as a second SCA input.
 
Remote Computer Interface

Supported Computer and Operating System: IBM-compatible PC running Microsoft Windows® 2000 (SP3 or higher) ,XP, Vista, or 7.
Configuration: TCP/IP protocol via direct cable connect, modem, or Ethernet interface. Suitable null modem cable for direct connect is supplied. Modem and other external equipment is not supplied.
Serial Connectors: RS-232 port (3) DB-9 male, EMI-suppressed. Serial Connector 1 uses PPP to provide for direct or modem connection to the 8500 PC Remote application. Serial Connector 2 supports communication to a computer or remote control system via simple ASCII commands for administration and recalling presets. Serial Connector 3 is reserved for future developments.
Ethernet Connector: Female RJ45 connector for 10-100 Mbps networks using CAT5 cabling. Native rate is 100 Mbps. Provides for connection to the 8500 PC Remote application through either a network, or, using a crossover Ethernet cable, directly to a computer. Also supports ASCII terminal connections via PPP.
Ethernet Networking Standard: TCP/IP.
 
Remote Control (GPI) Interface

Configuration: Eight (8) inputs, opto-isolated and floating.
Voltage: 6 - 15V AC or DC, momentary or continuous. 9VDC provided to facilitate use with contact closure.
Connector: DB-25 male, EMI-suppressed.
Control: User-programmable for any eight of user presets, factory presets, bypass, test tone, stereo or mono modes, analogue input, digital input.
Filtering: RFI filtered.
 
Power

Voltage: 100-132 VAC or 200-264 VAC, switch-selected on the rear panel, 50-60 Hz, 50 VA.
Connector: IEC, EMI-suppressed. Detachable 3-wire power cord supplied.
Grounding: Circuit ground is independent of chassis ground' can be isolated or connected with a rear panel switch.
Safety Standards: ETL listed to UL standards, CE marked.
Environmental
Operating Temperature: 32 to 122 F / 0 to 50 C for all operating voltage ranges.
Humidity: 0-95% RH, non-condensing.
Dimensions (W x H x D): 19" x 5.25" x 15.5" (48.3cm x 8.9cm x 39.4cm) Depth is rack penetration, overall depth is 17.75" (45.1cm), 3 Rack Units. 
RFI / EMI: Tested according to Cenelec procedures. FCC Part 15 Class A device.
Shipping Weight: 19 lbs / 8.7 kg
 
Warranty

Two Years, Parts and Service: Subject to the limitations set forth in Orban's Standard Warranty Agreement.
Because engineering improvements are ongoing, specifications are subject to change without notice.

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