Omnia Audio OMNIA-4.5 AM Operating Manual

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OMNIA – 4.5AM

Broadcast Audio Processor

Installation and Operation Manual

Version 1.00a

July 2002

TEL: +1 216.241.7225 ● FAX: +1 216.241.4103 ● Email info@omniaaudio.com www.omniaaudio.com

TEL: +49 8161 42467 ● FAX +49 8161 42402 ● Email: europe@omniaaudio.com www.omniaaudio.com

Omnia ● 2101 Superior Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44114 USA

Omnia Europe ● Johannistrabe 6 D-85354 Freising Germany

Manual Update Notification

Due to the dynamic nature of audio processing products, this manual and all future manuals, will be considered as 'preliminary documentation'.

Audio Processing is an art form that we take very seriously. As part of our dedication to this science, we will continue to update both the product and its documentation based on continued research, field experience and valued customer input.

We strongly encourage our customers to visit our Omnia website for product enhancement announcements, software updates, manual updates, and customer care bulletins.

The following URL listing has been included for your update convenience:

Manual Updates

Installation Tips

Tech Bulletins and Papers

Tech Support – Software Upgrades

Warranty

http://www.omniaaudio.com/support/manuals/manuals.htm

http://www.omniaaudio.com/support/oinstall.htm

http://www.omniaaudio.com/techinfo/default.htm

http://www.omniaaudio.com/support/default.htm

http://www.omniaaudio.com/support/warranty.htm

Thank you for selecting the incredible Omnia 4.5AM Audio Processor. Your continued patronage and support are appreciated.

Sincerely,

Team Omnia

June, 2002

Greetings!

It’s with great pleasure to offer you our latest audio processor…Omnia-4.5AM! First and foremost, I must share my gratitude as well. This new addition, continues the evolution of Omnia processing. The worldwide acceptance of our product line has been quite humbling, to say the least. As I write this, our processors are now deployed by so many leading broadcasters throughout the world that when looking at the list, I am overwhelmed by the recognition that my (originally small) project to improve the sound of radio has gathered. So, it’s to you I say…Thank You!

1986 seems like just a short time ago! It was that year, in the engineering shop at Z-100, (WHTZ-FM) New York City that our first product was born…The Vigilante FM Limiter. Now, 16 years later, along with an incredibly talented team of fellow broadcasters and engineers, we offer you a feature rich, and sonically powerful tool in Omnia-4.5AM! This processor is not just Frank anymore. It’s a complex effort from a tremendous team that has had only one goal in mind…to raise the bar, yet again, and present you with our best effort possible.

I don't have enough space here to thank each and every one of the Telos/Omnia worldwide team members who have contributed to this product in so many important ways. All I can say is that we would not be where we are without the heroic and brilliant efforts from all of you working together. It’s our goal to set the standard by which all others will be judged. The rules have changed, and Omnia processing is the reason why! What was once a truly small company consisting of only my cat Vito and myself has now expanded to the point of having the best talent in every area of product design, engineering, and marketing. (Not to mention, we now have the vital assistance of three cats…Omnia, Zephyr, and Mocha.)

If I may say so, our pool of engineers for DSP development and software design is probably the finest in the radio industry. My partner in crime, Steve Church, brought DSP into the broadcasting field in the mid-1980’s and we’ve been strengthening our abilities ever since. Sharing Telos’ ingenuity for DSP design has been tremendously beneficial to our work on Omnia. If you thought the original Omnia made noise on the dial, all I can say is “look out!” It’s like one of the top-of-the hour station ID’s Scott Shannon used to jam on Z-100…”Lock It In And Rip The Knob Off!” That's the kind of power and capability Omnia-4.5AM delivers!

Beyond the extensive laboratory development and testing of Omnia-4.5AM, we’ve taken it to the field and compared it with every other processing system available in it’s class – and have done so worldwide. It’s the sound that matters, and I truly feel that you’ll significantly improve your on-air sound and further your competitive position with Omnia-

4.5AM. As you’re reading this, Omnia-4.5AM is already on-the-air at quite a number of legendary 50KW AM radio stations! You can now add yourself to the list of those who’ve reset the standard for AM processing!

Before signing off, I would be remiss not to mention one individual though.…Jeff Keith, the leader of Team Omnia. Jeff is quite well known, in his own right as an audio processing guru! His years of radio station experience and vast processing knowledge, have dominated many a radio market, and now his efforts are an added benefit to Omnia-

4.5AM. His creativity, passion and commitment to our success has helped all the various talented (and sometimes chaotic) crew unite in a common goal. To build a processor so great, it would surpass even my high expectations. Jeff, you and your team have succeeded! Thus, I dedicate Omnia-4.5AM to you!

Not only do you have in your possession the best sounding audio processor available, you also have the full support of our organization. If you have something to say, we’re here to listen. We’ve been fortunate through the past, that people like you have taken the time to offer us valuable feedback and review of our endeavors. You can now see the result of that, as you are now rewarded with the next step forward!

Without further adieu, it’s time for us to jam! So, as my buddy Scott Shannon would often say to me, “Frank-o, Let’s

Crank It Up Man!”

Here’s to Dial Dominance,

Frank Foti

Greetings i Safety Instructions ii Hazard / Warning Labels iii Notices iv Specifications v Warranty vi QuickStart Setup Guide vii Enabling the Stereo EFX Option viii

1 – INSTALLATION

Omnia 4.5AM Pre-installation Tasks 1

PC Card and Modem Installation 1 AC Environment Considerations 2 Installation and Connections 3

Rack Mounting 3 AC Connection 3 Audio Inputs 4 Audio Outputs 4 Ethernet Connection 5 RS-232 Connection 5 Interface Connection 5 Powering Up 7

2 – THE OMNIA 4.5 USER INTERFACE

User Interface Introduction 9 Using the Jog Wheel 10

Level Meters and Processing Bargraphs 11

Audio I/O Level Display 11 Processing Display 11

Main Menu Display 12

Home Icon 12 "X" Close Window Icon 13 Remote Control via Network Indicator 14 Headphone Level Control 14

User Interface Tutorial 15

The Menu Tree – part one 17 The Menu Tree – part two 18 Menu Items 19 Preset 19 Process 19

User Interface Tutorial, cont.

Input & Output Submenus 20

Schedule 21 System 22

Menu Selections 22

Preset 23

Preset List 23 Choose (preset) 23 Modify (preset) 23 Save Current (preset) 23 Save Current As 24 Compare 24

Process 24

Input 25

Input Gain Left / Right 25 Master Drive 25 Input Source 26 Input Mode 26 High Pass Filter 26 Phase Rotator 26

Output 27

Peak Output Level 27 Asymmetrical Modulation 27 Low Frequency Tilt EQ 27 Low Pass Filter Options 30 Output Sample Rate 30 Output Polarity Selection 31

Schedule 31

Schedule List 31 New 31 Modify and Remove 31 Load From Card 32 Save To Card 32 Current State 32

System 32

Port Baud 32 Security Lev(el) 33 Backlight 33 Set Time 33 Set Date 33 About 33 Change Password 34 Lock Unit 34 Resetting Passwords 34 Load Defaults 34 Load From Card 35 Save To Card 35 Reboot System 35

Network 36

Mac Address 36 IP Address 36 Gateway 37 Subnet Mask 37 Save Changes 37 Reboot Display 37 Test Broadcast 37 Security Config 37

3-THE OMNIA-4.5AM AND AUDIO PROCESSING

About Factory Presets 50

Loading a Preset 51 Parameter Editing 52

Adjusting the Wideband AGC 53 Adjusting the Crossover Section 54 Adjusting MB AGC Drive Levels 55 Adjusting Multiband AGC's 55 Adjusting the AGC Mixer 56 Adjusting The Enhancers 57 Adjusting the Limiters Crossover 58 Adjusting the Multiband Limters 59 Adjusting the Final Mixer (Lim Mix) 60 Adjusting the Clippers 61

Process Block Diagram 39

Wideband AGC 40 Phase Linear Crossovers 40 Two Band AGC 40 Enhancer Section 40 Deep Bass EQ 40 Phat Bass EQ 41 Warmth EQ 41 Stereo Expander 41 Multiband Dynamic Peak Limiter 41 Distortion Canceled Clipper 41

4- PROCESSOR INTERFACING

Processor Location 43

Analog STL Use 43 Digital STL Use 43 Monitoring Location 43 Source Material Quality 43 Studio Microphone Processing 43 Processor Latency / Time Delay 44 Operating Levels 44

Omnia-4.5AM Connections 44

5-FINE TUNING YOUR SOUND

About Loudness and Listener Fatigue 46

Clarifying your Processing Objectives 46

Adjustment Procedure 47

Saving, Naming, and Deleting Presets 62

Saving Presets 62 Renaming and Deleting Presets 63

Getting the Sound You Want 63

A Word About Loudness 63 Quality versus Loudness 64 Increasing Loudness 64 Adding More "Detail" to the sound 65 Making Sound Equalization Changes 66

Thunder Bass 66

6 – Remote Control Software

Software Installation Options 68

Using the Self-Installer 68 Using the raw executable 69 Setup and Configuration 69

Finding the software version number 70

Edit Connection dialog box 71

Using the optional modem 72 Using your own modem 72 Using a Direct Serial Connection 73 Connecting via Modem 73

Custom modem initialization strings 74

Using an Ethernet based connection 76

Establishing a Remote Session 77

Terminal Programs/Direct Connection 78

Meter Displays 48

AGC Metering 48 Limiter Metering 48

Interpreting the Meters 49

Trigger Script Editor 79

Dry Contact Closures 79 Applying Control Voltages 79

Use of Trigger Scripts 80

Paras and Sysparas 81

Using the Trigger Script Editor 81

Script Command Definitions 83

Dayparts 83 Presets 83 Non-system Parameters 84 System Parameters 85 Setting New Syspara Values 85

Using the Script Editor 86

Interface Connector 86 "One Way" Scripts 87

Scripting via Daypart Scheduler 88

7 – Troubleshooting

Rear panel serial port setup 90

Normal boot up message 91

Audio Failure Alarm 92 Audio Restoration Alarm 92

Diagnostic Messages 93

Clearing corrupted NVRAM 94

Diagnosing abnormal boot behavior 96

Narrowing down problems 97

Performing software upgrades 99

Location of PC Memory Cards 100

Obtaining Service 101

Preset Parameter Worksheet 102

Appendix A

CE Declaration of Conformity

S A F E T Y I N S T R U C T I O N S

1. Read All Instructions. All safety and operating instructions must be read before operating the product.

2. Retain All Instructions. All safety and operating instructions must be retained for future reference.

3. Heed All Warnings. All warnings on the product and those listed in the operating instructions must be adhered to.

4. Follow All Instructions. All operating and product usage instructions must be followed.

5. Heat. This product must be situated away from any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other products (including power amplifiers) that produce heat.

6. Ventilation. Slots and openings in the product are provided for ventilation. They ensure reliable operations of the product, keeping it from overheating. These openings must not be blocked nor covered during operation. This product should not be placed into a rack unless proper ventilation is provided through following the manufacturer's installation procedures.

7. Water and Moisture. Do not use this product near water – for example; near a bath tub, wash bowl, kitchen sink or laundry tub; in a wet basement; or near a swimming pool or the like.

13. Overloading. Do not overload AC wall outlets, extension cords, or integral convenience outlets as this can result in a fire or electric shock hazard.

14. Object and Liquid Entry. Never push objects of any kind into this product through openings as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind into the product.

15. Accessories. Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The product may fall, causing serious damage to a child or adult, and serious damage to the product. Any mounting of the product needs to follow manufacturer's installation recommendations.

16. A Product and Cart Combination should be moved with care. Quick stops, excessive force, and uneven surfaces may cause the product and the cart combination to overturn.

17. Servicing. Refer all servicing of the product to qualified service personnel.

18. Damage Requiring Service. Unplug this product from the AC wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions:

• When the AC plug is damaged.

8. Attachments. Do not use any attachments not recommended by the product manufacturer as they may cause hazards.

9. Power Sources. This product must be operated from the type of power source indicated on the marking label and in the installation instructions. If you are not sure of the type of power supplied to your facility, consult your local power company.

10. Grounding and Polarization. This product is equipped with a polarized AC plug with integral safety ground pin. Do not defeat the safety ground in any manner.

11. Power Cord Protection. Power supply cords must be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on nor pinched by items placed upon or against them. Pay particular attention to the cords at AC wall plugs and convenience receptacles, and at the point where the cord connects to the product.

12. Lightning. For added protection for this product during a lightning storm, or when it is left unattended and unused for long periods of time, unplug it from the AC wall outlet. This will prevent damage to the product due to lightning and power supply surges.

• If liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen

into the equipment.

• If the product has been exposed to rain or

moisture.

• If the product does not operate normally

(following operating instructions).

• If the product has been dropped or damaged in

any way.

• When the product exhibits a distinct change in

performance. This indicates a need for service.

19. Replacement Parts. When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts specified by the manufacturer or that have the same characteristics as the original parts. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric shock, or other hazards.

20. Safety Check. Upon completion of any repairs to this product, ask the service technician to perform safety checks to determine that the product is in safe operating condition.

21. Cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use only a damp cloth for cleaning.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

HAZARD / WARNING LABELS

The Exclamation Point

symbol, within an equilateral triangle, alerts the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in product literature and instruction

manuals.

WARNING -- This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy. If not installed and used in accordance with the instructions in this manual it may cause interference to radio communications. It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device (pursuant to subpart J of Part 15 FCC Rules), designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference when operated in a commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause interference, at which case, the user, at his own expense, will be required to take whatever measures may be required to correct the interference.

See the following page for additional information.

The Lightning Flash With

Arrowhead symbol, within an

equilateral triangle, alerts the

user to the presence of

uninsulated dangerous voltage

within the product's enclosure

that may be of sufficient

magnitude to constitute a

risk of electric shock.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

NOTICES

All versions of compatibility, trademarks, etc. of hardware and software products not made by Omnia, but mentioned

in this manual or other accompanying material, are informational only. Omnia makes no endorsement of any

particular product for any purpose, nor claims any responsibility for its operation or the accuracy of its presentation.

Warranty registration and Software Updates

Omnia 4.5's operation is almost entirely determined by software. A continuous program of improvement ensures that

the product remains at the 'cutting edge'. In order to be notified of new software releases, be sure to FAX or mail in

the registration form.

Trademarks

Omnia, the Omnia logo, and "The Promise of Digital ... Delivered!" are trademarks of TLS Corporation. All other

trademarks mentioned in this work are the property of their respective holders.

Copyright

improvements or changes to the products described herein (which may affect the product specifications) and to revise

this manual as required without notice.

Repair Procedures

You must contact Omnia for a Return Authorization number before returning any products. Packages without proper

authorization may be refused. Please write the RA number on the shipping label side of the returned package. Be sure

to adequately insure your shipment. Customers in North America can contact Omnia customer support at +1 (216)

241-7225. In Europe, contact Omnia Europe at +49 8161 42467 (Germany). All other customers should contact their

local Omnia dealer to verify the problem and then contact Omnia to arrange for repair. Refer to the section entitled

"Obtaining Service" for more details.

Caution

The installation and servicing instructions presented in this manual are for use by qualified

installation and service personnel only. To avoid electric shock, do not perform any servicing other

that than contained in the operating instructions unless you are qualified to do so. Refer all servicing

to qualified personnel.

Warning

To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not expose this product to rain or moisture.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Omnia 4.5AM Specifications

As of June 2002

Note: All measurements made with the supplied "Proof of Perf" preset, which is available in the Preset Submenu. Due to the nature of multi-band gain control and clipper algorithms used, the subjective sound quality of any audio processor bears little relationship to its measured electrical performance.

Overall Specifications

System Frequency Response

Complies with the optional NRSC emphasis curve within ± 0.50 dB, 30 Hz to 10 kHz.

System Signal to Noise Ratio

> -80 dB de-emphasized, 20 Hz –- 10 kHz NRSC bandwidth, referenced to 100% modulation). The measured noise floor is highly dependent upon the setting of the Input and Output Gain controls. The Omnia4.5's noise floor is primarily governed by the dynamic range of the Crystal Semiconductor CS5360 A/D Converter, which has a specified Dynamic Range of 105dB. The dynamic range of the Omnia4.5 DSP chain is well in excess of 120 dB. Typical SNR using the "FactTest2" preset is greater than –80dB RMS in a 10 kHz NRSC bandwidth, referenced to 100% modulation.

System Distortion

Less than 0.01% THD, 20 Hz – 5 kHz. (second order harmonic distortion above 5 kHz is not relevant in the AM system due to the removal of harmonics by the system's 10 kHz low pass filter)

System Stereo Separation

Greater than 65 dB, 20 Hz –- 10 kHz; greater than 70 dB typical.

Analog I/O

Analog Audio Input

Configuration: Left/Right Discrete Stereo. Electronically balanced, floating, and

symmetrical.

Input impedance: 10k ohms resistive.

Maximum Input Level: +24.10 dBu (12.28V RMS).

Nominal Input Level: A 13dBu input signal nets a –12dBFS input meter reading when the Input

Gain Control is set to 0.0 dB. Application of a 1.00 dBu input signal nets a -12dBFS input meter reading when the Input Gain Control is set to "+12 dB".

(NOTE: when the Input Gain and Master Drive controls are set to 0.0 dB, a +13dBu input signal results in an input level of –12dBFS, and a Wideband AGC gain reduction of approximately –15dB.

Connectors: Two, EMI-suppressed XLR female. Pin 1 chassis ground, and Pin 2 is

"hot".

A/D Conversion: Crystal Semiconductor CS5360, 24 bit 128x oversampled delta sigma

converter. Linear-phase, 21.7 kHz anti-aliasing lowpass filter, with

0.0025dB maximum passband ripple.

Warranty

his Warranty covers "the Products," which are defined as the various audio equipment,

parts, software and accessories manufactured, sold and/or distributed by TLS Corp., d/b/a Omnia (hereinafter "Omnia").

With the exception of software-only items, the Products are warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of two years from the date of receipt by the end-user. Software-only items are warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of 90 days from the date of receipt by the end-user.

This warranty is void if the Products are subject to Acts of God, including (without limitation) lightning; improper installation or misuse, including (without limitation) the failure to use telephone and power line surge protection devices; accident; neglect or damage.

EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE-STATED WARRANTY, OMNIA MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED (INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE).

In no event will Omnia, its employees, agents or authorized dealers be liable for incidental or consequential damages, or for loss, damage, or expense directly or indirectly arising from the use of any of the Products or the inability to use any of the Products either separately or in combination with other equipment or materials, or from any other cause.

In order to invoke this Warranty, notice of a warranty claim must be received by Omnia within the above-stated warranty period and warranty coverage must be authorized by Omnia. If Omnia authorizes the performance of warranty service, the defective Product must be delivered, shipping prepaid, to: Omnia, 2101 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114.

Omnia, at its option will either repair or replace the Products and such action shall be the full extent of Omnia’s obligation under this Warranty. After the Products are repaired or replaced Omnia will return them to the party that sent the Products, and Omnia will pay for the cost of shipping.

Omnia’s authorized dealers are not authorized to assume for Omnia any additional obligations or liabilities in connection with the dealers’ sale of the Products.

Omnia products are to be used with registered protective interface devices which satisfy regulatory requirements in their country of use.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Omnia 4.5AM Quick-Start Setup Guide

We know that you're probably in a hurry to get on the air with your new Omnia 4.5. If you have technical expertise and previous knowledge of audio processor fundamentals, using the following Seven-Point Quick-Start Checklist will get you up and running as quickly as possible. Please refer to the remainder of the Operating Guide for additional information.

Refer to the following drawing for the location of the various connectors associated with the installation:

Omnia 4.5AM Rear Panel View

1. Install the Omnia 4.5AM in the equipment rack using at least two rack screws. If only two screws are used, they MUST be in the bottom holes of the rack ears!

2. Connect AC power to the unit, and turn on power using the rear-panel power switch.

3. Connect the audio inputs that are appropriate for your installation.

4. Navigate to the Input Menu and select the Analog or AES/EBU input. If your audio source is providing an audio feed you should see meter activity on the Input, Output, and Processing meters.

5. While in the Input menu and observing the Input meters, adjust the left and right input level controls until the input meters are peaking no higher than –12dBFS.

6. Connect the audio outputs that are appropriate for your installation.

7. If you are using the Analog or Digital audio outputs, navigate to the Output Menu and adjust the output levels for proper modulation level as measured on a modulation monitor.

You're now ready to go on the air!

Note that the Omnia 4.5AM is shipped with the RocknRoll preset as the default. While leaning toward the competitive side, it provides a good generic starting point, with a rich and balanced sound, which is a good starting point for nearly every format. Remember that our preset names do not necessarily mean that the preset is useful for only the formats to which the name refers. Feel free to experiment!

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Analog Audio Output

Configuration: Left/Right Discrete Stereo. Electronically balanced, floating and

symmetrical.

Source Impedance: 20 ohms.

Load Impedance: 600 ohms or greater recommended, balanced or unbalanced.

Peak Output Level (ref 100% modulation): Adjustable from -6 dBu to +24 dBu peak, into 600 ohms or greater load,

software-adjustable.

Connectors: Two, EMI-suppressed XLR-male. Pin 1 chassis ground, Pin 2 is

"Hot".

D/A Conversion: Crystal Semiconductor CS4390 24 bit, 128x oversampled.

Digital I/O

Digital Audio Input

Configuration: Stereo per AES/EBU standard, Crystal Semiconductor CS8420 Digital

Audio Transceiver with 24 bit resolution, software selection of stereo, mono from left, mono from right or mono from sum. Automatically accepts sample rates between 32 and 96 kHz.

Connector: XLR-female, EMI-suppressed. Pin 1 chassis ground, pins 2 and 3

transformer isolated, balanced, and floating – AES3 standard 110 ohm impedance.

Digital Audio Output

Configuration: Stereo per AES3 standard, Crystal Semiconductor CS8420 Digital Audio

Interface Transceiver with 24 bit resolution.

Digital Sample Rates: Output sample rates software selectable for 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, and

96 kHz.

Connector: XLR-male, EMI-suppressed. Pin 1 chassis ground, pins 2 and 3 are

transformer isolated, balanced, and floating. Standard AES3 specified 110 ohm source impedance.

Digital Output Level: -22.0 to 0.0 dBFS software adjustable.

Digital Sync Input

Configuration: Output sample rate can be synchronized to the signal present on the

AES/EBU input, or to the AES3 signal applied to the Ext.

Sync input connector. XLR-female, EMI-suppressed. Pin 1 chassis ground, pins 2 and 3

transformer isolated, balanced, and floating – AES3 standard 110 ohm impedance.

External Sync Range: Accepts sample rates from 32kHz to 96 kHz. Used for synchronization of

the Digital Output signal to an external reference. Automatically accepts sample rates between 32 and 96 kHz.

System Remote Control

Remote Control Methods

Configuration: Modem, direct serial, or 10/100BaseTX Ethernet.

Modem: Supplied PCMCIA modem with pop-out X-jack connector or any Hayes

command set compatible external modem.

Direct Serial: Standard RS-232, no hardware handshaking employed. Baud rates of

9,600, 19,200, and 57,600 supported.

TCP/IP Ethernet: Emulates a Telnet session.

Connectors: RS-232 port, EMI-suppressed DB-25 female connector. Industry

standard EMI suppressed RJ-45 connector for Ethernet.

Remote Control Trigger Interface

Configuration: Eight (8) inputs, RS-232 level-compatible.

Software sensing of both 'go-high' and 'go-low' transitions. Inputs are protected to +/- 15 VDC.

Connector: EMI suppressed DE-9 male.

Control: User-programmable using built-in Trigger Script feature in included

Omnia 6 Remote Control software. Virtually any parameter of the Omnia 6 may be programmed to change through this interface.

Miscellaneous

Power Requirements

Voltage: 100-250 VAC, 50/60/440 Hz., 33VA

Connector: EMI suppressed IEC male. Detachable 3-wire power cords supplied for

US and European use.

Internal Power Supply

Overvoltage and short circuit protected. Meets EN55022, EN55011

Level B Conducted Emissions. EN61000-4-2, -3, -4, -5, -6 level 3

immunity compliant. EN60950, VDE0805, IEC950, UL1950, BABT, CSA C22.2 No. 950 Approvals. Full international safety approval. CE marked. MTBF – 150,000 hours minimum per MIL-HDBK-217F.

Environmental

Operating Temperature: 32 to 122 degrees F (0 to 50 deg. C) for specified operating voltage ranges.

Humidity: 0-95% Relative Humidity, non-condensing.

Dimensions

19" wide x 5.25" high x 16" deep (48.26cm wide x 13.335 cm high x

40.64 cm deep) including connectors. Unit requires three EIA rack spaces for proper mounting.

Shipping Weight: 33 lbs. / 15.876 kg

Telos/Omnia Research and Development is constantly working to improve the quality of our

products. Actual operating specifications are subject to change or improvement without notice.

CANADA WARNING – This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emissions set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications. Le present appareil numerique n'emet pas de bruits radioelectriques depassant les limits applicables aux brouillage radioelectrique edicte par le ministere des Communications de Canada.

CE CONFORMANCE – This device complies with the requirements of the EEC Council Directives: 93/68/EEC (CE Marking); 73/23/EEC (Safety – low voltage directive); 89/336/EEC (electromagnetic compatibility). Conformity is declared to those standards: EN50081-1, EN50082-1.

LITHIUM BATTERY CAUTION -- Danger of explosion if the internal battery is replaced incorrectly. Replace only with same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of used batteries according to the manufacturer's instructions.

USE OF SHIELDED CABLING -- To conform to the CE requirements for High Frequency radiation, shielded cables must be used for all audio and data connections. For analog and digital connections, the cable shield MUST be connected to the XLR-type connector shell, which is at chassis ground potential!

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Enabling the Optional Stereo Enhancer Algorithm

The Omnia-4.5AM contains an optional Stereo Enhancement (StereoEFX) option which may be enabled by purchasing it when the unit is ordered from your dealer, or at any time afterward if you so choose. StereoEFX increases the stereo sound field in an intelligent manner, providing a bigger sound on the dial. The algorithm is fully mono-compatible, and does not generate unwanted artifacts during the enhancement process.

To enable the option, a 6-symbol decryption key must be purchased from your Omnia dealer or directly from Omnia. The decryption key is then entered into the "Enable Stereo EXP" dialog box. Each decryption key is unique to each Omnia 4.5 unit, and the key is only valid for one calendar day. Once the algorithm has been enabled, it is enabled for the life of the unit, or until the front panel software is upgraded. Providing your unit's serial number at the time you purchase the option guarantees that it will continue to function if you ever choose to upgrade the unit's software.

You will need to provide three things at the time the key is purchased:

1. The serial number of the Omnia 4.5.

2. The unit's MAC address from the rear panel (12 digit number that begins with 0050c24...)

3. The System Date as displayed in the System Menu or in the "Enable StereoEXP" dialog box.

Once you have obtained the key by purchasing the option, you enable the Stereo Enhancement algorithm as follows:

1. Unlock the unit at Level 3;

2 Navigate to the Process Menu and open it;

3. Navigate to the Enhance Submenu and open it;

4. Navigate to the Enable StereoEXP button and click on it;

5. Enter the 6-digit authorization key in the dialog box. Note that the key is case sensitive, and

may contain both numerals and upper and lower case letters.

6. Once the code is entered, click on the Checkmark button. If the code was entered correctly, a

message box should display "Stereo EXP has been enabled!" Your Stereo Enhancer option is now enabled for the life of the unit.

Special Note: The StereoEFX decryption code is generated by a special key generator using your Omnia 4.5's unique network MAC address and its system date as an input to the algorithm. Therefore, the decryption key is valid for one calendar day. When you purchase the key, you must install and enable the option while the calendar day you provided when the key was purchased is still valid in the unit! Alternately, you can supply us with a future date that you wish to install the option, and we can provide a key for that date.

Chapter 1 – Pre-installation

We believe that the Omnia-4.5AM is the easiest processor to install in its class. But please take a few minutes to read this chapter before proceeding with the installation.

Pre Installation Tasks

This section offers common procedures for installing your new Omnia-4.5AM processor. Note that there are

additional installation and operation tips presented in Chapter 4 that may pertain to your specific installation.

Omnia-4.5AM Components

By now you’ve unpacked the shipping carton to gain access to this manual. Now is the time to inspect the Omnia-

4.5AM unit and its shipping carton for any signs of shipping damage, which must be reported to your carrier for any

claims. The Omnia-4.5AM shipping box includes the following components:

➤ Omnia-4.5AM processor (containing the DSP hardware) ➤ Omnia-4.5AM PCMCIA Type Memory card (holding the DSP software)

➤ Omnia-4.5AM Operating Manual (this document) ➤ Warranty Registration Card (Please complete the form and return/FAX it to Telos/Omnia) ➤ Two IEC Power Cords, one for use in the US, and one for use in Europe

PC Card & Modem Installation

Before installing your Omnia-4.5AM, or even plugging in the power cord, make sure the Omnia-4.5AM PC Memory

Card and optional Modem Card (if ordered) are installed into the correct card slots on the back panel and are fully

seated. Installation or removal of cards must be done with the power off unless directed otherwise.

The PC Memory Card is inserted into the top card slot with the Omnia label facing up. The optional Modem Card is

inserted into the bottom card slot below the Omnia PC Card. Both the PC Card and the Modem Card are keyed to

prevent improper insertion. Gently press the cards into the slots until the black release button, to the right of the card,

pops out about 1/2" [12.70 mm]. This indicates the card is properly seated in the PCMCIA slot.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Version 1.00a

Rear Panel Expansion Card Slots

The Omnia-4.5AM also contains a second PC Memory Card that contains the software for the Front Panel. This card

has been pre-installed at the factory and is located under the top cover on the right-hand side of the Front Panel circuit

board. Please make sure the AC power is off and disconnected from the unit before removing the top cover and

removing or replacing the card.

Important Note 1: The PC Cards used in the Omnia-4.5AM are not generic PCMCIA cards that can be bought in

any local computer store. They are cards that are specified by Omnia specifically for this product. If you need a

backup card, please contact Omnia Customer Support to purchase an additional card. Inserting a card of unknown

origin risks damaging the Omnia or the cards, and doing so will void your warranty!

Important Note 2: If you wish to operate the Omnia-4.5AM using a PCMCIA type modem, you must use the

optional modem card from Omnia. No other modem cards are approved for use at this time. We cannot assume

correct operation of any other modem card, nor can we provide support for it. Typically any external Hayes

compatible modem may be connected to the rear-panel serial port. See chapter 6 for more details on the Modem and

the Remote Control Software.

Note: The rear panel PCMCIA Memory Card must remain in the top slot unless you are prompted by the system to

remove it. Randomly removing the PC Card without system instruction may cause unpredictable operation and PC

Card data damage.

AC Environment

The Omnia-4.5AM is microcomputer-based. Therefore, it requires the same clean AC environment as any computer

system. Even though the unit has quite robust internal AC input transient suppression, we recommend that external

transient suppressers/voltage regulation or an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) be employed as well. This is

especially recommended when installing the processor at a transmitter site. Here, heavy transients on power lines,

caused by events from normal load switching to lightning strikes, have been known to wreak havoc with data in

computer systems. This is another reason we ask that you give your AC environment thorough consideration before

plugging in your Omnia-4.5-AM unit.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Version 1.00a

Installation & Connections

Throughout this section reference is made to “software parameters.” These are part of the Graphical User Interface,

which is covered in detail in Chapter 2.

Omnia 4.5 Rack Mounting Requirements

Rack Mounting

The Omnia-4.5AM requires 3RU (5.25" [37 mm]) of rack space. Rack mount the unit using four rack screws. If only

two screws are going to be used, they should be in the bottom holes in the Omnia front panel. No other two-screw

mounting arrangement will prevent distortion of the front panel casting! Adequate ventilation should be provided,

and it is always good engineering practice to allow one blank rack space immediately above and below the Omnia,

especially if equipment generating significant heat is located below the unit. Install a 1RU (1.75") vented or solid

panel to fill these spaces. The processor should be installed into a thoroughly grounded 19" equipment rack. Refer to

Chapter 4, Omnia-4.5AM User Tips”, for additional considerations on where to physically locate your processor.

AC Connection (IEC)

The Omnia-4.5AM utilizes a heavily filtered, universal AC power-entry module. Its integral power switch is located

just above the IEC power cord receptacle. The Omnia-4.5AM's voltage–sensing, switching power supply allows it to

operate on AC mains voltages from 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz. In the USA, plug the provided IEC type AC power

cord into the unit and then into a grounded AC outlet. Outside of the USA, you must use the appropriate power cord

that complies with the local electrical regulations.

Press the “I” side of the rear-panel power switch to turn on the unit. The Omnia-4.5AM is designed to be continuously powered, however, pressing the “O” side of the switch turns off the unit for servicing.

When power is first applied, it takes approximately ten seconds to load the DSP code from the rear-panel PCMCIA

memory card. During system power-up, the front panel LCD screens display several status screens while the

operating software and DSP code is loaded. Once the main Omnia-4.5AM Main Menu is shown on the right screen,

and the Meter Screen is shown on the left display, the unit is ready for use.

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Rear Panel Connections

Omnia 4.5 Back Panel Connections

Audio Inputs—Analog & Digital (Female XLR)

Balanced XLR-type connectors are used as input connectors for both the analog and AES-3 digital audio. Both

analog and digital input sources may be connected simultaneously, however, only the input source that has been set in

the Input menu is active. Analog/Digital Input source selection is done through the Input Source software parameter

setting in the Input Menu.

The stereo analog inputs are designed for standard +4 dBu balanced signals. Pin 2 is Hot. The digital AES-3 inputs

(IN and EXT. SYNC) accept any sampling rate between 32 and 96 kHz. No user adjustment is necessary on the AES

input since a high-quality sample rate converter is built into the unit. Individual channel gain and level setting for

both analog and digital is done using the Input Gain software parameter settings in the Input Menu.

A Note About Relative Phase: If the relative phase of your installation (including the Omnia-4.5AM) differs from

that of your existing system, your announcers may feel that they sound “weird” in their headphones. If this occurs,

then the relative phase of the processor is 180 degrees from what your air talent is used to. To remedy this, you can

either reverse the polarity of both of the analog inputs or change the Invert Both software parameter setting in the

Omnia-4.5AM Input Menu.

Audio Outputs—Analog & Digital (Male XLR)

Individual Left and Right analog outputs are available on two male XLR jacks, as is a stereo digital AES-3 output.

The digital output (with selectable output sample rate) is produced directly from the output of the final processing

section. The analog output is derived from a D/A converter driven from the digital output.

Note: Both the analog and digital AES-3 outputs are always active and can be used simultaneously.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Version 1.00a

Ethernet Connection

The Remote Control link for your Omnia-4.5-fm can take several forms. Dial-up modem, RS-232 serial, and TCP/IP

over 10BaseT and 100BaseT networks can be utilized. Using any of these options requires the Omnia-4.5 Remote

Control application that can be downloaded from the Telos/Omnia website. The setup and operation of the Remote

Control software application is covered in detail in Chapter 6.

RS-232 Connection (DB-25F)

This connector serves two important purposes: It can be used for a local, bi-directional computer connection with

Omnia-4.5 Remote Control, or it can be used for troubleshooting and error code resolution. In the former case,

Omnia-4.5AM Remote Control software is utilized. In the latter, any terminal emulation program can be used. In

either case, you must use a standard, straight-through serial cable (not a null modem cable) between the RS-232

connector and the serial port connector on the computer. Typically, a DB25 male to DB-9 or DB-25 female cable will

be used, with the male end being attached to the Omnia-4.5AM.

The Omnia Remote Control application is covered in detail in Chapter 6.

Interface Connection (DB-9M)

Pin 1 Rear Panel Interface Connector for Remote Trigger Script Activation

This connector is the interface to the Omnia's internal trigger script function. Eight of the pins are “trigger” inputs and

the remaining pin is the ground reference. The trigger inputs can be used to dynamically alter the Omnia-4.5AM’s

operation in response to logic signal transitions at the interface connection. There is a unique response to each trigger

input, that is, both "go-high" and "go-low" transitions are sensed. With eight inputs, and two sensed states for each

one, sixteen unique 'trigger events' may be sensed to control the Omnia-4.5AM in response to these input logic

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Version 1.00a

transitions. Virtually ANY parameter of the Omnia can be controlled using the Trigger Scripts.

The Trigger Script Interface Editor is a standard component of the Omnia-4.5 Remote Control application and is

covered in detail in Chapter 6.

The Pinout of the Interface connector is as follows:

PIN 1 --- activates Trigger Script 1

PIN 2 --- activates Trigger Script 3

PIN 3 --- activates Trigger Script 8

PIN 4 --- activates Trigger Script 6

PIN 5 --- circuit ground

PIN 6 --- activates Trigger Script 2

PIN 7 --- activates Trigger Script 4

PIN 8 --- activates Trigger Script 7

PIN 9 --- activates Trigger Script 5

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Powering Up

When the Omnia-4.5AM is first turned on, an operating system start up screen is displayed. Under normal conditions

it should appear as:

If the Network Configuration has been changed from the factory defaults, a second screen will appear when the unit

does a warm boot to load the customer-defined network parameters:

After approximately ten seconds from power on, audio will be present from the analog, composite and headphone

outputs. The AES/EBU output also becomes usable at this time, however full initialization of the port to the user-

selected sample rate is not complete for several more seconds. After 25 to 30 seconds, the Main Menu display will

appear on the front panel display. At this point, the Omnia 4.5 is fully operational.

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Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Version 1.00a

Chapter 2

The Omnia 4.5 User Interface

Now that your Omnia 4.5 is rack mounted, connected to a program audio source, and turned on, you’re ready to learn how to operate it! This chapter covers the Graphical User Interface, your window into the Omnia-4.5AM processor.

The User Interface

A front panel jog wheel and an Active-Marrix Color LCD make up the Omnia 4.5AM Graphical User Interface. The display screen acts as both a “Menu Display”, showing the menus, submenus and useradjustable parameter settings and as the “Meter Display”. It shows bargraph indications for the AGC and Limiter stages, as well as VU and sample-accurate peak indications of the Input and Output levels.

Meter Display Screen alternates with the Main Menu Screen on the same display

The Menu Display can be password protected from unauthorized processing or preset changes, while the Meter Display dynamically indicates real-time signal processing activity. Simply pressing and holding the jog wheel button for two seconds toggles between the two display modes. The display is automatically turned off after a user-defined period of jog wheel inactivity, and the factory default timeout is 15 minutes. The LCD display backlight turn-off time can be customized under the System submenu.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Using the Jog Wheel

The main user control for the Omnia 4.5 is the large, easy to use jog wheel with its integral push-switch. Using the control is both intuitive, and efficient, making it easy to navigate the menu structure of the Omnia 4.5. Processing changes and system adjustments can be quickly made with ease without having to remember multiple controls, their positions, and what they do in each menu. The behavior of the Omnia

4.5's menu system is consistent across pages and is easy to learn. We believe that you will quickly become

comfortable with how it works, and appreciate its simplicity.

See the diagram below to learn how each movement of the jog wheel affects the various menu options.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Level Meters & Processing Bargraphs

Omnia 4.5 "Metering" Screen

The horizontal meters show sample-

accurate peak and VU representations of the

left and right input and output levels, while

the vertical bargraphs show processing

activity of the various algorithms. The

currently selected Preset Name is displayed

in the bottom left corner of the Meter

Display, while the current time is displayed

in the lower right corner.

Audio I/O Level Display

When the metering display has been selected both input and output levels are shown in real time. The bars

indicate VU while the “bouncing balls” indicate sample-accurate peak signal levels. The horizontal meters

show the signal levels below full scale digital (0 dBFS), which is the absolute maximum level in the digital

domain. In normal operation, the VU metering should average about -15 dBFS (-12 dBFS is approximately

equivalent to 0VU in the analog domain). Note that when the Main Menu is selected, the Output Levels

ONLY are displayed on that screen.

Processing Display

The nine vertical bargraphs in the lower half of the Meter Display show the processing activity in real time

within the Omnia-4.5AM. The first vertical meter (labeled W) represents the processing activity in the

Wideband AGC section. The two vertical "AGC" meters show the processing activity in the low and high

band AGC sections. The five vertical "Limit" meters show the processing activity in each of the limiter

sections of the multi-band limiter. Each of the meters is capable of indicating up to 25 dB of gain reduction.

The rightmost vertical bar graph (labeled EFX) indicates the processing level of the optional Stereo

Enhancement effect, when that function has been activated.

Note: The wideband AGC and two-band AGCs will recover to a resting gain setting which coincides with

the RTP (Return To Platform) levels set for each band. Refer to Chapter 5 for more information on

interpreting and using the processing bargraph displays.

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Main Menu Display

The Omnia-4.5AM Main Menu is displayed in

the Menu Display mode of the LCD screen, and

offers seven menu selections: Preset, Schedule,

Process, Input, Output, System. Below the Main

Menu in the lower left corner of the display is a

multipurpose "Help Text" box.

The Omnia-4.5AM menu system has been

designed to be intuitive and simple to use, with a

minimum of layered submenus. Most operating

parameters are found under one of the seven

main menus. This allows multiple processing

changes to be made quickly and with relative

ease.

When the Main Menu is displayed (as shown above), rotating the jog-wheel sequentially highlights each

menu item. This is called Highlight Mode. With a menu item highlighted, pressing on the jog-wheel (called

“clicking”) brings up that item’s submenu window. Similar action results when submenus are selected

under these seven main menus.

Preset Submenu

"Home Icon"

The Preset menu item is shown

highlighted in the Main Menu Screen

illustration above. In this case, clicking

the jog-wheel would open the Preset

Submenu window (shown below). To

exit a submenu and move back to the

main menu, highlight the “H” Home

icon in the lower left corner, and click

the jog-wheel.

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In all submenus with adjustable parameters, rotating the jog-wheel sequentially highlights each control or

selection choice, along with the Home icon and the Headphone level button. In the Process submenu, the

parameter adjustment windows have an “X” Close Window icon in the upper right corner (as shown in the

AGC Mixer window below). Highlighting this icon and clicking closes the window, returning the user to

the Process submenu, one level above.

"X" Close Window Icon

AGC Mixer Screen shown as example

To change the selection in a multiple-choice parameter, highlight the desired choice with the jog-wheel and

click. A filled box serves to indicate that a parameter choice is selected.

To adjust a “rotary” knob control, like those shown in the AGC Mixer Parameter Window, highlight the

control and click. The jog-wheel now functions as a rotary control. Rotating it clockwise adjusts the control

up; counter-clockwise adjusts the control down. The adjusted value is shown below the control. The

original value is retained in a different color until the jog-wheel is clicked to make the new value

permanent.

To cancel a control change, return the jog-wheel to the control’s original value. To apply a new level or

value and return to Highlight Mode, just click the jog-wheel.

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Remote Control Session via Network Indicator

A yellow exclamation mark in a red

triangle will show up in the lower left

corner just above the help text box

when a Network remote session is in

progress. A remotely connected

network session has priority over local

control of the front panel, so during a

Network remote session the Main

Menu will be grayed out.

Note: No front panel indication is

shown when a serial or modem based

remote control session is in progress!

The triangle with exclamation mark signifies that a TCP/IP Remote Control session is

active. There is no front panel indication shown when a serial or modem based remote

control session is in progress.

Headphone Level Control

A front-panel stereo headphone jack allows the processed signal to be monitored, and a Headphone volume

level control is available in each submenu. When the headphone volume control slider is highlighted,

clicking changes the jog-wheel into a headphone volume control. Once the headphone volume is adjusted

to your liking, clicking the jog-wheel exits the volume adjustment mode, returning the jog-wheel back to

Highlight Mode.

Note: The headphone amplifiers are fed from the same high quality D to A converter as the analog

outputs. Therefore, the overall Headphone volume will also be affected by the setting of the Peak Output

Level controls in the Output Menu.

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User Interface Tutorial – Input Source Selection and Peak Level Setting

The following two exercises are a useful introduction to the user interface. Start from the Main Menu (as

displayed when the unit is first turned on).

The first exercise changes a parameter selection (the Input Source selection):

1. If the Menu Display is not showing, press and hold the jog-wheel for two seconds to display it.

2. Rotate the jog-wheel to highlight Input.

Input Menu

3. Click the jog-wheel (push on the wheel once and release) to bring up the Input window (shown

below).

4. Rotate the jog-wheel until one of the Input Source choices: Analog or AES/EBU is highlighted. The

filled box next to the selection name identifies the current selection. The factory default selection for

Input Source is Analog. To change the selection to AES/EBU, highlight AES/EBU and click. The

AES/EBU box will now be filled and the digital input is now active. If you are using the analog

inputs, highlight Analog and click to reselect the Analog inputs.

5. Rotate the jog-wheel until the Home icon “H” is highlighted in the lower left corner of the window.

Click to return to the Main Menu.

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The next exercise adjusts a parameter that uses a value (the L / R Input Gain setting):

1. The Menu Display should still be showing. If not, press and hold the jog-wheel for two seconds to

display it.

2. Highlight Input and click to open the Input window.

Input menu showing pop-up level display metering

3. Rotate the jog-wheel to highlight Input Gain Left, and then click the jog-wheel to select the control.

The left channel input bargraph meter automatically pops up on the screen.

4. Rotate the jog-wheel CW to increase the input gain. Rotate the jog-wheel CCW to decrease the input

gain. The gain in dB is shown below the “control.” Note that the original setting is always shown in

a different color when the control is adjusted. To cancel level changes, move the control back to the

original setting and click.

Using normal program audio, a correct gain setting results in peak indications (the “bouncing balls”)

hitting -12 dBFS (where the level meters turn red) or a little higher. This corresponds to system

headroom of 12 dB. You may adjust for more headroom if you wish (lower indications), but setting

the input level for less headroom (higher meter indications) is strongly discouraged.

4. Once the desired gain is reached, click the jog-wheel to accept and use that value. This returns the

jog-wheel to Highlight Mode.

5. Highlight and click Input Gain Right and adjust it as in steps 3 and 4. Unless the input source is not

balanced, both Input Gain controls should be adjusted to the same value.

6. Rotate the jog-wheel until the Home icon is highlighted. Click to return to the main menu.

All of the Omnia-4.5AM’s software parameters are set in a similar fashion using the jog-wheel in Highlight

Mode to scroll through menu items and parameters. Clicking a highlighted item selects it; when that item is

a control, the jog-wheel adjusts the value or level. Clicking accepts the value or level and returns the jog-

wheel to Highlight Mode. Note: Changing any parameter value changes the Omnia-4.5AM’s audio output

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

characteristics in real time so that all adjustments can be auditioned as they occur.

The Menu Tree

The menu tree for the Omnia-4.5AM is shown below. The seven submenu items are shown bolded, with

their branching parameter choices shown in the order in which they are encountered in the menu system.

The next two Menu Options are shown below along with their associated branches:

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Menu Items

This section presents an overview of the six submenus (Preset, Process, Input, Output, Schedule and

System) and their parameters. The Menu Selections section, starting on page 2-6, gives in-depth

descriptions and usage instructions for each submenu item and parameter selection.

Preset

Omnia-4.5AM is equipped with numerous factory presets that can be used to instantly configure the

processing for common applications. Highlighting Preset and clicking the jog wheel will open the Preset

submenu. Appearing here is a list of all of the presets stored on the Omnia PC Card. Highlighting a Preset

and clicking "Choose" allows that preset to be loaded into the Omnia-4.5AM, instantly setting the various

processing parameters. You may also compare and modify settings between presets, save the current

processor settings to an existing or new user preset, and rename or delete user presets using options found

on this submenu.

Process

Highlighting and clicking Process opens up the Process submenu, shown below:

Process Menu showing Processing Signal Chain

This is where the processing power of the Omnia-4.5AM can be fine-tuned, and your station’s individual

sound customized. Each processing subsection in the Omnia-4.5AM (shown in block diagram format) can

be highlighted and clicked to open a parameter window with all of the available controls assigned to that

function.

Since you cannot build a preset from scratch, a factory preset must be used as a starting point for creating

your “signature sound.” Each signal processor section (from the Wideband AGC to the Clippers) can be

individually selected, and its parameters adjusted as required. Once the processing is adjusted, the Preset

menu "Save As" function is used to save your newly edited factory preset to the PC Card as a new user

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

preset. See Chapter 5 for an in-depth discussion of using this submenu to edit presets.

Input Submenu Output Submenu

Input & Output Submenus

These two submenus provide level adjustments for the left and right inputs and the absolute peak operating

level of the outputs. Note that the analog and digital Input and Output levels are affected equally by the

settings of the Input and Output Gain controls respectively. Choices governing the selection of the input

audio source (Analog or AES-3), signal mode (stereo or mono) is also found in these submenus. These are

generally “set once and forget” selections or parameters, usually adjusted during installation and then left

alone. In fact, they are called "System" parameters, and are not saved with a Preset. Therefore, you must

save them as a System Configuration using the "Save To Card" option in the System submenu.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Schedule

The Omnia-4.5 can automatically load

presets from the PC Card by date and/or

time. This submenu allows the user to

enable or disable the Daypart Scheduler

function, as well as to create, modify, save

and recall user created preset changing

schedules.

Schedule Submenu

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

System

Numerous maintenance and utility

functions are found in this submenu.

System data is saved here, and various

Security options are available to prevent

tampering by unauthorized personnel.

There are also controls for setting the

serial RS-232 communications baud

rate, TCP/IP networking parameters, the

date, time, and the Screen Saver

backlight off timeout interval.

System Submenu

An important selection under this submenu, Save to Card, makes a copy of the Omnia-4.5AM system

configuration, and stores it on the rear-panel PC Card. If a power failure should occur, the unit restarts

using the last saved operational settings. This means all Input, Output, and System Menu settings are

restored, as well as the previously running processing settings. If the system is not backed up and saved to

the PC Card, then the system restores itself to the last known saved set of parameters (which will be the

factory defaults if you don’t use Save to Card!). For this reason, Omnia suggests that you backup the

system using the System/Save to Card function after any custom parameter editing has been completed.

Menu Selections

This section presents more information on each submenu window item and the parameter choices or value

settings that may be available within them. See Chapter 5 for detailed information on editing processing

preset parameters to achieve your custom on-air sound.

This procedure is used for all parameter selection and editing:

1. Rotate the jog-wheel to highlight a menu item or submenu item.

2. Click the jog-wheel to select that choice or item.

3. If the parameter requires a value, rotate the jog-wheel to adjust the value.

5. Click to accept the value and return the jog-wheel to Highlight Mode.

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Preset

This submenu is active under Level-3 password access, or at Security Levels 1 or 2, as defined in the

Security Config screen. In addition to the Preset name list, there are five functions available in this

submenu: Choose, Modify, Save Preset, Save Preset As and Compare.

Preset Submenu

Preset List

Lists all of the presets, factory and user, that are on the PC Card inserted into the memory card slot on the

rear panel of the Omnia-4.5AM.

Choose

To load a preset, highlight the Choose option to move the highlighting to the Preset List, then rotate the jog

wheel to highlight the desired preset name and click. The processing algorithms will be updated to the new

values almost instantly.

Modify

Opens the Preset List window so a user preset can be renamed or even deleted.

Save Current

Saves the current parameter settings to the PC Card, overwriting any previous settings saved under the

currently running user preset. If the current preset started out as a factory preset but you changed some

values, the system will warn you that you cannot save your settings directly over a factory preset name.

Instead, you must select the Save Current As option, and assign your work a new Preset Name. After

doing so, your new Preset will appear in the Preset list.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Save Current As

Opens up a window so a new preset name can be entered. Preset names can be up to 12 characters in

length. Rotating the jog wheel clockwise scrolls through the capital letters of the English alphabet first.

Rotating it counter-clockwise scrolls through the numeric characters first, and then through the lower case

English alphabet. Click the jog-wheel to select a highlighted character to change. Then rotate the jog-wheel

to step through all the possible characters. Once the desired character is displayed, click the jog-wheel to

select that character. Rotate the jog wheel to select the next character and edit that as appropriate. When the last character is reached, click to accept the character and then rotate the jog-wheel to highlight the

(checkmark) to save your preset. Highlight the X to cancel naming.

Note: While scrolling through the character list, you will see "Ins", "Del", and a blank space. "Ins" stands

for "Insert", and is used when you wish to add an extra character within a preset name. The "Del" option

allows you to remove a character or space from a preset name. The blank space is just that. It allows you to

add a space within a preset name.

√

Compare

Allows two different presets to be compared. Note that preset changes can occur very quickly, but

depending on the number of internal parameters being updated, the Compare process may take a second or

two to fully transition from one preset to another.

Process

This submenu is a graphical block-diagram representation of the signal flow through the Omnia-4.5AM.

Each block-diagram icon, when highlighted and clicked, opens up a parameter window that pertains to that

part of the Omnia-4.5AM processing circuitry. See Chapter 5 for an in-depth discussion of using this

submenu to edit presets.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Input

This submenu has seven items:

• Input Gain

• Input Source

• Invert Both

• Input Mode

• HP Filter

• Phase Rotation

Input Submenu

Input Gain Left / Right

These controls set both the analog and digital input peak levels. For an analog signal, the control range is

from -18 to +12. For digital signals, the range is from -30 dBFS (deciBels below digital Full Scale) to 0

dBFS. The factory default control setting of 0.0dB corresponds to a nominal input level of +4 dBu (-12

dBFS).

To change the input sensitivity, highlight the control and click, then use the jog-wheel to adjust the level in

0.2 dB steps. –18.0 dB has the least amount of gain; +12.0 dB is the maximum gain. Compare the setting of

this control with the input bargraph meters so that signal peaks (the “bouncing balls”) read at -12 dBFS but

no higher.

Master Drive

This control, located after the input bargraph meters, calibrates the nominal internal level of the Omnia-

4.5AM to match the reference level of your air chain. This control may need to be adjusted if your station's

audio reference level is something other than +4dBu. It also may need adjusting if the input audio feeding

the Omnia-4.5AM is pre-processed to reduce the peak-to-average ratio, or if you wish to bypass the WB

AGC and have too little gain. The range of this control is –9dB to +6dB.

Note: Normally there should be 10-12 dB of nominal gain reduction in the WB AGC section. This will

occur when a +4dBu average input level is present, the Left / Right gain controls are adjusted for peak

input levels just reaching –12dBFS, and when the Input Gain, Master Drive, and AGC Drive controls are

set at 0.0. If not, you may adjust the Master Drive control to achieve the desired WB AGC gain reduction

value.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Input Source

Selects between the discrete Left/Right Analog input or the AES/EBU Digital input.

Input Mode

Selects how input audio is routed and processed by the Omnia-4.5AM. Highlight and click on the

parameter selection to set the mode. The selected Mode is shown with a dot in the box next to the name.

The factory default selection is Stereo. The other available modes are:

Stereo: the left and right input channels are processed separately.

Mono L: routes the Left Input only through both channels of the processor.

Mono R: routes the Right Input only through both channels of the processor.

Mono L + R: sums the stereo input to mono and processes the summed audio.

Swap L / R: swaps the Left and Right Channel Inputs.

Invert Both: If the absolute phase of the Omnia-4.5AM is different from your existing system, it could

cause your announcers to think they sound “weird” when speaking while monitoring

through headphones. If this happens, the absolute phase of the Omnia-4.5 may be

different from what your announcers are used to. A quick way to remedy this is to

highlight Invert Both and click to select. A dot in the box indicates Invert Both is active.

High-Pass Filter

In most systems, subsonic frequencies should usually be rolled off to prevent difficulties with certain

exciters and STL systems. The Omnia-4.5AM has a third-order (18dB/Octave) high pass filter with five

selectable cutoff frequencies from 60 Hz down to 20 Hz. The factory default is "Out", which means that

frequencies down to around 2Hz are passed through the system without attenuation. You may select one of

the other values that may be more appropriate for your system.

Phase Rotator

This section consists of three cascaded second order 200 Hz allpass filter sections. Phase Rotators (also

known as Phase Scramblers) are commonly utilized to make asymmetrical waveforms (such as voice) more

symmetrical. This ensures that clipping occurs equally on positive and negative peaks, making better use of

symmetrical modulation. Phase rotation can make talent voice sound cleaner, but since it disturbs the phase

integrity of musical signals, music might sound more faithful to the original source if phase rotation is

reduced or not used at all. The four available settings (Off, 1, 2, 3) allow you to select how many sections

(if any) are active. Selecting higher numbers will result in a steeper phase shift slope at the design

frequency of 200Hz. You should always choose the Phase Rotator setting that sounds best in your system.

Off can be chosen if previous phase rotation has been performed in your system (in a mic processor for

example) or to preserve the phase integrity of the original program as described above.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Output

There are six settings under this menu item:

• Peak Output Level

• Asym Mod

• Tilt Eq

• Tilt Freq

• LPF Freq

• Output Polarity

Output Submenu

Peak Output Level

The left/right peak output level adjustment is done in a similar manner as the setting of the input levels.

These level settings take place in the digital domain and before any D/A converters. Therefore, the output

level settings affect the digital (AES/EBU) output, and the analog outputs including the headphones. The

control range is from 0 dBu (-22 dBFS) to +22 dBu (0dBFS) peak output level. This level is normally set

to the maximum modulation level. The output level is adjustable in 0.10dB steps for fine adjustment of

modulation levels.

Asymmetrical Modulation

Asymmetrical positive modulation is possible by adjusting the Asym Mod parameter to some value other

than 100%. The range of adjustment allows asymmetry up to 150% of the negative modulation value.

Tilt EQ and Frequency

Low frequency tilt and equalization controls have been provided after the Omnia 4.5AM clipper section in

order to compensate for certain design deficiencies in older transmitters. Particularly in plate modulated

AM transmitters, interstage audio coupling transformers, interstage coupling capacitors, the modulation

transformer and reactor, and the type of coupling between them, all contribute to low frequency tilt

performance. Since transmitter-induced low frequency tilt appears as overshoot on the station’s modulation

monitor, minimizing it will improve station loudness. In order to perform the Tilt Compensation alignment

procedure, a sine wave audio oscillator and an oscilloscope are required.

Note: The Omnia 4.5AM output level must be reduced before starting this procedure. Raise it only after

instructed to do so in order to produce no more than 50% to 75% modulation. Failure to follow this advice

may overstress or even damage older transmitters. Omnia assumes no responsibility for such damage.

Tilt Equalization Adjustment Procedure

Since the purpose of Low Frequency Tilt Equalization of an AM transmitter is to optimize its performance on low frequency, clipped audio waveforms, proper adjustment of the Tilt Equalizer is mandatory if optimum modulation performance (maximum loudness) is the goal. Overcompensation, by using too much tilt equalization, is actually worse than no tilt equalization at all because it further taxes the transmitter’s

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

modulator and power supply. In fact, on some transmitters, it may be preferable to not completely cancel low frequency tilt because of power supply and modulator headroom issues. Only field experience with the subject transmitter (or experimentation) will reveal whether or not low frequency tilt can, or should be applied to the transmitter. Note also that by nature of its operation, Low Frequency Tilt Equalization puts additional demands on the transmitter which are beyond that created by the Omnia’s competitive audio processing alone. In fact, the combination of these two stresses, especially when applied to older, plate modulated transmitters, may cause damage. The reader is therefore forewarned to use care, caution, and common sense when adjusting the Omnia’s Tilt Equalizer when it is being used on older, less adequate transmitters!

1. Navigate to the Omnia 4.5AM’s Output Menu, and reduce the output levels to 0dBU on both Left and

Right channels.

2. Connect a sine wave Audio Oscillator to the Omnia 4.5 AM audio inputs. Set the oscillator to provide

a 50 Hz, 0dBu output.

3. Adjust the Omnia’s input level controls so that at least 10 dB of gain reduction is seen on the

Wideband AGC bargraph meter.

4. In the Limiter Mixer menu, increase the output of the LF Limiter to its +6dB maximum value.

5. In the Clipper Menu, increase the Clipper Drive to the +6 dB setting. This will produce sufficient

clipping on the 50 Hz tone to allow the following adjustments to be performed.

6. In the Output Menu, increase the Omnia 4.5AM’s output level to produce no more than 50% to 75%

modulation as shown on the station’s modulation monitor

7. Connect a RF sample to the oscilloscope input and observe the signal envelope. The modulated carrier

should appear similar to Figure 1. The clipped 50 Hz waveform should have a flat-top if there is no

low frequency tilt in the transmitter. If Tilt is visible, as in Figure 2, then adjustment of the Tilt

Equalization control is required.

8. Use a mixture of the Tilt EQ and Tilt Freq parameters to change the appearance of the tilt in the

waveform so that the top becomes as flat as possible. A properly compensated transmitter’s

modulation envelope should appear similar to Figure 1. If too much Tilt Correction is applied, the

modulated envelope will appear similar to Figure 3.

9. After optimizing the Tilt controls for your particular transmitter, the Tilt adjustment is complete.

Normal programming may be applied and the Omnia 4.5AM’s output levels adjusted for the desired

negative and positive modulation. Please see the following page for oscilloscope photographs of three

examples of tilt equalization.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Low Frequency Tilt Equalization Adjustment Examples

Insufficient Tilt Equalization

Proper Tilt Equalization

(or a transmitter that does not require it)

Excessive Tilt Equalization

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

LPF Frequency

This parameter adjusts the cutoff frequency of the Omnia-4.5AM post clipper low pass filter to match that

of the regulatory agency requirements. Cutoff frequencies of 4 kHz, 6 kHz and 10 kHz have been provided.

The following spectrograph displays the performance of the 10kHz NRSC compliant low pass filter:

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Digital Output Sample Rate

The digital output of the Omnia 4.5AM can be adjusted for sample rates of 32, 44.1, 48, and 96 kHz. There

are also options to allow the digital output to be synchronized to either the digital input (if present) or to an

externally applied AES3 digital signal. Note that the Omnia 4.5AM expects any type of standard AES3

audio (including no audio, or “AES3 Black”). The unit does not accept a Word Clock input as a

synchronizing source.

Output Polarity Selection

The Output menu contains a two-position selection for the output polarity of the Omnia 4.5AM. This control is necessary to compensate for transmission systems having different standards for which pin of the output XLR connector corresponds to positive modulation. If the modulation polarity seems incorrect after connecting the Omnia 4.5AM to your transmitter, you can invert it using this control instead of re-wiring the connector.

Schedule

This submenu allows you to create and

maintain Schedules (Daypart Tables). A

schedule is used to automatically load or

change presets according to the day and/or

time of day. The start day can be any

specific day of the week, weekdays (M-F),

weekends (S-S), or every day (All). All

dayparts must end within a 24-hour period.

Over 450 individual events can be

programmed within a 7-day interval.

Schedule Submenu

Schedule List

Previously saved Schedule files are listed in the window. To select a schedule, highlight and click on the

schedule name.

New

Used to create a new Schedule. Highlight and click on New to open the Modify Schedule window and

create a new Daypart Schedule.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Modify and Remove

Used to modify or remove an existing schedule. Highlight and click on the Schedule List, then highlight

and click on the Daypart Schedule you wish to modify. Highlight and click on Modify or Remove. Modify

will open up the Modify Schedule window and allow you to modify the settings of the selected daypart.

Remove will bring up a confirmation dialog asking if you want to delete the selected daypart. Answering

Yes to the prompt permanently deletes that Schedule from the system memory.

Load from Card

Retrieves Schedule/daypart data stored on the Omnia PC Card. This operation will restore any dayparts that

were previously saved to the card with the Save to Card operation, described next.

Save to Card

Stores the Schedule and daypart information on the Omnia PC Card. You might do this for safety or even

for sharing the data with other Omnia-4.5 processors. It saves all of the currently defined dayparts and the

daypart state to the Omnia PC card. These settings can be loaded later by selecting Load from Card.

Current State

Turns the Schedule function on and off. When Disabled, the Scheduler runs but does not load presets.

When Enabled the Scheduler automatically loads presets following the daypart schedule that is set up in the

current Schedule.

System

This submenu allows you

to perform housekeeping

on the Omnia-4.5

operating system. Many

items on this menu are

available only to those

having Level 3 security

access. There are fourteen

selections: About, Change

Password, Lock Unit,

Load Defaults, Load from

Card, Save to Card,

Network, Security Config,

Current Time, Current

Date, Port Baud, Security

Level, Backlight, and

Reboot System.

System Submenu

Port Baud

This option sets the rear panel RS-232 communications port parameters between 9,600 baud, 19,200 baud

and 57,600 baud. The factory default is 19,200 baud.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Security Lev(el)

It is advisable for the user interface to be password-protected for controlled access. There are three levels of

password protection:

In levels 1 and 2, the visibility of each submenu (except System) can be set in the Security Config screen in

the System Menu.

Level 1, User, allows access only to the Menus selected in the Security Config window, parts of the System

Menu and the headphone level control. The default password for this level is “user” (all lower case).

Level 2, Advanced User, allows access only to the Menus selected in the Security Config window, parts of

the System Menu and the headphone level control. The default password for this level is “advuser” (all

lower case).

Level 3, Master or Engineer level, allows access to all submenus. The default password for this level is

“engineer” (all lower case).

There is also a "Stealth Mode" option available, which when selected, suppressed the gain reduction

metering and the current Preset Name when the Omnia-4.5AM has been locked. The I/O metering

continues to function normally, and the currently running Preset Name is replaced by the text "System is

Locked".

It is advisable to change the passwords once the Omnia-4.5AM is installed. Passwords are case sensitive

and can contain up to ten characters.

Backlight

This setting determines the time it takes for the LCD screens to turn off after the last time the jog wheel has been used. The selections are 1 min, 5 min, 15 min or 1 hour. To preserve the life of the LCD backlight, there is no option available for continuous operation.

Set Time

Sets the current time for the unit, which must be set before dayparts can be used. The time is set using the

familiar “turn and push” action of the jog-wheel.

Note: The time can be synchronized to “:00” seconds by pressing the jog wheel in synchronization with the

seconds indicator of an external clock. To maintain accurate dayparting, you should periodically reset the

internal clock to your external reference. The Real Time Clock IC used in the Omnia-4.5AM typically has

an accuracy of better than +/- 0.5 minutes per month.

Note: An additional menu will prompt you to set the unit to Daylight Saving or Standard time.

Set Date

Sets the current date, which needs to be done before daypart scheduling can be used. The date is set using

the familiar “turn and push” action of the jog wheel.

About

Displays a window listing the system software versions that are currently loaded and running.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Change Password

Opens up a window so that the selected Security Level password can be changed.

The factory default front panel passwords are:

Level 1 – user (all lower case)

Level 2 – advuser (all lower case)

Level 3 – engineer (all lower case)

To change a password, use the standard click and turn of the jog-wheel to select the character position you

wish to change and to select the new character for that position.

After entering a new password, highlight the checkmark and click the jog-wheel to save the password. If

you wish to cancel the operation, highlight the “X” and click the jog-wheel.

Lock Unit

Highlight and click to immediately lock the unit. A dialog box is presented for password entry to unlock the

unit.

Note: You can only unlock the Omnia-4.5AM at the same or higher access level than it was at when it was

locked. In other words, if the unit was locked while at Level 3, then only the Level 3 password will unlock

the unit. If the unit was at Level 2 when it was locked, then either the Level 2 or the Level 3 passwords will

unlock it. When the unit is locked at Level 1, then any password will unlock the unit.

Caution: Do not assign the same password to multiple security levels! You will lock yourself out of the

unit!

Resetting the Omnia 4.5 Passwords to their Factory Defaults

Note: If you do manage to lock yourself out or you have simply by forgetting your password, Omnia

Technical Support can assist you in unlocking your Omnia-4.5AM. You will need to contact the Telos /

Omnia Customer Focus Team to obtain a special code which will be entered into the Login Password

dialog box. You will need to have your Omnia-4.5AM's MAC address (found on the rear panel barcode

sticker starting with 0050C) and the currently displayed Date (visible just below the Login Password dialog

box. Once presented with this information, Omnia Customer Support will give you a special code to type

into the password dialog box, which will unlock your unit and restore all of the factory default passwords.

Note that this special password is unique to your unit and is effective for the day on which you call Omnia

Customer Support to obtain it.

Load Defaults

Reloads all of the factory default parameters into the system. This is the same as a warm boot command on

a computer. All Input & Output levels and other System parameters are reset back to their factory default

settings.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Load From Card

Allows the system settings (essentially all of the internal parameters except those in the Process Menu), to

be loaded into the system from the PC Card. When this option has been selected, carefully follow the

instructions presented on the LCD screen to perform this function.

Save To Card

This option creates an external file-based backup of your system settings. All parameters except those in

the Process Menu are included in the System settings. Occasionally doing this is a good safety practice that

creates a backup of your data; data that is also stored in the nonvolatile RAM within the Omnia-4.5AM.

When selected, a naming dialog box appears, allowing you to name files according to the Omnia-4.5AM

they originated from.

Reboot System

You may reboot the entire Omnia and all of its subsystems with a single control. When this button is selected, you will be warned first that there will be a short interruption in audio as the DSP code is reloaded. You will see this warning message:

Reboot Entire System? Audio will be interrupted!!

If you answer “Yes” to the warning prompt, the motherboard will be rebooted first, followed next by the front panel controller. Note that this “Reboot” function is NOT the same as the “Reboot Display” control in the Network Submenu, as that control only reboots the front panel controller, which does not interrupt audio.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Network

Opens up a window to set the Ethernet communications protocols (IP address, default Gateway and Subnet

Mask info). Make sure to click the Save Changes button before exiting this window. There are also options

to allow you to Reboot the Display (front panel only), and send a Test Broadcast packet out to the

connected network.

Note #1: Omnia supports all standard TCP/IP configurations except DHCP. Communication over a CIDR

(Classless Inter-domain Routing), or Supernetted, network is possible as long as the proper table entries

have been made in all routers along the path between the Omnia and the PC running Omnia Remote

Control. See RFC 1519 (and others) for more information on Classless Routing.

Note #2: If you require connecting to your networked Omnia from outside your organization, you must not

use non-routable (private) IP addresses in the Omnia. Therefore, avoid assigning IP addresses in the

following private IP spaces: 10.0.0.0 through 10.255.255.255, 172.16.0.0 through 172.31.255.255, and

192.168.0.0 through 192.168.255.255. See RFC 1597 for more information on Non-routable IP.

Network Submenu

MAC Address

The factory-assigned, twelve-digit, hexadecimal address of the Omnia 6’s network interface. This is also

known as the units Ethernet, or Hardware Address.

IP Address

The customer assigned TCP/IP address of the Omnia 6 Ethernet interface. See your IT department if you

aren't certain how to configure this parameter.

NOTE: Omnia 4.5AM does not support DHCP because the unit must be able to be found at a known

IP address on your network each time the remote control program is initialized, particularly from an

off-site location.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Gateway

The gateway setting must match your network gateway. See your IT department if you aren't certain how to

configure this parameter.

Subnet Mask

The subnet mask setting must match your network gateway. See your IT department if you aren't certain

how to configure this parameter.

Save Changes

After changes have been made to the network configuration, they must be saved in order to be able to be

recalled at next power up.

Reboot Display

After network changes have been saved in the above step, the front panel must be rebooted in order to

make the changes active in the network hardware.

Test Broadcast

The Test Broadcast button sends a series of UDP packets out over the network interface. The message

contained in the packets is "An Omnia Broadcast Datagram". These test packets may be used to

troubleshoot routing and other issues on the customer's network.

Security Config

Under the Security Configuration screen you can assign what submenus may be accessed at password Levels 1 and 2, the lesser security levels. The Level 3 security level is the Master security level, and ALL submenus and functions may be accessed at that level.

Security Config Submenu

The "Stealth Mode When Locked" option causes the front panel processing bargraph metering to stop

showing processing activity, and the selected preset name to be hidden from view when the Omnia is

locked. Note that the Input and Output meters are still active in "Stealth Mode".

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Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Chapter 3

The Omnia 4.5AM and Audio Processing

This section presents an overview of the Omnia-4.5AM processor. Refer to the block

diagram shown on the Process submenu to provide a functional order to the various

processing sections. Note: More detailed technical information about the audio processing

employed in Omnia-4.5 can be found in the Technical Papers section on the Omnia web site

(www.omniaaudio.com).

Your Omnia-4.5AM comprises nine general processing sections shown below:

Following is a list of these sections, followed by an explanation of their functions. The name of the process

block as displayed on the Omnia 4.5 menu is shown in parenthesis.

1. An input Wideband AGC circuit for initial level control (WB),

2. A two-band, fixed cross-over (XO) ,

3. A two-band AGC (L and H),

4. A mixer circuit (Mix) to combine the signals from the two-band AGC,

5. A bass and stereo enhancement section (Enhance),

6. A five-band, fixed crossover (XO) section for the following limiters,

7. Five limiters (SL, L, M, H, SH),

8. A final summing mixer (Mix), and

9. Distortion Controlled Clipper (Clip) at the output.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Wideband AGC: A very flexible wideband leveler section provides smooth, transparent control of the input

program. This is achieved through two significant Omnia innovations, a dual referenced release gate and a

hidden, intelligent “makeup” gain algorithm. The dual gate reference is a unique process that correlates the

dynamics of the audio input signal to a “rolling” reference level, and from that information makes

conditional decisions affecting the character of the release function.

A user-adjustable Make-Up Gain feature incorporates a hidden control signal that determines when the

amplitude of the input program suddenly falls to a reduced level. It then adjusts the side chain gain in order

to “fill in” the softer program passages so that the average level is increased. This allows the AGC function

to operate with slower time constants, while significantly increasing the average audio level. These slower

overall time constants yield lower intermodulation distortion, contributing to Omnia's trademark sound.

Using Classical music for an example, the orchestra often plays forte, and then enters abruptly into a quiet

passage. Conventional AGC algorithms would hold the softer passage down until it was able to slowly

recover at the static release time setting, making such passages nearly inaudible at normal listening levels.

Omnia-4.5’s makeup gain function allows a hidden, faster time constant to provide quick recovery, but only

during the softer passage. As soon as the orchestra starts to play louder, the “makeup” time constant yields

control back to the primary AGC circuit, returning gain to the previous platform level. This sophistication

preserves the dynamic integrity of the signal while greatly enhancing the listenability of the program.

A built-in, multi-stage phase rotator ensures symmetrical clipping of positive and negative peaks. This

feature may be defeated for a more musically transparent sound at the expense of possibly increased

distortion on certain voice material.

Phase Linear, Time Aligned Crossovers: Most multiband audio processors make a compromise in the

crossover area in order to provide a flat dynamic frequency response. This is done to avoid audible peaks or

dips in the recombined frequency response as the individual band gains change during processing. In an

effort to minimize this problem, most processors use a fixed phase-offset in the crossovers. While such

treatment helps to minimize frequency response peaks and dips, it also results in a loss of phase linearity,

increasing "smearing', and reducing musical clarity.

In Omnia-4.5’s DSP implementation, the crossover networks are carefully time-aligned so that the

recombined spectrum remains flat, regardless of the amount of gain control being applied within any band.

This true phase linear response assures that harmonic overtones are not displaced in time. The result: the

truer, more natural, and much more musical “Omnia” sound.

Two-Band AGC: Similar in character to the wideband AGC described above, but expanded to two bands,

this section has the ability to significantly add power and loudness to the audio while tailoring and pre-

processing it for delivery to the enhancement and multiband limiter sections. The multi-band AGC

crossover has a 4

order slope (24 dB per octave) and a fixed frequency of 330 Hz.

Enhance: This section contains the Bass EQ and Stereo Enhancement controls. In the Omnia-4.5AM's

unique signal processing architecture, these controls are placed in their optimal position — between the

two-band AGC and Multi-band Limiter sections.

Deep Bass EQ: For those who demand thunderous bass. Up to 12 dB of “thunder” can be added to shake

your listeners’ walls! This is not merely a simple bass EQ, but a sophisticated concept, which considers the

time alignment of low frequencies as they pass through the entire system. This allows loud, clean,

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

thunderous low end, with no sacrifice to the overall loudness of your signal. Deep Bass is a shelf boost at

85 Hz that utilizes a phase linear 12 dB per octave slope to produce the shelving EQ function.

Phat Bass EQ: Phat Bass is a unique enhancement that adds filtered harmonics to the bass frequencies,

carefully weighted to deliver its effect during the initial rise time of the low frequencies. Low frequency

texture is emphasized with this control; the resulting effect is that older recorded materials sound fuller (or

“phatter”) with the illusion of added loudness. The pleasing low frequency harmonics generated by the

Omnia's Phat Bass algorithm helps your station sound bigger and fuller on radios with smaller speakers,

such as portable or desktop radios. This gives your listeners the illusion of deeper bass response from their

radios than they're actually capable of.

Warmth EQ: The Warm Bass parameter is a second order shelf boost with a corner frequency of 150 Hz.

Warm Bass compensates for program material that is naturally lacking in upper-bass punch. The parameter

is adjustable over a 6 dB range.

Stereo EXP: This is an optional DSP stereo enhancement effect that enhances the stereo soundfield without

unwanted side effects such as unnatural imaging or exaggerated multipath. Program audio previously

lacking in stereo width will have noticeably increased ambiance and dimension when Stereo EXP is active.

Vocals stay up-front and the sonic details of musical instruments are heard with an apparent slight loudness

increase when listening in stereo. The stereo width is automatically controlled to avoid over-enhancement.

Multiband Dynamic Peak Limiter: Not just simple limiter sections using single time constants, but rather a

sophisticated series of processes, which make adjustments based upon the “peak weight” of the signal.

These advanced algorithms rely upon peak-weighted calculations to determine the strength of a transient

peak, which then determines if very fast dynamic control is required. Faster time constants are used only

when necessary, and then only under certain conditions that are dictated by the density of the signal. A

built-in release Hold algorithm allows the limiter to rest momentarily in order to reduce IM distortion.

For maximum clarity and punch, the system uses different algorithms for each of the bands: The super low,

low and mid bands use a feedback limiter configuration, producing a larger, warmer sound on the lower

frequencies. The high and super high bands utilize a feedforward limiter design that maintains a more open,

natural and musical texture on higher frequencies. The user may adjust the individual limiter thresholds,

their hold threshold values, as well as each band's attack and release times. The limiter behavior has been

optimized by fixed crossover frequencies of 120Hz, 480Hz, 1.6kHz and 4.8kHz.

Non-Aliasing, Distortion Controlled Final Limiter/Clipper: Typically, the clipper section is where

previous attempts at DSP-based clippers have failed. The term “digital grunge” and “that digital sound”

came from early DSP based attempts at simple peak clippers. Omnia-4.5’s proprietary DSP-based clipper

algorithm generates no in-band aliasing artifacts, and reduced audible processing distortion while

producing a clean and very loud signal. Users have reported that this implementation exceeds the

“smoothness” of a well-designed analog limiter! Parameter adjustments include Clipper Drive, and Bass

Clip Threshold.

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Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Chapter 4

This chapter presents installation and operation information specific to the Omnia-4.5AM. A Parameters

Worksheet, located in the back of this manual, may be photocopied to record the parameter settings used

for specific processing presets.

Analog STL Use

• Is the STL path a clean shot? If the path is noisy, or is plagued by fades, multipath, or other types of

interference (especially if a composite STL is used), unwanted noise will be added to your signal,

robbing you of loudness.

Digital STL Use

• If the Digital STL employs a data reduction codec (compression), we strongly recommend that the

Omnia-4.5AM be located at the transmitter site. If the Digital STL is a linear system without data

compression, we still recommend placing the processor at the transmitter site.

Monitoring Point

Once Omnia-4.5AM is on the air, you should select a good acoustical location for monitoring and adjusting

it. We feel that a good tuner with strong reception feeding a good set of studio monitor speakers is probably

sufficient. While car radio and other “typical listener situations” are important in judging the sound of

Omnia-4.5AM, they should not be your main reference points. In addition, there should be known-accurate

modulation monitor available. If the mod monitor is not reliable, then an oscilloscope setup to observe the

trapezoidal waveform is suitable.

Good, Clean Source Material

A well-respected processing colleague once said, “Garbage in produces more garbage out!” He was not

wrong. If your source material is poor, or poorly performing playback equipment, you will not get

maximum sonic benefit from your processor. Modern audio processors magnify, good or bad, whatever is

present in the source material. Anomalies that you may perceive to be processing problems may in fact be

source material problems that are being exaggerated by the processing. Make sure that you start out with a

good first step—good source material.

Studio Microphone Processing

This may appear trivial, but the perceived sound of “live” voices over the air can change dramatically with

different microphone processing systems. There is a high probability that the sound of your on-air

microphones will change when you change on-air processors. If you utilize microphone processing, you

may have to readjust it to suit the operation of your new processing system. Most announcers develop a

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

“comfort zone” with respect to how they perceive their voice on the air, especially in their headphones.

When that “comfort zone” is changed or modified, a common response is that “something is wrong” with

the on-air sound. Microphone processing can be a very important part of your overall station sound, but it

must always work in harmony with the main on-air processing. There are many good microphone

processors available, including Omnia’s own ToolVox. More information on the Omnia ToolVox Mic

Processor can be found on the Omnia website at www.omniaaudio.com .

An Important Word About Time Delay

A question commonly asked about Omnia-4.5AM is “How much time delay does it have?” The answer:

“Not enough to drive your DJ’s crazy!”

Certainly, there is reason for concern about the propagation delay through any digital transmission device,

audio processors included. We have measured the propagation time delay, the amount of time it takes for

the audio signal to travel from the input of Omnia-4.5AM to the output at approximately 8ms at 1khz. This

is enough for a slight voice-character coloration to be audible to the person speaking, but usually not

enough to be a problem for talent monitoring off the air. If there is additional delay added to the system,

such as a Digital STL, the cumulative delay may become excessive and cause discomfort for the on-air

talent. Real-world tests conducted by Jeff Goode in Indianapolis determined that a slight echo may begin to

be heard at 10-15ms, and that anything above 20-30 ms is usually too annoying to talent for monitoring off-

air.

Operating Levels

Proper system audio operating levels are a must! It is important to make certain that the input and output

levels of the Omnia-4.5AM are set appropriately. If they are set too low, you will compromise the signal to

noise ratio of the system. If they are set too high, you may run out of headroom and encounter clipping on

signal peaks. In addition, operating a processor with insufficient level into an STL system can cause loss of

modulation and loudness. If you are comparing the Omnia-4.5AM with another processor, be sure they are

both operating at the same levels. Your modulation monitor is an important tool in any processing

comparison, and for getting the most out of your processor.

Output Connections

For proper modulation control, Omnia-4.5AM should be connected directly to the transmitter. Mono

broadcasting can be accomplished by using one of the dedicated Left/Right XLR outputs. Common practice

is to use the Left connection. NOTE: Pin #3 should be connected to the “+” input of the transmitter to

insure correct modulation polarity. This is extremely important when asymmetrical modulation is desired.

We know that in some older AM plants that wiring to the transmitter might be difficult to determine what

correct polarity is and we planned for this.

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If you determine that your polarity is reversed when attempting asymmetrical modulation, you can flip the

polarity in the OUTPUT sub-menu by selecting the polarity reversal button. This will reverse the audio

polarity in the DSP software to insure proper modulation.

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Chapter 5

Fine Tuning Your Sound

Many broadcasters will be amazed at the dramatic sonic improvements Omnia-4.5AM delivers right out of

the box and using one of the included factory presets. Some will want to tailor one or more of the presets

slightly to create a more “custom” sound for their station. Still others will wish to really delve in and

significantly modify the parameter settings to create their own unique “signature sound.”

About Loudness and Listener Fatigue

If you're an audio processing expert, you'll find what we've included within the Omnia-4.5AM to be the

most powerful tools ever. If you’re new to audio processing, we recommend proceeding with caution and

with knowledge of your goals.

Getting the most out of your Omnia-4.5AM processor (or any other processor for that matter) starts with

knowing your objectives beforehand, and knowing where you can make tradeoffs. If your goal is to be the

loudest station on the dial and obtain extreme amounts of detail and quality, keep in mind that there are

limits. Reaching one goal is usually at the expense of the other. Thus far, we are not aware of any research

or ratings information that proves that being the moment-to-moment loudest station on the dial is of any

benefit to the listener. There will always be those individuals who feel that louder at any cost, is better. The

added distortion from the endless and pointless pursuit of raw loudness may generate negative effects on

your listeners. Be careful.

Having said all of this, we firmly believe that Omnia-4.5AM will get you closer to your ideal sound than

any other processor or combination of processors available today. It is definitely capable of generating

moment-to-moment loudness; it has the muscle. It also maintains that famous Omnia clarity sought after by

top programmers all over the world. We encourage broadcasters to utilize the power of the Omnia-4.5AM

to create good, competitive loudness while maintaining a higher degree of quality.

Clarify Your Processing Objectives

Whether one is seeking better overall quality or specific spectral improvements, try to articulate and write

down your goals. Do you want a little more loudness or “presence” on the dial? Are there certain

characteristics of the sound of other stations in your market that you like, want to emulate, or just surpass?

Are there any you want to avoid? When adjusting processing, please give thought—real thought, to how

you’d like your station to sound. What do we mean by that? Well, if your desire is to add loudness, and in

most cases it probably will be, decide on the degree of loudness that you want. Is the goal to be

competitively loud with respect to other stations on the dial, or must you be the kingpin, the moment-to-

moment loudest thing known to God and Man? This will impact how you set up the processing.

Engineering, programming, and management should all participate in the development of these objectives.

After all, processing can have a direct effect on the bottom line of your station. A little bit of agreement and

cooperation on the goals before installation can save you a whole lot of disagreement afterwards.

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Set Aside Some Time

It can take some time, a good deal of serious time to optimize the audio processing for your station. We

realize that in our business today, time is a precious commodity. But please don’t try to install the Omnia-

4.5AM in between other major projects or during the week your boss or your assistant is on vacation. Make

certain in advance that the staff members who helped you set your objectives will be available to consult

with you when you adjust the processing parameters.

How much is enough time? We feel that working with a system for at least a week is a good starting point.

We don’t suggest that you drop everything for a solid week. What we do recommend is that you install the

Omnia-4.5AM during a week when you can spend a few hours per day on the project.

The Adjustment Procedure

1. Review your objectives.

2. Once on the air, start with a degree of processing that is similar to that currently used by your

station and then, if desired, become more aggressive. A careful approach is less likely to draw

hasty, or even negative, opinions.

3. Listen for a while, then adjust, and listen for a while again. Try to avoid the temptation to

continuously “fiddle” with adjustments, just moments after getting the system on the air.

Remember that you should evaluate the operation over time, not moment to moment! When it is

time to adjust, the Worksheet provided in chapter 4 can assist in tracking your progress and

establishing improved settings of operation unique to your stations.

4. While making changes to the system, we recommend that you do not make hasty or radical

changes. Also, do not make too many different adjustments all at once. If too many parameters

are changed at one time, it is hard to determine which change made the difference you may hear.

That can be frustrating, whether the change made your station sound better or worse. Take your

time. In order for you to become comfortable with your new sound, you should learn the limits of

each control. We suggest making changes in increments of no more than +0.5 dB or - 1 dB, or in

1 or 2 step increments. Try turning different functions on and off. Working this way, you will be

able to get a better feel for the sound that the Omnia-4.5AM is capable of producing on your

station and with your programming.

5. Use the “sleep on it method:” Spend time adjusting and then listening, and when the system gets

to a point where it sounds good, stop! While making changes to processing, there does come a

time when the ears become less and less sensitive to the adjustments you're performing. Ears tire,

and that's why spreading the adjustment period over a number of days is recommended. If what

you've done still sounds good after you have “slept on it,” stop adjusting. If you're not quite there

yet, continue with small iterations until you’re satisfied. If you are homing in on your goals, you'll

find that each day the discrepancies become smaller and you’re making fewer adjustments.

6. When you get it where you like it, stop and enjoy!

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The Meter Display

In addition to the Input and

Output Levels display, the Meter

Display also provides processing

information in the form of vertical

bargraphs, which indicate both

AGC and Limiter Processing

activity.

Omnia 4.5 metering Display

Note: To view the Meter Display from the Main Menu (or from anywhere in the Menu Display) simply

press and hold the jog-wheel button for two seconds. The display will switch to the Meter display. To go

back to where you left off in the Menu Display just press and hold the jog-wheel again for two seconds.

You will be returned to the Menu Display screen right where you left it.

AGC Metering

The bargraphs for the AGC sections can indicate up to 25 dB of gain reduction. When the “bouncing ball”

indicators on each bargraph change to RED, the Gate function is active for that band.

Limiter Metering

The bargraphs for the Limiter section provide a wealth of information about the peak control in Omnia-

4.5AM. The limiter algorithms automatically adapt the style of peak control being employed on a moment-

by-moment basis. This can be deduced if the metering is studied over time. During normal operation, the

limiter indicators will have a dynamic “bounce” that you will be able to get a feel for. Every now and then,

you will see the limiter react quickly and show a larger amount of gain reduction. Notice that the response

is very fast. This action will recover very slowly, and return to “rest” with the main bargraph. This meter

action will be easily noticed on material that is very dynamic in texture. It is partly due to this very special

behavior that the Omnia-4.5AM has the musicality and clarity that other processors lack.

Another feature unique to Omnia-4.5AM is limiter “Hold”. During brief pauses in audio, the limiter

bargraphs will “freeze” and the “bouncing ball” changes from blue to red to show the limiter has entered

the Hold mode of the algorithm; akin to the Gate function in the AGCs. This is most easily noticed when

there is a “dry” voice being processed. The Limiter bargraphs, like the AGC section, can indicate up to 25

dB of gain reduction.

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Interpreting the Gain Reduction Meter Displays

Through careful observation of the processing bargraphs, significant information can be acquired and

analyzed about the audio signal on a moment-by-moment basis. The yellow bar shows the average value of

the gain reduction, while the floating ball indicates the peak value of gain reduction.

Average value of gain reduction

Gain Reduction scale Peak value of gain reduction

Gain reduction meter (typical)

Since the processing algorithms in Omnia-4.5AM 'adapt' to the audio, it is capable of performing many

different processing functions at different times. The processing display bargraphs may appear to indicate

different kinds of operation with different program material. This behavior is primarily based on dynamic

range differences in the applied program material. For program material that is already processed or lacking

dynamic range, the bargraphs will indicate differently than with material that possesses a high degree of

dynamic range. This is because audio signals that lack dynamic range, naturally or by previous processing,

will possess a lower peak to average ratio. Conversely, audio signals with a wide dynamic range possess a

higher peak to average ratio. The Omnia-4.5AM adapts differently to each case.

For program material that has low dynamic range (or high RMS and low peak levels), there will be more

activity in the AGC sections and less activity in the Limiters. This behavior is due to the AGC sections

response to high RMS energy, while the Limiters are reacting to lower peak energy. Sometimes the Limiter

section may not indicate any action at all, especially on the top three bands. For Omnia6-fm, this is

completely normal! Examples of this behavior might be seen with heavily processed commercials or music,

or with music passages of sustained level. A good example is the Aerosmith CD “Pump.” This recording

has very little dynamic range. Try any up-tempo selection from this disk and you will see the Wideband-

AGC section make initial adjustments along with small amounts of limiting. Once adjusted, the Wideband-

AGC section will stay deep in gain reduction, although with little movement, and action within the limiters

will be minimal.

When the programming has wide dynamic range (low RMS and high peak levels), the opposite will occur.

The Limiter section becomes active, while the AGC section will appear not to respond as much. During

these events, the Limiter sections could be working aggressively, while the AGC sections indicate little

activity. Good examples of programming able to cause this behavior: vocal passages, live voice, classical

music, and passages with high transient levels. Good test examples: almost anything classical, as well as

almost anything by Steely Dan!

Also keep in mind that the AGC sections are designed to operate much more slowly than the Limiter

sections, primarily because of the nature of each function. Remember that the AGC sections operate on the

program's RMS energy. During gain calculations, the incoming program's “average” level is established,

and gain adjustments, if needed, are made based on those calculations. This is why the AGC sections will

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appear to move slower than the limiters ... they are making changes, as needed, over relatively long time

periods.

The intent of the Limiter sections is to control the peak levels. This is accomplished by finding and

controlling the highest peak of the audio waveform. The Limiter section's job is to quickly grab the signal,

reduce the gain to the proper operating range, and then return the gain to normal until the next peak signal

comes along. Peak energy must be detected and adjusted in a quick and accurate manner while, at the same

time, not interfering with the sonic integrity of the audio signal. For this reason, the Limiter sections

operate very quickly, with special background instructions to govern their behavior, and strictly on an as-

needed basis.

Since the processing displays are capable of providing a wide range of information, we do not recommend

setting up the system based on any specified meter indications. Instead, we recommend setting up the

processing by using your ears to judge the sound. We've provided the meters only to analyze the signals

and aid you in adjusting the specific parameters needed to achieve your desired sonic results. Like a

speedometer, the meters are a guide, not the road!

Our Factory Presets Are Only Starting Points!

Numerous factory presets have been provided for you to use as starting points for customizing your

stations' sound. A "preset" is simply a large table of values representing all of the control values for every

control listed in the menu tree. When you Choose a preset, the control values are loaded into the DSP

structure, reconfiguring the Omnia-4.5AM’s processing.

Omnia/Telos does not warrant in any way that these presets are de facto standards for the format names

that we used when we designed them. The factory presets were created as starting points, typical of the on-

air sound that might be typical with such format names, but they are not engraved in stone! For instance,

the sound of CHR stations can vary from market to market, even though the overall playlist doesn't. You

should not assume that because we have a preset name that matches your format, that it is the best preset

for your format in your market.

For example, if your station is running an Oldies format, you may want to start with the ROCKnROLL

preset instead of the SOLIDGOLD preset. That’s OK! Start with the preset that’s closest to the sound you

are looking for. In some markets, our presets may sound too strong or aggressive. In other markets, they

might not be aggressive enough. As a point of reference, the factory presets in our previous Omnia were

judged by our customers to be about in the middle of the playing field with respect to where they needed to

be to be good starting points.

Always rely on our factory presets to get you started. Then, once you find the preset that most closely

matches the sound you're after, you can customize more to your liking. All Omnia-4.5AM's leave the

factory with the same presets. They can be used as-is, or be excellent starting points for tailoring the sound

of your Omnia for a specific requirement. All of the parameters belonging to a preset can be edited using

the Process Menu to obtain the sound you desire. Your edited preset is then saved to the PC Card under a

name you choose, and can be reselected at any time just like the factory presets. Editing presets is covered

in detail in Parameter Editing below.

Always remember that when “crafting” that special sonic personality for your station, Omnia-4.5AM gives

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you the power to create a sound that can be totally different from, and far better than that of your

competitors. We've enjoyed giving you that power, and we hope that you enjoy using it!

A special preset, “PROOF OF PERF” can be loaded in order to stop all audio processing in the Omnia-

4.5AM, while still passing signal through all of the processing sections. When this preset is recalled, the

AGC, Limiter and Clipper thresholds are raised so that no signal processing takes place. The purpose of

this preset is to allow the input/output characteristics of the unit to be measured, and the slopes of the input

high pass filter and output low pass filters to be measured and/or verified. Note that this preset is only

meant to stop processing activity so that filter slopes can be verified. It does not necessarily configure the

unit for the widest possible dynamic range, optimized signal to noise ratio, etc.

Loading A Preset

From the Main Menu, highlight Preset and click the jog-wheel.

Main Menu

The Preset window is then displayed.

Preset Submenu

Rotate the jog wheel two clicks clockwise to highlight the Choose option. Clicking the jog-wheel once will

move the highlighting to the <Exit> selection in the preset name list. Rotate the jog-wheel clockwise to

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scroll down the list, highlighting each preset as it goes. Once you have highlighted the desired preset name,

just click once to load that preset into the Omnia-4.5AM. To exit the preset selection list, rotate the jog

wheel counter-clockwise until the <Exit> option is highlighted. Then click once.

The name of the preset that is currently loaded is always displayed in the lower left corner of the metering

display screen.

Parameter Editing

The Omnia-4.5 system architecture has a great number of audio processing functions and features. The

following sections detail the adjustments one can make.

Before tackling this section you must be familiar with navigating through the menu system and be

comfortable with how the Omnia-4.5 jog wheel and click functions work. If so, you’re ready to tackle

Omnia-4.5’s more sophisticated adjustments. To edit a preset it must first be loaded into the Omnia-4.5.

Once loaded, it can be modified as required to suite your tastes and processing goals. The changes can then

be temporarily used, or they can be saved to the PC Card so they won’t be lost.

Process Submenu

The Process submenu accesses the soul of Omnia-4.5. This is where comprehensive adjustments to the

audio processing can be made. We suggest that if you are somewhat inexperienced with audio processing

adjustments, you should use care and patience while in this section. Unlike other processors, the Omnia-

4.5AM does not limit the range of adjustments that you can make. It is essential that you know what your

goals are before and during adjustments! This section of the manual will help you do just that.

Upon selecting the Process menu, a functional block diagram of the processing system appears on screen.

This block diagram not only indicates the architecture of the processing system, but also provides direct

access to the adjustments for each processing section. As the jog-wheel is rotated the different processing

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

blocks are highlighted. Clicking the jog-wheel opens up the parameter window for that processing block.

Parameter adjustment is accomplished using the previously described method—clicking the parameter to

select it, turning the jog wheel to adjust it, and then clicking to save the selection and change the jog-wheel

back to Highlight Mode. The following sections provide insight into each of the processing blocks and their

associated adjustments.

Wideband AGC (WB)

This is the first processing section within the Omnia, so the controls in this section affect the overall signal,

its density, and hence affect every other processing section following it. The job of the Wideband AGC is

to erase long-term audio level fluctuations, while doing so in an unobtrusive manner.

Wideband AGC Submenu

The AGC Drive control is calibrated between –12dB and +6dB, and adjusts the signal level into the

Wideband AGC. This control should be adjusted to net approximately 12dB of gain reduction with typical

programming. Too little gain reduction can defeat the “leveling” function of the Wideband AGC. Too

much gain reduction has little additional benefit. Nominal gain reduction values for the Wideband AGC are

between 10 and 15dB.

The Attack and Release controls set the Wideband AGC time constants in relative terms using the numbers

0 - 7. Lower numbers are slower time constants, while higher numbers are faster time constants. Because

the time constants are program-dependent, calibrating these controls in absolute time values (ms/dB) would

be useless—therefore we use relative numbers. Use a higher number if you want “faster” attack and

release, and a lower number for "slower" attack and release. A special algorithm within the Wideband AGC

Attack time circuit prevents the loss of Wideband AGC gain reduction when the Attack time control is

operated at extremely slow values.

The Make-Up Gain control sets the amount of gain to be filled in during quieter, softer program passages.

The range is OFF to 7. This function is also program dependent, and it interacts somewhat with the main

Attack and Release time constants. As the attack/release times are modified, the system also scales the

Make-Up Gain time constants. Use less makeup gain for processing more faithful to the source material;

use more makeup gain for greater loudness and “density.”

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The Gate Threshold control sets the level at which gating of the AGC occurs, which “freezes” the gain

during short pauses. Correct adjustment of this control helps to minimize “pumping”, and the increase of

background noise during pauses in programming. The control range is OFF to 7.

There are two RTP (Return to Platform) parameters, RTP Speed and RTP Level, that determine what

happens to the AGC gain when the Gate Threshold is reached and audio is gated. With the RTP Level set

to 5, 10 or 15 dB of gain reduction, the gain will return to that pre-defined level when gated. How quickly

the target gain reduction level is reached, is set by the remaining RTP Speed settings (Slow, Medium or

Fast). If no RTP gain reduction is desired, use the RTP Speed setting Freeze. The Freeze setting means that

when the audio falls below the gating threshold and the audio is gated, the gain reduction freezes at

whatever gain reduction value there was at the instant the audio dropped below the gating threshold. This

gain is held until the audio level again reaches and exceeds the gating threshold. Note that due to the way in

which the RTP 'circuit' works, the RTP Speed settings are somewhat affected by the setting of the Attack

time control.

If you wish to bypass the Wideband AGC stage, you may do so by selecting the Bypass option. When the

AGC is bypassed, the static gain remains the same as if 12dB of gain reduction was in effect and the

Master Drive control was set at 0.0dB.

AGC Crossover (XO)

The audio signal from the WB AGC section is divided into two frequency bands within the AGC XO

section. The crossover frequency point is fixed at 330 Hz with a 12 dB per octave slope.

AGC Crossover Submenu

The drive level to each AGC band can be set by the controls at the top of the window. There is +/-6 dB of

gain adjustment available for each band.

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L(ow) and H(igh) Band AGC Windows

Each of the AGC's has its own set of controls similar to those in the Wideband AGC section. The four

controls in these windows, Attack, Release, Make-Up Gain and Gate Threshold, and the two parameter

selections, RTP Speed and RTP Level, function like those in the Wideband AGC window. Adjustment

strategies are similar, however in the two-band AGC sections adjustments are on a "per-frequency band"

basis.

Low Band AGC shown as example – high band is identical

As with any multiband processor, improper adjustment can exaggerate one band of frequencies over

another. In this case the low frequencies vs. the midrange and high frequencies. Both bands incorporate a

Return To Platform (RTP) feature similar to that available within the Wideband AGC process block. When

the RTP function is set to a value other than Freeze, the band gain will be forced to recover its gain to a

static value higher than might be achieved if the control was set to Freeze. This will reduce hiss and other

noise that might be heard if the bands had recovered to low values of gain reduction when the gate function

kicked in. The RTP levels can be tailored for each of the two AGC bands as desired.

Use the RTP Speed to set the amount of time it will take the AGC to return to the set platform level. There

are four choices: Freeze, Slow, Med, and Fast. The default setting is Freeze, which freezes the gain

whenever gating occurs. Therefore, to activate the RTP for that band, just select a speed. As mentioned

previously, the RTP speed is slightly affected by the value of the attack time that is set for that band. The

opposite is not true: RTP Speed does not affect the operation of the attack/release functions. Freeze can be

considered the “off “ mode for the RTP function.

Use RTP Level to set the platform level. There are three choices: -5dB, -10dB and –15dB. The default

value is –10dB. Keep in mind that the RTP function must be activated for this parameter to be relevant.

Note also that for some presets, small changes we made to the compression ratios will affect the displayed

value of the RTP. For instance, if you set the RTP gain value to "10" but notice that the band gain recovers

to –12 when gated, it is because we have set a slightly higher ratio for that band. Note that the exact

compression ratios for each band are critical to the open and musical sound of the Omnia-4.5AM. They

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were derived empirically through thousands of hours of listening tests involving all sorts of program

material. Because of their critical nature, we do not offer them as user adjustments.

AGC Mixer (Mix)

AGC Mixer Submenu

This is where the output of the two AGC's are mixed together. Use care in adjusting this section, as too

much level from one particular band may cause an excessive amount of emphasis to that range of

frequencies. Such adjustment may also drive the limiter bands in that range of frequencies too hard, causing

the sound to become unnatural, dense, and squashed. If your desire is to “EQ” the sound, you should

perform that function using the drive levels in the AGC or Limiter XO Parameter Windows. The AGC

mixer is primarily intended for minor “EQ” changes to the overall sound.

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Enhance

Enhancers Submenu

Each of the Deep Bass, Phat Bass and Warmth controls can boost the level up to 12 dB. Be careful here

not to overdrive the following limiter sections or over emphasize these lower frequency ranges. When used

properly this specialized low frequency enhancement tools can deliver the thunderous bass and warmth that

the Omnia is known for, and it can do so without making the sound muddy. It serves to greatly complement

the Omnia-4.5AM’s clear and open high end to provide a well-balanced, competitive, CD-like sound that is

both powerful on the dial, as well as pleasing to the ear.

Deep Bass EQ: For those who demand thunderous bass, the Omnia-4.5 has it! Up to 12 dB of “thunder”

can be added to shake your listener’s walls! This is not a simple bass boost, but a rather sophisticated

concept that takes into consideration the time alignment of the low frequencies as they pass through the

entire Omnia system. It allows a loud, clean

your signal. We won't tell you where the control is in the signal chain. But we will tell you that Deep Bass

function is a shelf boost at 85 Hz, utilizing a phase compensated 12dB/octave slope to emulate the EQ

function.

Phat Bass EQ: Phat Bass is a unique enhancement that adds filtered harmonics of the lower registers to the

upper bass frequencies. The algorithm extracts information contained in the initial attack to do its work,

and low frequency texture is therefore emphasized. Older recordings sound fuller (or phatter) with the

added illusion of loudness. Phat Bass EQ also helps radios with small speakers sound like they have more

bass than they actually do. A little of this effect goes a long way so be careful not to apply too much boost.

Be sure to listen on several different types of radios to arrive at a setting that works best for all of them.

Warmth EQ: The Warm Bass parameter in the Enhance section of the Process submenu is a shelf boost at

150 Hz. Warmth EQ compensates for program material that is naturally lacking in upper-bass punch. Be

judicious about applying too much, as the resonant frequency of most automobile interiors lies in this

frequency range!

low end, with absolutely no sacrifice to the overall loudness of

Stereo EXP: The Omnia-4.5AM contains an optional intelligent DSP-based stereo enhancement tool that

enhances the stereo soundfield without causing unnatural "hole in the middle" imaging or exaggerated

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multipath when activated. Program audio previously lacking in stereo width will have noticeably increased

ambiance and dimension when the Stereo EXP is active. Vocals will stay up-front and the sonic details of

musical instruments are heard with an apparent slight loudness increase when listening in stereo.

The Stereo EXP control, when enabled has a range of 0 (off) to 16 and the amount of dynamic width

expansion can be observed on the rightmost vertical bargraph on the Meter Display screen. The system

should be initially auditioned using light amounts of Stereo EXP, with an initial setting of 4 to 6 as a

starting point. The overall stereo soundfield will appear wider and be much more consistent sounding

between program sources. The smart Stereo EXP algorithm turns off when a mono program source is

present. If you find that your mono programming sounds a bit thin, you can add a small amount (2 dB) of

Phat Bass boost to restore warmth to the overall air sound.

Contact Telos Omnia or your Dealer to purchase the access code that activates this feature. You will need

to have your unit serial number (starts with 4700) and MAC address (found on the rear panel barcode

sticker starting with 0050C) and the currently displayed Date. (Visible in the System Menu) Once

presented with this information, Omnia Customer Support will give you a special code to activate this

feature.

Limiters Crossover (XO)

The audio signal from the Enhance section is split into five bands to drive the multiband limiter section.

The limiter crossovers frequencies are fixed at 120, 480, 1600 and 4800 Hz. Factory drive settings are

initially recommended, but the overall density can be adjusted by changing all 5 drive controls up or down

an equal amount. More drive to the limiters will increase the density of the audio providing a louder but

more squashed sound. Less drive will reduce the density and provide a more open, more dynamic sound.

Reducing the overall limiter drive too much can rob you of loudness. Note also that the upper two limiter

bands (4 and 5) will generally not show as much average gain reduction (little or none at times) as the

lower three bands. This is normal and accounts partially for the improved clarity in the Omnia-4.5AM. You

will notice brief, fast bursts of significant gain reduction on these bands especially on bright dynamic

program material and vocal sibilants.

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If you are familiar with the limiter section in the Omnia Classic, you'll remember that significant gain

reduction was necessary in order to achieve extreme loudness. That is NOT the case with Omnia-4.5AM!

The limiters are true limiters, and therefore don't need to do much work after the multiband AGC section to

create a huge signal on the dial. A little goes a long way. In fact, it may help to think of them not as

limiters, but as "Clipper Resource Allocators". The secret to being "screamingly loud" on the dial but

without squashing the life and dynamics out of the audio is to carefully balance the amount of work being

shared by the limiters and

frequency band from driving the final clippers too hard, and no more.

HF Eq: This parameter adds high-frequency boost that conforms to the NRSC emphasis recommendation

for AM broadcasting. Increasing HF Eq will add boost to the presence and treble range that follows a high

frequency shelf network that is inserted before the multiband limiter section. When the control is advanced

all the way clockwise, the full, recommended NRSC equalization is being applied to the signal.

clippers. The limiters should only do just enough work to keep the audio in each

Multiband Limiter Windows

Limiter Submenu – High Limiter shown as example (the Limiting G/R meter is displayed in the page

along with the controls)

The controls in these adjustment windows are similar in function to the previously described AGC stages.

However, there are only four controls for the limiters. The Attack and Release controls work similarly to

the AGC sections, but are of course much faster on overall action. There are also two new parameters as

well. The first is the Hold Threshold. This control sets the threshold where the limiter’s Hold algorithm

begins when it detects pauses in the audio. When it’s in the OFF position, the limiters will attack, and then

release completely, just as you would expect them to. With Hold Threshold enabled, the limiters will

momentarily stop and rest during very short pauses, especially during live speech. Functionally, this is

similar to how the Gate function works in the preceding AGCs. The other control is Limit Threshold. This

control sets the threshold where audio peak limiting begins. Care is needed when adjusting this control

because raising the threshold (counter-clockwise) causes less limiting to occur, and the resulting

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uncontrolled peak energy will go to the clipper instead. Thus, with this control you can artistically trade off

the dynamic limiting against brick wall clipping, as each has its own "sound."

As the limiter threshold is lowered by turning the Limit Thresh clockwise, the peak output level of the

limiter is reduced. The signal in that band won't hit the clipper as hard, and you'll notice more action on the

limiter bargraph for that band. In fact, instead of reducing the output of one of the audio bands in the Final

Mixer section, you could instead “dynamically reduce” the level in that band (which also increases density

in that band) by lowering the limiter threshold.

When adjustments are made to limiter thresholds, start by making adjustments in 0.5dB steps. Reducing the

threshold too much can cause the system to create an effect that “sucks out” the frequencies in that band.

Conversely, the opposite (raising the threshold) will create an exaggerated effect by over-enhancing certain

frequency ranges, as well as causing increased distortion, since excessive levels from that band will reach

the following clipper stage. Usually, the limiter thresholds are adjusted as a "fine polish" on the final sound.

If you are unsure about how to use the Limiter Thresholds, then we recommend that they be left at their

well-researched factory settings.

Final Mixer (Mix)

Final Limiter (final mixer)

This is the final summing point for each of the multiband limiter sections before the signal reaches the final

clipper. Care should be used when adjusting this section, as too much level from any particular band could

cause an excessive amount of clipping distortion to that range of frequencies. Adjusting all 5 controls an

equal amount is virtually the same as adjusting the Clipper Drive control in the Clippers Window. If your

desire is to provide some custom “EQ” to the sound, it is better to perform that function using the drive

levels in the AGC or Limiter X-Over menus instead of the limiter mixer controls. Like the limiter threshold

controls, the final limiter mixer is mainly for minor “fine polish” to the overall sound. Adjustments in this

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section must be done with care, as noted by the controls being calibrated in 0.1dB steps!

Clippers (Clip)

Clippers Submenu

Bass Clip Threshold: Limiter bands 1 & 2 have their own clipper and time-aligned low-pass filter in order

to reduce IM distortion in the main clipper. The Bass Clip Threshold control sets the threshold of the bass

clipper referred to the clip level of the main clipper. A higher threshold (counter-clockwise) will reduce the

amount of bass clipped by the bass clipper but cause a corresponding increase in the amount of bass clipped

by the main clipper. Conversely, a lower threshold (clockwise) will reduce the amount of bass sent to the

main clipper but increase the amount of activity in the bass clipper. Too much clipping by the bass clipper

can soften bass 'punch'. It may also be heard as a “rattling” sound in the bass. Fine tuning of the bass

clipper drive level is also possible by adjusting the band 1&2 controls in the Final Mixer as these feed the

input of the bass clipper.

Clipper Drive: Here is where the Omnia-4.5AM's loudness versus quality advantage is most evident! The

main clipper is a very powerful algorithm, is highly oversampled, and is fully anti-aliased. This clipper

control’s adjustment range is +/-6 dB, in 0.1dB steps. It is advisable to make minor changes, primarily as

the 'loudness fine tuner'. Be careful; there is a lot of available power here!

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Saving, Renaming and Deleting Presets

Saving Presets

Upon completing a preset editing session, the processing changes should be stored. This way they can be

recalled later, or even transferred to another Omnia-4.5AM. Storing the settings writes them to the PC

memory Card, either by overwriting an existing preset, or by creating a new preset. It is also possible to

delete presets that are no longer needed, and deleting unused presets frees up memory space and makes it

available for saving newer ones. The Omnia-4.5AM PC Card has the capacity to store up to 75 User

Presets.

Preset Menu with Save Options

When processing adjustments are completed, a choice should be made to either save the changes over the

existing preset (if it's not a factory preset) or create a new User Preset. This is done from the Preset menu.

If you want to save the changes using the current preset name, highlight Save Current and click. After

prompting you to verify that you wish to save the settings over the currently selected preset, the system will

save the latest changes made to the current preset name.

To save the preset under a new name, thus keeping the original preset and creating a new preset that will be

added to the bottom of the preset list, highlight Save Current As and click. A "Save Preset As" dialog box

appears on screen so the characters in the new user preset name can be entered.

The first character in the current preset name will be highlighted and flashing. To change this character,

click the jog-wheel. This stops the cursor from flashing, indicating that the character may now be changed.

Rotate the jog-wheel to step through the available characters. With the desired character shown, click the

jog-wheel to select that character. This jumps the flashing highlight to the next character position in the

name. If the next character does not need to be changed, rotate the jog-wheel and the flashing highlight will

step past each character in the name. Up to 12 characters can be used in a Preset name. After entering the

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

preset name’s last character, rotate the jog-wheel until the “

wheel to save the new preset. If you wish to cancel the operation, highlight the X instead and click the jog-

wheel. The operation is canceled and the Preset list and menu is again displayed.

Note: You cannot save a preset using any of the factory-supplied preset names. A different preset name

must be used, using the Save As menu option. This prevents accidentally overwriting the factory presets.

√” Checkmark is highlighted. Click the jog-

Renaming and Deleting Presets

To rename or delete a preset, highlight and click the Modify choice in the Preset menu. Rotate the jog

wheel to highlight the Preset List and click. Now highlight and Click to select the preset to be modified. To

rename the selected preset, highlight and click on Rename. The Rename Preset dialog will appear and a

new name for it can be entered. (See Saving Presets above) After entering the preset name’s last character, rotate the jog-wheel until the

you wish to cancel the operation, highlight the X and click. The operation will be canceled and the Preset

Menu again displayed. To Delete the selected preset, highlight and click on Delete. You will be asked to

confirm the destruction of the selected preset. Highlight and click on Yes to go ahead and delete the preset

or No to cancel and return to the Rename and Delete screen.

√ Checkmark is highlighted. Click the jog wheel to save the new preset. If

Getting the Sound You Want

If you believe that you’re in a loudness war and you need to react aggressively, here are some suggestions

that should help you achieve that goal. Conversely, if you have the rare luxury to strive for increased sound

quality, we have suggestions for you too! Omnia-4.5AM is designed to minimize the impact of the quality

vs. loudness trade-off.

We recommend that before starting the process of cranking it up just for the sake of raw loudness, try to

decide what sonic characteristics you feel are lacking in your station's sound. In many instances, it’s not

just about increasing the drive to the limiters, or the clipper. It can be as simple as creating an illusion of

added loudness by changing a single time-constant parameter. There are even known instances where the

use of stereo enhancement created the necessary apparent loudness. Please don’t bite at the first temptation

to crank the system. Sometimes the old adage of less is more really applies!

Before delving into alternative processing possibilities, please give the next brief section some thought. It

may help provide you with some needed direction in your overall processing plan.

A Word about Loudness

Making this confession is a little like telling your parents you dented the car. But here it goes: It’s OK for

your station to be loud. Very, very loud.

In the past, loudness was a problem due to the limitations of the processors of the day. In the quest for

ultimate loudness, you probably either adjusted (or modified) your old processor well outside of its “safe”

range, or used multiple boxes in the signal chain and accepted the byproducts of the interactions and

conflicts among them.

Omnia-4.5AM has changed all of that! It's been designed to look at the incoming audio, and know how to

make your station consistently loud on the dial, and without the artifacts or grunge created by your current

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

processor. Omnia-4.5 makes loudness an effortless exercise for all formats.

One more confession. It’s also OK for your station to not sound as loud, yet sound incredibly musical and

grunge-free, because the Omnia-4.5 has given you the choice. Omnia-4.5AM is a system that maximizes

the audio quality of your signal, yet at the same time satisfies your competitive requirements.

Quality versus Loudness

The trade-off between quality and loudness is primarily determined by how you choose to use the limiting

and clipping sections. While each function alone will generate “dial presence,” they each have different

advantages, as well as side effects.

When excessive limiting is used, intermodulation distortion is increased, making the audio sound "mushy",

and "smeared." The added short term density can also cause the audio to be “tight”, “squashed", or “dense.”

The "dynamics" artifacts caused by excessive limiting might sound like “pumping,” “breathing.” The rule

for limiting is "a little goes a long way!"

When excessive clipping is used, harmonic distortion is increased. The audio level is in effect “running into

the brick wall.” Too much clipping can cause the audio to sound “broken-up,” “torn,” “rough,” or “edgy.”

As you might imagine, the harder the limiters and clippers are driven, the louder the audio perception.

However, you are also much more likely to encounter increased intermodulation and/or harmonic

distortion.

The following sections are provided to assist you in designing the personality of your station’s sound. As

we said earlier, there is no precise recipe for setting up audio processing. While there are some basic

fundamentals that you can use to get started toward the sound that you desire, it may require a concerted

effort with extended listening and subtle processing changes over time to achieve your ultimate goal. Just

remember to know your competition, know your goals, take your time, and adjust methodically.

Increasing Loudness

Try to resist the temptation to just crank up the aggressive processing sections, like the limiters. Those will

add loudness of course, but usually at the cost of quality. Many times, building a little more RMS level in

the AGC sections will do the trick instead, and with no obvious sonic penalties. The following are some

suggestions on where to begin to make changes. We suggest that you them in the order described.

Increasing loudness can be accomplished in four ways:

1. Alter the following parameters in the AGC sections:

• Increase the AGC Drive to the WB (wideband) AGC section.

• Increase the Drive to both bands of the two-band AGC in the AGC XO (crossover) screen or

reduce (set to lower numbers) the attack time of the WB AGC section, causing an increase in

activity in the two-band AGC sections.

• Increase the Release time settings to make it operate faster.

• Increase the amount of Make-Up Gain.

2. Modify the Multiband Limiter sections:

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• Increase the Drive to each section using the controls in the Limiter XO screen.

• Increase the Release time settings in each band so that they operate faster.

• Set the Hold threshold to a lower value.

3. Drive the Clipper harder.

4. A combination of the above steps, but in small increments! It might sound crazy, but it’s true! In

this situation, resist the temptation to make too many changes at once. When that occurs, it

becomes difficult to determine why the result of an adjustment did or did not make sense. Focus

on one specific area of your sound at a time. Once that area is satisfactory, then move the focus to

the next area, as needed.

Based upon the above suggestions, you can experiment with different styles of processing. Some

broadcasters prefer to have their processing be perceptibly loud, but dynamic. This may not result in the

loudest station on the dial, but it still gives the illusion of loudness, retaining detail and clarity, and

reducing listener fatigue. This can be done by centering your efforts in the Limiter sections, and avoiding

heavy use of the clipper. One trick that works well is to use very fast attack and release times in the

multiband limiters, but do not let them produce more than 5 dB - 7 dB of gain reduction. This keeps the IM

distortion of the limiters to a minimum, and doesn't "over-squash" your sound. Adjusted in this manner, the

Limiter sections are relied upon to generate higher long-term RMS levels, which translates into increases in

perceived loudness.

If the quest is to produce the “loud and proud” appearance of the “big boys” in town, then the limiters and

clippers should both be leaned upon a bit more. Loudness at all costs is usually the reason for moving the

processing in a direction like this. Using larger amounts of drive to the multiband limiters, along with faster

release times will generate a signal of high short-term density. Also, an increase in clipping will further aid

this. The effect of the processing set in this manner is that the audio is consistently loud at all times . . . a

wall of sound. The drawback is that the density can cause listener fatigue and have a negative effect on time

spent listening. While Omnia-4.5 is designed to minimize listener fatigue, it is capable of generating large

amounts of density that could eventually lead to fatigue. Be careful!

Adding More Detail—When Loudness Isn’t the Last Word

Now that we’ve “squashed the grape,” lets look at what it takes to undo a heavily processed signal.

Basically, just reversing the procedures listed above will do the trick:

1. Reduce the drive to the Clipper.

2. Back off on the influence of the Limiter stages:

• Reduce the amount of Drive to each band in the Limiter XO screen.

• Reduce the Release times to slow down recovery.

• Raise the threshold of the Hold function.

3. Ease up on the Wideband-AGC sections:

• Reduce the Drive to the WB AGC and the Multiband AGC in the WB and AGC XO screens.

• Reduce the Release time to operate slower.

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• Reduce the amount of Make-Up Gain.

Backing off the clipper first will allow the processing to retain a level of competitive loudness while

enhancing quality, and the overall dynamic texture will be affected less. Start with reducing the Clipper

amount in 0.5 dB steps. It’s surprising how much detail can be restored from just a small change of 0.5 dB.

Generally, changes in the Clipper drives will have the most noticeable effect on quality, but it will also

affect the relative loudness level, too. You’ll need to find a “happy medium” that’s right for you.

Making Air-Sound Equalization Changes

Tailoring the shape of the overall audio spectrum can be done in three different sections:

1. The relative drive settings in the two-band AGC XO menu. These controls set the drive levels of

the L and H AGC sections.

2. The relative drive settings in the multiband Limiter XO menu. These controls set the drive levels

of the multiband limiters.

3. The settings of the multiband limiter Mixer controls.

All three options will provide noticeable change in EQ. We suggest you use the first two listed options. In

either case, an EQ change is still followed by a dynamically controlled stage. Therefore any excessive EQ

change can be 'undone' by the subsequent AGC or Limiter.

The last option, adjusting the Mixer, is designed to provide a final minor trim to the spectrum. If you've

noticed that we calibrated these controls in 0.1 dB steps, then you know what we mean when we say these

controls are for fine trim! Since this stage is after all of the dynamic AGC and Limiting, a radical change in

level in the Mixer will result in additional and possibly excessive clipping of audio in that band. We suggest

that changes implemented here be limited to no more than about 1.0 dB. Naturally, the decrease in mix

level can be done to any desired amount.

Thunder Bass

Omnia-4.5AM has the bass power to shake the walls with low end! If your source material has it, Omnia-

4.5 will put it on the air, and with muscle! Making changes to this characteristic is done using the following

parameters, and for maximum effectiveness, in the order listed:

1. In the Enhance Menu, increase the amount of Deep Bass or Phat Bass boost.

2. Increase the drive to the LF Limiters with the appropriate controls in the Limiter XO screen.

3. Speed up the Release times of the LF Limiter sections.

When it comes to processing, moderation is the key! If all of the above steps are utilized in the pursuit of

more bass, then severe low frequency over-enhancement can occur. Excessive bass boost can produce the

illusion that the presence and high frequencies have been lost. They are still there, but are being

acoustically masked by the lower frequencies.

Another concern is the creation of bass-induced intermodulation distortion in the clipper. This artifact

might be noticed on midrange/presence frequencies whenever a sustained bass note is present. An example

of this would be a strong bass signal “underneath” a sustained vocal passage. The vocal passage will begin

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

to sound as if it “warbles” a little bit. This is a sign that the over-processed bass energy is pushing the vocal

frequencies in and out of the clipper unnecessarily.

Generally, an increase in the Enhance Menu's Bass boost functions alone will provide more than sufficient

enhancement to the low end.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Chapter 6

Remote Control Software

The Omnia Remote Control software is a Windows (Windows 95, NT 4.0, or higher) software program that

allows remote access to the Omnia-4.5AM processor adjustment using any PC running the aforementioned

versions of Microsoft Windows

product, and versions of Omnia Remote Control for our other audio processors will not work with Omnia-

4.5AM. The latest version of Omnia-4.5AM Remote Control Software is always available free of charge by

pointing your web browser to the "Support" page of our web site: www.omniaaudio.com.

. Note that remote software for the Omnia-4.5AM is unique to that

Omnia 4.5 Remote Control as it appears on your computer screen

Software Installation Options

There are two different options for installing Omnia-4.5AM Remote Control. Neither makes permanent

changes to your computer system or to your Windows registry, so you may freely choose the one with

which you are most comfortable. The first (recommended) is to use the self-installer version, Omnia45.exe.

The other is simply putting a copy of Omnia45remote.exe into the folder name of your choosing, and

running it from that location.

Using the Self Installer

If you elect to use the self-installer program (Omnia45.exe), by default it will place the executable file

"Omnia45_remote1.exe" into the folder "C:\program files\Telos_omnia\omnia45", and place a shortcut to

the program on your desktop.

Using standard Windows procedures, run the Omnia45.exe program. The install program installs

Omnia45_remote.exe onto the computer's hard disk and places the program name Omnia Remote Control

in the Start Menu. The default location for the copied files is "C:\program files\Telos_omnia\omnia45".

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

When the program is freshly installed but has not yet been run, "Omnia45_remote.exe" is the only file in

the specified folder. However, the first time that the program is run, it will create a small new file called

"connect.dat", which contains your connection type information. When you first run the Omnia 4.5 Remote

Control program, there is no "connect.dat" file yet, so you will receive the error message "No connection

database. Creating new database". This is normal and is no cause for concern.

Using the raw Executable

Using standard Windows procedures, create a new folder by the name you wish to use, and place a copy of

"Omnia45_remote1.exe" in that folder. You can then also create a desktop shortcut to that executable if

desired.

Note: When you install Omnia Remote Control software updates, you should move the old version and its

associated connect.dat file to a new folder. This way, conflicts with different versions of the connect.dat

database will be avoided. If you wish, the old version’s folder can be safely deleted once the update is

complete. You will also want to use unique folder names for each copy of other Omnia remote control

programs if you have those installed. Please note that the remote control programs themselves, as well as

their associated connect.dat files are unique for each version of the Omnia Classic, Omnia-3, Omnia-4.5,

Omnia-6fm, and Omnia Toolvox.

Setting Up and Configuring Omnia Remote Control

The Remote Control Program for the Omnia-4.5AM is specific to the Omnia-4.5AM. As stated earlier,

Omnia Remote Control programs designed for our other Omnia family of products will not work with

Omnia 4.5. The latest versions of all Omnia remote control programs are always available free of charge

through the "Support" page of our web site: www.omniaaudio.com

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Checking the Version Number of your Omnia 4.5 Remote Control Program

You can check the version of your Omnia Remote Control program by clicking on the "About" option

under the "Help" menu option.

The Omnia 4.5 Remote Control

Version number is shown here.

The Omnia Remote Control "About" screen

While you are configuring the data for the various connection types, the Omnia Remote Control software

can be run without having to connect it to the Omnia-4.5AM.

Start the Omnia45_remote.exe program. As mentioned earlier, when the program is run for the first time,

you will get an error message saying: “No connection database, creating new database.” This is normal.

This message is normal the first time the program is started!

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Under the Options Menu, select "Edit Connection". A new window will open, and a default “New

Connection” option will be displayed. Enter required information into each of the configuration boxes.

Edit Connection Menu in Omnia 4.5 Remote Control

In the left side of the "Edit Connection" window will be the list of any connections that are currently

contained in the 'connect.dat' configuration file. The specific names in the list are derived from the

information that was entered into the "Name:" box when each connection was first set up. In the Properties

Window of the dialog box, it's a good idea to edit the connection name to match the type of connection you

wish to configure. The three available connection types are:

• via Direct Serial

• via Modem

• via TCP/IP Ethernet

Connection names such as “Serial” if using the RS-232 port, “Network” if using the Ethernet port or

“Dialup” if using a modem may be used. This naming convention is not mandatory, but it will help keep

things tidy if you decide to use Omnia 4.5 Remote Control to connect to several Omnia-4.5AM units.

(Note: Use New to create any additional connection entries. Use Delete to remove any unused entries.

Select any entry in the connection list to edit its fields. Use Cancel to exit without making changes.)

To set up a connection, do the following:

1. Enter the name of the connection in the "Name" box. It is helpful to name the connections you

create according to the Omnia they connect to, or even by the method of connection. For instance,

the name box could contain entries like "WXXX Omnia", "WYYY Omnia", "WXXX Omnia by

Modem", WYYY Omnia by Network", etc.

2. In the Password box, enter the login password for the Omnia that you wish to make a connection

to. Remember that the factory default password for Omnia Remote Control is 'tomtom' (all lower

case).

3. If you wish to connect over a network, you must check the box "Connect over Ethernet". When

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

you do this, the parameters required for direct serial or dial-in via modem will be grayed out.

Then, only the TCP/IP address of the Omnia that you wish to connect to must be entered. Note: If

you are connecting via Direct Serial or Modem, you should not check the "Connect over Ethernet"

box!

4. If connecting via Direct Serial or Modem, then select the COM port that you wish to use on your

PC. This COM port should be configured in Windows for the highest baud rate that your PC will

support, but in any case, should be set to at least 57,600 bps.

5. If connecting via Direct Serial, no other information is required.

6. If connecting via Modem, in the "Phone #" box, enter the telephone number of the modem that is

connected to the Omnia at the remote site. Any characters present in the "Phone #" box signal the

Omnia Remote program to attempt a connection via modem!

If you need to use a Modem Initialization string, you may enter it into the "Modem Init" string box. If you

require a modem initialization string and feel more comfortable building the entire connect string within the

"Phone #" box you may do this. See "Using Custom Modem Initialization Strings" for more information.

Omnia Remote Control supports a wide variety of Hayes command set compatible modems. If you have

difficulty using your modem, you may call Omnia Customer Focus for assistance, but please gather as

much information about your modem as possible before doing so.

On the Omnia Side...

Remote Control Using the Optional PCMCIA Modem

A PCMCIA type modem card is optionally available for your Omnia-4.5AM and you must have the

modem installed in order to use Omnia remote control over a dial-up connection. Before use, ensure that

the Omnia-approved PCMCIA modem card is fully inserted into the lower PC Card slot on the back of the

Omnia. Press on the modem card's “XJACK” connector to extend the modular telephone jack. Using a

standard RJ-11cable, connect your telephone line to the Omnia modem. Make a note of the telephone

number corresponding to this line, as you will need it later when you configure the Omnia Remote Control

program.

Note: The modem card can be safely installed and removed when the Omnia's power is off. Only the

PCMCIA modem card supplied by Telos Omnia has been tested and approved by Telos Omnia. We cannot

ensure correct operation of any other modem card with the Omnia-4.5AM, nor can we provide support for

such non-approved cards.

Remote Control Using a External Hayes Compatible Modem

The Omnia supports nearly every Hayes command set compatible modem available. Please note that in

order to support the widest possible variety of externally connected serial devices the Omnia-4.5AM's RS-

232 port does not support hardware or software handshaking. This is of no concern, and we are aware of no

instances where this has prevented an externally connected modem from operating properly. The externally

connected modem will need to auto-detect one of the Omnia's three rear panel serial port's baud rates

(9,600, 19200, and 57,600). Because the Omnia and the modem are both DCE devices, you will need to use

a crossover (null modem) cable between them.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Remote Control Using a Direct Serial Connection

In the Edit Connection window, create a New Connection and name it. Then fill in the Password box (the

default password is 'tomtom'-lower case only!). The password may be changed at any time using the File

Menu "Change Password" option. Note that you must be connected to the Omnia in order to change the

password, and that the password change becomes valid the next time you attempt to log in with Omnia

Remote control.

Select the COM port that your computer will use under the drop down list box labeled "Port". If the Omnia

and computer are connected by a straight through serial cable, you should be able to connect and control

the Omnia-4.5AM locally using the remote control program.

The Omnia is designed a DCE device, and has a DB-25 female RS-232 port connector. Your computer will

typically be a DTE device, and will usually have either a DB-9 or DB-25 male connector. Since only

connections between the same type of equipment require a null modem cable (DCE to DCE, or DTE to

DTE), the Omnia to PC cable should be a straight-through type! A null modem cable will not work!

Connecting via Modem

Configure a new connection, also entering the telephone number to which the Omnia-4.5AM’s Modem

Card is connected. If your computer needs to dial an access code (such as "9") to get an outside line, that

must be entered as well. Sometimes if the outgoing connection passes through a PBX, it might require a

short pause between the outside line access code and the telephone number you're dialing. In this case, the

telephone number will need to have a comma inserted into it after the '9'. (In the standard Hayes command

set, a comma is a "pause" character).

Example: suppose you need to connect to a remotely located Omnia and it is connected to telephone

number 555-1234 in Area code 717. To make things more interesting, your local PBX system requires you

to dial a "9" to get an outside line. In this case, you'll need to dial "9" to get an outside line, as well as a "1"

because it is a long distance call. In this situation, the correct entry for the "Phone #" box would be:

9,17175551234

To enhance 'human readability', you could parse the telephone number entry with hyphens. Doing this has

no effect on the ability of the program to dial out. The entry in the Phone # box entry would then be:

9,1-717-555-1234

Using commas as pauses:

Commas can be inserted anywhere in the dialing string to add additional wait time. This implies that the

comma can be inserted AFTER the telephone number in order to force the remote program to extend the

time required to negotiate a remote connection.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Using a Custom Modem Initialization String

A custom Modem Initialization String is sometimes required in order to control the behavior of the modem

in special circumstances. While there are many different initialization string possibilities, the most common

one modifies how the modem handles dial tone. Sometimes the modem may be connected to a circuit that

does not provide the US standard 350/440 Hz dial tone, and in this case, you need to tell the modem to

ignore it.

Edit Connection dialog box with "Modem Initialization String" edit box

The extra dialing commands that modify modem behavior should be entered into the "Modem Init:" box in

the Edit Connections menu. If you are "modem init string savvy", you could ignore the "Modem Init:" box

altogether and place the complete dialing command string into the Phone # box. The choice is yours.

As pointed out earlier, a common customer need is the ability to tell the modem to ignore a non-standard

dial tone. For that situation, the most commonly used options are:

X0 - Disables both busy and dial tone detection.

X1 - Disable busy and dial tone detection.

X2 - Disable busy detection, enable dial tone detection.

X3 - Enable busy detection, disable dial tone detection.

X4 - Busy and dial tone detection enabled.

Given this information, a possible initialization string example configured to ignore the dial tone before

dialing, would be:

ATX0w,xyyyzzzz

ATX0w-,x-yyy-zzz

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Where "AT" is the start of the standard modem command string, and;

Where "X0" tells the modem to ignore busy and dial tone detection, and.

Where "x" is the number to dial to reach an outside line (if required), and;

Where "," is a pause, and;

Where "yyy" is the dialing prefix, and;

Where "zzzz" is the dialing suffix.

Note: There are many resources on the World Wide Web pertaining to the possible Hayes command set

options. You can locate such resources by using the search text "Hayes Command Set" in your Internet

browser. Two such sites with resources that have been helpful are:

http://www.modemhelp.net/basicatcommand.shtml

http://www.modemexpress.com/

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Using a Direct RS-232 Connection for Local Communications

When a computer can be located near the Omnia-4.5AM, it may be convenient to use a direct serial cable

connection rather than dial up. Use a standard, straight-through serial cable - null-modem cables will not

work! A typical serial cable will need a DB-25 male connector for the Omnia-4.5AM end, and probably a

DB-9 female connector on the computer end. You should verify the exact type required by your computer.

Using an Ethernet Network Based Connection

For Network connections, check the Connect over Ethernet box and enter the IP address of the Omnia-

4.5AM in the box provided. The TCP/IP address entry format is: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx. The default TCP/IP

address of the Omnia4.5 is the non-routable IP address 192.168.0.191.

Technical note: the Omnia 4.5 Remote Control communicates with the Omnia 4.5 using a Telnet session. If

you are unable to communicate with the Omnia through a network firewall, the first thing to check is

whether network traffic on the Telnet port is being permitted.

Enter the password for the unit in the Password box. If nothing is entered, you will be asked for the

password at the time you connect to the remote Omnia.

The default password for remote TCP/IP connections is “engineer” (all lower case), which is the same as

the factory assigned, front panel master password. The remote password may be changed at any time using

the Omnia Remote Control's "File/Change Password" option. Note that you MUST be connected to the

Omnia in order to change this password. Note also that the password change becomes valid the NEXT time

you attempt to log in with Omnia remote control.

The Remote Control software allows multiple connection profiles to be created so that a mix of connection

types (Direct, Serial, TCP/IP) may be used. This allows the program to easily support communicating with

different Omnias at different locations, connected by different means.

When all items have been entered, select OK.

Note: These connection settings are stored in a small binary file named connect.dat located in the same

folder as the remote program.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Establishing a Remote Connection

To establish a connection with the remotely located Omnia-4.5AM, return to the Options Menu and select

Connect, which brings up a list of connections you have defined. Double-click on the name of the desired

connection, or highlight it to select it and press OK. The connection will be established after a short pause,

and you should see the bargraph meters become active when a connection has been established.

Omnia 4.5 Remote Control after connection is made. Note that the currently selected Preset and the

Omnia's actual system date and time are being displayed.

Use Cancel to leave the dialog box without making any connection.

You can choose to have the program automatically establish a connection by going to the Options Menu,

selecting Auto-Connect to Last. Then the program will always connect to the Omnia-4.5AM using the last-

used startup connection entry.

Note that if you have not entered a Password while editing the connection type, you will be prompted for it

each time you connect to the Omnia!

Terminating a Connection

From the Options Menu, select Disconnect. Closing the program will also terminate any connections.

Operation

The Remote Control Program for Omnia-4.5AM looks very similar to the actual Front Panel and works

similarly with some added enhancements:

• Multiple control windows may be open at the same time.

• The scroll wheel on mice so equipped is supported for fast, easy adjustment of parameters.

• The ability to save, load, and print presets and system parameters to the computer. (in the File Menu)

This is very handy for reference and backup purposes.

• The ability to edit and load Trigger Scripts as described below:

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Using a Terminal Program and Direct Connection

It is sometimes useful to use a Direct Serial Connection and a terminal program such as Windows

HyperTerminal to gain access to the Omnia's command line interface. While operating the Omnia in this

manner is certainly not for beginners, the information that can be captured from the rear-panel RS-232 port,

especially during system boot-up, can be very useful for troubleshooting purposes. Upon occasion, Omnia

Customer Focus personnel may ask you to capture such data from the rear port if it seems necessary.

The serial communications parameters of the terminal program should be set to:

8 Data Bits

No Data Parity (None) 1 Stop Bit Flow Control (None)

The Baud rate (bits per second) must be set to match the setting in the Omnia-4.5AM’s System Menu.

Make sure however that the maximum allowed baud rate (set in the Windows Device Manager) of the

serial port being used is set at least as high as the desired baud rate. Setting this to the highest available

setting is fine.

Once these parameters have been set, one can now log onto the Omnia-4.5AM with the password

“tomtomr” (all lower case).

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Trigger Interface and Script Editor

Overview of the Trigger Script Editor

The Omnia 4.5 Remote Control software contains a special script editor that allows the programming of

complicated system parameter changes which can be "triggered" by logic state changes on the rear-panel

"Interface" connector.

"Edit Trigger Scripts" dialog box as opened under "Options", "Edit Trigger Scripts"

Using Trigger Scripts, you can make the Omnia 4.5 do things with contact closures that would normally

need to be done either by manual intervention at the front panel, or via Omnia 4.5 remote control. There are

EIGHT Trigger Inputs available, and they respond to voltage levels on the rear-panel "Interface" connector.

Trigger Control by Dry Contact Closures

The simplest way to manipulate a Trigger Input is through simple contact closures to ground. Connecting a

Trigger Input to ground initiates the programmed function associated with the "Trigger LOW" command,

and moving the connector pin from a grounded to a floating condition issues the "Trigger HIGH"

command.

Trigger Control by Applied Voltages

The Trigger Inputs are also capable of operating with a DC voltage applied, as long as such voltage does

not exceed 25 volts DC. Applied voltages that are more than +1.25 volts DC on the trigger input result in a

Trigger HIGH state, while voltages less than +1.25 volts result in a Trigger LOW state. Therefore, if +12

volts DC is applied, a logic "1", or Trigger HIGH is sensed. If –12 volts DC is applied, a logic "0", or

Trigger LOW is sensed. When nothing is connected to the Trigger Inputs, the inputs normally sit at

approximately 3.5 volts, which is a logic HIGH.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

What Can Be Controlled?

Virtually any aspect of the Omnia 4.5 operation can be controlled using the Trigger Script function.

Therefore, we'll explain some of the different types of operations that can be performed, and the different

types of commands that are required to perform each one.

Some Common Trigger Script Usage

• Switch from Stereo to L+R Mono

• Switch from L+R Mono to Stereo

• Switch the Omnia's audio input source from Analog to Digital

• Switch the Omnia's audio input from Digital to Analog

• Synchronizing the Omnia’s internal clock to an external source.

• Turn the Stereo Pilot on and off.

• Remotely rebooting the system motherboard

• Changing processing presets

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

The Para, The Syspara, and Command Line Entries

What Is A "Para"?

In general*, a 'para' is a variable that corresponds to one of the adjustable controls available within a

Processing Block. For instance, the Wide Band AGC Release Time is a 'para', in fact, it happens to be 'para'

665.

What Is A "Syspara"?

In general*, a 'syspara' is a system parameter assigned to the basic operation of the "System". Controls such

as the one for audio source selection, the mono operating mode, and the stereo pilot state and its injection

level, each have a "syspara" value associated with it. A complete list of Omnia 4.5 'syspara' values can be

found in the Appendix.

* In the above explanation, we used the disclaimer "in general" because there are certain exceptions.

What About Command Line Entries?

Just as 'paras' and 'sysparas' can manipulate the processing controls and system adjustments, there are

higher level commands available which do even more special things. Later, we'll discuss how the command

line can be used to manipulate the Daypart Scheduler.

Using The Trigger Script Editor

A Trigger Script is "written" using the Trigger Interface Script Editor which is contained within the Omnia

Remote Control software. The Script Editor runs in a separate window from the Remote Control window.

The Editor window is opened under the Options menu (Edit Trigger Scripts). To open the Script Editor

window, the computer running the Remote Software must be connected to and communicating with the

Omnia-4.5AM.

Starting the Script Editor (Options / Edit Trigger Scripts) opens up the Script Editor window. The eight

radio buttons along the left side select which trigger script number to display and edit. The top edit box

shows the script for the Trigger HIGH Command Script (contact open) for the selected input. The bottom

edit box shows the script for the Trigger LOW Command Script (contact closure) for that input.

Once a script has been entered, clicking the Test button checks the script syntax, and if correct, sends the

displayed script to the Omnia-4.5AM for immediate execution. Use the command line window and/or any

alert dialogs that pop up to view the success or failure of the script. Note that executing the script in this

manner does not result in the script being downloaded or saved as a trigger script, it is simply run once to

see if the script, as written, actually works.

The buttons along the bottom of the window load, save, or download the current scripts being edited to the

PC Card. Click “Save to Card” to permanently store the current scripts on the PC Card in one file. Click

“Load from Card” to retrieve previously saved scripts. To download the scripts for use in the processor

without saving to the PC Card, click “Apply” if further script editing will be done. Click “OK” to download

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

the current scripts and close the Script Editor window. Click “Cancel” to close the window, discarding any

changes made since the last “Apply” or “Save to Card.”

Note: If you have created Trigger Scripts and clicked "Apply" but not "Save to Card", the Omnia will only

remember your scripts until you power it off.

Once the scripts are downloaded into the processor, they are executed when the appropriate logic transition

occurs on their assigned trigger input. Neither the Remote Control application nor the Script Editor need to

be connected for the trigger scripts to execute.

Note: When a trigger script is actually executed, any problems that may be encountered in the execution of

it will not be noted to the user.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Script Command Definitions

The scripting commands available for use with the Daypart Scheduler are listed in bold lettering (e.g.,

parts). Their definitions (e.g., Displays the current daypart table) and usage examples are also listed. The

commands have been divided by general functions (Dayparts, Presets, System parameters, etc.). In use, a

command is typed in and then the enter or return key is pressed. If the command is executable (e.g., parts),

then the command is run (e.g., a table of the dayparts is displayed), otherwise the cursor simply moves to

the next entry line.

Dayparts

parts Displays the current daypart table

partadd <day> <time> Adds a daypart to the daypart table.

The “day” parameter can be assigned the following days: Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, M-F, S-S,

All. The “time” parameter must be defined using the following format: <hour>:<min>:<sec><am | pm> .

As an example, typing Partadd Mon 5:00:00am <enter> commands the Omnia-4.5 to add a daypart on

Monday at 5:00:00am.

partremove Removes a daypart from the current daypart list.

Example: partremove Mon 5:00:00am <enter>

partload Loads a daypart from the PC Card.

partsave Saves the current daypart to the PC Card.

Presets

Note: After a preset is saved to the system, the Omnia knows them by their Index Number, not by their

Preset Name. Therefore, when selecting a preset, you use its index number. When saving presets, you use

its name!

presets Lists all the currently available factory and user presets by

index #.

preset <preset index #> Selects the preset by index # from the list of available presets

Example: preset 21 <enter> commands the Omnia-4.5 to load preset number 21 in the

index list.

delete <preset index #> Deletes a preset from the preset index list by its index number.

Example: delete 21 <enter> commands the Omnia-4.5 to remove preset number 21 from

the index list.

rename <preset index #><name> Renames the preset by its index number.

Example: rename 21 BOOGY <enter> commands the Omnia-4.5 to rename preset number 2.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

save Saves the preset under its current name.

Note: Factory presets are permanent and cannot be written

over. You must use the ‘saveas’ command when saving

changes made to a factory preset in order to save it as a unique

name.

saveas Saves the preset under a different name.

Example: saveas BOOGY <enter> Commands the Omnia to save the current settings as preset

BOOGY.

Non-System Parameters (paras)

paras Lists the modifiable parameters available for the current preset

in a table format.

Example: paras <enter> displays the parameters for the current preset:

paravalues <index #> Lists all possible values for the parameter at the given index

number.

para <para index #> <paravalue> Sets a new value for the selected parameter.

Omnia 4.5 Use and Installation Guide – Ver 1.00a

Omnia Audio OMNIA-4.5 AM Operating Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NOTICES

Warranty registration and Software Updates

Trademarks

Copyright

Repair Procedures

Warranty

Chapter 1 – Pre-installation

Pre Installation Tasks

Omnia-4.5AM Components

PC Card & Modem Installation

AC Environment

Installation & Connections

Rack Mounting

AC Connection (IEC)

Rear Panel Connections

Audio Inputs—Analog & Digital (Female XLR)

Audio Outputs—Analog & Digital (Male XLR)

Ethernet Connection

RS-232 Connection (DB-25F)

Interface Connection (DB-9M)

Powering Up

The User Interface

Meter Display Screen alternates with the Main Menu Screen on the same display

Level Meters & Processing Bargraphs

Audio I/O Level Display

Processing Display

Main Menu Display

Remote Control Session via Network Indicator

Headphone Level Control

User Interface Tutorial – Input Source Selection and Peak Level Setting

The Menu Tree

Menu Items

Preset

Process

Input Submenu Output Submenu

Input & Output Submenus

Schedule

Menu Selections

Preset

Preset List

Choose

Modify

Save Current

Save Current As

Compare

Process

Input

Input Gain Left / Right

Master Drive

Input Source

Input Mode

High-Pass Filter

Phase Rotator

Output

Peak Output Level

Asymmetrical Modulation

Tilt EQ and Frequency

Tilt Equalization Adjustment Procedure

Low Frequency Tilt Equalization Adjustment Examples

LPF Frequency

Output Polarity Selection

Schedule

Schedule List

Modify and Remove

Load from Card

Save to Card

Current State

System

Port Baud

Security Lev(el)

Backlight

Set Time

Set Date

About

Change Password