Orban OPTIMOD-FM 8500 Operating Manual

Operating Manual

OPTIMOD-FM

8500

Digital Audio Processor

Version 3.0 Software/Hardware

IMPORTANT NOTE: Refer to the unit’s rear panel for your Model Number.

Model Number: Description:

8500, 8500J 8500V3, 8500V3J

8500FM, 8500FMJ 8500FMV3, 8500FMJV3

OPTIMOD 8500, Stereo Encoder, Digital I/O, Protection Structure, Two-Band Structure, Multi-Band Structure, HD Radio™ / Digital Radio / Netcast Processing,115V (for 90-130V operation) or 230V (for 200-250V operation), switchable to 50µs or 75µs.

8500J, 8500V3J, 8500FMV3 and 8500FMJ are for 90117V operation.

8500V3 hardware is functionally identical to older 8500s, but uses a different DSP board that allows it to be upgraded to Optimod-FM 8600 functionality without swapping out the DSP board.

As above, except HD Radio™ / Digital Radio / Netcast Processing omitted. Upgradeable to 8500 and 8600 functionality. 8500FMJ for 90-117V operation.

CAUTION:

NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK,

DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to

the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage

inside the enclosure ⎯ voltage that may be

sufficient to constitute a risk of shock.

This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to important

operating and maintenance instructions in the accompa-

nying literature. Read the manual.

In accordance to the WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) directive of the European Parliament, this product must not be discarded into the municipal waste stream in any of the Member States. This product may be sent back to your Orban dealer at end of life where it will be reused or recycled at no cost to you.

If this product is discarded into an approved municipal WEEE collection site or turned over to an approved WEEE recycler at end of life, your Orban dealer must be notified and supplied with model, serial number and the name and location of site/facility.

Please contact your Orban dealer for further assistance.

www.orban.com

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

All the safety and operating instructions should be read before the appliance is operated.

Retain Instructions: The safety and operation instructions should be retained for future reference.

Heed Warnings: All warnings on the appliance and in the operating instructions should be adhered to.

Follow Instructions: All operation and user instructions should be followed.

Water and Moisture: The appliance should not be used near water (e.g., near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet base-

ment, or near a swimming pool, etc.).

Ventilation: The appliance should be situated so that its location or position does not interfere with its proper ventilation. For example, the appli-

ance should not be situated on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surface that may block the ventilation openings; or, placed in a built-in installation, such as a bookcase or cabinet that may impede the flow of air through the ventilation openings.

Heat: The appliance should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other appliances (including amplifiers)

that produce heat.

Power Sources: The appliance should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions or as marked on

the appliance.

Grounding or Polarization: Precautions should be taken so that the grounding or polarization means of an appliance is not defeated.

Power-Cord Protection: Power-supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or

against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the appliance.

Cleaning: The appliance should be cleaned only as recommended by the manufacturer.

Non-Use Periods: The power cord of the appliance should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a long period of time.

Object and Liquid Entry: Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through openings.

Damage Requiring Service: The appliance should be serviced by qualified service personnel when: The power supply cord or the plug has

been damaged; or Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the appliance; or The appliance has been exposed to rain; or The appliance does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance; or The appliance has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.

Servicing: The user should not attempt to service the appliance beyond that described in the operating instructions. All other servicing should be

referred to qualified service personnel.

The Appliance should be used only with a cart or stand that is recommended by the manufacturer.

Safety Instructions (European)

Notice For U.K. Customers If Your Unit Is Equipped With A Power Cord.

WARNING: THIS APPLIANCE MUST BE EARTHED.

The cores in the mains lead are coloured in accordance with the following code:

GREEN and YELLOW - Earth BLUE - Neutral BROWN - Live

As colours of the cores in the mains lead of this appliance may not correspond with the coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plug, proceed as follows:

The core which is coloured green and yellow must be connected to the terminal in the plug marked with the letter E, or with the earth symbol, or coloured green, or green and yellow.

The core which is coloured blue must be connected to the terminal marked N or coloured black.

The core which is coloured brown must be connected to the terminal marked L or coloured red.

The power cord is terminated in a CEE7/7 plug (Continental Europe). The green/yellow wire is connected directly to the unit's chassis. If you need to change the plug and if you are qualified to do so, refer to the table below.

WARNING: If the ground is defeated, certain fault conditions in the unit or in the system to which it is connected can result in full line voltage between chassis and earth ground. Severe injury or death can then result if the chassis and earth ground are touched simultaneously.

Conductor WIRE COLOR

Normal Alt

L LIVE BROWN BLACK

N NEUTRAL BLUE WHITE

E EARTH GND GREEN-YELLOW GREEN

AC Power Cord Color Coding

Safety Instructions (German)

Gerät nur an der am Leistungsschild vermerkten Spannung und Stromart betreiben. Sicherungen nur durch solche, gleicher Stromstärke und gleichen Abschaltverhaltens ersetzen. Sicherungen nie überbrücken. Jedwede Beschädigung des Netzkabels vermeiden. Netzkabel nicht knicken oder quetschen. Beim Abziehen des Netzkabels den Stecker und nicht das Kabel enfassen. Beschädigte Netzkabel sofort auswechseln. Gerät und Netzkabel keinen übertriebenen mechanischen Beaspruchungen aussetzen. Um Berührung gefährlicher elektrischer Spannungen zu vermeiden, darf das Gerät nicht geöffnet werden. Im Fall von Betriebsstörungen darf das Gerät nur Von befugten Servicestellen instandgesetzt werden. Im Gerät befinden sich keine, durch den Benutzer reparierbare Teile. Zur Vermeidung von elektrischen Schlägen und Feuer ist das Gerät vor Nässe zu schützen. Eindringen von Feuchtigkeit und Flüssigkeiten in das Gerät vermeiden. Bei Betriebsstörungen bzw. nach Eindringen von Flüssigkeiten oder anderen Gegenständen, das Gerät sofort vom Netz trennen und eine qualifizierte Servicestelle kontaktieren.

Safety Instructions (French)

On s'assurera toujours que la tension et la nature du courant utilisé correspondent bien à ceux indiqués sur la plaque de l'appareil. N'utiliser que des fusibles de même intensité et du même principe de mise hors circuit que les fusibles d'origine. Ne jamais shunter les fusibles. Eviter tout ce qui risque d'endommager le câble seceur. On ne devra ni le plier, ni l'aplatir. Lorsqu'on débranche l'appareil, tirer la fiche et non le câble. Si un câble est endommagé, le remplacer immédiatement. Ne jamais exposer l'appareil ou le câble ä une contrainte mécanique excessive. Pour éviter tout contact averc une tension électrique dangereuse, on n'oouvrira jamais l'appareil. En cas de dysfonctionnement, l'appareil ne peut être réparé que dans un atelier autorisé. Aucun élément de cet appareil ne peut être réparé par l'utilisateur. Pour éviter les risques de décharge électrique et d'incendie, protéger l'appareil de l'humidité. Eviter toute pénétration d'humidité ou fr liquide dans l'appareil. En cas de dysfonctionnement ou si un liquide ou tout autre objet a pénétré dans l'appareil couper aussitôt l'appareil de son alimentation et s'adresser à un point de service aprésvente autorisé.

Safety Instructions (Spanish)

Hacer funcionar el aparato sólo con la tensión y clase de corriente señaladas en la placa indicadora de características. Reemplazar los fusibles sólo por otros de la misma intensidad de corriente y sistema de desconexión. No poner nunca los fusibles en puente. Proteger el cable de alimentación contra toda clase de daños. No doblar o apretar el cable. Al desenchufar, asir el enchufe y no el cable. Sustituir inmediatamente cables dañados. No someter el aparato y el cable de alimentación a esfuerzo mecánico excesivo. Para evitar el contacto con tensiones eléctricas peligrosas, el aparato no debe abrirse. En caso de producirse fallos de funcionamiento, debe ser reparado sólo por talleres de servicio autorizados. En el aparato no se encuentra ninguna pieza que pudiera ser reparada por el usuario. Para evitar descargas eléctricas e incendios, el aparato debe protegerse contra la humedad, impidiendo que penetren ésta o líquidos en el mismo. En caso de producirse fallas de funcionamiento como consecuencia de la penetración de líquidos u otros objetos en el aparato, hay que desconectarlo inmediatamente de la red y ponerse en contacto con un taller de servicio autorizado.

Safety Instructions (Italian)

Far funzionare l'apparecchio solo con la tensione e il tipo di corrente indicati sulla targa riportante i dati sulle prestazioni. Sostituire i dispositivi di protezione (valvole, fusibili ecc.) solo con dispositivi aventi lo stesso amperaggio e lo stesso comportamento di interruzione. Non cavallottare mai i dispositivi di protezione. Evitare qualsiasi danno al cavo di collegamento alla rete. Non piegare o schiacciare il cavo. Per staccare il cavo, tirare la presa e mai il cavo. Sostituire subito i cavi danneggiati. Non esporre l'apparecchio e il cavo ad esagerate sollecitazioni meccaniche. Per evitare il contatto con le tensioni elettriche pericolose, l'apparecchio non deve venir aperto. In caso di anomalie di funzionamento l'apparecchio deve venir riparato solo da centri di servizio autorizzati. Nell'apparecchio non si trovano parti che possano essere riparate dall'utente. Per evitare scosse elettriche o incendi, l'apparecchio va protetto dall'umidità. Evitare che umidità o liquidi entrino nell'apparecchio. In caso di anomalie di funzionamento rispettivamente dopo la penetrazione di liquidi o oggetti nell'apparecchio, staccare immediatamente l'apparecchio dalla rete e contattare un centro di servizio qualificato.

PLEASE READ BEFORE PROCEEDING!

Manual

The Operating Manual contains instructions to verify the proper operation of this unit and initialization of certain options. You will find these operations are most conveniently performed on the bench before you install the unit in the rack.

Please review the Manual, especially the installation section, before unpacking the unit.

Trial Period Precautions

If your unit has been provided on a trial basis:

You should observe the following precautions to avoid reconditioning charges in case you later wish to return the unit to your dealer.

(1) Note the packing technique and save all packing materials. It is not wise to ship in other than the factory carton. (Re-

placements cost $35.00).

(2) Avoid scratching the paint or plating. Set the unit on soft, clean surfaces.

(3) Do not cut the grounding pin from the line cord.

(4) Use care and proper tools in removing and tightening screws to avoid burring the heads.

(5) Use the nylon-washered rack screws supplied, if possible, to avoid damaging the panel. Support the unit when tighten-

ing the screws so that the threads do not scrape the paint inside the slotted holes.

Packing

When you pack the unit for shipping:

(1) Tighten all screws on any barrier strip(s) so the screws do not fall out from vibration. (2) Wrap the unit in its original plastic bag to avoid abrading the paint. (3) Seal the inner and outer cartons with tape.

If you are returning the unit permanently (for credit), be sure to enclose:

• The Manual(s)

• The Registration / Warranty Card

• The Line Cord

• All Miscellaneous Hardware (including the Rack Screws and Keys)

• The Extender Card (if applicable)

• The Monitor Rolloff Filter(s) (OPTIMOD-AM only)

• The COAX Connecting Cable (OPTIMOD-FM and OPTIMOD-TV only)

Your dealer may charge you for any missing items.

If you are returning a unit for repair, do not enclose any of the above items.

Further advice on proper packing and shipping is included in the Manual (see Table of Contents).

Trouble

If you have problems with installation or operation:

(1) Check everything you have done so far against the instructions in the Manual. The information contained therein is

based on our years of experience with OPTIMOD and broadcast stations.

(2) Check the other sections of the Manual (consult the Table of Contents and Index) to see if there might be some sug-

gestions regarding your problem.

(3) After reading the section on Factory Assistance, you may call Orban Customer Service for advice during normal Cali-

fornia business hours. The number is (1) 510 / 351-3500.

This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio-frequency energy. If it is not installed and used as directed by this manual, it may cause interference to radio communication. This equipment complies with the limits for a Class A computing device, as specified by FCC Rules, Part 15, subject J, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference when this type of equipment is operated in a commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause interference. If it does, the user will be required to eliminate the interference at the user’s expense.

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus 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 limites applicables aux appareils numeriques [de las class A] prescrites dans le Reglement sur le brouillage radioelectrique edicte par le ministere des Communications du Canada.)

Perform the installation under static control conditions. Simply walking across a rug can generate a static charge of 20,000 volts. This is the spark or shock you may have felt when touching a doorknob or some other conductive surface. A much smaller static discharge is likely to destroy one or more of the CMOS semiconductors employed in OPTIMOD-FM. Static damage will not be covered under warranty.

There are many common sources of static. Most involve some type of friction between two dissimilar materials. Some examples are combing your hair, sliding across a seat cover or rolling a cart across the floor. Since the threshold of human perception for a static discharge is 3000 volts, you will not even notice many damaging discharges.

Basic damage prevention consists of minimizing generation, discharging any accumulated static charge on your body or workstation, and preventing that discharge from being sent to or through an electronic component. You should use a static grounding strap (grounded through a protective resistor) and a static safe workbench with a conductive surface. This will prevent any buildup of damaging static.

WARNING

IMPORTANT

U.S. patents 5,737,434, 6,337,999, 6,434,241, 6,618,486, and 6,937,912 protect Optimod-FM 8500.

Orban and Optimod are registered trademarks. All trademarks are property of their respective companies.

This manual is part number 96123.300.00. Published May 2011.

Phone: +1 480.403.8314; Fax:

8350 East Evans Suite C4, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 USA

+1 480.403.8305; E-Mail: custserv@orban.com; Site: www.orban.com

Operating Manual

OPTIMOD-FM

8500

Digital Audio Processor

Version 3.0 Software/Hardware

Table of Contents

Index.......................................................................................................................0-10

Section 1 Introduction

.........................................................................................................................................1-1

ABOUT THIS MANUAL.......................................................................................................1-1

THE OPTIMOD-FM 8500 DIGITAL AUDIO PROCESSOR .......................................................1-1

User-Friendly Interface............................................................................................1-2

Absolute Control of Peak Modulation...................................................................1-3

Flexible Configuration ............................................................................................1-3

Adaptability through Multiple Audio Processing Structures ...............................1-5

Controllable .............................................................................................................1-5

Upgradeable ............................................................................................................1-6

PRESETS IN OPTIMOD-FM ..............................................................................................1-7

Factory Presets .........................................................................................................1-7

User Presets..............................................................................................................1-7

INPUT/OUTPUT CONFIGURATION.........................................................................................1-7

Digital AES3 Left/right Input/outputs ....................................................................1-8

Analog Left/right Input/output ..............................................................................1-8

Stereo Analog Baseband Composite Output ........................................................1-9

Subcarriers................................................................................................................1-9

Remote Control Interface .....................................................................................1-10

Computer Interface ...............................................................................................1-10

RS-232 Serial Port (Serial 1)............................................................................................ 1-11

RS-232 Serial Port (Serial 2)............................................................................................ 1-11

100 Mbps Ethernet Port ................................................................................................. 1-11

LOCATION OF OPTIMOD-FM.........................................................................................1-11

Optimal Control of Peak Modulation Levels.......................................................1-11

Best Location for OPTIMOD-FM ...........................................................................1-12

If the transmitter is not accessible:................................................................................ 1-12

If the transmitter is accessible: ...................................................................................... 1-13

STUDIO-TRANSMITTER LINK.............................................................................................1-14

Transmission from Studio to Transmitter.............................................................1-14

Digital Links .................................................................................................................... 1-15

Composite Baseband Microwave STLs (Analog and Digital)........................................ 1-16

Dual Microwave STLs...................................................................................................... 1-16

Analog Landline (PTT / Post Office Line)....................................................................... 1-17

Using the Orban 8100AST (or 8100A/ST) External AGC with the 8500 .............1-18

STL and Exciter Overshoot ....................................................................................1-18

USING LOSSY DATA REDUCTION IN THE STUDIO..................................................................1-18

ABOUT TRANSMISSION LEVELS AND METERING ..................................................................1-19

Meters ....................................................................................................................1-19

Figure 1-1: Absolute Peak Level, VU and PPM Reading ............................................... 1-19

Studio Line-up Levels and Headroom ..................................................................1-20

Transmission Levels................................................................................................1-20

LINE-UP FACILITIES .........................................................................................................1-21

Metering of Levels.................................................................................................1-21

Left/right Output Level .................................................................................................. 1-21

Composite Output Level ................................................................................................ 1-21

Built-in Calibrated Line-up Tones.................................................................................. 1-21

Built-in Calibrated Bypass Test Mode ............................................................................1-22

MONITORING ON LOUDSPEAKERS AND HEADPHONES..........................................................1-22

Low-Delay Monitoring ...................................................................................................1-24

EAS TEST......................................................................................................................1-24

PC CONTROL AND SECURITY PASSCODE.............................................................................1-25

WARRANTY, USER FEEDBACK...........................................................................................1-26

User Feedback........................................................................................................1-26

LIMITED WARRANTY .............................................................................................1-26

INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY...............................................................................1-26

EXTENDED WARRANTY ........................................................................................1-27

Section 2 Installation

.........................................................................................................................................2-1

INSTALLING THE 8500.......................................................................................................2-1

Figure 2-1: AC Line Cord Wire Standard).........................................................................2-2

Figure 2-2: Wiring the 25-pin Remote Interface Connector........................................... 2-4

8500 REAR PANEL ...........................................................................................................2-5

AUDIO INPUT AND OUTPUT CONNECTIONS ..........................................................................2-6

Cable.........................................................................................................................2-6

Connectors ...............................................................................................................2-6

Analog Audio Input.................................................................................................2-7

Analog Audio Output .............................................................................................2-7

AES3 DIGITAL INPUT AND OUTPUT ....................................................................................2-8

COMPOSITE OUTPUT AND SUBCARRIER INPUTS .....................................................................2-9

Figure 2-3: Separation vs. load capacitance ....................................................................2-9

GROUNDING ..................................................................................................................2-11

Power Ground........................................................................................................2-11

Circuit Ground .......................................................................................................2-12

8500 FRONT PANEL .......................................................................................................2-12

EXTERNAL AGC INSTALLATION (OPTIONAL) .......................................................................2-14

If you are using an Orban 8200ST external AGC:................................................2-14

Figure 2-4: 8200ST Jumper Settings (*Factory Configuration) .....................................2-15

QUICK SETUP.................................................................................................................2-17

ANALOG AND DIGITAL I/O SETUP.....................................................................................2-24

USING CLOCK-BASED AUTOMATION.................................................................................2-36

SECURITY AND PASSCODE PROGRAMMING.........................................................................2-37

To Unlock the Front Panel ....................................................................................2-40

8500 User Interface Behavior during Lockout............................................................... 2-40

Default ADMIN Passcode................................................................................................ 2-40

Security and Orban’s PC Remote Application......................................................2-41

Passcodes and Software Updates .........................................................................2-41

If you have forgotten your “All Screens” passcode… ........................................2-41

ADMINISTERING THE 8500 THROUGH ITS SERIAL PORTS OR ETHERNET...................................2-43

Connecting via Serial Port #2 Using a Terminal Program on a PC .....................2-43

Connecting to the 8500’s Ethernet Port or Serial Port #1 via a Terminal Program

on a PC ...................................................................................................................2-45

Direct Control Using PuTTY............................................................................................ 2-45

Automated Control Using PuTTY/Plink..........................................................................2-47

Automated Control Using Netcat ..................................................................................2-47

Administrative Operations....................................................................................2-48

REMOTE CONTROL INTERFACE PROGRAMMING ..................................................................2-54

TALLY OUTPUT PROGRAMMING .......................................................................................2-56

NETWORKING AND REMOTE CONTROL..............................................................................2-57

INSTALLING 8500 PC REMOTE CONTROL SOFTWARE ..........................................................2-60

Installing the Necessary Windows Services..........................................................2-60

Check Hardware Requirements............................................................................2-60

Running the Orban Installer Program .................................................................2-61

Setting Up Ethernet, LAN, and VPN Connections ...............................................2-62

Conclusion..............................................................................................................2-62

SYNCHRONIZING OPTIMOD TO A NETWORK TIME SERVER....................................................2-63

Table 2-1: NIST-referenced timeservers......................................................................... 2-63

Updating your 8500’s Software............................................................................2-66

APPENDIX: SETTING UP SERIAL COMMUNICATIONS.............................................................2-69

Preparing for Communication through Null Modem Cable ..............................2-69

Connecting Using Windows 2000 Direct Serial Connection:..............................2-69

Connecting Using Windows XP Direct Serial Connection ..................................2-75

Preparing for Communication through Modems ...............................................2-79

Connecting Using Windows 2000 Modem Connection ......................................2-80

Connecting using Windows XP Modem Connection ..........................................2-85

Section 3 Operation

.........................................................................................................................................3-1

8500 FRONT PANEL .........................................................................................................3-1

INTRODUCTION TO PROCESSING..........................................................................................3-3

Some Audio Processing Concepts...........................................................................3-3

Distortion in Processing ..........................................................................................3-4

Loudness and Distortion .........................................................................................3-4

OPTIMOD-FM—from Bach to Rock ........................................................................3-4

Fundamental Requirements: High-Quality Source Material and Accurate

Monitoring...............................................................................................................3-5

ABOUT THE 8500’S SIGNAL PROCESSING FEATURES ..............................................................3-6

Dual-Mono Architecture .........................................................................................3-6

Signal Flow...............................................................................................................3-6

ITU-R 412 Compliance ...........................................................................................3-10

Two-Band Purist Processing ..................................................................................3-11

Digital Radio Processing........................................................................................3-11

Input/Output Delay ...............................................................................................3-12

CUSTOMIZING THE 8500’S SOUND ...................................................................................3-13

Basic Modify...........................................................................................................3-13

Intermediate Modify .............................................................................................3-14

Advanced Modify ..................................................................................................3-14

Gain Reduction Metering .....................................................................................3-15

To Create or Save a User Preset ............................................................................3-15

To Delete a User Preset .........................................................................................3-16

ABOUT THE PROCESSING STRUCTURES ...............................................................................3-17

FACTORY PROGRAMMING PRESETS ...................................................................................3-18

Table 3-1: Factory Programming Presets....................................................................... 3-19

EQUALIZER CONTROLS ....................................................................................................3-25

Table 3-2: Equalization Controls ................................................................................... 3-26

STEREO ENHANCER CONTROLS .........................................................................................3-30

Table 3-3: Stereo Enhancer Controls ............................................................................. 3-30

AGC CONTROLS ............................................................................................................3-31

Table 3-4: AGC Controls................................................................................................. 3-31

Advanced AGC Controls........................................................................................3-34

CLIPPER CONTROLS.........................................................................................................3-37

Table 3-5: Clipper Controls............................................................................................. 3-37

Figure 3-1: 0-100 kHz Baseband Spectrum (Loud-Hot preset)...................................... 3-40

Figure 3-2: 19 kHz Pilot Notch Filter Spectrum (Loud-Hot preset; detail)....................3-40

Advanced Clipper Controls ...................................................................................3-41

THE TWO-BAND STRUCTURE ...........................................................................................3-43

The Protection Presets...........................................................................................3-44

Setting Up the Two-Band Structure for Classical Music......................................3-44

Customizing the Settings ......................................................................................3-45

The Two-Band Structure’s Full Setup Controls ....................................................3-45

Table 3-6: Two-Band Controls ........................................................................................ 3-46

Advanced Two-Band Controls ..............................................................................3-48

THE FIVE-BAND STRUCTURE ............................................................................................3-50

Putting the Five-Band Structure on the Air.........................................................3-50

Customizing the Settings ......................................................................................3-50

The Five-Band Structure’s Full Setup Controls.....................................................3-51

Table 3-7: Multiband Controls .......................................................................................3-51

Table 3-8: MB Attack / Release Controls........................................................................ 3-53

Table 3-9: MB Band Mix Controls...................................................................................3-57

Advanced Multiband and Band Mix Controls .....................................................3-58

To Override the Speech/Music Detector ........................................................................3-62

ABOUT THE 8500’S HD / DIGITAL RADIO PROCESSING........................................................3-63

Delay Difference between HD and FM Outputs .................................................3-65

HD I/O Setup Controls ...........................................................................................3-65

Input/Output > HD Digital Radio screen:.......................................................................3-65

Table 3-10: HD I/O Setup Controls .................................................................................3-66

Digital Output.................................................................................................................3-68

Unique HD Audio Controls ...................................................................................3-69

Table 3-11: Unique HD Audio Controls (found in HD Limiting page).......................... 3-70

ITU-R MULTIPLEX POWER CONTROLLER............................................................................3-71

Figure 3-3: Multiplex power over 15 minute observation interval with Multiplex power

controller active, measured at the Optimod’s composite output ................................ 3-72

Audio Processing and the Multiplex Power Threshold Control ...................................3-73

About the Multiplex Power Controller’s Time Constants............................................. 3-73

TEST MODES .................................................................................................................3-74

Table 3-12: Test Modes................................................................................................... 3-74

GETTING THE BASS SOUND YOU WANT ............................................................................3-75

USING THE 8500 PC REMOTE CONTROL SOFTWARE ...........................................................3-77

To set up a new connection: .................................................................................3-78

To initiate communication: ...................................................................................3-79

To modify a control setting:..................................................................................3-79

To recall a preset:...................................................................................................3-80

To save a user preset you have created: ..............................................................3-80

To back up User Presets, system files, and automation files onto your computer’s

hard drive:..............................................................................................................3-80

Note to Users Familiar with Older Version of PC Remote ............................................3-81

To restore archived presets, system files, and automation files:........................3-81

To share an archived User Preset between 8500s: ........................................................3-83

To modify INPUT/OUTPUT and SYSTEM SETUP:............................................................3-83

To modify AUTOMATION: .........................................................................................3-83

To group multiple 8500s: ......................................................................................3-83

Operation Using the Keyboard ............................................................................3-84

To Quit the Program..............................................................................................3-84

About Aliases created by Optimod 8500 PC Remote Software .........................3-84

Multiple Installations of Optimod 8500 PC Remote ...........................................3-85

Section 4 Maintenance

.........................................................................................................................................4-1

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ...................................................................................................4-1

SUBASSEMBLY REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT.......................................................................4-2

FIELD AUDIT OF PERFORMANCE..........................................................................................4-7

Table 4-1: Decoder Chart for Power Supervisor ........................................................... 4-10

Table 4-2: Layout Diagram of J7, with expected voltages on each pin....................... 4-10

Table 4-3: Typical Power Supply Voltages and AC Ripple............................................ 4-10

Section 5 Troubleshooting

.........................................................................................................................................5-1

PROBLEMS AND POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS...............................................................................5-1

RFI, Hum, Clicks, or Buzzes............................................................................................... 5-1

Unexpectedly Quiet On-Air Levels .................................................................................. 5-1

Poor Peak Modulation Control / Low On-Air Loudness ................................................. 5-1

Audible Distortion On-Air................................................................................................ 5-2

Audible Noise on Air........................................................................................................ 5-3

Whistle on Air, Perhaps Only in Stereo Reception ......................................................... 5-4

Interference from stereo into SCA .................................................................................. 5-4

Figure 5-1: Typical 8500 baseband spectrum with heavy processing, 0-100 kHz.......... 5-4

Shrill, Harsh Sound ........................................................................................................... 5-5

Dull Sound ........................................................................................................................ 5-5

System Will Not Pass Line-Up Tones at 100% Modulation ............................................ 5-5

System Will Not Pass Emergency Alert System (“EAS” USA Standard) Tones at the

Legally Required Modulation Level ................................................................................ 5-6

System Receiving 8500’s Digital Output Will Not Lock .................................................. 5-6

19 kHz Frequency Out-of-Tolerance................................................................................ 5-6

L–R (Stereo Difference Channel) Will Not Null With Monophonic Input...................... 5-6

Talent Complains About Delay in Their Headphones .................................................... 5-6

HD Output Sounds Too Bright......................................................................................... 5-6

Harsh Sibilance (“Ess” Sounds) in the HD Channel......................................................... 5-6

HD and FM Levels Do Not Match When the Receiver Crossfades.................................. 5-6

Loudness Drops Momentarily During HD Radio Analog/Digital Crossfades ................. 5-7

HD Frequency Response is Limited to 15 kHz ................................................................. 5-7

You Cannot Set Any Output to Emit an HD Signal ........................................................ 5-7

General Dissatisfaction with Subjective Sound Quality.................................................. 5-7

Security Passcode Lost (When Unit is Locked Out) ......................................................... 5-8

Connection Issues between the 8500 and a PC, Modem, or Network ................5-8

Troubleshooting Connections.................................................................................5-8

You Cannot Access the Internet After Making a Direct or Modem Connection to

the 8500: ..................................................................................................................5-9

OS-SPECIFIC TROUBLESHOOTING ADVICE ..........................................................................5-10

Troubleshooting Windows 2000 Direct Connect:................................................5-10

Troubleshooting Windows 2000 Modem Connect:.............................................5-11

Troubleshooting Windows XP Direct Connect: ...................................................5-12

Troubleshooting Windows XP Modem Connect: ................................................5-13

TROUBLESHOOTING IC OPAMPS .......................................................................................5-14

TECHNICAL SUPPORT.......................................................................................................5-14

FACTORY SERVICE...........................................................................................................5-15

SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS ..................................................................................................5-15

Section 6 Technical Data

.........................................................................................................................................6-1

SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................................................6-1

Performance.............................................................................................................6-1

Installation ...............................................................................................................6-2

CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION........................................................................................................6-6

Overview ..................................................................................................................6-6

Control Circuits ........................................................................................................6-7

User Control Interface and LCD Display Circuits ...................................................6-7

Input Circuits............................................................................................................6-8

Output Circuits.......................................................................................................6-10

DSP Circuit..............................................................................................................6-12

Power Supply .........................................................................................................6-13

ABBREVIATIONS .............................................................................................................6-13

PARTS LIST.....................................................................................................................6-15

Obtaining Spare Parts ...........................................................................................6-15

Base Board .............................................................................................................6-16

CPU Module ...........................................................................................................6-17

RS-232 Board..........................................................................................................6-19

Power Supply .........................................................................................................6-20

Input/Output (I/O) Board ......................................................................................6-21

DSP Board (Pre-V3) ................................................................................................6-25

DSP Board (V3).......................................................................................................6-27

Interface Board ......................................................................................................6-29

Headphone Board .................................................................................................6-30

Encoder Board .......................................................................................................6-31

LCD Carrier Board ..................................................................................................6-31

SCHEMATICS AND PARTS LOCATOR DRAWINGS...................................................................6-33

Function Description Drawing Page

Chassis

Circuit Board Locator and basic interconnections

Base Board

Glue logic; supports CPU module and RS-232 daughterboard.

Contains:

CPU Module

System Connections Schematic 1 of 4 CPU module interface Schematic 2 of 4 Power Supply Monitor Schematic 3 of 4 CPLD, General Purpose Interface,

and Remotes Control microprocessor. Services front panel, serial port, Ethernet, DSP board, and control board. Resides on base board.

Contains:

Ethernet Schematic 1 of 5

Top view (not to scale) Parts Locator Drawing

Schematic 4 of 4

Parts Locator Drawing

6-35

6-36

6-37 6-38 6-39 6-40

6-41

6-42

Function Description Drawing Page

RS-232 Board

Power Supply

I/O Board

DSP Board

(pre-V3)

DSP Board

(V3)

General Purpose Bus Schematic 2 of 5 Memory Schematic 3 of 5 Miscellaneous Functions Schematic 4 of 5 Power and Ground Distribution Schematic 5 of 5

Supports Serial Port Parts Locator

6-43 6-44 6-45 6-46 6-47

Drawing

Schematic 1 of 1 ±15V analog supply; ±5V analog

supply; +5V digital supply

Parts Locator Drawing

Schematic 1 of 1 Analog Input/output

AES3 Input/output

Parts Locator Drawing

6-48 6-49

6-50

6-51

Composite Output SCA Input.

Contains:

L and R Analog Inputs Schematic 1 of 6 6-52 L and R Analog Outputs Schematic 2 of 6 6-53 Composite / SCA Schematic 3 of 6 6-54 Digital I/O Schematic 4 of 6 6-55 Control and Miscellaneous Schematic 5 of 6 6-56 Interface and Power Distribution Schematic 6 of 6 6-57

DSP Chips; Local +3.3V regulator.

Contains:

DSP Extended Serial Audio Inter-

Parts Locator

6-58 Drawing Schematic 2 of 9 6-59

face (ESAI) DSP Host Interface Schematic 3 of 9 6-60 No-Connects Schematic 4 of 9 6-61 DSP Power, and Ground Schematic 5 of 9 6-62

ISA Bus 8-bit I/O Schematic 6 of 9 6-63 Serial Audio Interface and Clock

Schematic 7 of 9 6-64

Generation Power Distribution Schematic 8 of 9 6-65 Memory, Headphone D-A, and

Schematic 9 of 9 6-66

Headphone Amplifier

DSP Chips; Local +3.3V regulator.

Contains:

Parts Locator Drawing

6-67

Interconnects Schematic 1 of 9 6-68 Enhanced Serial Audio

Schematic 2 of 9 6-69

Interface (ESAI) Control Interface Schematic 3 of 9 6-70 External Memory Controller

Schematic 4 of 9 6-71

Interface 1 Power and Ground Schematic 5 of 9 6-72 86xx 8-Bit Control Interface Schematic 6 of 9 6-73 Clock Generation and CPLD Schematic 7 of 9 6-74 Power Distribution Schematic 8 of 9 6-75 External Memory Controller

Schematic 9 of 9 6-76

Interface 2

Function Description Drawing Page

Front-Panel

Boards

Front-Panel

Interface

Board

DSP Block

Diagram

LCD Carrier Parts Locator

6-77

Drawing LCD Carrier Schematic 1 of 3 6-78 Headphone and Encoder Board Parts Locator

6-79

Drawings Headphone Board Schematic 2 of 3 6-80 Encoder Board Schematic 3 of 3 6-81

Parts Locator

6-82

Drawing

Schematic 1 of 2 6-83 Schematic 2 of 2 6-84 Shows signal processing 6-85

Index

19 K Ref control 2- · 11

2B Drive 3- · 45 2B Release 3- · 46

8100A/ST 1- · 18 8100A1 1- · 18 8100AST 1- · 18 8100AXT2 1- · 18 8200ST 2- · 14 8400

importing presets from 3- · 82

8500 HD 3- · 63 8500 OPTIMOD-FM 1- · 1

A/D converter

Circuit description 5- · 9

Abbreviations

Table of 6- · 13

AC Line Cord Standard 2- · 2 Administering 8500 Through Terminal

Program 2- · 43

Administrative Operations

via terminal program 2- · 48

Advanced Modify 3- · 14 AES/EBU I/O 2- · 8 AGC

controls 3- · 31 defeating 3- · 20 Defeating 3- · 32 external AGC setup 2- · 14 meter 2- · 13 meter 3- · 2

AGC 3- · 7 AGC Drive 3- · 32 AGC Matrix 3- · 35

AGC Release

Master 3- · 32

Analog

output 2- · 7

Analog auto-fallback 2- · 35 Analog baseband outputs 1- · 9 analog fallback 2- · 29 Analog I/O 1- · 8 analog input

fallback 2- · 34

Analog input

Circuit description 6- · 8

Analog input 2- · 7 Analog input clip level 2- · 24 Analog input ref level

I/O setup 2- · 27

Analog landline 1- · 17 Analog output

Circuit description 6- · 10

Analog output trim 4- · 11 API

adjusting delay time 2- · 52 delay on/off 2- · 51

Archiving presets 3- · 80 Attack

2-Band Bass 2- · 48 2-Band Master · 48 AGC Bass 3- · 35 AGC Master 3- · 35 Multiband 3- · 59

Audio

Connections 2- · 6 Input 2- · 7 Output 2- · 7, 8

automation

capabilities 2- · 37

Automation

Clock-based 2- · 36 PC Remote 3- · 83

B4>B5 coupling 3- · 8 B5 compressor 3- · 64 Backing up presets 3- · 80 Balance adjust

I/O setup 2- · 29

balanced

output transformer 2- · 7

Balanced

inputs 2- · 7

Band Mix

Multiband 3- · 57

Band mix controls 3- · 58 Bandwidth

Setting HD 3- · 67

Base board

removing 4- · 5 Replacing 4- · 6

baseband spectrum 5- · 4 Baseband spectrum diagram 3- · 41 Basic Modify 3- · 13 Bass

equalizer 3- · 76 Getting sound you want 3- · 75

Bass CLip Mode 3- · 38, 42 Bass Clip Threshold 3- · 37 Bass Coupling

2-Band 3- · 48 AGC 3- · 33

Bass Threshold 3- · 35 Battery

Replacing 6- · 7

Block diagram 6- · 85 brightness

controlling excessive 3- · 64 controlling in HD 3- · 12

Brilliance control 3- · 28 Button bar

FM > HD coupling 3- · 63

Buttons · 1

Enter 2- · 12 Escape 2- · 13 Escape 3- · 1

Buzz 5- · 1 bypass

PC remote 1- · 25

Bypass

Locally 1- · 24 Remote interface 1- · 24 test mode 1- · 22

Bypass Mode

stereo/mono 3- · 74

cable

shielding 2- · 11

Cable 2- · 6 CD mastering

and processing 3- · 5

chassis

ground 2- · 11

Chassis

getting inside 4 · 2

Chassis ground 2- · 12 circuit board locator drawing 6- · 35 Circuit description

Control 6- · 7 LCD display 6- · 7 user Control interface 6- · 7

Circuit description 6- · 6 Circuit ground 2- · 12 CIT25 2- · 10 Classical music 3- · 20, 44 Cleaning front panel 4- · 1 Clip level

I/O setup 2- · 24

Clipper

Controls 3- · 37

Clipper, bass 3- · 8 Clipping

2-Band 3- · 49 Defined 3- · 3 Multiband 3- · 55

Clock

Battery 6- · 7 Setting 2- · 36 Setting via Internet 2- · 63

Clock reset

Remote control 2- · 55

Clock-based automation 2- · 36 codec artifacts

minimizing 3- · 11

common-mode rejection 2- · 11 Components

Obtaining 6- · 15

Composite

Circuit description 6- · 11 isolation transformer 2- · 10 limiter 3- · 9

Composite baseband microwave STL 1- ·

16 Composite level output 1- · 21 Composite Limit Drive 3- · 40 Composite limiter

Pilot tone protection 2- · 10

Composite metering 1- · 21 Composite output

I/O setup 2- · 32 Level adjustment range 2- · 9 Meter 2- · 14 Setting output impedance 2- · 9 Specifications 6- · 4 Termination 2- · 10

Composite output 2- · 9 Composite outputs 1- · 9 Compression

Defined 3- · 3

Compression Ratio

AGC 3- · 35

Compressor look-ahead

and bass clipper mode 3- · 38

computer

Windows 2000 5- · 10 Windows XP 5- · 12

Computer

Connecting to 2- · 5 Troubleshooting connections 5- · 8

Computer interface

Ethernet card 2- · 6 Modem card 2- · 6 RS-232 2- · 5 serial 1 2- · 5

Computer interface 1- · 10

Connecting

through Win XP direct serial 2- · 75

Connection to PC

Troubleshooting 5- · 8

Connectors

Audio 2- · 6

Connectors 2- · 6 control coupling

FM and HD 3- · 69

Control coupling

FM > HD 3- · 63

Control knob 2- · 13 Control knob 3- · 1 Control setting

Modifying from PC Remote 3- · 79

controls

HD audio 3- · 69

Corrosion 4- · 1 Coupling Control 3- · 56 Cover

Removing 4- · 2

CPU board

Replacing 4- · 6

CPU module

removing 4- · 4

Crossfade 3- · 67

Crossover

2-Band 3- · 49 AGC 3- · 36 Band 1 / Band 2 3- · 60

D/A converter

Circuit description 6- · 10

de-emphasis

applying to output meter 2- · 32

De-Essing

in HD channel 3- · 71

Defaults

Resetting to 2- · 41

Defeating final clipper 2- · 34 delay

on/off from API 2- · 51

Delay

Analog vs. HD 3- · 65 diversity 3- · 65 diversity on/off 3- · 65 diversity vernier 3- · 66 Input/Ouput 3- · 12

delay time

adjusting via API 2- · 52

diagnostic info

fetching via API 2- · 53, 54

Digital I/O 1- · 8 digital input

fallback to analog 2- · 34 invalid or missing 2- · 29

Digital input

Circuit description 6- · 9

Digital links 1- · 15 Digital output

Circuit description 6- · 11

digital radio processing 3- · 11, 63 Display

Removing 4- · 4

Display Interface

Removing 4- · 4 Replacing 4- · 6

Distortion

Aliasing 3- · 10 Excessive 5- · 7 in processing 3- · 4 Testing 4- · 12 Troubleshooting 5- · 2

dither

setting 2- · 31

Dither control

HD 3- · 68

diversity delay

om/off from API 2- · 51

diversity delay 3- · 66 DJ Bass control 3- · 29 Drive control

Multiband 3- · 51

DSP

Block diagram 6- · 85 Circuit description 6- · 12

DSP board

Removing 4- · 2 Replacing 4- · 6

Dual microwave STLs 1- · 16 Dull sound

troubleshooting 5- · 5

EAS

modulation Low 5- · 6

EAS test tones 1- · 24 Easy setup 2- · 17 Enter button 2- · 12 Enter button 3- · 1 EQ Frequency control

HD 3- · 70

Equalizer

Bass Gain 3- · 25 Bass Shelf Hinge Frequency 3- · 25 Bass Slope 3- · 26 Controls 3- · 25 Parametric Frequency 3- · 27 Parametric Gain 3- · 27 Parametric Width 3- · 27

Equalizer 3- · 8 Escape button 2- · 13 Escape button 3- · 1 esses

excessive HD 5- · 6

Ethernet 2- · 62, 78 Ethernet card 2- · 6 Exciter overshoot 1- · 18 Expander

Multiband Downward 3- · 55

Factory defaults

Resetting to 2- · 41 Restoring via Terminal Program 2- · 48

Factory preset

Selecting 2- · 22

Factory presets

Table of 3- · 19

Factory presets 1- · 7 Factory service 5- · 15 Field audit of performance 4- · 7 Filter

Pilot Protection 3- · 41

Final Clip Drive 3- · 39 Final clipper

Defeating 2- · 34

Firewall 2- · 58, 62, 78 Firmware

updating 8500 2- · 66

Five-band structure

Customizing settings 3- · 50 Setup controls 3- · 51

Five-band structure 3- · 17, 50 FM > HD mode 3- · 63 FM polarity

changing via API 2- · 53

FM Polarity control 2- · 32 FMÆHD control coupling 3- · 69 Forgotten passcode 2- · 41 Format control

HD 3- · 69

Frequency response

Testing 4- · 11

Front panel

removing 4- · 3 Replacing 4- · 7 Unlocking 2- · 40

Front Panel

Cannot access 2- · 41

fuse 2- · 5 Fuse 2- · 2

Gain Reduction

Maximum Delta 3- · 60

Gain reduction metering 3- · 15 Gate indicators 2- · 13 Gate indicators 3- · 2 Gate Threshold

2-Band 3- · 47 AGC 3- · 33

Multiband 3- · 54

Gateway

Setting via terminal program 2- · 50

Gateway 2- · 57, 62, 78 Ground lift switch 2- · 3, 5 Grounding

loss of 4- · 1

Grounding 2- · 11 Grouping 8500s

In PC Remote 3- · 83

Half-cosine interpolation limiter 3- · 9, 10 Hard Clip Shape 3- · 42 HD

Bandwidth 3- · 67 cannot set output for 5- · 7 Dither control 3- · 68 EQ frequency control 3- · 70 EQ Gain control 3- · 70 Format control 3- · 69 Frequency response not 20 kHz 5- · 7 GR meter 3- · 3 HF Shelf EQ 3- · 65 Limiter Drive control 3- · 71 Out Level control 3- · 68 Output Sample Rate 3- · 68 Output too bright 5- · 6 Sync control 3- · 69

HD audio controls 3- · 69 HD B5 compressor 3- · 64 HD De-ess 3- · 71 HD delay

setting 3- · 68

HD loudness

adjusting 5- · 6

HD Radio

crossfade 3- · 67 match loudness of HD and FM 3- · 71

HD/FM loudness

dips during crossfades 5- · 7 does not match 5- · 6

Headphone

Jack 2- · 12 Jack 3- · 1 Level control 2- · 12 Level control 3- · 1

Headphone amplifier

Reassembling 4- · 7 Removing 4- · 3

Headphones

low-delay monitoring 1- · 24 low-delay monitoring 2- · 33

Headphones 1- · 22 HF Clipping 3- · 39 HF Enhance control 3- · 29 HF enhancer 3- · 8 hiding meters 2 - · 39 High frequency limiter 3- · 8 High Frequency Limiter 3- · 60 Highpass Filter 3- · 29 Hum 5- · 1 Hyperterminal 2- · 43

I/O

AES/EBU 2- · 8 Connections 2- · 3

I/O assembly

Removing 4- · 2

I/O board

Replacing 4- · 6

IC opamps

Troubleshooting 5- · 14

Idle Gain 3- · 35 In meters 2- · 13 In meters 3- · 2 Independent mode 3- · 63 Input

Analog 2- · 7 SCA, Specifications 6- · 4 Subcarrier 2- · 9

Input conditioning 3- · 7 Input level

Line-up 1- · 20

Input level meters 1- · 21 Input selector

I/O setup 2- · 24

Inspection of contents 2- · 1 Instrumental format 3- · 22 Interface type

Changing via terminal program 2- · 51

Intermediate Modify 3- · 14 Internet

Cannot access 5- · 9 Time server 2- · 63

IP address

changing via Terminal Program 2- · 49 Entering into 8500 2- · 57

ITU-412 3- · 71 ITU-R 412 3- · 10 ITU-R 412 requirements 2- · 23

J.17

and NICAM 1- · 15

Jazz format 3- · 22 Joystick 2- · 12 Joystick 3- · 1

Keyboard shortcuts 3- · 84

Latency

Low delay presets 3- · 20 Ultra-low-delay presets 3- · 17

LCD display

Reassembling 4- · 7

LCD display 6- · 8 Less-More control

Grayed-out 3- · 14

Less-More control 3- · 13 Level

Metering 1- · 20 Transmission 1- · 20

Limit Threshold

Multiband 3- · 59

Limiter

Multiband Attack 3- · 60

Limiting

Defined 3- · 3

Line voltage 2- · 2 Line-up tones

System will not pass at 100% modulation 5- ·

Line-up tones 1- · 21 LLHard mode 3- · 38 locate joystick 2- · 12 Locate joystick 3- · 1 Location 1- · 11 Lock

Driven equipment cannot lock to 8500

output 5- · 6

Locked out 2- · 41

Lockout

Front panel 2- · 40

Lookahead

Multiband Control 3- · 61

Look-ahead

Compressor/limiter 3- · 8

Lookahead 3- · 49 look-ahead limiter 3- · 11, 64 Look-ahead limiting

Defined 3- · 3

Lossy data reduction

In studio 1- · 18 NICAM 1- · 15 Used in STLs · 15

Loudness

adjusting HD/FM 5- · 6 Insufficient 5- · 7 Insufficient due to ITU412 controller 5- · 1 Insufficient due to poor peak control 5- · 1 match HD and FM channels 3- · 68, 71

Loudness and distortion 3- · 4 L–R will not null 5- · 6

Main board

Reattaching 4 · 6

Matrix

AGC 3- · 35

Max Delta GR

AGC 3- · 34

Max Distortion Control 3- · 59 MB Drive control 3- · 51 MB GR Meter switch 3- · 2 meter

output · 32

Meter Sel control 3- · 65 Meters

circuit description 6- · 8 studio 1- · 19

Modem

Preparing for connection 2- · 79 Recommended baud rate 2- · 80 Setting up 2- · 58 Specification for 2- · 61 Windows 2000 configuration 2- · 80 Windows XP Configuration 2- · 85

modem card 2- · 6 Modem init string

changing from front panel 2- · 59 Changing via terminal program 2- · 51

Modulation control

Troubleshooting poor 5- · 1

Modulation Mode control 2- · 32 Monitoring

Requirements for 3- · 5

Monitoring 1- · 22 Multiband

gain reduction meters 2- · 13 Gain reduction meters 3- · 2

Multiband Band Mix 3- · 57 Multiband Limit Threshold 3- · 49 Multiplex power

Compliance graph 3- · 72

Multiplex power 2- · 14 Multiplex power 3- · 2, 10, 71 Multiplex Power Offset 3- · 42 Multiplex Power Threshold control 3- · 72

Networking 2- · 57 News format 3- · 23 NICAM 1- · 15 Noise

Troubleshooting 5- · 3

Null modem cable

Communicating through 2- · 69

Null modem cable 2- · 61

Out level control

HD 3- · 68

Out meters 2- · 14 Output

Analog 2- · 7 Composite 2- · 9 composite, Specifications 6- · 4 digital, Specifications 6- · 3

Output configuration 2- · 20 Output level

I/O setup 2- · 29

Output levels

Quick setup 2- · 21

Output meters 1- · 21 overshoot

reduction 1- · 18

Overshoot

In exciter 1- · 18

Overshoot

Excessive 5- · 1

Overshoot 3- · 73 Overshoot Compensation Drive 3- · 42

Parametric equalizer 3- · 8, 25 Parts

Obtaining 6- · 15

Parts list

Base board 6- · 16 CPU module 6- · 17 DSP board 6- · 25, 27 Encoder board 6- · 31 Headphone board 6- · 30 I/O board 6- · 21 Interface board 6- · 29 LCD carrier board 6- · 31 Power supply 6- · 20 RS-232 board 6- · 19

Parts list 6- · 15 Passcode

default ADMIN 2- · 40 Forgotten 2- · 41 Programming 2- · 37

Orban installer program 2- · 61

PC board locator diagram 6- · 35 PC card port 2- · 6 PC control

security 1- · 25

PC hardware requirements 2- · 60 PC Remote

aliases 3- · 84 Modifying control setting 3- · 79 moving alias folders 3- · 86 Multiple coexisting versions 3- · 85 Operating from keyboard 3- · 84 Recalling preset 3- · 80 Saving Preset 3- · 80 Setting up new connection 3- · 78 Upgrading versions 3- · 85

PC Remote Software 3- · 77 Peak control criteria 1- · 11 Phase

HD 3- · 67

Phase Rotator 3- · 30 Phase-linear

System group delay spec · 11

Pilot Protection Filter 3- · 41

pilot reference 2- · 35 pilot reference 6- · 4 pilot reference control 2- · 11 pilot tone

reference output 1- · 9

Pilot tone

Frequency out of tolerance 5- · 6 Reference output 2- · 10

Plink 6- · 46 polarity

FM analog processing 2- · 53 setting FM 2- · 32

Polarity

HD 3- · 67

Pop-up menu 2- · 13, 1 Port

Terminal 2- · 45

Port #

Setting via terminal program 2- · 50

Ports 2- · 62, 78 Power

Cord 2- · 2, 5 Ground 2- · 11

Power 2- · 2 Power supply

Circuit description 6- · 13 Parts list 6- · 20 Pin identifier 4- · 10 Removing 4- · 5 Testing 4- · 10

Power supply board

reattaching 4 · 6

pre-emphasis

setting 2- · 24

Pre-emphasis

in STLs 1- · 12 Quick setup 2- · 18 Side-effect of changing 3- · 15

preset

recalling 2- · 35

Preset

8400 compatibility 3- · 82 Backup 3- · 80 Deleting user 3- · 16 Recalling via terminal program 2- · 51 restoring archived 3- · 81 Saving from PC Remote 3- · 80 sharing between 8500s 3- · 83

Presets

Factory 1- · 7 factory 3- · 19 Gregg 3- · 21

Impact 3- · 22 Instrumental 3- · 22 Jazz 3- · 22 Loud 3- · 22 News-Talk 3- · 23 Rock 3- · 24 Saving user 3- · 15 Sports 3- · 23 Table of factory 3- · 19 UL (Ultra-Low Latency) 3- · 33, 17, 6 Urban 3- · 25 User presets 1- · 7

processing

for HD Radio 3- · 11

Processing

AGC 3- · 7 block diagram 6- · 85 Customizing 3- · 13 Equalization 3- · 8 Input conditioning 3- · 7 Intelligent clipping 3- · 8 Multiband compression 3- · 8 Stereo enhancement 3- · 7 Tutorial 3- · 3 Two-band purist 3- · 11

Processing structures discussed 3- · 17 Protection preset 3- · 20, 44 Purist processing 3- · 11 PuTTY 6- · 46

Quick setup 2- · 17 Quiet on-air levels 5- · 1

Rack-mounting unit 2- · 3 Ratio

Control 3- · 7

Rear panel 2- · 5 Recalling preset

via terminal program 2- · 51

Registration card 2- · 1 Release

AGC Bass 3- · 36 Multiband 3- · 52 Multiband Delta 3- · 61

Remote

PC Remote software 3- · 77

Remote control

Bypass 1- · 24 Connecting 2- · 3

Remote control 2- · 6 Remote control interface

Connecting 2- · 3

Remote control interface 1- · 10 Remote interface 2- · 10 Remote interface connector 2- · 6 Remote Software 2- · 45, 60, 65, 67 Resetting 8500 2- · 41 Restoring archived presets 3- · 81 RFI 5- · 1 Right channel balance

I/O setup 2- · 29

Rock format 3- · 24 Rotary encoder

Removing 4- · 3

Rotary Encoder

Reassembling 4- · 7

Routine maintenance 4- · 1 RS232 board

Replacing 4- · 7

RS-232 connector 2- · 5 RS-232 interface

Circuit description 6- · 8 removing board 4- · 4

Rumble Filter 3- · 29

Sample Rate control

HD 3- · 68

Sample rate converter

Testing 4- · 12

Saving user presets 3- · 15 SCA

Input, specifications 6- · 4 inputs 1- · 9 Interference from stereo 5- · 4

Schematics

Table of contents 6- · 33

Screen display 2- · 13 Screen display 3- · 2 Screens

System Setup 2- · 17

security

view meters 2- · 39

Security

PC Remote 2- · 41

Security 1- · 25

Security 2- · 37 serial 1 connector 2- · 5 serial 2 connector 2- · 5 Serial Communications

Setting up 2- · 69

Serial connection

Setting up direct 2- · 58

Serial Port #2 2- · 43 Service 5- · 15 Setup

I/O 2- · 24 Quick 2- · 17

Shelf equalizer 3- · 25 Shelving equalizer

Bass, slope of 3- · 8

Shipping instructions 5- · 15 Shrill sound

Troubleshooting 5- · 5

Sibilance

excessive HD 5- · 6 excessive in HD channel 3- · 71

Signal flow diagram 6- · 85 Signal flow in 8500 3- · 6 Silence sense

Tally output 2- · 56

Silence sense 2- · 34 silence threshold 2- · 34 Software

updating 8500 2- · 66

Software Updates 1- · 6 Solo 3- · 58 Source material

Requirements for 3- · 5

Spare parts

Obtaining 6- · 15

Specifications 6- · 1 Speech Bass Clip Threshold 3- · 42 speech/music detector

overriding 3- · 62

Speech/music detector 3- · 8, 38, 61 Sports format 3- · 23 Stereo Coupling

Multiband Downward Expander 3- · 60

Stereo encoder

Testing 4- · 13

Stereo encoder 3- · 9 Stereo enhancement 3- · 7 Stereo Enhancer

Amount 3- · 31 Depth 3- · 31 Diffusion 3- · 31

In/Out 3- · 31 Ratio Limit 3- · 31 Style 3- · 31

Stereo/Mono

HD output 3- · 66

STL

low frequency cutoff 1- · 12 systems 1- · 14, 16

Studio Level Controller

Installation 2- · 14

Studio Level Controller mode 2- · 18 Studio-transmitter link 1- · 14 Subassembly removal and replacement 4-

· 2

Subcarrier

Input, specifications 6- · 4 inputs 2- · 10

Subcarrier input 1- · 9 Subcarrier input 2- · 9 Subnet

Crossing 2- · 57 Mask 2- · 57

Subnet Mask

Setting via Terminal Program 2- · 49

Switches

Ground lift 2- · 3, 5 Voltage select 2- · 2, 5

Sync control

HD 3- · 69

System clock

Setting 2- · 36

System setup

Quick setup 2- · 17

System Setup screen 2- · 17

Talk format 3- · 23 Tally output

Programming 2- · 56 Silence sense threshold 2- · 34 Wiring 2- · 4

Technical support 5- · 26, 14 Telephone support 5- · 26, 14

Terminal Port 2- · 45 Terminal Port #

Changing via terminal program 2- · 50

Test modes 3- · 74 Threshold

2-Band Bass Compressor 3- · 48 2-Band Master Compressor 3- · 48

Band-5 Clip 3- · 60 Bass Delta 3- · 36 Master Delta 3- · 36 Multiband Compression 3- · 58 Multiband Speech 3- · 49, 61

Time & date 2- · 18 Time Server 2- · 63 Timeservers

Table of 2- · 63

Transformer

Composite isolation 2- · 10

Troubleshooting

Installation 5- · 1

Two-band structure

Customizing settings 3- · 45 Setup controls 3- · 45

Two-band structure 3- · 17, 43

Ultra-low Latency

and clipping distortion controller 3- · 8 and compressor look-ahead 3- · 8

Ultra-low-latency presets 3- · 17 Unlocking 8500

via Terminal Program 2- · 48

Unlocking 8500 2- · 41 Unlocking unit 2- · 40 Unpacking 2- · 1 Updating software 2- · 66 Urban format 3- · 25 User preset

deleting 3- · 16

User presets

Archiving 3- · 16 Creating 3- · 13, 15

User presets 1- · 7

Version 3 hardware 6- · 12 view meters 2- · 39 Voice/music balance 3- · 15 Voltage select switch 2- · 2, 5 VPN 2- · 57 VPN, setting up 2- · 62, 78

Warranty 1- · 26 Warranty 6- · 6 Whistle on-air

Troubleshooting 5- · 4

Window Release 3- · 34 Window Size 3- · 34 Windows

Installing services 2- · 60

Windows 2000

adding direct serial connection 2- · 75, 81

Adding direct serial connection 2- · 70, 87 Direct Connect 5- · 10 Direct serial connection 2- · 69 modem connect 5- · 11 Modem connection 2- · 80

Windows XP

direct connect 5- · 12 Modem configuration 2- · 85 modem connect 5- · 13

word length

setting 2- · 31

Word Length control

HD 3- · 68

OPTIMOD-FM DIGITAL INTRODUCTION

Section 1

Introduction

About this Manual

The Adobe pdf form of this manual contains numerous hyperlinks and bookmarks. A reference to a numbered step or a page number (except in the Index) is a live hyperlink; click on it to go immediately to that reference.

If the bookmarks are not visible, click on the “Bookmarks” tab on the left side of the Acrobat Reader window.

1-1

This manual has a table of contents and index. To search for a specific word or phrase, you can also use the Adobe Acrobat Reader’s text search function.

The OPTIMOD-FM 8500 Digital Audio Processor

Orban’s all-digital 8500 OPTIMOD-FM Audio Processor can help you achieve the highest audio quality in FM stereo broadcasting. Because all processing is performed by high-speed mathematical calculations within Motorola DSP56367 24-bit digital signal processing chips, the processing has cleanliness, quality, and stability over time and temperature that is unmatched by analog processors.

OPTIMOD-FM 8500 is descended from the industry-standard OPTIMOD-FM audio processors. Thousands of these processors are on the air all over the world. They have proven that the “OPTIMOD sound” attracts and keeps an audience even in the most competitive commercial environment.

Because OPTIMOD-FM incorporates several audio processing innovations exclusive to Orban products, you should not assume that it can be operated in the same way as less sophisticated processors. If you do, you may get disappointing results.

Take a little time now to familiarize yourself with OPTIMOD-FM. A small investment of your time now will yield large dividends in audio quality.

The rest of Section 1 explains how OPTIMOD-FM fits into the FM broadcast facility. Section 2 explains how to install it. Section 3 tells how to operate OPTIMOD-FM. Section 4 through Section 6 provides reference information.

1-2

INTRODUCTION ORBAN MODEL 8500

OPTIMOD-FM was designed to deliver a high quality sound while simultaneously increasing the average modulation of the channel substantially beyond that achievable by “recording studio”-style compressors and limiters. Because such processing can exaggerate flaws in the source material, it is very important that the source au- dio be as clean as possible.

For best results, feed OPTIMOD-FM unprocessed audio. No other audio processing is necessary or desirable.

If you wish to place level protection prior to your studio / transmitter link (STL), use the Orban Optimod 6300 or Optimod-PC 1101. These processors can be adjusted so that they substitute for the AGC circuitry in OPTIMOD-FM, which is then defeated.

OPTIMOD-FM 8500 is available in two front-panel configurations—the 8500 has a full-featured front panel, while the 8500X has a blank front panel and must be controlled by Orban’s PC Remote application running on Microsoft Windows XP, 2000 (SP3), or later. Both units have identical sound and features except for the difference in their front panels. Both units run the same software.

If you are setting up an “X” version, refer to Administering the 8500 through its Serial Ports or Ethernet (starting on page 2-43) for instructions on how to use the 8500X’s serial port #2 to set up communications between your computer and the 8500X.

Both the 8500 and 8500X simultaneously process for analog FM and digital channels like the iBiquity™ HD Radio™ system, Eureka 147 (DAB), DRM, or netcasts. The 8500’s HD output provides look-ahead peak limiting that is optimized to make the most of limited bit-rate codecs used in many digital radio systems. By eschewing any clipping, the HD output prevents the codec from wasting precious bits encoding clipping distortion products, allowing the codec to use its entire bit budget to encode the desired program material.

Thanks to a base sample rate of 64 kHz throughout the 8500’s processing, the HD output can be set for audio bandwidths between 15 and 20 kHz. Many codecs operate better when fed 15 kHz audio because this enables them to use their available bit bandwidth most efficiently by concentrating on the part of the audio spectrum that is critical to perceived audio quality. This is particularly true for low rates, like 32 kbps. However, at higher sample rates, full 20 kHz bandwidth provides the same bandwidth as typical source material, so you may prefer to use it for rates of 96 kbps and above.

OPTIMOD-FM 8500FM is the same as the 8500 except that it does not provide digital radio processing. It is also available with a blank front panel as the 8500XFM. The 8500FM can be upgraded to an 8500 in the field by installing the plug-in control module contained in the 8500UPG/HD upgrade kit, which can be purchased from your Orban dealer.

User-Friendly Interface

• A large (quarter-VGA) color liquid crystal display (LCD) makes setup, adjust- ment and programming of the 8500 easy. Navigation is by a miniature joystick,

OPTIMOD-FM DIGITAL INTRODUCTION

two dedicated buttons, and a large rotary knob. The LCD shows all metering functions of the processing structure in use.

• Use the Locate joystick to navigate through a menu that lets you recall a preset, modify processing (at three levels of expertise), or to access the system’s setup controls.

Absolute Control of Peak Modulation

• The 8500 provides universal transmitter protection and audio processing for FM broadcast. It can be configured to interface ideally with any commonly found transmission system in the world, analog or digital.

• The 8500 provides pre-emphasis limiting for the internationally used pre- emphasis curves of 50μs and 75μs. Its pre-emphasis control is seldom audibly apparent, producing a clean, open sound with subjective brightness matching the original program.

1-3

• The 8500 achieves extremely tight peak control at all its outputs—analog, AES3 (for both the analog FM and HD channels), and composite baseband.

• The stereo encoder has two outputs with independent level controls, each ca- pable of driving 75Ω in parallel with 47,000pF, (100ft / 30m of coaxial cable).

• By integrating the stereo encoder with the audio processing, the 8500 elimi- nates the overshoot problems that waste valuable modulation in traditional external encoders.

• The 8500 prevents aliasing distortion in subsequent stereo encoders or transmission links by providing bandwidth limiting and overshoot compensated 15 kHz low-pass filters ahead of the 8500’s audio outputs and stereo encoder.

• The 8500 has an internal, DSP-based stereo encoder (with a patented “halfcosine interpolation” composite limiter operating at 512 kHz sample rate)

to generate the pilot tone stereo baseband signal and control its peak level. The composite limiter is a unique, “you can only do this in DSP” process that beats composite clippers by preserving stereo imaging while fully protecting the

stereo pilot tone, RDS/RBDS, and subcarriers.

Flexible Configuration

• The OPTIMOD-FM 8500 is supplied with analog and AES3 digital inputs and outputs. The digital input and the two digital outputs are equipped with sam-

ple-rate converters and can operate at 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, and 96 kHz sample rates. (44.1 kHz or higher is recommended for best peak control.) The pre-emphasis status and output levels are separately adjustable for the ana-

1-4

INTRODUCTION ORBAN MODEL 8500

log and digital outputs. Each output can emit the analog FM processed signal, the digital radio processed signal, or the low-delay monitor signal.

• An AES11 sync input allows you to synchronize the output sample rate of ei- ther (or both) AES3 outputs to this input. You can also synchronize the out- puts to the AES3 digital input or to 8500’s internal clock. The sync source of each AES3 output is independently selectable.

• A defeatable delay line can delay the FM analog processing output up to 16.2 seconds. Delay can be trimmed in intervals of one sample of 64 kHz to match the analog and digital paths in the HD Radio system, eliminating the need to use the delay built into the HD Radio exciter and permitting the 8500’s internal stereo encoder and composite limiter to drive the analog FM exciter.

Both the 8500 and 8500FM offer this feature, making it convenient to use the 8500FM in dual-processor HD installations where the digital channel receives independent processing from a processor like Orban’s Optimod-DAB or OptimodPC. Each output (Analog, Digital 1, Digital 2, Composite) can be independently configured to emit the delayed or undelayed signal.

• The analog inputs are transformerless, balanced 10kΩ instrumentationamplifier circuits. The analog outputs are transformerless balanced and float-

ing (with 50Ω impedance) to ensure highest transparency and accurate pulse response.

• The 8500 has two independent composite baseband outputs with digitally programmable output levels. Robust line drivers enable them to drive 100 feet of RG-59 coaxial cable without audible performance degradation.

• The 8500’s two subcarrier inputs are mixed with the output of the 8500’s ste- reo encoder before application to the composite output connectors. One input can be re-jumpered to provide a 19 kHz pilot reference output. Both inputs have internal level trims to accommodate subcarrier generators with output levels as low as 220 mV.

• The 8500 precisely controls the audio bandwidth of its analog FM process- ing to 16.5 kHz. This prevents significant overshoots in uncompressed digital

links operating at a 44.1 kHz-sample rate or higher and prevents interference to the pilot tone and RDS (or RBDS) subcarrier. The bandwidth of the 8500’s digital radio output is adjustable in 1 kHz increments between 15 kHz and 20 kHz.

• The 8500 has a defeatable multiplex power limiter that controls the multiplex power to ITU-R BS412 standards. An adjustable threshold allows a station to achieve maximum legal multiplex power even if the downstream transmission system introduces peak overshoots into the 8500-processed signal. Because this limiter closes a feedback loop around the audio processing, it allows the user to adjust the processor’s subjective setup controls freely without violating BS412 limits, regardless of program material. The multiplex power limiter acts on

+ 320 hidden pages

Orban OPTIMOD-FM 8500 Operating Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual