Orban OPTIMOD-FM 8600, OPTIMOD-FM 8700 Operating Manual

Operating Manual

OPTIMOD-FM

8600

Digital Audio Processor

Version 4.1 Software

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

Model Number:

Description:

8600

OPTIMOD 8600, Stereo Encoder, Digital I/O, Protec-

8600FM

As above, except HD Radio™ / Digital Radio /

h

I

h

I

8600J
8600X
8600XJ

8600FMJ

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

tion Structure, Two-Band Structure, Multi-Band
Structure, HD Radio™ / Digital Radio / Netcast Pro­cessing,115V (for 100-130V operation) or 230V (for
200-250V operation), switchable to 50µs or 75µs.

8600J and 8600FMJ are for 90-117V operation.

8600X has a blank front panel and must be con­trolled via 8600 PC Remote software.

Netcast Processing omitted. Upgradeable to 8600.
8600FMJ for 90-117V operation

CAUTION

CAUTION:

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

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.

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

In accordance to the WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) di­rective of the European Parliam ent, this product must not be discarded into
the municipal waste stream in any of the Member S tates. This product ma y be
sent back to your Orban dealer at end of li fe where it will be reused or recy­cled at no cost to you.

If this product is discarded into an appr oved muni cipa l WEEE collecti on sit e or
turned over to an approved W EEE recycler at end of life, your Orban d ealer
must be notified and supplied with model, s erial number and the name and
location of site/facility.

Please contact your Orban dealer for further assistance.
www.orban.com

This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to important
operating and maintenance instructions in the accompa­nying literature. Read the manual.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

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

h

Conductor

WIRE COLOR

Normal

Alt

L

LIVE

BROWN

BLACK

N

NEUTRAL

BLUE

WHITE

E

EARTH GND

GREEN-YELLOW

GREEN

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 bat htub, 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 sourc es such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other applianc es (including amplifiers)

that produce heat.

Power Sources: The appliance should be connected to a power supply only of the type described i n 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 walk ed 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 pers onnel when: The power supply cord or the plug has

been damaged; or Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spi lled into the appliance; or The appliance has been exposed to rai n; 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 s ervice the appliance beyond that described in the operating instructions. All other servici ng 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, pro-

ceed as follows:
The core which is coloured green and yellow must be connected to the terminal in the plug marked with the l etter E, or with the earth symbol, or col-

oured 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 i t is c onnected can result i n full line voltage bet ween

chassis and earth ground. Severe injury or death can then result if the chassis and earth ground are touched simultaneously.

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 Precaut i ons

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 +1 856.719.9900.

I

WARNING

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 communicati on. 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 envi ronment. 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.

I

I

WARNING

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emis sions 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 radioel ectriques de­passant les limites applicables aux appareils numeriques [de las class A] prescrites dans le
Reglement sur le brouillage radioelectrique edicte par le ministere des Comm unications du
Canada.)

IMPORTANT

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.

All firmware and software © Orban.
Orban and Optimod are registered trademarks.

All trademarks are property of their respective companies.
This manual was published September 2016.
© Copyright Orban. This document may be freely printed and distributed by Orban’s customers, but its text may not be

incorporated into derivative works.

Orban Labs Inc., 7209 Browning Road, Pennsa uken NJ 08110 USA

Phone: [phone]; E-Mail: [e-mail]; Site: www.orban.com

Operating Manual

OPTIMOD-FM

8600

Digital Audio Processor

Version 4.1 Software

Table of Contents

Index ....................................................................................................................... 0-11

Section 1 Introduction

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

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

THE OPTIMOD-FM 8600 DIGITAL AUDIO PROCESSOR ....................................................... 1-1

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

Absolute Control of Peak Modulation ................................................................... 1-2

Flexible Configuration ............................................................................................ 1-4

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

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

8600MPX Features ................................................................................................... 1-8

PRESETS IN OPTIMOD-FM............................................................................................... 1-8

Factory Presets ......................................................................................................... 1-8

User Presets .............................................................................................................. 1-8

INPUT/OUTPUT CONFIGURATION ......................................................................................... 1-9

Digital AES3 Left/right Input/outputs .................................................................... 1-9

Analog Left/right Input/output ............................................................................ 1-10

Stereo Baseband Composite Output .................................................................... 1-10

Digital Composite Outputs ............................................................................................ 1-10

Subcarriers .............................................................................................................. 1-11

Digitized Subcarrier Inputs ............................................................................................ 1-11

Wordclock/10 MHz Sync Reference Input ............................................................ 1-11

Remote Control Interface ..................................................................................... 1-12

Computer Interface ............................................................................................... 1-12

RS-232 Serial Port (Serial 1) ............................................................................................ 1-12

RS-232 Serial Port (Serial 2) ............................................................................................ 1-12

100 Mbps Ethernet Port ................................................................................................. 1-12

LOCATION OF OPTIMOD-FM ......................................................................................... 1-13

Optimal Control of Peak Modulation Levels ....................................................... 1-13

Best Location for OPTIMOD-FM ........................................................................... 1-14

If the transmitter is not accessible: ................................................................................ 1-14

If the transmitter is accessible: ...................................................................................... 1-14

STUDIO-TRANSMITTER LINK ............................................................................................. 1-16

Transmission from Studio to Transmitter ............................................................. 1-16

Digital Links .................................................................................................................... 1-16

Composite Baseband Microwave STLs (Analog and Digital) ........................................ 1-18

Dual Microwave STLs ...................................................................................................... 1-18

Analog Landline (PTT / Post Office Line) ....................................................................... 1-19

Using the Orban 8100AST (or 8100A/ST) External AGC with the 8600 .............. 1-19

STL and Exciter Overshoot .................................................................................... 1-20

USING LOSSY DATA REDUCTION IN THE STUDIO ................................................................. 1-20

ABOUT TRANSMISSION LEVELS AND METERING .................................................................. 1-21

Meters .................................................................................................................... 1-21

Studio Line-up Levels and Headroom .................................................................. 1-21

Figure 1-2: Absolute Peak Level, VU and PPM Indications ........................................... 1-22

Transmission Levels ................................................................................................ 1-22

LINE-UP FACILITIES ......................................................................................................... 1-23

Metering of Levels and Subjective Loudness ....................................................... 1-23

Figure 1-3: VU Meter Indication Compared to Peak Level vs. Time ............................. 1-23

Left/right Output Level ................................................................................................... 1-23

Composite Output Level ................................................................................................. 1-24

BS.1770 Loudness Level .................................................................................................. 1-24

Figure 1-4: BS.1770 Loudness Meter Block Diagram (from ITU-R document) .............. 1-24

Built-in Calibrated Line-up Tones .................................................................................. 1-25

Built-in Calibrated Bypass Test Mode ............................................................................ 1-26

MONITORING ON LOUDSPEAKERS AND HEADPHONES ......................................................... 1-26

Low-Delay Monitoring .................................................................................................... 1-28

EAS TEST ...................................................................................................................... 1-29

PC CONTROL AND SECURITY PASSCODE ............................................................................ 1-30

WARRANTY, USER FEEDBACK .......................................................................................... 1-30

User Feedback ........................................................................................................ 1-30

LIMITED WARRANTY ............................................................................................. 1-30

INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY ............................................................................... 1-31

Section 2 Installation

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

INSTALLING THE 8600 ....................................................................................................... 2-1

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

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

8600 REAR PANEL ........................................................................................................... 2-5

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

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

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

Analog Audio Input ................................................................................................. 2-6

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

AES3 Digital Input and Output ............................................................................... 2-7

Connecting a Ratings Encoder ................................................................................ 2-8

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

Figure 2-3: Separation vs. load capacitance .................................................................. 2-10

Digital Composite Outputs ............................................................................................. 2-11

Digitized Subcarrier Inputs ............................................................................................. 2-11

Wordclock/10 MHz Sync Reference Input ...................................................................... 2-11

GROUNDING .................................................................................................................. 2-12

Power Ground ........................................................................................................ 2-12

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

8600 FRONT PANEL ....................................................................................................... 2-13

EXTERNAL AGC INSTALLATION (OPTIONAL) ....................................................................... 2-15

If you are using an Orban 8200ST external AGC: ................................................ 2-16

Figure 2-4: 8200ST Jumper Settings (*Factory Configuration) ..................................... 2-16

QUICK SETUP ................................................................................................................. 2-18

ANALOG AND DIGITAL I/O SETUP ..................................................................................... 2-27

USING CLOCK-BASED AUTOMATION ................................................................................. 2-42

SECURITY AND PASSCODE PROGRAMMING ......................................................................... 2-44

To Unlock the Front Panel ..................................................................................... 2-46

8600 User Interface Behavior during Lockout ............................................................... 2-46

Default ADMIN Passcode ................................................................................................ 2-47

Security and Orban’s PC Remote Application ...................................................... 2-47

Passcodes and Software Updates ......................................................................... 2-48

If you have forgotten your “All Screens” passcode… ........................................ 2-48

ADMINISTERING THE 8600 THROUGH ITS SERIAL PORTS OR ETHERNET .................................. 2-48

Connecting via Serial Port #2 Using a Terminal Program on a PC ..................... 2-49

Administrative Operations Available via Serial Port #2 ............................................... 2-50

Connecting to the 8600’s Ethernet Port or Serial Port #1 via a Terminal Program

on a PC ................................................................................................................... 2-57

Direct Control Using PuTTY ........................................................................................... 2-58

Automated Control Using PuTTY/Plink ......................................................................... 2-59

Automated Control Using Netcat .................................................................................. 2-60

REMOTE CONTROL INTERFACE PROGRAMMING .................................................................. 2-60

TALLY OUTPUT PROGRAMMING ....................................................................................... 2-62

NETWORKING AND REMOTE CONTROL .............................................................................. 2-63

INSTALLING 8600 PC REMOTE CONTROL SOFTWARE .......................................................... 2-66

Installing the Necessary Windows Services .......................................................... 2-66

Check Hardware Requirements ............................................................................ 2-67

Running the Orban Installer Program ................................................................. 2-67

Setting Up Ethernet, LAN, and VPN Connections ............................................... 2-68

Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 2-69

SYNCHRONIZING OPTIMOD TO A NETWORK TIME SERVER ................................................... 2-69

Updating your 8600’s Software ............................................................................ 2-72

APPENDIX: SETTING UP SERIAL COMMUNICATIONS ............................................................. 2-75

Preparing for Communication through a Null Modem Cable ........................... 2-75

Connecting Using Windows 2000 Direct Serial Connection: .............................. 2-75

Connecting Using Windows XP Direct Serial Connection................................... 2-81

Connecting Using Windows 7 Direct Serial Connection: .................................... 2-85

Preparing for Communication through Modems ............................................... 2-95

Connecting Using Windows 2000 Modem Connection ...................................... 2-95

Connecting using Windows XP Modem Connection ........................................ 2-100

SNMP SUPPORT .......................................................................................................... 2-106

SNMP Network Setup ................................................................................................... 2-106

SNMP Mib file ............................................................................................................... 2-107

SNMP Default Settings ................................................................................................. 2-107

SNMP Features .............................................................................................................. 2-107

RDS/RBDS GENERATOR ............................................................................................... 2-110

Using System I/O ........................................................................................................... 2-110

Table 2-1: System I/O RDS controls and defaults ........................................................ 2-111

Using Processing Presets .............................................................................................. 2-112

Using the Terminal Server ............................................................................................ 2-113

Using Telnet to Control the Terminal Server .............................................................. 2-113

Security ......................................................................................................................... 2-115

RDS Terminal Commands ............................................................................................. 2-115

Table 2-2: Preset/Terminal RDS controls and defaults ................................................ 2-117

Alternative Frequency Channel Numbers ................................................................... 2-118

Table 2-3: Alternative Frequency Channel Numbers: ................................................. 2-119

Program Type (PTY)...................................................................................................... 2-119

Table 2-4: Program Type (PTY) .................................................................................... 2-119

SCA/Subcarrier Phase Relationship .............................................................................. 2-119

Figure 2-5: Pilot/SCA Phasing Scope Trace .................................................................. 2-120

References .................................................................................................................... 2-120

Section 3 Operation

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

8600 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 ........................................................................ 3-5

Fundamental Requirements: High-Quality Source Material and Accurate

Monitoring ............................................................................................................... 3-6

ABOUT THE 8600’S SIGNAL PROCESSING FEATURES .............................................................. 3-7

Dual-Mono Architecture ......................................................................................... 3-7

Signal Flow ............................................................................................................... 3-7

“Multipath Mitigator” Left/Right Phase Skew Correction ............................................. 3-8

ITU-R 412 Compliance for Analog FM Broadcasts ............................................... 3-13

Two-Band Purist Processing .................................................................................. 3-14

Digital Radio Processing ........................................................................................ 3-14

BS.1770 Compliance for Digital Radio ................................................................. 3-15

Input/Output Delay ............................................................................................... 3-15

CUSTOMIZING THE 8600’S SOUND ................................................................................... 3-16

Basic Modify ........................................................................................................... 3-16

Intermediate Modify ............................................................................................. 3-17

Advanced Modify .................................................................................................. 3-17

Gain Reduction Metering...................................................................................... 3-18

To Create or Save a User Preset ............................................................................ 3-18

To Delete a User Preset ......................................................................................... 3-19

ABOUT THE PROCESSING STRUCTURES ............................................................................... 3-19

FACTORY PROGRAMMING PRESETS ................................................................................... 3-21

Table 3-1: Factory Programming Presets ....................................................................... 3-22

EQUALIZER CONTROLS .................................................................................................... 3-30

Table 3-2: Equalization Controlsct ................................................................................. 3-31

Table 3-3: Stereo Enhancer Controls .............................................................................. 3-35

STEREO ENHANCER CONTROLS ......................................................................................... 3-35

AGC CONTROLS ............................................................................................................ 3-36

Table 3-4: AGC Controlsa ................................................................................................ 3-37

Advanced AGC Controls ........................................................................................ 3-39

PEAK LIMITER CONTROLS ................................................................................................ 3-42

Table 3-5: Peak Limiter Controls Common to 8500-Style and MX Presets ................... 3-42

Peak Limiter Controls Common to 8500-style and MX Presets .......................... 3-42

Figure 3-1: 0-100 kHz Baseband Spectrum (Loud-Hot preset) ...................................... 3-43

Figure 3-2: 19 kHz Pilot Notch Filter Spectrum (Loud-Hot preset; detail) .................... 3-43

Table 3-6: 8500-Style Peak Limiter Controls .................................................................. 3-46

8500-Style Peak Limiter Controls .......................................................................... 3-47

Figure 3-3: Bass Clipper Input/Output Transfer Curves as Bass Clip Shape Control is

Varied from 0.0 (Hard) to 10.0 (Soft) ............................................................................. 3-48

Advanced 8500-Style Peak Limiter Controls ........................................................ 3-49

8600 MX Technology Peak Limiter Controls ........................................................ 3-49

Table 3-7: MX Technology Peak Limiter Controls ......................................................... 3-50

THE TWO-BAND STRUCTURE ........................................................................................... 3-52

Setting Up the Two-Band Structure for Classical Music ...................................... 3-52

Customizing the Settings ...................................................................................... 3-53

The Two-Band Structure’s Full Setup Controls ..................................................... 3-54

Table 3-8: Two-Band Controls ........................................................................................ 3-54

Advanced Two-Band Controls ............................................................................... 3-57

THE FIVE-BAND STRUCTURE ............................................................................................ 3-58

Putting the Five-Band Structure on the Air ......................................................... 3-59

Customizing the Settings ...................................................................................... 3-59

The Five-Band Structure’s Full Setup Controls ..................................................... 3-59

Table 3-9: Multiband Controls ....................................................................................... 3-60

Table 3-10: MB Attack / Release Controls ..................................................................... 3-63

Advanced Multiband and Band Mix Controls ..................................................... 3-66

Table 3-11: MB Band Mix Controls ................................................................................ 3-67

To Override the Speech/Music Detector ........................................................................ 3-70

ABOUT THE 8600’S HD / DIGITAL RADIO PROCESSING ........................................................ 3-71

Delay Difference between HD and FM Outputs ................................................. 3-73

HD I/O Setup Controls ........................................................................................... 3-74

Input/Output > HD Digital Radio screen: ...................................................................... 3-74

Table 3-12: HD I/O Setup Controls ................................................................................. 3-74

Digital Output ................................................................................................................ 3-76

Unique HD Audio Controls ................................................................................... 3-78

Table 3-13: Unique HD Audio Controls (found in HD Limiting page) ......................... 3-78

ITU-R MULTIPLEX POWER CONTROLLER ........................................................................... 3-80

Figure 3-4: Multiplex power over 15 minute observation interval with Multiplex power

controller active, measured at the Optimod’s composite output ............................... 3-81

MPX Power Meter .......................................................................................................... 3-81

Audio Processing and the Multiplex Power Threshold Control ................................... 3-83

About the Multiplex Power Controller’s Time Constants ............................................ 3-83

Table 3-14: Test Modes .................................................................................................. 3-84

TEST MODES ................................................................................................................. 3-84

GETTING THE BASS SOUND YOU WANT ............................................................................ 3-85

Bass Punch in the MX Presets ........................................................................................ 3-86

Summary ......................................................................................................................... 3-87

USING THE 8600 PC REMOTE CONTROL SOFTWARE ........................................................... 3-87

To set up a new connection: ................................................................................. 3-88

To initiate communication: ................................................................................... 3-88

To modify a control setting: ................................................................................. 3-89

To recall a preset: ................................................................................................... 3-89

To save a user preset you have created: .............................................................. 3-90

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

hard drive: .............................................................................................................. 3-90

Note to Users Familiar with Older Version of PC Remote ............................................ 3-91

To restore archived presets, system files, and automation files: ........................ 3-92

To share an archived User Preset between 8600s: ........................................................ 3-93

To modify INPUT/OUTPUT and SYSTEM SETUP: ........................................................... 3-93

To modify AUTOMATION: ......................................................................................... 3-93

To group multiple 8600s: ...................................................................................... 3-94

Operation Using the Keyboard ............................................................................ 3-94

To Quit the Program .............................................................................................. 3-94

About Aliases created by Optimod 8600 PC Remote Software ......................... 3-94

Multiple Installations of Optimod 8600 PC Remote ........................................... 3-95

White Paper: Measuring the Improvements in Optimod-FM 8600’s FM Peak

Limiting Technology .............................................................................................. 3-97

Figure 3-5 Madonna, “Get Together” remix; third-octave difference ....................... 3-97

Introduction .................................................................................................................... 3-97

Figure 3-6 U2, “Within You Without You” ................................................................... 3-98

Measurements ................................................................................................................ 3-98

Figure 3-7 Kelly Clarkson, “Because of You” opening ................................................ 3-99

Figure 3-8 Level 42, “Starchild” .................................................................................. 3-100

Figure 3-9 Simple Minds, “Alive and Kicking” ........................................................... 3-101

Figure 3-10 Stanford Research Systems Model SR785 Dynamic Signal Analyzer ...... 3-102

Conclusions .................................................................................................................... 3-102

Section 4 Maintenance

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

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

SUBASSEMBLY REMOVAL AND REINSTALLATION .................................................................... 4-1

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 8700 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 ................................................................................. 5-5

System Receiving 8600’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

Digital Radio Loudness Cannot be Set Using the Digital Output 100% Peak Level

Control ............................................................................................................................... 5-7

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

The Left and Right Audio Channels are Reversed at the Digital 1 or Digital 2 Outputs

only .................................................................................................................................... 5-7

Loudness is unexpectedly low from the analog FM processing chain ........................... 5-7

Digitized SCA inputs do not appear at the analog composite outputs and vice-versa

(MPX hardware only) ........................................................................................................ 5-8

General Dissatisfaction with Subjective Sound Quality .................................................. 5-8

BS.1770 Safety Limiter produces too much gain reduction ............................................ 5-8

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

Connection Issues between the 8600 and a PC, Modem, or Network ................. 5-8

Chassis

interconnections

(not to scale)

Base Board

Glue logic; supports CPU board

Parts Locator

6-38

Troubleshooting Connections ................................................................................. 5-9

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

the 8600: ................................................................................................................ 5-10

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

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

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

TROUBLESHOOTING IC OPAMPS ....................................................................................... 5-12

TECHNICAL SUPPORT ...................................................................................................... 5-12

FACTORY SERVICE ........................................................................................................... 5-13

SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS .................................................................................................. 5-13

Section 6 Technical Data

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

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

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

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

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

Overview .................................................................................................................. 6-7

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

User Control Interface and LCD Display Circuits ................................................... 6-8

Input Circuits ............................................................................................................ 6-9

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

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

AES Output L/R Channel Reversal Bug .......................................................................... 6-13

Power Supply ......................................................................................................... 6-14

ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................................. 6-14

PARTS LIST .................................................................................................................... 6-16

Obtaining Spare Parts ........................................................................................... 6-16

Base Board ............................................................................................................. 6-17

CPU board .............................................................................................................. 6-18

RS-232 Board .......................................................................................................... 6-20

Power Supply ......................................................................................................... 6-21

Input/Output (I/O) Board ...................................................................................... 6-22

DSP Board ............................................................................................................... 6-26

Interface Board ...................................................................................................... 6-28

Headphone Board ................................................................................................. 6-29

Encoder Board ....................................................................................................... 6-30

LCD Carrier Board .................................................................................................. 6-30

Digital MPX (Retrofit for pre-MPX 8600s) ........................................................... 6-31

Digital MPX (for 8600MPX Units) ......................................................................... 6-32

SCHEMATICS AND PARTS LOCATOR DRAWINGS ................................................................... 6-34

Function Description Drawing Page

Circuit Board Locator and basic

Top view

6-37

Function Description Drawing Page

and RS-232 daughterboard.

Contains:

Drawing

System Connections

Schematic 1 of 4

6-39

CPU board interface

Schematic 2 of 4

6-40

Power Supply Monitor

Schematic 3 of 4

6-41

CPLD, General Purpose Interface,
and Remotes

Schematic 4 of 4

6-42

CPU board

Control microprocessor. Services
front panel, serial port, Ethernet,

Contains:

Parts Locator

6-43

Ethernet

Schematic 1 of 5

6-44

General Purpose Bus

Schematic 2 of 5

6-45

Memory

Schematic 3 of 5

6-46

Miscellaneous Functions

Schematic 4 of 5

6-47

Power and Ground Distribution

Schematic 5 of 5

6-48

RS-232 Board

Supports Serial Port

Parts Locator
Drawing

Schematic 1 of 1

6-50

Power Supply

±

±5V analog

supply; +5V digital supply

Drawing

Schematic 1 of 1

6-52

I/O Board

Contains:

L and R Analog Inputs

Schematic 1 of 6

6-54 L and R Analog Outputs

Schematic 2 of 6

6-55 Composite / SCA

Schematic 3 of 6

6-56

Control and Miscellaneous

Schematic 5 of 6

6-58 Interface and Power Distribution

Schematic 6 of 6

6-59

DSP Board

DSP Chips; Local +3.3V regulator.

Contains:

Parts Locator
Drawing

6-60

Interconnects

Schematic 1 of 9

6-61

Enhanced Serial Audio
Interface (ESAI)

Schematic 2 of 9

6-62

Control Interface

Schematic 3 of 9

6-63

External Memory Controller
Interface 1

Schematic 4 of 9

6-64

Power and Ground

Schematic 5 of 9

6-65 86xx 8-Bit Control Interface

Schematic 6 of 9

6-66 Clock Generation and CPLD

Schematic 7 of 9

6-67 Power Distribution

Schematic 8 of 9

6-68

External Memory Controller
Interface 2

Schematic 9 of 9

6-69

Front-Panel

LCD Carrier

Parts Locator

6-70

DSP board, and control board. Re­sides on base board.

Drawing

6-49

15V analog supply;

Analog Input/output
AES3 Input/output
Composite Output
SCA Input.

Parts Locator

Parts Locator
Drawing

6-51

6-53

Digital I/O Schematic 4 of 6 6-57

Function Description Drawing Page

Boards

Drawing

LCD Carrier

Schematic 1 of 3

6-71

Headphone and Encoder Board

Parts Locator
Drawings

6-72

Headphone Board

Schematic 2 of 3

6-73 Encoder Board

Schematic 3 of 3

6-74

Front-Panel

Interface

Parts Locator
Drawing

6-75

Board

Schematic 1 of 2

6-76

Schematic 2 of 2

6-77

Digital MPX

Board

Retrofit board for pre-MPX 8600s

Parts Locator
Drawing

6-78

Contains:

Drawing

Interconnects

Schematic 1 of 3

6-80

Digital SCA Inputs and dsPIC

Schematic 3 of 3

6-82

DSP Block

Diagram

8500-Style Presets

Drawing 1 of 2

6-83
8600-Style Presets

Drawing 2 0f 2

6-84

For 8600MPX

Parts Locator

6-79

Digital Composite and Sync Schematic 2 of 3 6-81

Index

1

19 K Ref control 2- · 11

2

2B Drive 3- · 54
2B Release 3- · 55

8

8100A/ST 1- · 19
8100A1 1- · 19
8100AST 1- · 19
8100AXT2 1- · 19
8200ST 2- · 16
8400

importing presets from 3- · 92

8600 HD 3- · 71
8600 OPTIMOD-FM 1- · 1
8600MPX 1- · 8

A

A/D converter

Circuit description 5- · 10

Abbreviations

Table of 6- · 14

AC Line Cord Standard 2- · 2
Administrative Operations

via terminal program 2- · 50

Adobe pdf 1- · 1
Advanced Modify 3- · 17
AES/EBU I/O 2- · 7
AGC

controls 3- · 36
defeating 3- · 24
Defeating 3- · 37
external AGC setup 2- · 15
meter 2- · 14
meter 3- · 2

AGC 3- · 9
AGC Drive 3- · 37
AGC Matrix 3- · 40
AGC Release

Master 3- · 37

Analog

output 2- · 7

Analog auto-fallback 2- · 40, 41
Analog baseband outputs 1- · 10
Analog delay

remote control 2- · 61

analog fallback 2- · 32
Analog I/O 1- · 10
analog input

fallback 2- · 40
fallback to digital 2- · 40

Analog input

Circuit description 6- · 9

Analog input 2- · 6
Analog input clip level 2- · 27
Analog input ref level

I/O setup 2- · 30

Analog landline 1- · 19
Analog output

Circuit description 6- · 10

Analog output trim 4- · 10
API

adjusting delay time 2- · 54
delay on/off 2- · 54, 55

Archiving presets 3- · 90
Attack

2-Band Bass 2- · 57
2-Band Master · 57
AGC Bass 3- · 41
AGC Master 3- · 41
Multiband 3- · 66

Audio

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

automated control

via PuTTY/Plink 2- · 59

automation

capabilities 2- · 43

Automation

Clock-based 2- · 42
PC Remote 3- · 93

B

B4>B5 coupling 3- · 9

Backing up presets 3- · 90
backup

folder location 3- · 91

Balance adjust

I/O setup 2- · 32

balanced

output transformer 2- · 7

Balanced

inputs 2- · 6

Band Mix

Multiband 3- · 65

Band mix controls 3- · 66
Bandwidth

Setting HD 3- · 75

Base board

Reinstalling 4- · 6
removing 4- · 5

baseband spectrum 5- · 4
Baseband spectrum diagram 3- · 44
Basic Modify 3- · 16
Bass

equalizer 3- · 86
Getting sound you want 3- · 85

Bass CLip Mode 3- · 45, 49, 51
Bass Clip Threshold 3- · 47
Bass Coupling

2-Band 3- · 56
AGC 3- · 39

Bass Threshold 3- · 40
Battery

Replacing 6- · 8

Block diagram 6- · 83, 84
brightness

controlling excessive 3- · 72
controlling in HD 3- · 15

Brilliance control 3- · 34
BS.1770

analog radio 1- · 25
GR meter 2- · 15

BS.1770 1- · 24
BS.1770 Limiter

too much GR 5- · 8

BS.1770 Loudness Control Threshold 3- ·

78

BS.1770 loudness meter

limitations 2- · 42

BS.1770 safety limiter

and FInal Limit Drive 2- · 41
setup 2- · 32

BS.1770 Safety Limiter

control functionality 3- · 78

BS.1770 Safety Limiter 2- · 15
Button bar

FM > HD coupling 3- · 71

Buttons · 1

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

Buzz 5- · 1
bypass

PC remote 1- · 30

Bypass

Locally 1- · 29
Remote interface 1- · 29
test mode 1- · 26

Bypass mode

activate via GPI 2- · 61

C

cable

shielding 2- · 12

Cable 2- · 6
capacitance

separation vs. load 2- · 10

CD mastering

and processing 3- · 6

chassis

ground 2- · 12

Chassis

getting inside 4 · 1

Chassis ground 2- · 12
circuit board locator drawing 6- · 37
Circuit description

Control 6- · 7
LCD display 6- · 8
user Control interface 6- · 8

Circuit description 6- · 6
Circuit ground 2- · 12
Classical music 3- · 24, 52
Cleaning front panel 4- · 1
Clip level

I/O setup 2- · 27

Clipper

Controls 3- · 42

Clipper, bass 3- · 10
Clipping

2-Band 3- · 57
Defined 3- · 4
Multiband 3- · 63

Clock

Battery 6- · 8

GPI control of 2- · 61
Setting 2- · 42
Setting via Internet 2- · 69

Clock-based automation 2- · 42
codec artifacts

minimizing 3- · 14

common-mode rejection 2- · 12
Components

Obtaining 6- · 16

composite

digital setup 2- · 38

Composite

Circuit description 6- · 11
isolation transformer 2- · 10
limiter 3- · 12

Composite baseband microwave STL 1- ·

18

composite isolation transformer 1- · 15,

13, 1
Composite level output 1- · 24
Composite Limit Drive 3- · 43
Composite limiter

Pilot tone protection 2- · 10

Composite metering 1- · 24
Composite output

I/O setup 2- · 37
Level adjustment range 2- · 9
Meter 2- · 14
Setting output impedance 2- · 9
Specifications 6- · 4
Termination 2- · 9

Composite output 2- · 9
Composite outputs 1- · 10
Compression

Defined 3- · 3

Compression Ratio

AGC 3- · 40

Compressor look-ahead

and bass clipper mode 3- · 46

computer

Windows XP 5- · 10

Computer

Connecting to 2- · 5
Troubleshooting connections 5- · 9

Computer interface

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

Computer interface 1- · 12

Connecting

through Win XP direct serial 2- · 81

Connection to PC

Troubleshooting 5- · 8

Connectors

Audio 2- · 6

Connectors 2- · 6
control

scripted 2- · 59

control coupling

FM and HD 3- · 78

Control coupling

FM > HD 3- · 71

Control knob 2- · 14
Control knob 3- · 1
Control setting

Modifying from PC Remote 3- · 89

controls

HD audio 3- · 78
Speech Detect 3- · 10

Corrosion 4- · 1
Coupling Control 3- · 65
Cover

Removing 4- · 2

CPU board

Reinstalling 4- · 6
removing 4- · 4

Crossfade 3- · 75
Crossover

2-Band 3- · 57
AGC 3- · 41
Band 1 / Band 2 3- · 69

D

D/A converter

Circuit description 6- · 10

de-emphasis

applying to output meter 2- · 37

De-Essing

in HD channel 3- · 80

Defaults

Resetting to 2- · 48

Defeating final clipper 2- · 39
delay

on/off from API 2- · 54, 55

Delay

Analog vs. HD 3- · 73
diversity on/off 3- · 74
diversity vernier 3- · 75
Input/Ouput 3- · 15

delay time

adjusting via API 2- · 54

diagnostic info

fetching via API 2- · 56

Dialnorm

re Loudness Level meter 1- · 25

digital composite

setup 2- · 38

digital encoder

setup 2- · 38

digital fallback 2- · 41
Digital I/O 1- · 9
digital input

fallback to analog 2- · 40
invalid or missing 2- · 32

Digital input

Circuit description 6- · 10

Digital links 1- · 16
Digital output

Circuit description 6- · 11

digital radio processing 3- · 14, 71
Display

Removing 4- · 4

Display Interface

Reinstalling 4- · 6
Removing 4- · 4

Distortion

Aliasing 3- · 13
Excessive 5- · 8
in processing 3- · 4
Testing 4- · 11
Troubleshooting 5- · 2

dither

setting 2- · 35

Dither control

HD 3- · 77

diversity delay

om/off from API 2- · 54, 55

Diversity delay

composite on/off 3- · 74
control via GPI 2- · 62

diversity delay 3- · 75
DJ Bass control 3- · 34
Drive control

Multiband 3- · 59

DSP

Block diagram 6- · 83, 84
Circuit description 6- · 12

DSP board

Reinstalling 4- · 6
Removing 4- · 2

Dual microwave STLs 1- · 18

Dull sound

troubleshooting 5- · 5

E

EAS

modulation Low 5- · 5

EAS test tones 1- · 29
Easy setup 2- · 18
EBU R 128 1 · 24
Enter button 2- · 13
Enter button 3- · 1
EQ Frequency control

HD 3- · 79

Equalizer

Bass Gain 3- · 31
Bass Shelf Hinge Frequency 3- · 31
Bass Slope 3- · 31
Controls 3- · 30
Parametric Frequency 3- · 32
Parametric Gain 3- · 32
Parametric Width 3- · 32

Equalizer 3- · 9
Escape button 2- · 13
Escape button 3- · 1
esses

excessive HD 5- · 6

Ethernet 2- · 68, 88
Ethernet card 2- · 5
Exciter overshoot 1- · 20
Expander

Multiband Downward 3- · 64

F

Factory defaults

Resetting to 2- · 48
Restoring via Terminal Program 2- · 50

Factory preset

Selecting 2- · 23

Factory presets

Table of 3- · 22

Factory presets 1- · 8
Factory service 5- · 13
Field audit of performance 4- · 7
Filter

Pilot Protection 3- · 44

Final Clip Drive 3- · 47
Final clipper

Defeating 2- · 39

Firewall 2- · 64, 68, 88
Firmware

updating 8600 2- · 72

Five-band structure

Customizing settings 3- · 59
Setup controls 3- · 59

Five-band structure 3- · 20, 58
FM > HD mode 3- · 71
FM polarity

changing via API 2- · 55
control via GPI 2- · 62

FM Polarity control 2- · 37
FMHD control coupling 3- · 78
folder

backup location 3 - · 91

Forgotten passcode 2- · 48
Format control

HD 3- · 77

Frequency response

Testing 4- · 11

Front panel

Reinstalling 4- · 7
removing 4- · 3
Unlocking 2- · 46

Front Panel

Cannot access 2- · 48

fuse 2- · 5
Fuse 2- · 2

G

Gain Reduction

Maximum Delta 3- · 69

Gain reduction metering 3- · 18
Gate indicators 2- · 14
Gate indicators 3- · 2
Gate Threshold

2-Band 3- · 56
AGC 3- · 38
Multiband 3- · 62

Gateway

Setting via terminal program 2- · 52

Gateway 2- · 64, 68, 88
GPI

programming 2- · 60

ground loop

eliminating in composite 1- · 15, 13, 1

Grounding

loss of 4- · 1

Grounding 2- · 12

Grouping 8600s

In PC Remote 3- · 94

H

Half-cosine interpolation limiter 3- · 12,

13
Hard Clip Shape 3- · 49
HD

Bandwidth 3- · 75
cannot set output for 5- · 7
Dither control 3- · 77
EQ frequency control 3- · 79
EQ Gain control 3- · 79
Format control 3- · 77
Frequency response not 20 kHz 5- · 7
GR meter 3- · 3
HF Shelf EQ 3- · 74
Limiter Drive control 3- · 79
Out Level control 3- · 76
Output Sample Rate 3- · 76
Output too bright 5- · 6
Sync control 3- · 77

HD audio controls 3- · 78
HD De-ess 3- · 80
HD delay

setting 3- · 76

HD loudness

adjusting 5- · 6

HD loudness too low 5- · 7
HD Radio

cannot adjust loudness 5- · 7
crossfade 3- · 75
loudness mismatch between FM and HD 5- ·

7

match loudness of HD and FM 3- · 79

HD/FM loudness

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

Headphone

Jack 2- · 13
Jack 3- · 1
Level control 2- · 13
Level control 3- · 1

Headphone amplifier

Reassembling 4- · 7
Removing 4- · 3

Headphones

low-delay monitoring 1- · 28
low-delay monitoring 2- · 39

Headphones 1- · 26

HF Clipping 3- · 47
HF Enhance control 3- · 35
HF enhancer 3- · 9
hiding meters 2 - · 45
High frequency limiter 3- · 10
High Frequency Limiter 3- · 68
Highpass Filter 3- · 35
Hum 5- · 1
hyperlinks 1- · 1
Hyperterminal 2- · 48

I

I/O

AES/EBU 2- · 7
Connections 2- · 3

I/O assembly

Removing 4- · 2

I/O board

Reinstalling 4- · 6

IC opamps

Troubleshooting 5- · 12

Idle Gain 3- · 40
In meters 2- · 14
In meters 3- · 2
Independent mode 3- · 71
Input

Analog 2- · 6
SCA, Specifications 6- · 5
Subcarrier 2- · 9

Input conditioning 3- · 7
Input level

Line-up 1- · 21

Input level meters 1- · 23
Input Select

Control via GPI 2- · 61

Input selector

I/O setup 2- · 27

Inspection of contents 2- · 1
Instrumental format 3- · 27
Interface type

Changing via terminal program 2- · 53

Intermediate Modify 3- · 17
Internet

Cannot access 5- · 10
Time server 2- · 69

IP address

changing via Terminal Program 2- · 51
Entering into 8600 2- · 63
serial connection 2- · 58

terminal connection 2- · 58

ITU-412 3- · 80
ITU-R 412 3- · 13
ITU-R 412 requirements 2- · 24
ITU-R BS.1770 1- · 24

J

J.17

and NICAM 1- · 17
preemphasis applied to digital audio output

6- · 4

Jazz format 3- · 27
Jensen transformer 1- · 15, 13, 1
Joystick 2- · 13
Joystick 3- · 1

K

Keyboard shortcuts 3- · 94

L

Latency

Low delay presets 3- · 23
Ultra-low-delay presets 3- · 20

LCD display

Reassembling 4- · 6

LCD display 6- · 8
Less-More control

Grayed-out 3- · 17

Less-More control 3- · 16
Level

Metering 1- · 22
Transmission 1- · 22

Limit Threshold

Multiband 3- · 51, 68

Limiter

Multiband Attack 3- · 69

Limiting

Defined 3- · 3

Line voltage 2- · 2
Line-up tones

System will not pass at 100% modulation 5- ·

5

Line-up tones 1- · 25
LLHard mode 3- · 46
locate joystick 2- · 13
Locate joystick 3- · 1

Location 1- · 13
Lock

Driven equipment cannot lock to 8600

output 5- · 6

Locked out 2- · 48
Lockout

Front panel 2- · 46

Lookahead

Multiband Control 3- · 69

Look-ahead

Compressor/limiter 3- · 10

Lookahead 3- · 57
look-ahead limiter 3- · 14, 72
Look-ahead limiting

Defined 3- · 4

Lossy data reduction

In studio 1- · 20
NICAM 1- · 17
Used in STLs · 16

Loudness

adjusting HD/FM 5- · 6
Insufficient 5- · 8
Insufficient due to ITU412 controller 5- · 1
Insufficient due to poor peak control 5- · 1
match HD and FM channels 3- · 76, 79

Loudness and distortion 3- · 4
loudness control

in digital radio 2- · 32

loudness GR meter 2- · 15
loudness meter 1- · 24
Loudness Safety Limiter

setup 2- · 32

low-delay monitoring

and Phase Corrector 1- · 29

L–R will not null 5- · 6

M

Main board

Reattaching 4 · 6

Matrix

AGC 3- · 40

Max Delta GR

AGC 3- · 39

Max Distortion Control 3- · 68
MB Drive control 3- · 59
MB GR Meter switch 3- · 2
meter

output · 37
loudness 1- · 24
MPX Power 3- · 81

MPX Power Level 3- · 81

Meter Sel control 3- · 74
Meters

circuit description 6- · 8
studio 1- · 21

Mod reduction

explained 2- · 22
via GPI 2- · 61

Modem

Preparing for connection 2- · 95
Recommended baud rate 2- · 96
Setting up 2- · 65
Specification for 2- · 67
Windows 2000 configuration 2- · 95
Windows XP Configuration 2- · 101

modem card 2- · 5
Modem init string

changing from front panel 2- · 65
Changing via terminal program 2- · 53

Modulation control

Troubleshooting poor 5- · 1

Modulation Mode control 2- · 38
Monitor Mute

BPI control 2- · 61

Monitoring

Requirements for 3- · 6

Monitoring 1- · 26
MPX Power Level meter 3- · 81
MPX Power meter 3- · 81
Multiband

gain reduction meters 2- · 14
Gain reduction meters 3- · 2

Multiband Band Mix 3- · 65
Multiband Limit Threshold 3- · 57
Multipath Mitigator

and HD chain 3- · 14
and SSB overshoot 3- · 11
bypassing 2- · 32
incompatible with low-delay monitor 2- · 39

Multipath Mitigator 1- · 6, 26
Multipath Mitigator 3- · 8, 35
Multiplex power

Compliance graph 3- · 81

Multiplex power 2- · 15
Multiplex power 3- · 3, 13, 80
Multiplex power offset 3- · 26, 27, 42, 44,

83
Multiplex Power Threshold control 3- · 82
Music Mode

forcing 3- · 70

MX controls

Bass Limiting 3- · 51
Bass PreLimit Mode 3- · 50
Bass PreLimiting 3- · 51
Distortion Control 3- · 51
Hard Clip Shape 3- · 51
Multiband Clipping 3- · 51
Peak Limiter Drive 3- · 50

MX structures 1- · 6

N

Netcat

automated control using 2- · 60
automation using 2- · 59

Networking 2- · 63
News format 3- · 28
NICAM 1- · 17
Noise

Troubleshooting 5- · 3

Null modem cable

Communicating through 2- · 75

Null modem cable 2- · 67

O

Out level control

HD 3- · 76

Out meters 2- · 14
output

digital, specifications 6- · 4

Output

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

Output configuration 2- · 21
Output level

I/O setup 2- · 33

Output levels

Quick setup 2- · 22

Output meters 1- · 23
overshoot

reduction 1- · 20

Overshoot

In exciter 1- · 20

Overshoot

Excessive 5- · 1

Overshoot 3- · 83
Overshoot Compensation Drive 3- · 49

P

Parametric equalizer 3- · 9, 30
Parts

Obtaining 6- · 16

Parts list

Base board 6- · 17
CPU board 6- · 18
DSP board 6- · 26
Encoder board 6- · 30
Headphone board 6- · 29
I/O board 6- · 22
Interface board 6- · 28
LCD carrier board 6- · 30, 31
Power supply 6- · 21
RS-232 board 6- · 20

Parts list 6- · 16
Passcode

default ADMIN 2- · 47
Forgotten 2- · 48
Programming 2- · 44

PC

Orban installer program 2- · 67

PC board locator diagram 6- · 37
PC card port 2- · 5
PC control

security 1- · 30

PC hardware requirements 2- · 67
PC Remote

aliases 3- · 94
Modifying control setting 3- · 89
moving alias folders 3- · 96
Multiple coexisting versions 3- · 95
Operating from keyboard 3- · 94
Recalling preset 3- · 89
Saving Preset 3- · 90
Setting up new connection 3- · 88
Upgrading versions 3- · 95

PC Remote Software 3- · 87
Peak control criteria 1- · 13
peak limiter

8500-style 3- · 47
MX controls 3- · 49

Phase

HD 3- · 75

Phase Correct Crossover 3- · 8
Phase Corrector

bypassing 2- · 32

Phase Corrector 3- · 8, 35
Phase Rotator 3- · 35
phase skew corrector 1- · 6, 26

phase skew corrector 3- · 8
Phase-linear

System group delay spec · 13

Pilot Protection Filter 3- · 44
pilot reference 2- · 41
pilot reference 6- · 5
pilot reference control 2- · 11
Pilot tone

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

Plink

automation using 2- · 59

Plink 2- · 59
polarity

FM analog processing 2- · 55
setting FM 2- · 37

Polarity

HD 3- · 75

Pop-up menu 2- · 14, 1
Port

Terminal 2- · 57

Port #

Setting via terminal program 2- · 52

port number

setting 2- · 58

Ports 2- · 68, 88
Power

Cord 2- · 3, 5
Ground 2- · 12

Power 2- · 2
Power supply

Circuit description 6- · 14
Parts list 6- · 21
Pin identifier 4- · 10
Removing 4- · 5
Testing 4- · 9

Power supply board

reattaching 4 · 5

pre-emphasis

setting 2- · 27

Pre-emphasis

in STLs 1- · 13
Quick setup 2- · 19
Side-effect of changing 3- · 17

preset

recalling 2- · 41

Preset

8400 compatibility 3- · 92
Backup 3- · 90
Deleting user 3- · 19
recall via GPI 2- · 61
Recalling via terminal program 2- · 53

restoring archived 3- · 92
Saving from PC Remote 3- · 90
sharing between 8600s 3- · 93

Presets

Factory 1- · 8
factory 3- · 22
Gregg 3- · 26
Impact 3- · 26
Instrumental 3- · 27
Jazz 3- · 27
Loud 3- · 27
News-Talk 3- · 28
Rock 3- · 29
Saving user 3- · 18
Sports 3- · 29
Table of factory 3- · 22
UL (Ultra-Low Latency) 3- · 39, 20, 6
Urban 3- · 30
User presets 1- · 8

processing

for HD Radio 3- · 14

Processing

AGC 3- · 9
block diagram 6- · 83, 84
Customizing 3- · 16
Equalization 3- · 9
Input conditioning 3- · 7
Intelligent clipping 3- · 10
Multiband compression 3- · 9
Stereo enhancement 3- · 8
Tutorial 3- · 3
Two-band purist 3- · 14

processing structures 1- · 5
Processing structures discussed 3- · 19
Protection preset 3- · 24
Purist processing 3- · 14
PuTTY

direct control using 2- · 58

PuTTY 2- · 59

Q

Quick setup 2- · 18
Quiet on-air levels 5- · 1

R

Rack-mounting unit 2- · 3
ratings encoder 2- · 8, 36
Ratio

Control 3- · 9

RDS

terminal timeout 2- · 117
timeout 2- · 115

RDS -2 · 110
Rear panel 2- · 5
Recalling preset

via terminal program 2- · 53

Registration card 2- · 1
Release

AGC Bass 3- · 41
Multiband 3- · 61
Multiband Delta 3- · 69

Remote

PC Remote software 3- · 87

Remote control

Bypass 1- · 29
Connecting 2- · 3

Remote control 2- · 5
Remote control interface

Connecting 2- · 3
programming 2- · 60

Remote control interface 1- · 12
Remote interface 2- · 12
Remote interface connector 2- · 5
Remote Software 2- · 5, 57, 66, 71, 72
Resetting 8600 2- · 48
Restoring archived presets 3- · 92
RFI 5- · 1
Right channel balance

I/O setup 2- · 32

Rock format 3- · 29
Rotary encoder

Removing 4- · 3

Rotary Encoder

Reassembling 4- · 6

Routine maintenance 4- · 1
RS232 board

Reinstalling 4- · 6

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

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

Rumble Filter 3- · 35

S

Sample Rate control

HD 3- · 76

sample rate conversion

overshoot in 1- · 4

Sample rate converter

Testing 4- · 12

Saving user presets 3- · 18
SCA

digitized setup 2- · 38
Input, specifications 6- · 5
inputs 1- · 11
Interference from stereo 5- · 4

Schematics

Table of contents 6- · 34

Screen display 2- · 14
Screen display 3- · 2
Screens

System Setup 2- · 18

scripted control 2- · 59
security

view meters 2- · 45

Security

PC Remote 2- · 47

Security 1- · 30
Security 2- · 44
serial 1 connector 2- · 5
serial 2 connector 2- · 5
Serial Communications

Setting up 2- · 75

serial connection

via port #1 2- · 57
via Port #2 2- · 49

Serial connection

Setting up direct 2- · 64

Service 5- · 13
Setup

I/O 2- · 27
Quick 2- · 18

Shelf equalizer 3- · 30
Shelving equalizer

Bass, slope of 3- · 9

Shipping instructions 5- · 13
Shrill sound

Troubleshooting 5- · 5

Sibilance

excessive HD 5- · 6
excessive in HD channel 3- · 80

Signal flow diagram 6- · 83, 84
Signal flow in 8600 3- · 7
Silence sense

Tally output 2- · 62

Silence sense 2- · 40
silence threshold 2- · 40
Single-sideband mode 3- · 11
SNMP 2- · 106

Software

updating 8600 2- · 72

software updates 1- · 7
Software Updates 1- · 7
Solo 3- · 66
Source material

Requirements for 3- · 6

Spare parts

Obtaining 6- · 16

Specifications 6- · 1
Speech Bass Clip Threshold 3- · 49
Speech Detect control 3- · 10
Speech Mode

forcing 3- · 70

speech mode 3- · 10
speech/music detector

overriding 3- · 70

Speech/music detector 3- · 46, 70
Sports format 3- · 29
SSB

GPI control 2- · 61

SSB mode 3- · 11
Stereo Coupling

Multiband Downward Expander 3- · 69

Stereo encoder

control via GPI 2- · 61
SSB/VSB Operation 3- · 11
Testing 4- · 13

Stereo encoder 3- · 10
Stereo enhancement 3- · 8
Stereo Enhancer

Amount 3- · 36
Depth 3- · 36
Diffusion 3- · 36
In/Out 3- · 36
Ratio Limit 3- · 36
Style 3- · 36

Stereo/Mono

HD output 3- · 75

STL

low frequency cutoff 1- · 13
systems 1- · 16, 18

Studio Level Controller

Installation 2- · 15

Studio Level Controller mode 2- · 19
Studio-transmitter link 1- · 16
Subassembly removal and reinstallation 4-

· 1

Subcarrier

Input, specifications 6- · 5
inputs 2- · 10

Subcarrier input 1- · 11
Subcarrier input 2- · 9
subcarriers

digitized 1- · 11
digtized 5- · 8

Subnet

Crossing 2- · 64
Mask 2- · 63

Subnet Mask

Setting via Terminal Program 2- · 51

Switches

Voltage select 2- · 2, 5

Sync control

HD 3- · 77

System clock

Setting 2- · 42

System setup

Quick setup 2- · 18

System Setup screen 2- · 18

T

Talk format 3- · 28
Tally output

Programming 2- · 62
Silence sense threshold 2- · 40
Wiring 2- · 4

Technical support 5- · 31, 9, 12
Telephone support 5- · 31, 9, 12

Telnet 2- · 57, 113
terminal connection

timeout 2- · 57

terminal connection 2- · 49
Terminal Port 2- · 57
Terminal Port #

Changing via terminal program 2- · 52

terminal timeout

RDS 2- · 117

Test modes 3- · 84
Threshold

2-Band Bass Compressor 3- · 57
2-Band Master Compressor 3- · 57
Band-5 Clip 3- · 68
Bass Delta 3- · 41
Master Delta 3- · 41
Multiband Compression 3- · 66
Multiband Speech 3- · 58, 70

Time & date 2- · 19
Time Server 2- · 69
timeout

RDS connection 2- · 115

terminal connection 2- · 57

Tone

activate via GPI 2- · 61

Transformer

Composite isolation 2- · 10

Troubleshooting

Installation 5- · 1

true peak control 1- · 3
Two-band structure

Customizing settings 3- · 53
Setup controls 3- · 54

Two-band structure 3- · 20, 52

U

Ultra-low Latency

and clipping distortion controller 3- · 10
and compressor look-ahead 3- · 10

Ultra-low-latency presets 3- · 20
Unlocking 8500

via Terminal Program 2- · 51

Unlocking 8600 2- · 48
Unlocking unit 2- · 46
Unpacking 2- · 1
Updating software 2- · 72
Urban format 3- · 30
User preset

deleting 3- · 19

User presets

Archiving 3- · 19
Creating 3- · 16, 18

User presets 1- · 8

V

Vestigial sideband 3- · 11
view meters 2- · 45
Voice/music balance 3- · 18
Voltage select switch 2- · 2, 5
VPN 2- · 64
VPN, setting up 2- · 68, 88

W

Warranty 1- · 30
Warranty 6- · 6
Whistle on-air

Troubleshooting 5- · 4

Window Release 3- · 40
Window Size 3- · 39
Windows

Installing services 2- · 66

Windows 2000

adding direct serial connection 2- · 81, 96
Adding direct serial connection 2- · 76, 102
Direct serial connection 2- · 75
Modem connection 2- · 95

Windows XP

direct connect 5- · 10
Modem configuration 2- · 101
modem connect 5- · 11

word length

setting 2- · 35

Word Length control

HD 3- · 77

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.

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.

1-1

The OPTIMOD-FM 8600 Digital Audio Processor

Orban’s all-digital 8600 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 Freescale 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 8600 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.

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

1-2

INTRODUCTION ORBAN MODEL 8600

can exaggerate flaws in the source material, it is very important that the source au­dio 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 or 1101e. These processors can be ad­justed so that they substitute for the AGC circuitry in OPTIMOD-FM, which is then
defeated.

The 8600 simultaneously processes for analog FM and digital channels like the iBiq­uity™ HD Radio™ system, DAB, DRM, or netcasts. The 8600’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 8600’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 8600FM is the same as the 8600 except that it does not provide digital
radio processing. The 8600FM can be upgraded to an 8600 in the field by installing
the plug-in CPU board contained in the 8600UPG/HD upgrade kit, which can be pur­chased from your Orban dealer.

User-Friendly Interface

• A large 5.7” (quarter-VGA) color liquid crystal display (LCD) makes setup, ad-

justment and programming of the 8600 easy. Navigation is by a miniature joy­stick, two dedicated buttons, and a large rotary knob. The LCD shows all meter­ing functions of the processing structure in use.

• Use the Locate joystick to navigate through a menu that lets you recall a preset,

modify processing (at three levels of expertise), or to access the system’s setup
controls.

Absolute Control of Peak Modulation

• The 8600 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.