Ariane with 8100& XT2 or Broadcast Warehouse DSP-Xtra

[thejuggler]

Hi folks

Just looking for some advice please

I have an orban 8100 with XT2 in the airchain at present. The options are to add an ariane sequel in front of it as a preprocessor or replace it with a DSP-xtra from broadcast warehouse which has the ariane built in.

Format is 80s and 90s variety hits.

What would you do?

 

[kyscott]

Leave it exactly the way it is. The 8100XT does not need a pre processor. And replacing it with another processor, you won't be able to make the new processor sound as good as the 8100XT.

 

[TVJunkie12]

I'm still a fan of the 8100/XT2 running barefoot. You've gotta love that analog sound it has. The station I contract for (an ABC Timeless affiliate) on the edge of a medium market, is very competitive with stations running 8400's and 8500's.

 

[rrsounds]

Hi folks
Just looking for some advice please
I have an orban 8100 with XT2 in the airchain at present. The options are to add an ariane sequel in front of it as a preprocessor or replace it with a DSP-xtra from broadcast warehouse which has the ariane built in.
Format is 80s and 90s variety hits.
What would you do?

As much as I would like to promote your using one of our Arianes , I think the best approach to processing is to first **determine your needs** as far as sound and programming are concerned, and then look for the processor that meets these needs.

You don't really say what you're trying to do here, or if there is some problem you're trying to solve. Can you fill us in?

Kind Regards,
David

 

[hdradioeng]

I would suggest a demo! I demo gear all the time and the DSP-X line is extremely capable! Not sure what the price is these days but before making a decision spend time with multiple processors and listen objectively not by name. What your conclusion will be might surprise you. My personal opinion on the Xtra is an extremely "clean" sound when asked to be aggresive. Almost to clean my PD didnt like it on a country format but I liked it immediately wish I had more time to move it around formats. Also try the omnia 1 it seems to be an extremly good value for the price. Even try the Arianne on your existing setup. Ultimately what makes you happy is what you should do.

CW

 

[thejuggler]

Just looking to keep levels as consistent as possible while still retaining the warm analogue sound I guess. I've read on other posts that the ariane is a good preprocessor for the 8100. I suppose everyone has differing opinions and maybe a demo is the only way to figure it out.

Not necessarily looking to be the loudest on the dial but want to sound nice

Currently some songs don't seem as loud as others.

I'm thinking maybe its time to go fully digital with the xtra as the 8100/XT2 is old technology now

 

[hdradioeng]

Sounds like if some songs are not as loud as others a good agc/leveler might just solve your problem, but again do some demos you will be glad after your done. Also skim each setup after your happy with it for later referance and export your final settings so when you make a decision you dont have to start over from scratch!

Happy Hunting!

 

[wgliradio]

I wouldn't replace a fine processor just because another processor is digital. Digital for digital's sake is fools gold.

That being said, the Ariane in front of the 8100 would sound really good. I know that most digital boxes (that don't start with V) out there need an Ariane to work correctly, regardless of what the manuals say

 

[wgliradio]

Just looking to keep levels as consistent as possible while still retaining the warm analogue sound I guess. I've read on other posts that the ariane is a good preprocessor for the 8100. I suppose everyone has differing opinions and maybe a demo is the only way to figure it out.

Not necessarily looking to be the loudest on the dial but want to sound nice

Currently some songs don't seem as loud as others.

I'm thinking maybe its time to go fully digital with the xtra as the 8100/XT2 is old technology now

Do you notice this problem in stereo AND mono, or just in mono?

And your last line has led to the destruction of many a quality airchain. I would trade almost any digital processor I own now for an 8100/XT2. Unless you are doing HD, there is no need to replace the 8100/XT2 since it still is more than competitive and the box can still be serviced.

 

[Sgeirk]

Unless you want to really tweak out an XT, with some involved modifications...you can sound better than a station using a stock XT chassis, as long as you have the card 5, decent source material, some composite clipping, and an Arianne.

 

[thejuggler]

I have not tried it in mono just stereo.

Does anyone know if you can use just the ariane part of the DSP-Xtra to preprocess the audio and put that in front of my 8100/XT2 bypassing the processing section of the xtra?

Might be worth a try as there isn't a huge difference in cost between the ariane on its own and the DSP-xtra

 

[rrsounds]

Unless you want to really tweak out an XT, with some involved modifications...you can sound better than a station using a stock XT chassis, as long as you have the card 5, decent source material, some composite clipping, and an Arianne.

If the Optimod is at the transmitter site, you don't necessarily need a composite clipper if you have installed the "Card 0" overshoot clipper/filter.

Kind Regards,
David

 

[Sgeirk]

to the earlier poster: you either want to use the xtra or the arianne feeding the 8100 but not the xtra and the 8100 both.

If you have an xtra at the xmtr, you may need something at the studio end, if you're running a digital stl.

 

[littlejohn]

When you say 'digital STL' are you referring to the data reduced (non-linear) ones?

 

[Sgeirk]

Let me rephrase that, you're right, if you're running a discrete l/r digital stl path out to your transmitter, where your processing exists, you'll need some type of agc...the arianne works exceedingly well here.

 

[littlejohn]

if it's data reduced yeh. If it's bitstream linear, shouldn't matter - although some suggest it's still a good idea to do some levelling. I don't quite understand why.

 

[Sgeirk]

The Arianne protects the STL from clipping at the studio...and, to my ears...it "fills up the pipe" before it leaves the building, I can't explain it.

Even an 8200 sounds good as a final limiter if there's an Arianne out in front.

 

[littlejohn]

Oh OK. I use AGC in front of the profanity delay boxes. They seem the least tolerant of being overdriven of anything in the chain.

 

[cgould]

And don't forget that if you are running a pure digital path (AES from the studio, directly into a digital STL preferably LINEAR),
then you do not need any kind of leveler as this setup is as good as having the processor at the studio.

Why no need for a leveler? Full scale zero is full scale zero!
If you run out of bits on the console, then you run out of bits everywhere...including the the leveler!

Now, if you're looking for an effect that the outboard AGC / leveler can provide
(i.e. a signature sound thing) then go ahead and use the AGC / leveler.

-Cornelius

 

[rrsounds]

And don't forget that if you are running a pure digital path (AES from the studio, directly into a digital STL preferably LINEAR),
then you do not need any kind of leveler as this setup is as good as having the processor at the studio.

Why no need for a leveler? Full scale zero is full scale zero!
If you run out of bits on the console, then you run out of bits everywhere...including the the leveler!

Now, if you're looking for an effect that the outboard AGC / leveler can provide
(i.e. a signature sound thing) then go ahead and use the AGC / leveler.

-Cornelius

Hi Cornelius!

I agree with your concept of where to place (or not place) the units. And I agree that there's little need for an AGC to 'protect' a linear digital STL.

However I'm not so sure about the idea that an external AGC's purpose is *necessarily* to create a sound or effect.

We regularly receive email from Ariane users positively commenting on how *little* effect it adds, especially when contrasted with competing systems.
Which was the design goal.

Personally I think any AGC (internal or external) serves best when it *transparently* allows the final processor to operate in its sweet spot, making the final processor's desired effect (whatever that may be) more consistent and predictable.

Kind Regards,
David