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Audio Processors/Chain for 6000 US

S

Shay O Boyle

Guest
Hello All,
I’m new so go easy on me. The long and the short of it all is that I have 6000 to spend on the audio side of a dance music radio station. I am hoping you guys can help me! I’m still doing research and some people say buy a 8100 with xt2 processor and orban 222a,some people say go with BW and get a new Audio Processor with Ariane processor built into it.

My original Plan was to buy a Optimod 8100A With XT2 and Orban 222A and Aphex 320A Compellor .I was then advised to if at all possible use a Ariane processor with this and it would be as good as any audio chain worth 10000!

So here’s my question. If you were given a budget of 6000 or slightly over what Audio Processors or Chain would you do and why? What would you recommend?

Thanks in advance
Shay O'Boyle
 
if you go with a 8100 use an ariane in front.(no 222a)otherwise, check out the Omnia 5ex,orban 8300 or the dsp-extra.Get demo models if possible,listen to the units and then decide.Make sure you know the history and service records on the 8100.you don;t want to get one and then spend alot of money to get it up to par.IMHO
 
I would go with either an Omnia or Orban digital box. An 8100 with XT chassis was state of the art--about a dozen years ago. An 8100 is not that expensive to repair, I've just done two of them--usually just needs re-capping. However, you will be much happier with the flexibility of the digital processor. The Arianne is nice, but not always needed as it duplicates what is in the digital processors to a large extent. However, having the external AGC before a discrete STL, equalized line, or even a digital land-line STL (T1 or similar critter) can be helpful.

Definitely agree on not using a 222a. If you don't have a good stereo image I would look backwards to your source material (no MP3's, direct from CD to HD, 44k/16 bit .wav at least), then to the studio-transmitter path.

Indeed, before I would go out and spend $6K on one of these boxes, I would take a hard look at your studio to transmitter path.

1. Co-located or separate studio/xmtr? If co-located, what are you using for an exciter? How old?

2. If separate, how does the audio reach the transmitter? STL? Equalized pairs? Other method?
If STL, how long is the path? Composite, discrete analog, or digital?

Let me give you an example of why this examination would be useful. Class A Station with fairly modern processing (Orban 8400, as I remember), composite STL with a clean path to their mountain-top site. They didn't like the sound, talking about upgrading the processor, digital STL, etc. We took the 4WD to the top of the mountain, where the transmitter consisted of a QEI exciter and 600 watt power amp. I suggested they ditch the QEI for a more modern exciter. They did, and were amazed at the improvement in their sound.
 
WHOOPS, left out the hot Omnia One FM.Last price i got was $2300.00.one heck of a processor.apply the rest of the 6k toward the balance of your airchain.i agree with Tom on the 8100.i know lots of users still like them, i used them with all kind of boxes in front of one,but that was along time ago.i would not swap my Omnia 6EX for anything on the market, but will be getting the omnia one fm for backup.
 
On that budget, I'd have to suggest an Omnia One, 5, or the DSP-X. These processors seem to do pretty well on pumped up dance music.

A heavily modded 8100 with Arianne in front may sound sexy, but I think thats an airchain suited to older, non-hyper compressed material.

If someone is doing oldies or classic hits, there's something to be said for using an 8100 with an Arianne, mainly because it will pretty accurately recreate the original feel of the music when it was first on the radio...something to be said for that.
 
level42 said:
I would skip all of that and go straight to an Audioarts Vorsis FM-5. A bit more than $6000, but not much.

If you haven't heard one of these yet, prepare to be amazed.
Click to expand...

Well Chris, I HAVE heard the FM-5 - and the other Vorsis products. And I was quite unamazed - in fact, somewhat underwhelmed. Give them about three years of development and there MAY be a competitive product.

For the OP - follow sgeirk or menotti1's advice: DSP-X or Omnia One. Period.
 
Rob Stutson said:
Well Chris, I HAVE heard the FM-5 - and the other Vorsis products. And I was quite unamazed - in fact, somewhat underwhelmed. Give them about three years of development and there MAY be a competitive product.

For the OP - follow sgeirk or menotti1's advice: DSP-X or Omnia One. Period.
Click to expand...

Yup, that thing is retched. Worst voice distortion ever. When we thought it was almost sounding OK, not good - but OK, another song would come along and sound horrible. We tried both of their FM boxes, same result. Underwhelming puts it mildly. :(

Three years and they're left in the dust.
 
Chris, as we say in tennis, the ball is back in your court.at 6k, they would have to throw in a console like maybe an air 1.How about that for a little free marketing tip? i would have to demo that box,extensively.
i would take the Omnia One FM and put the rest of that 6k on other gear.Honestly.i can not find anyone who is excited about that FM-5.
 
Shay O Boyle said:
Hello All,
I’m new so go easy on me. The long and the short of it all is that I have 6000 to spend on the audio side of a dance music radio station. I am hoping you guys can help me! I’m still doing research and some people say buy a 8100 with xt2 processor and orban 222a,some people say go with BW and get a new Audio Processor with Ariane processor built into it.

My original Plan was to buy a Optimod 8100A With XT2 and Orban 222A and Aphex 320A Compellor .I was then advised to if at all possible use a Ariane processor with this and it would be as good as any audio chain worth 10000!

So here’s my question. If you were given a budget of 6000 or slightly over what Audio Processors or Chain would you do and why? What would you recommend?

Thanks in advance
Shay O'Boyle
Click to expand...

Shay,

I'll echo a few posts: Whatever you do, don't buy without listening first! Every processor has their fanboys and detractors, so ultimately you have to trust your own ears.

Audio processing is a lot like food: some people love what other people hate, and vice versa. You have to decide whether you want something sweet, spicy, meaty or even fatty. :) (I'm a big fan of 'neutral' sound, most certainly when considering AGC).

What is the station using now? Is it worth keeping or perhaps trading in?
Do you have decent coverage, or is it a stretch? Is there a wide variation in styles and recordings, or pretty consistent? Is programming automated or live? Conditions such as these may figure into your processing needs.

Keep us informed as you make your decision!

Kind Regards,
David
 
My partner/owner just installed a Omnia One FM at his station. Says it will stomp processors costing 3 times as much..ENUFF said...
 
I have a friend that swears by the Inovonics...

I have a friend (well known in the industry) that swears by the Inovonics Omega_FM and based upon several I've heard at his stations (various formats), I would tend to agree
with him....

His stations sound DAMN good!
 
I would agree with David that there will always be people advocating one or the other processor, but ultimately you have to trust your own ears. It's a very subjective field and we all love our processors very much ;)

My advice has always been - get a demo units of all processors your budget can buy and make a (preferably direct) comparison on your station, with your transmitter, your radio programming and in your market. That is the only way to determine which processor will suit your station best.

Based on the $6k figure you gave, I would make sure to test drive DSPXtra, Orban 5300 and (provided you can get it at that price) Omnia.5.


Regards,
Goran Tomas
 
I would also recommend the FM5 from Vorsis, which is very powerful and sounds great. Anyone who has not heard the Vorsis boxes since Jeff Keith got there needs to ante up again. They are smooth and clean and loud.

http://www.vorsis.com/audioprocessors.html

This is also a great sounding box... the Digiplexer 2/4 from Audemat. Around $7k for the 4 band version, but it includes an RDS encoder, a remote control (!!) and an 80GB hard drive that will play if the STL link dies. The Audemat box is not a joke, the processing is very powerful.

http://www.audemat-aztec.com/radio-products-14-52.html

The Omnia ONE and DSP-X are also great boxes that will leave money left over.
 
Some of the audemat stuff looks like the DSPx line. The on-board hard drive is a great idea no matter how you look at it. As or the Vorsis, well, maybe they should stick to consoles.

wgliradio said:
I would also recommend the FM5 from Vorsis, which is very powerful and sounds great. Anyone who has not heard the Vorsis boxes since Jeff Keith got there needs to ante up again. They are smooth and clean and loud.

http://www.vorsis.com/audioprocessors.html

This is also a great sounding box... the Digiplexer 2/4 from Audemat. Around $7k for the 4 band version, but it includes an RDS encoder, a remote control (!!) and an 80GB hard drive that will play if the STL link dies. The Audemat box is not a joke, the processing is very powerful.

http://www.audemat-aztec.com/radio-products-14-52.html

The Omnia ONE and DSP-X are also great boxes that will leave money left over.
Click to expand...
 
some of the audemat is rebadged DSP-X products,like the dsp-x and dsp-extra..
 
wgliradio said:
I would also recommend the FM5 from Vorsis, which is very powerful and sounds great. Anyone who has not heard the Vorsis boxes since Jeff Keith got there needs to ante up again. They are smooth and clean and loud.
Click to expand...

I have lots of respect for you wgli, but you missed the boat on this one. We've tested both the ap1000 and fm5, since their guru arrived, and those units are bad. Loads of voice distortion, and lack of consistency. Noticed I'm not the only one who has posted the same results.
 
I had the opportunity to race the FM5 and the AP 1000 against the Omnia 6exi and the 8500, all boxes loaded with current software as of Feb 08. I stand by my comments.
 
wgliradio said:
I had the opportunity to race the FM5 and the AP 1000 against the Omnia 6exi and the 8500, all boxes loaded with current software as of Feb 08. I stand by my comments.
Click to expand...

Well SOME people liked the Edsel, too - but we all know what happened to it! :)

I've also heard the Vorsis stuff with the new software, and my comments concur with PaulyBoy's. Wheatstone should stick to consoles.
 
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