Omnia One V Optimod 8200

[Shay O Boyle]

Hey All,
Initially I was looking at a Optimod 8200 and I heard some engineers rave about a Omnia One. I have to admit the price is right on the Omnia but having never worked with Omnia gear much in the past I am unsure. I enjoy the glow Optimods give, and although Omnia have come along way and when you put the time and effort into them and after many a cup of coffe, you can get them to sound sweet. I do understand the 8200 is old technology and the Omnia is just out, but I would be interested to hear peoples expirences with the Omnia one and if ANYONE has in the past worked with both and which would they chose and why? Is it fair to say the Omnia One does a better job than the 8200? A engineer who has worked with both said the Omnia One beats the 8200 hands down.Would you agree? I am getting my hands on a demo model next week to try out and will know more then but any view points would be greatly appreciated. I was using a 8100 with XT2 but I have ongoing issues with the optimod and a upgrade is more than required. The music format is 80's to today with a mainly dance music format at night.Any views on Omnia One would help! Thanks again...

 

[wgliradio]

The ONE is light years ahead of the 8200 (as is the 8100 ;D). I have one and it sounds good. I wrote a review for it last year in Radio Guide.

The VP-8 from Vorsis is another option. I'm getting my feet wet with that one and like the way it's sounding as well.

Both the VP-8 and the ONE are good for AM, FM and netcasting. The ONE is a 4 band processor, the VP-8 is a 4 band AGC and 8 band limiter. What's cool about the VP-8 is that for AM, the bands are recalculated if you use lower bandwidth transmission... so at 5k and 10k, you still get the power of all the bands. You can also place the pre-emphasis where you want it (before or after limiting on both the AM and FM software) depending on your thoughts on that theroy.

Then there is the DSP-X, which is another sound option. I was a Beta Tester for it back in 2003 and saw it grow up.

 

[whit979]

Shay,

I'm speaking here from a programmer's perspective so take that into account when you read my opinion.

I'm running a similar Hot AC format to you. If it's between the Omnia.One and the 8200, no doubt about it, get the 8200 for its consistency. I've used the One, the DSPX, the Vorsis VP-8, and the Optimod, and the One encounters a lot of HF ducking problems in contemporary hit music formats. We got the Vorsis VP-8 a few months ago and have been satisfied with it beyond our wildest dreams. The VP-8 is offered at the same price point as the One, but the VP-8 offers more limiting bands, stereo enhancement, a myriad of controls to fine-tune your sound, and the ability to flash it from FM to AM to webcast instantly. The amount of control and horsepower that Vorsis puts into the VP-8 makes it one of the better choices at the moment. Best of luck to you with your processing decision.

Whit McGee
Program Director
WVOK-FM Oxford, AL

 

[stha]

8200 was the first Orban digital multiband, One is the latest Omnia, BUT the Omnia FM was already a better choice than a 8200 and the Omnia One is really far better. You will get a cleaner sound, the digital grunge of the 8200 is a well known problem (v3.0 inclued) when used with medium/fast and fast releases. With 8200, be carefull with the early power supply design (but I've heard about the same problem with some new One units...) Omnia will give deep basses and clean high ends. Omnia One new is less expensive than a used 8200 with digital I/O. You may also consider a good AGC like Ariane. If you like the classic Orban sonic signature (me too), a recapped and aligned 8100+XT2 combo is still a good choice.

 

[Shay O Boyle]

Hi guys,
Thanks for the replys so far. My budget is $3000 or less. I never even considered the Vorsis VP-8 so any other user expirences would be greatly appreciated in comparing it to the 8200,Omnia One and BW DSP-X. Would you advise me to go for the BW DSP-X over Omnina one? I would have loved the BW DSP-X -xtra as it has Ariane audio leveling, but sadly I can't spend that much. Thanks so far guys

 

[fm-engineer]

Hi guys,
Thanks for the replys so far. My budget is $3000 or less. I never even considered the Vorsis VP-8 so any other user expirences would be greatly appreciated in comparing it to the 8200,Omnia One and BW DSP-X. Would you advise me to go for the BW DSP-X over Omnina one? I would have loved the BW DSP-X -xtra as it has Ariane audio leveling, but sadly I can't spend that much. Thanks so far guys

I would spend the money on something new that has warranty and support. The 8200 is circa 1991 and earlier DSP technology. I remember installing many in the early 90's replacing 8100/XT. Later, many 8100's returned to the air. V3.0 8200 software in the late 90's was a vast improvement and some 8200's went back on air. Any way you go other than 8200, you're looking at least 15 years of DSP advancement.

I've done three Omnia one installations in the past month. Two replaced 8100's, the other an older Orban 2200 digital. The PD's and owners are very happy with the one. No experience with the Vorsis or DSPX stuff as of yet. The Vorsis stuff I heard at a trade show sounded pretty bad, but that was a year ago. The new Orban boxes are also very good. The 5300 is quite popular in these parts but you may be looking at more than 3000 cannolis.

 

[taylorengineer]

The problems Whit(see above) had with the One were on one preset. All the others are terrific - no artifacts at all. The Omnia One is THE best product, value wise, to hit radio in quite some time. It is a monster and will hold it's own with all the more expensive gear - maybe not as many tweaks for folks who like to play with processors - but tell me who is really better at setting audio processors than Foti, Gould, Orban, Ogonowski, Goran, Reeves et.al. Let the pros get you in the neighborhood and then you do some minor "unique" finishing touches.
I like the 8200 also - but the One is a better buy because it can also be a multicast(streaming)prcessor or an AM processor. Select which mode you want in software.
Get a vendor(Broadcasters General Store, SCMS,BSW) to send you a demo and try the One.
Don't worry about saving the packing material.....you won't be sending it back!

 

[whit979]

Hi guys,
Thanks for the replys so far. My budget is $3000 or less. I never even considered the Vorsis VP-8 so any other user expirences would be greatly appreciated in comparing it to the 8200,Omnia One and BW DSP-X. Would you advise me to go for the BW DSP-X over Omnina one? I would have loved the BW DSP-X -xtra as it has Ariane audio leveling, but sadly I can't spend that much. Thanks so far guys

Shay,

The 8200 is going to provide more consistent results than the One, although I will make the concession that it will not sound as bright or competitive as the One. In my own experience the One had issues with high frequency ducking on contemporary material, even with settings like the limiter drive and attack altered to eliminate this. Others have had better results with the unit but I would stress to you that your own results may vary based upon your format. They may offer a firmware update soon which could eliminate the ducking problems, and I would also check out Cornelius Gould's processing website for some killer presets for the unit which probably help to alleviate some of these problems as well. Cornelius is a really good guy to help you along. Take taylorengineer's advice: GET A DEMO FIRST!

The Vorsis VP-8 is a drastic improvement over the Vorsis options of the past. This unit boasts a 4-band AGC, an 8-band limiter, stereo enhancement in the AGC which works similar to Ariane, the ability to control where pre-emphasis is placed, the Bass Management System which allows for a ton of bass, clean voices, and a user-friendly GUI. What's interesting about the Vorsis, compared to everything else, is that it does not have its own 'sonic signature' like Orbans and Omnias. What that means to you is that you won't be limited by the manufacturer's preferences on sound. You can get crazy loud, you can have great quality, you can have huge bass, you can sound like a station in the '60s, or anything else you can think of. You get to decide every aspect of the processing, giving your station its own sound without brand influence. The ability to flash it from FM to AM to streaming or HD instantly is good for the smaller station that might need an emergency backup on another station in your cluster. For people who were skeptical about Vorsis before, this is the unit that will change your mind. Jeff Keith and the crew at Wheatstone are great for support, too.

The DSPX is another unit that also allows a huge level of flexibility. It is another good budget option and it has a large following here. The crew who designed it are people who use this board, and they are all very friendly individuals, so support is never far away; there are also a ton of presets and user suggestions available here for the DSPX. Compared to the One it's going to be louder and also much brighter (if you're using United States pre-emphasis). The GUI on the DSPX is also a lot of fun and is a great aid to the user when adjusting.

fm-engineer made a good point: if you've got the option to upgrade here you might as well get an up-to-date upgrade. Just my two cents worth -- you mentioned playing dance music, and for dance I would think the two best-sounding boxes among all of your options would be the VP-8 or the DSPX. Best of luck to you!

 

[stace]

I think the original 8200 poisioned peoples perspective on both DSP (back then) and also the 8200 itself. There are still alot of stations today using 8200 V3's and (at least in the markets I know) they keep up. Both in terms of loudness, and popularity (station ratings). They have a very synthetic sound, you could almost say they "sound" digital. Provided you don't push too hard, they do a good job. The Omnia on the other hand will mostly give you a very natural sound, which will be familiar with the original material. This I feel is the general sonic characteristic of these two boxes.

As for the Omnia.FM vs Optimod 8200 version 3...In my opinion, the Orban is a more polished processor. But the Omnia One will outperform both.

Unlike in a perfect world, you can't have the PERFECT processor. Any processor is capable of a good sound, but every different box, will have its own niggling ways. Thats processing

 

[The F Mister]

I would forget about the 8200 anyway. Just to old. If it's a case of set and forget than you might concider it but if you want to be in the ballpark with latest technology and softwareupdates get a One, DSPX or VP-8. I would also go for the DSPX for dance format. great loudness, but if you're looking for more of a smooth sound get the One. Don't know about the VP-8.

 

[oldiesstation]

Anything but the 8200.i would take a refurbed 8100 with xt over it.or better yet with an ariane.i would demo the omnia one,the dsp-x and the vorsis vp-8.Try before you buy.

 

[The F Mister]

With the 8200 it's more a case of "try before it dies" Especially the PSU.

 

[stha]

I've had some serious problems with the first generation of power supply in a 8200 but Orban have redesigned the PS board.

 

[Shay O Boyle]

Right guys!

Got my hands on a Omnia One and BW DSPX-FM. Firstly I must say that these processors are a credit to the people who designed them. For years all I would hear is Optimod, Optimod and more Optimod! There was nothing else out there to generate a competitive sound. The DSPX-FM sounded sweet, after some time of listenig and configuring this unit, dance music sounded alive, and the detail was near perfect. The One was next, and after listening to it I could get more overall sound from it. Fair enough I felt it wouldnt bring as much detail as the DSPX-FM but when I listen to older dance tracks the One had the edge over the DSPX-FM. I also tested briefly the DSPXtra (and I wish I hadn't) We agreed afterwards that it must have been made to play just dance music. It will compete with the top Omnina and Optimod any day. Hats off to the crew at BW, you really cracked it with the DSPXtra. I only wish I had the funds to purcahse it as it left the others far behind. Listening to The Chemical Brothers - Midnight Madness on the DSPXtra was amazing. The DSPXtra gives dance music its euphoria. So if anyone is selling a DSPXtra please let me know! (I live in hope someone will have one for sale) Failing that I think for what we want is the Omnia. It just clinched it on this ocasion.

Thanks once again for the advice and helpling hand people!

 

[cgould]

Hello from Amserdam, Netherlands!

Thanks for the complements, guys!

Anyway, I saw a post that was pretty fair about the Omnia vs. 8200. The 8200 has a synthetic sound to it, mostly due to the older digital technology -- the thing will creeping up on its 20th anniversary in a few more years, after all!

Yes, Omnia units have a "sound" and so does Orban, and the same can be said for the others.

The Omnia One can be described to as natural sounding - even when compared to the Omnia 6, yet scarily loud on its own. This is not to say that you cannot make the Omnia6 sound natural too! Omnia 6 gives you the power to do more.

Every processor is going to have a "sound" -- the question YOU should ask is what do you need to shape the sound of your format? Test the boxes with that in mind, and PLEASE contact the support department for help BEFORE you get yourself in trouble, and decide the product is no good.

We (speaking on behalf of ALL the processing manufacturers) can tell you what our processors are designed to do, and will help you around any annoying "ticks" you may encounter. Nothing is impossible to get around, you just need to be clear about what you need. After all, the only thing the support department can go on is what you tell them! Bad info to them leads to a bad answer back to you, and more frustration on your end!

Sometimes, a simple recording sent to us demonstrating what annoys you (if you feel unable to articulate it) goes a long way too!

Anyway...wanted to chime in on the subject.

Happy processor hunting, and PLEASE remember to talk to the support department(s) about the audio processors under consideration before dismissing any unit outright. JUDGE FOR YOURSELF, not by what others say!

-Cornelius Gould
Omnia Audio

 

[stha]

I agree with you Cornelius. Also, everybody with an Omnia 6 in hands should test your presets. One of them was exactly what I needed (CGsmoothCHR) with a very transparent AGC. I've just removed the broadband AGC (8100ST+Texars in front) and increased the drive of the limiters. Maybe that I should remove the Texar limiters. Any suggestion about it Cornelius ?

 

[cgould]

I agree with you Cornelius. Also, everybody with an Omnia 6 in hands should test your presets. One of them was exactly what I needed (CGsmoothCHR) with a very transparent AGC. I've just removed the broadband AGC (8100ST+Texars in front) and increased the drive of the limiters. Maybe that I should remove the Texar limiters. Any suggestion about it Cornelius ?

I'm getting a picture of what kind of sound you're after based on what you have in front with my SmoothCHR preset dialed in.

If you don't mind hanging in there for a few days, I'll manage to get a new CHR preset up that sounds more processed than the CHR preset I have up on the site now. This just may allow you to remove all the boxes from in front, and give you that sound you are after!

In addition to sounding "more processed", the new preset maintains the smoothness of my preset, and by default, is a tad bit more "sparkly" than the other CHSmoothCHR preset. Been having fun playing with the preset here in the booth at IBC.

I have also been playing around with a few suggestions sent in by a few of you out there, and will be implementing them in another set of Omnia 6 presets in the near future as well.

More news soon!

-C

 

[stace]

Cornelius

I don't know if you've seen me mention before that we have two Omnia.FMs. One on a rock station, and one on a CHR station. They need to be pushed fairly hard to compete. Do you have any tricks or presets I can try from the front panell? People say how good your sounds are...just thought perhaps your heavier Omnia.One presets may partially import. Mainly for the CHR

 

[cgould]

Cornelius

I don't know if you've seen me mention before that we have two Omnia.FMs. One on a rock station, and one on a CHR station. They need to be pushed fairly hard to compete. Do you have any tricks or presets I can try from the front panell? People say how good your sounds are...just thought perhaps your heavier Omnia.One presets may partially import. Mainly for the CHR

Do you have Omnia.One's or Omnia6?

-Cornelius

 

[taylorengineer]

Corny-

Where do I go to download the presets you have developed for the One?
I am using my One for streaming. I am very impressed with the various settings which are created for the average connect rate. I don't know vvery much about what you guys are actually doing to enhance the audio which has been subjected to code stripping. Are you working on presets designed for streaming? I'm not unhappy with the sound I have now but I wonder what the possibilities are.
I still think the One is one of the most natural and "musical" sounding processors being sold today - at any price.