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Optimod 8500 Owners...Need Help with Processing

S

soundengfm5931

Good morning everybody!

I got my hands on an Orban 8500 processor to start a small station. I have been playing around with it plenty but I can't seem to get exactly what I want.

Let me explain: I recently moved to a new town and in my old town there was a station that used an 8500 for their FM signal and the processing was extremely compressed. But, it didn't sound bad because they did not over-do it with the final clipper. I just can't seem to get everything as compressed (or "thin" sounding if you will) with my 8500.

I have some sample songs recorded that I just recorded last week. I don't know if I should post the links publicly here so maybe I can PM them to anyone who can help me out?

I am not expecting to get the "exact" sound, but just to get things sounding as thin and compressed.

Can any 8500 owners help me out?

Thank you guys! :)
 
Generally speaking, compression isn't the key to loudness, it's limiting. Loudness can be derived from clipping, too, but at the expense of higher THD. Clipping is normally used in moderation to trim things that sneak past the limiters.

Using too much compression will make the station sound busy without making it seem much louder.

So, start with some presets and find the one that's closest to your choice, even if it's not exactly right. Then find the one that is your second choice. Look at what is different between the two. Comparing the two will show you what places to concentrate your efforts on adjusting. You want to experiment with doing more of whatever was different between them.
 
Kmagrill said:
Generally speaking, compression isn't the key to loudness, it's limiting. Loudness can be derived from clipping, too, but at the expense of higher THD. Clipping is normally used in moderation to trim things that sneak past the limiters.

Using too much compression will make the station sound busy without making it seem much louder.

So, start with some presets and find the one that's closest to your choice, even if it's not exactly right. Then find the one that is your second choice. Look at what is different between the two. Comparing the two will show you what places to concentrate your efforts on adjusting. You want to experiment with doing more of whatever was different between them.
Click to expand...

Well, it's not the "loudness" aspect that is important. In fact, they are not that "loud" in my opinion. Yes they are loud and that obviously matters to them but it is achieved with compression I think. I say that because all the presets, right off the bat are much more dense sounding. So it is either a trick with the AGC or compressor I think. You suggested that it might be the limiter, and you may be right, but I've played around with many presets extensively and I can't seem to eliminate that density and achieve that thinner, more distant sound they have.

Would it be against the rules of this board to post short, 1:00 sample recordings of different songs from that station? Maybe I am incorrect that it is compression that significantly tones down the density, that's why I'd like a few expert engineers to help me out and give me a good idea of what to do on the 8500.
 
As stated before, limiting makes things loud. Compression generally makes things more dense. Things "tear" when overly limited. Audio gets "mushy" when overly compressed.

What do you mean by "thin?" Generally "thin" audio is an undesirable quality.
 
DudeFan said:
As stated before, limiting makes things loud. Compression generally makes things more dense. Things "tear" when overly limited. Audio gets "mushy" when overly compressed.

What do you mean by "thin?" Generally "thin" audio is an undesirable quality.
Click to expand...

Yes, what you explained is what I thought was the case. Well and the word "thin" is probably not the best word to use.

Here are some 1:00 samples of different songs recorded last week. (BTW the flash player preview on these links is lower quality than the actual recording when downloaded).

http://www54.zippyshare.com/v/56359678/file.html
http://www54.zippyshare.com/v/90338888/file.html
http://www54.zippyshare.com/v/16317002/file.html
http://www54.zippyshare.com/v/20351784/file.html
http://www54.zippyshare.com/v/43433764/file.html

Thanks. I've been struggling with this for a while so all the help is greatly appreciated guys! If I can figure this out, I will start looking to get another (used) 8500 for a friend of mine who wants to start his own station as well.
 
Have you done a firmware update on it? I had a couple of 8500s I wasn't very impressed with until I updated the firmware. that really opened up the box for me and I was able to get the sound out of it I wanted.
 
Ditto on the firmware. Orban has been GREAT about adding significant improvements via firmware. The last one they did on my 8300 basically upgraded it to an 8400+ (If such a thing existed).

Likewise, my 5300 sounds way better after the last update. The beauty of DSP's... If they get a better idea, you can flash it right in.
 
Thanks for the help guys.

I think I figured it out. It was not a matter of the firmware update but I went ahead and did that as well.

Now I need to purchase another used 8500 to set up and give to my friend. :) Haven't found a seller yet.

Thanks guys for the help.
 
soundengfm5931 said:
Now I need to purchase another used 8500 to set up and give to my friend. :) Haven't found a seller yet.
Click to expand...

I'd like to be friends with you..... ;D And I'll save you some time and set it up myself.
 
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