Orban Optimod 8500

[stace]

I'd just like to post my satisfaction with the new Optimod 8500s we've recently installed

I had trouble with an 8300 a couple of years ago getting the unit to sound open, it was very difficult to get that mix of dynamic range that makes you wanna sing along, whilst sounding competitive. At the time I put it down to a fast AGC which was slowed at the expence of quieter passages being lost.

So when I heard we we're upgrading our stock of 8200s Omnia.FMs and Omnia6s with the new 8500 I was quite nervous. But I can say after a week of carefull listening for every nuance, we are very happy. I said I would leave it on a preset, listen, and wait for it to do something I didn't like. A week later, and it hasn't been touched! I put it down to the MUCH improved AGC as I don't think the 8300 I was using at the time had the window gated design.

I particularly like the way it seems to 'cruise' over transients the older processors used to clip, particularly the Omnias. Infact I find myself waiting in cringe mode during these passages, relieved when they're smoothed out with a lovely tail on the high end, which reminds me of the old 8100.

I think its time Orban deserved a pat on the back on this board! Best processing I've used

Top of Bobs to-do-list....LATENCY!!! sheesh

 

[The F Mister]

I think latency will coexist with digital processing. You might think that as dsp power increases latency could and would decrease but as algorithms get more and more complicated these two cancel each other out. One solution is the monitor/talent option on a specific output with lower latency.

 

[fm-engineer]

Ford and Chevy. I like both brands and my clients use both. My favorite right now is still the Omnia 6 EXI. You're right on the 8300. I updated software a few months back and it made an immediate impact.

I'd just like to post my satisfaction with the new Optimod 8500s we've recently installed

I had trouble with an 8300 a couple of years ago getting the unit to sound open, it was very difficult to get that mix of dynamic range that makes you wanna sing along, whilst sounding competitive. At the time I put it down to a fast AGC which was slowed at the expence of quieter passages being lost.

So when I heard we we're upgrading our stock of 8200s Omnia.FMs and Omnia6s with the new 8500 I was quite nervous. But I can say after a week of carefull listening for every nuance, we are very happy. I said I would leave it on a preset, listen, and wait for it to do something I didn't like. A week later, and it hasn't been touched! I put it down to the MUCH improved AGC as I don't think the 8300 I was using at the time had the window gated design.

I particularly like the way it seems to 'cruise' over transients the older processors used to clip, particularly the Omnias. Infact I find myself waiting in cringe mode during these passages, relieved when they're smoothed out with a lovely tail on the high end, which reminds me of the old 8100.

I think its time Orban deserved a pat on the back on this board! Best processing I've used

Top of Bobs to-do-list....LATENCY!!! sheesh

 

[CalifZeke]

I particularly like the way it seems to 'cruise' over transients the older processors used to clip, particularly the Omnias. Infact I find myself waiting in cringe mode during these passages, relieved when they're smoothed out with a lovely tail on the high end, which reminds me of the old 8100.

These were obviously misadjusted processors. We replaced 8400/8500 boxes (bought by a prior owner) with Omnia.6 units, and our audio is louder, and cleaner.

 

[gtomas]

I particularly like the way it seems to 'cruise' over transients the older processors used to clip, particularly the Omnias. Infact I find myself waiting in cringe mode during these passages, relieved when they're smoothed out with a lovely tail on the high end, which reminds me of the old 8100.

I think its time Orban deserved a pat on the back on this board! Best processing I've used

8500 is a very nice processor. Powerful, clean and consistent in the best Orban tradition. The new improved AGC is much smoother than the previous one. It rides gain over such wide range remarkably artifact-free that it is a joy to watch (and listen). Which makes it even more consistent than 8400 - throw almost anything at it and it will handle it nicely, smoothly and without breaking a sweat...


Regards,
Goran Tomas

 

[menotti1]

so how does the 8500 stack up against the DSP EXtreme? Have you done an A/B comparison?Maybe that might help you move some of those things.

 

[stace]

These were obviously misadjusted processors. We replaced 8400/8500 boxes (bought by a prior owner) with Omnia.6 units, and our audio is louder, and cleaner.

Well no they weren't. They sounded great. But on certain material, like unprocessed live voice they were harsh. They're ok when you're using mic processing, but every Omnia I have heard has been harsh and inconsistant on voice. Live, cold voice is much harder than music to process cleanly, and this is where the Optimod shines. Other than an 8100, I've prefered Omnia on music until this latest upgrade.

so how does the 8500 stack up against the DSP EXtreme? Have you done an A/B comparison?Maybe that might help you move some of those things.

Can't wait to hear one of these

 

[wgliradio]

These were obviously misadjusted processors. We replaced 8400/8500 boxes (bought by a prior owner) with Omnia.6 units, and our audio is louder, and cleaner.

So you were there and heard this yourself?

 

[menotti1]

Stace,not to dispute what you're saying, i run the 6EXI,do live remotes using unprocessed mics and have not noticed this.What do you think would be causing this in your situation? Sure sounds like the 8500 box is ready for prime time.

 

[CalifZeke]

So you were there and heard this yourself?

yes

 

[stace]

Stace,not to dispute what you're saying, i run the 6EXI,do live remotes using unprocessed mics and have not noticed this.What do you think would be causing this in your situation? Sure sounds like the 8500 box is ready for prime time.

I think what causes the inconsitancies in frequency ballance is the gating structure on the multi-band. I've discussed this privatly with a number of people who have noticed it also. To be fair it's not something anyone out there in radio land will notice, but I do. I think the way the Omnia 6 gates is a bit of a catch 22. I think it owes alot of it's openness to this, but I don't like the way different gates activate on certain material, like voice, and songs that need alot of EQ correction, I feel it can sometimes make the ballance worse. Optimods answer has always been band coupling, and a very low gate level, which also has its flaws (it can over hype the hi end a little), but it's my opinion that its the lesser of to evils. PROVIDED there is a good AGC in front of the multi-band. Which now it has.

 

[stace]

So you were there and heard this yourself?

yes

ha...WTF!
This is why your opinions will never carry any weight. Argument for the sake of argument

 

[gtomas]

so how does the 8500 stack up against the DSP EXtreme? Have you done an A/B comparison?Maybe that might help you move some of those things.

The DSPXtreme is still in its infancy. We are currently working overtime on new software releases for the whole range of BW broadcast audio processors including the DSPXtreme.

The DSPXtreme is our flagship processor and as such will offer the best features, performance and sound. As with other BW processors, we will give our competitors a run for their money! We have a lot of algorithm ideas we are looking to implement, as well as a new GUI concept that we are developing that will exploit the touch-screen functionality in a very unique way.

Btw, our special offer for existing BW Broadcast customers only is still open for a very limited time, for those who want to get the Xtreme at incredible price. All we ask in return is your feedback on the unit and new software releases.


Regards,
Goran Tomas

 

[menotti1]

Stace, back to our conversation regarding the 6.i did live unprocessed mic tests with a scope on the 2nd output of the Omnia 6EXI,saw or heard no distortion.Is it possible it could be in your setup,maybe leaning on the clippers to much,or as i like to call it "happy clipper"action? Might double check that preset.Of course we're both processor savey enough to know you can make any box distort with improper settings.

 

[cgould]

Stace, back to our conversation regarding the 6.i did live unprocessed mic tests with a scope on the 2nd output of the Omnia 6EXI,saw or heard no distortion.Is it possible it could be in your setup,maybe leaning on the clippers to much,or as i like to call it "happy clipper"action? Might double check that preset.Of course we're both processor savey enough to know you can make any box distort with improper settings.

Very important point that often gets overlooked when bantering back and forth on what's better...great taste or less filling.

An oscilloscope hanging (at least) on the composite output of the processor is a MUST. Even better if you're able to demodulate composite baseband audio, and use that as a reference. You HAVE to be able to watch what you are doing with the processing because by the time you hear a problem, you have already taken a few too many steps in the wrong direction. With a scope, you can SEE that happening long before you hear it.

Demodulating composite baseband from, say, a tuner will allow you to punch back and forth between you and a competitor, and if the competitor is not having a problem you will be able to SEE why you *are* having the problem, and you can take corrective action immediately. The same is true in reverse...in that case, you can snicker to yourself on how clueless they are

-C

 

[wgliradio]

yes

So you were with Stace, at his station(s) listening to his audio processors, not just making a generalized statement about Box A vs Box B

 

[CalifZeke]

So you were with Stace, at his station(s) listening to his audio processors, not just making a generalized statement about Box A vs Box B

Oh, I see, an interogation. My observations were done as a consultant.

 

[stace]

Stace, back to our conversation regarding the 6.i did live unprocessed mic tests with a scope on the 2nd output of the Omnia 6EXI,saw or heard no distortion.Is it possible it could be in your setup,maybe leaning on the clippers to much,or as i like to call it "happy clipper"action? Might double check that preset.Of course we're both processor savey enough to know you can make any box distort with improper settings.

The units we we're using weren't the exi so that may make a difference, and I wasn't necessarily refering to distortion, I just don't like the way it handles vocal transients. Just my preference, it seemed no matter the attack / release times, the voice was never as big and smooth. Music was mostly nice

Oh, I see, an interogation. My observations were done as a consultant.

What station was this? In what city? If the boxes were incorectly set, and you were consulting, why couldn't you fix them?

 

[menotti1]

thank you for clearing that up.i'm running the EXI with a preset Mr.Gould was so kind to share.Been around processing since the late 60's(you name it,i have probably installed the box or tweaked it).I gotta to say it's the most incredible(clarity) sound i have witnessed, voice and music.Like i said in a post before i don't know what happened to orban between the 8100 and now the 8500,those offerings did not flick my bic.i wish you success in all your processing endeavors and appreciate your contribution to the board.

 

[CalifZeke]

What station was this? In what city? If the boxes were incorectly set, and you were consulting, why couldn't you fix them?

I was brought in for evaluation purposes only. They have others who do the tweaking.