Orban Optimod 8500

[wgliradio]

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

I can't imagine how much easier it could be. I played with a mockup of the Xtreme back in April 2006 after the NAB when it was just an idea and the touchscreen was so intuitive one knew exactly where to go.

 

[wgliradio]

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

Not for nothing, when I consult an airchain, I'm usually standing next to the operator helping them make decisions. I also like to see what goes on at the studio, the STL, transmitter etc to see what's happening at each stage before I evaluate anything.

 

[stace]

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

you're making no sense at all, what city was this?

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.

The ironic thing is we have very similar opinions here. I have no strong preference with Omnia or Orban. Had I owned my own station, I would have held onto my Optimod 8100a XT2 until the Omnia6, then may have consided an 8500. The purpose of this thread wasn't to create another war. But I feel impressed by the 8500, and I think a little positive customer feed back wouldn't do any harm.

 

[cgould]

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.

Lots of happy comments from you on my presets lately! I'm glad they're doing great by you! The presets are available to anyone who want to give them a try...just go to the downloads section of my website.

;D

The purpose of this thread wasn't to create another war. But I feel impressed by the 8500, and I think a little positive customer feed back wouldn't do any harm.

If everyone liked the same things the same way, the world would be a boring place!



-C

 

[gtomas]

I can't imagine how much easier it could be. I played with a mockup of the Xtreme back in April 2006 after the NAB when it was just an idea and the touchscreen was so intuitive one knew exactly where to go.

I can't tell you much more until we finish it :-X


Regards,
Goran Tomas

 

[rorban]

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


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

Thanks for the kind words.

As for latency, we managed to get the 8500's latency down almost 4 ms compared the 8400's. Unfortunately, at this point there is no way we have discovered to get lower latency without compromising the 8500's distortion control (particularly with voice), which uses look-ahead techniques. Recognizing that some users are absolutely going to need lower latency, we give 8500 users three basic trade-offs between latency and distortion (ultra-low, low, and optimum), but the best sound is always going to come from the highest latency presets.

Bob Orban

 

[stace]

I spose we all just want the best of both worlds. It this stage, the talent doesn't have too much trouble working with their headphones in programme.

Question:
When I adjust the threshold values, are these for the compressors or limiters? So does raising the threshold allow more energy through to the limiters or clippers?

Cheers
Stace

 

[rorban]

I spose we all just want the best of both worlds. It this stage, the talent doesn't have too much trouble working with their headphones in programme.

Question:
When I adjust the threshold values, are these for the compressors or limiters? So does raising the threshold allow more energy through to the limiters or clippers?

Cheers
Stace

If the Optimod is at the studio, it can be useful to set an output to emit the 8500's low-delay monitor signal. This contains all of the processing except for the peak limiting and has much lower delay than the fully peak-limited output.

The multiband threshold controls are for the compressor/limiters whose gain reduction you see displayed by the multiband gain reduction meters. You will see both a fast (limiter) and slow (compressor) component of gain reduction displayed on these meters.

If you raise the thresholds, you will drive the final clipping system harder. This includes the clipping distortion controller (which will try to prevent the clippers from being driven into audible distortion), the final clipper (which is distortion-canceled), and the overshoot compensator, which is the most critical element because it is not distortion-canceled. All of these elements operate individually on the left and right channels and affect the left/right outputs, whether analog or AES3.

If you are using the stereo encoder's output to drive your transmitter, then one more peak control peak control element is added: the half-cosine interpolation composite limiter. This is not distortion canceled and very small changes to its drive level have a large effect on the audible distortion it produces.

 

[littlejohn]

Well, to me latency in the proc amp is a paper sword. Given profanity delay and HD coding delay, the talent isn't going to operate off an air signal anyway. Either give them the low delay processed, or pick up a proc amp for the headphone feed. It needn't be a particularly robust processor, the signal isn't going to see a pilot filter or a modulator and receiver demod. We use the Innovonics box for the 'faux air' feeds. Works great.