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Settings for optimod 8100/a

F

fl-lpfm

Guest
Good Day,

We just got an optimod 8100/a and are trying to get it sound right. Does anyone has some base settings to start with for this processor?

HF Limiting: 6

Clipping: +1

Gate Threshold: 3

Base Coupling: 6

Release time: 3


any help will be aprreciated. The way it sounds now to me is king of over compressed but i have worked with it a little but can get it to sound smooth. I know this is an old processor but for an lpfm it will be good for now if we can get it to sound good.

Thanks
 
They real key is the left and right input level settings. If it sounds too compressed you should be seeing much gain reduction happening on the meters. Turn down the input levels and watch the gain reduction go down too. Find the sweet spots by ear.
 
You hit the spot!!! My input source was way to hot.

Thanks
 
My best settings:

Bass Coupling: All the way counterclockwise.
Release time: 3-4
Clipping: -.5 db
HF limiting: Full Hard.
Gate: Full counterclockwise

Total gain reduction: 10-15 db.

It's a good idea to put an ACG pre-processor in front of the 8100.
 
There are a few other tricks to the 8100 to get the sound out of it. If you are interested, contact me off list. You will need to take the unit offline, but these are not major "can't go back" changes (IE: No modifications).
 
LA_Guy said:
My best settings:

Bass Coupling: All the way counterclockwise.
Release time: 3-4
Clipping: -.5 db
HF limiting: Full Hard.
Gate: Full counterclockwise

Total gain reduction: 10-15 db.

It's a good idea to put an ACG pre-processor in front of the 8100.
Click to expand...

Over the years, we sold a BUNCH of analog Arianes to go with the 8100.

One of the most important things I recall about the 8100 was taking the time to balance the input levels to get a good null on the L-R (using mono material). That big meter comes in handy! In my experience, it makes a difference in overall loudness and also reduces multipath distortion.


Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

David
 
LA_Guy said:
My best settings:

Bass Coupling: All the way counterclockwise.
Release time: 3-4
Clipping: -.5 db
HF limiting: Full Hard.
Gate: Full counterclockwise

Total gain reduction: 10-15 db.

It's a good idea to put an ACG pre-processor in front of the 8100.
Click to expand...

i have an old compellor 300 around. I will try this. Thanks
 
I have a client that has almost identical settings, and I concur, this is a good place to start. He is, however, using an Inovonics 255 at the studio end, with the 8100 at the TX over an analog STL.


LA_Guy said:
My best settings:

Bass Coupling: All the way counterclockwise.
Release time: 3-4
Clipping: -.5 db
HF limiting: Full Hard.
Gate: Full counterclockwise

Total gain reduction: 10-15 db.

It's a good idea to put an ACG pre-processor in front of the 8100.
Click to expand...
 
If you are using an XT2 with the 8100 on a low power station are there different recommended settings or does it make no difference? I was using a stereo enhancer (the 222A) but have removed it from the airchain. Any advice?
 
Saw the post and I really need help as well.
My pilot injection is waaaaayyy out of phase as is the channel separation.
The whole card needs to be adjusted. Any easy fixes without sending the unit
to Orban? Maybe getting a new card and using current as back up?
Is this cost effective.
Thanks in advance!
 
Saw the post and I really need help as well.
My pilot injection is waaaaayyy out of phase as is the channel separation.
The whole card needs to be adjusted. Any easy fixes without sending the unit
to Orban? Maybe getting a new card and using current as back up?
Is this cost effective.
Thanks in advance!
 
spindoctor1 said:
Saw the post and I really need help as well.
My pilot injection is waaaaayyy out of phase as is the channel separation.
The whole card needs to be adjusted. Any easy fixes without sending the unit
to Orban? Maybe getting a new card and using current as back up?
Is this cost effective.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...


Pilot phase and L-R gain (seperation) are not difficult to set. All you need is a tone generator and an oscilloscope connected to the composite output jack of the Optimod. Your Optimod manual has a section that describes the procedure. I can easily do it in 5 minutes. Even if it takes you an hour, you're back in business, rather than sending it off and paying a lot of money.

And if yours is really that out of whack, what do you have to lose?
 
greg.hahn said:
spindoctor1 said:
Saw the post and I really need help as well.
My pilot injection is waaaaayyy out of phase as is the channel separation.
The whole card needs to be adjusted. Any easy fixes without sending the unit
to Orban? Maybe getting a new card and using current as back up?
Is this cost effective.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...


Pilot phase and L-R gain (seperation) are not difficult to set. All you need is a tone generator and an oscilloscope connected to the composite output jack of the Optimod. Your Optimod manual has a section that describes the procedure. I can easily do it in 5 minutes. Even if it takes you an hour, you're back in business, rather than sending it off and paying a lot of money.

And if yours is really that out of whack, what do you have to lose?
Click to expand...
And if you don't have a scope, but do have a modern (not a 1971 Belar that hasn't been serviced in decades) modulation monitor, remove the Left channel from the Optimod input and adjust the Pilot Phase and L-R Gain for the least amount of Right channel audio on the monitor (works best with a tone, but program audio will get you close). I've done that with an Inovonics 530 monitor & shown -62db separation on an 8100A. Perfect method? Maybe not, but it will get you very much in the ball park in minutes with no external equipment or need to completely leave the air. And as Greg said, not much downside, but a lot of upside.
 
Thanks for all the help to both of you.
Another question.
What if the only adjustment that makes any difference is the pilot injection trimpot?
Meaning this. No matter which direction the L-R sep or the Phase is turned, there seems
to be no difference in the output sound. Does this sound like there is a bad filter on the card?
OR is the card so far out of whack that the trimpots are not adjustable?
Sorry for tall the questions, just need the help.
Thanks
 
I would say that's not surprising. Those adjustments are too subtle to tweak by ear, and I wouldn't trust my ear to get me even close. Use instruments like I said, or like Bob said, and get it right. Then put tape over the holes so no one ever accidentally turns those again.

Also- the pilot injection trimpot is the only one that "makes a difference"? Do you mean...in the sound? I hope you don't mean that. Too low and your stereo will just go away. Too high and you will just be robbing yourself of modulation.

Set that so that you have around 9% pilot injection and leave it. (The legal limits are 8% to 10%)
 
oldiesstation said:
[EDIT]

Call Bill Sacks at the above number.He is an Orban guru.May even have a spare,good card.


[EDIT-Privacy concern]
Click to expand...

The above number was edited for privacy concerns, it was my home phone number :-X.

The best way to get a hold of Kim or Bill Sacks is by using the number listed in my signature below.

Thanks for all of your support!

Kim Sacks, KB3MZX
http://youtube.com/user/RadioCtrlDWife
www.optimod.fm
www.optimod.am
(301) 880-7109
 
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