Orban Flagship Processor Optimod-FM 8600 Now Shipping
September 15, 2010 Scottsdale, Arizona — Orban, a worldwide leader in audio processing for TV, radio, and Internet broadcasting, has announced that it is now shipping its new flagship FM processor, Optimod-FM 8600.
The product of two years of research by Bob Orban and the Orban engineering team, the 8600's dramatically improved peak limiter technology decreases distortion while increasing transient punch and high frequency power handling capacity. Compared to the FM-channel peak limiter in Optimod-FM 8500, the new peak limiter typically provides 2.5 to 3 dB more power at high frequencies, which minimizes audible HF loss caused by pre-emphasis limiting. Drums and percussion cut through the mix. Vocals are present and up-front. Speech is very clean. Highs are silky and airy. "Problem material" that used to cause audible distortion is handled cleanly.
While this design offers about the same loudness as 8500 processing, its main goal is to make FM analog broadcasts more competitive with the cleanliness, punch, and open high frequencies of the digital media against which FM analog transmissions now battle. The FM loudness wars were so 20th-century; in the 21st century the new foe is digital media. Thanks to its fresh, crisp sound, the 8600 helps level the playing field between analog FM and its increasingly aggressive digital-only competitors.
In addition to the new clipper, the 8600 offers the same extensive feature set as the 8500. Like the 8500, the 8600 offers parallel processing for digital channels like HD Radio that simulcast the program material on the FM analog channel. Except for the AGC, the analog FM and digital radio channels are independent and separately adjustable. The digital radio channel features a new peak limiter that uses some of the same new technology as the peak limiter in the FM analog processing channel.
The 8600 offers 8500-style processing too, this allows broadcasters to run favorite 8500 presets if they wish. Because the input/output delay of the new peak limiter is too long to permit talent to monitor off-air on headphones, 8500-style processing is useful for remotes and outside broadcasts where off-air headphone monitoring is desired and the 8600's low-delay monitor output cannot be brought to the talent.
Some customers in countries enforcing ITU-R 412 MPX power limits have requested the ability to apply MPX power gain reduction after the clippers so that the texture of the processing can include more "clipper sound." The 8600 offers this option.
As was the case with 8500, an 8600FM model without digital radio processing is available at lower cost. Orban's Chief Engineer, Bob Orban, commented, "The 8600's new peak limiting algorithm solves a long-standing technical problem: how to achieve low audible distortion without reducing transient impact. Previously, one had to be compromised to improve the other. The solution is complex and DSP-intensive, but the results are worth it: the 8600 improves every aspect of the big, consistent Optimod-FM sound."
For more information contact David Rusch at phone +1 (480) 403-8300, fax +1 (480) 403-8301 or e-mail David Rusch. Information is also available at www.orban.com and www.orban-europe.com.