Orban Timeline
Company Milestones
1967
First Orban product sold to customer: a stereo synthesizer sold to WOR-FM, New York.
1968
Bob Orban graduated from Stanford University with Master's degree in Electrical Engineering and founded Orban Associates.
1969
Bob Orban teams up with Paul Beaver and Bernie Krause of Parasound, Inc. to market Orban products under the Orban/Parasound trade name.
1972
Bob Orban's first of 24 patents issues (U.S. #3,670,106, "Stereo Synthesizer").
1973
First popularly priced parametric EQ introduced: the Orban/Parasound 621.
1974
First recording studio-oriented de-esser introduced: Orban/Parasound 516EC.
1975
OPTIMOD 8000 audio processor introduced for the new FM format. Bob Orban and partner, John Delantoni, set up Orban Associates as privately held company.
1978
OPTIMOD-AM 9000A offers AM stations a more "FM-like" sound quality and reduced interference. In modified form, the receiver equalizer and low-pass filter ideas form the basis for the NRSC-1 standard issued in 1987.
1980
The multiband Optimod-FM 8100A was introduced, later to become the most popular FM audio processor/stereo generator ever made. The 8100A is the first Orban FM product to use the patented distortion-cancelling clipper.
1981
Optimod-TV 8180A brings smooth, natural-sounding processing to television audio.
1982
Optimod-AM Model 9100A introduced.
1983
Optimod-TV Model 8182A introduced. Adds Hilbert-Transform clippers and a CBS Loudness Controller to the original 8180A.
1984
The 8100A/XT 6-Band Accessory Chassis allowed 8100 owners to upgrade to 6-band processing with a multiband distortion-canceling clipper. Underwent several updates and improvements over the years, eventually becoming the popular 8100A/XT2.
1985
Orban BTSC Stereo Television system introduced. 8182A/SG stereo generator mates optimally with the 8182A Optimod-TV audio processor.
1986
275A Automatic Stereo Synthesizer introduced with automatic detection and recognition of stereo and mono programs, and automatic stereo synthesis.
1987
Second-generation 8185A BTSC Stereo Generator introduced to significantly improve separation over first-generation 8182A/SG unit.
Orban's first product using microprocessor technology is introduced. The 787A Programmable Mic Processor incorporates equalization, compression, and de-essing in a digitally-controlled analog signal path.
1988
222A Stereo Spatial Enhancer introduced. Designed for use in FM stereo transmission, it widens the stereo image while enhancing detail and transient impact.
Optimod-HF 9105 introduced to meet the needs of international shortwave broadcasters around the globe. A highly-modified 9100 Optimod-AM, the 9105 adds Hilbert-Transform clipping, two processing presets, eight high-frequency transmitter equalizer settings, and modified "tuning."
1989
Orban Associates purchased by AKG Acoustics.
1991
Orban leads the transition to digital with the first successful DSP-based FM audio processor, Optimod-FM 8200. Thousands on air around the world.
1993
Bob Orban shares Scientific and Engineering Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with Dolby engineering team.
The first all digital audio processor for television introduced, Optimod-TV 8282.
Orban becomes a Harman International Company.
1994
DSE 7000 digital audio work station, the only DAW designed specifically for radio, is re-branded an Orban product. US-based product engineering lead by Orban creates the most productive tool for radio production.
1995
Bob Orban awarded NAB's Radio Engineering Achievement Award.
1996
First low-priced, all digital processor for FM introduced, Optimod-FM 2200.
The DSE 7000FX introduced with new DSP engine offering on-board effects like reverb, equalization and compression.
1997
Orban introduces the digital Optimod-AM 9200.
Audicy is launched as the second-generation digital audio workstation.
1998
Audicy networking launched with multiple workstations linked to a central server set up at Jacor, San Diego (KGB, KKLQ, KIOZ) and Radio Free Asia.
1999
Optimod-DAB 6200 ships. This is the first digital audio processor designed exclusively for digital transmission including DTV, DAB and netcasting.
2000
Orban is purchased by Circuit Research Labs, Inc. from Harman International Industries.
2001
Orban introduces OPTICODEC line of Codecs at NAB, Las Vegas.
2002
Optimod-FM 8400HD ships. This is the first all-in-one audio processor for analog and digital broadcasting.
2003
Optimod-FM 8300 is introduced at NAB in Las Vegas.
Optimod-PC ships. This is the world's first audio PCI Sound Card with Optimod-class DSP for broadcast signal processing.
2004
Optimod-FM 2300 and Optimod-TV 8382 are introduced at NAB in Las Vegas.
2005
Optimod-FM 8500, Optimod-FM 8400 Signature Series, Optimod-FM 5300, Opticodec-PC 1010 version 2, and Opticodec-PC 1020 File Encoder are introduced at NAB2005 in Las Vegas. The Optimod-FM 8500 wins the Radio World "Cool Stuff" Award.
Orban announces its new flagship DSP-based AM audio processor, Optimod-AM 9400. The 9400 contains two processing chains for AM analog broadcasting and netcasting/digital radio broadcasting.
2006
Orban and Coding Technologies announce the availability of a public beta for the new Orban/Coding Technologies AAC/aacPlus™ Player Plugin. When installed, this free software enables any of the 80+ million users of Microsoft’s Windows Media Player to take advantage of the remarkably high-quality, low-bandwidth audio format.
Orban announces Opticodec 1010 streaming module for the DRE FMeXtra Digital SCA Encoder. This breakthrough software module permits direct streaming of encoded aacPlus® (MPEG4 HE AAC) audio from Orban Opticodec-compatible audio servers into the FMeXtra encoder and over-the-air to FMeXtra enabled receivers.
2007
Orban begins shipping the new Optimod 6300 high-quality, multipurpose stereo audio processor for digital radio, digital television, netcasts, STL protection, satellite uplink protection, and digital mastering. Orban also introduces the all-digital 9300 Optimod-AM audio processor for monophonic AM shortwave, medium wave and long wave broadcasts.
2008
Orban introduces Optimod 8585 featuring two-band and five-band audio processing for 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound broadcasting, netcasting and mastering. Orban introduces Loudness Meter software for Windows XP and Vista, which simultaneously displays instantaneous peaks, VU, PPM, CBS Technology Center loudness, and ITU BS.1770 loudness.
2009
The New Orban Optimod-PC 1101 begins shipping. Optimod-PC's three on-board Freescale DSP56367 DSP chips provide a loud, consistent sound to the consumer by performing stereo enhancement, automatic gain control (AGC), equalization, multiband gain control, peak-level control, and subjective loudness control.
Circuit Research Labs, Inc. and CRL Systems, Inc cease operations March 5th, 2009.
Orban products are now owned and marketed by Nabro Able LLC a Arizona Limited Liability Company.
2010
Orban introduces new flagship FM processor, the Orban Optimod-FM 8600. Featuring versatile five-band and two-band processing for both analog FM transmission and digital media, the 8600 provides the industry's most consistent sound, track-to-track and source-to-source.
The new Orban Optimod-FM 5500 replaces the 2300 and 5300 models, putting coveted five-band and two-band Optimod processing into a single rack unit package.
2011
Orban begins shipping Optimod-TV 8685 for 5.1 and 7.1 Surround Sound. The 8685 features Optimod-quality two-band and five-band audio processing for surround sound broadcasting and netcasting.