Features

The 9400 is suitable for long wave, medium wave, and shortwave (HF) broadcasts.
OPTIMOD-AM rides gain over an adjustable range of up to 25dB, compressing dynamic range and compensating for operator gain-riding errors and for gain inconsistencies in automated systems.
OPTIMOD-AM increases the density and loudness of the program material by multiband limiting and multiband distortion-canceling clipping, improving the consistency of the station’s sound and increasing loudness and definition without producing audible side effects.
OPTIMOD-AM precisely controls peak levels to prevent overmodulation. Asymmetry in the analog processing channel is adjustable from 100% to 150% positive peak modulation.
OPTIMOD-AM compensates for the high- and low-frequency rolloffs of typical AM receivers with a fully adjustable program equalizer providing up to 20dB of high-frequency boost (at 5 kHz) without producing the side effects encountered in conventional processors. This equalizer can thus produce extreme pre-emphasis that is appropriate for very narrow-band radios. OPTIMOD-AM’s fully parametric low- and mid-frequency equalizers allow you to tailor your air sound to your precise requirements and desires. OPTIMOD-AM also fully supports the NRSC standard pre-emphasis curve.
OPTIMOD-AM is a stereo processor that fully protects CQUAM^® transmissions, conservatively complying with Motorola’s processing requirements that negative peak modulation on the left and right channels be limited to –75% modulation.
OPTIMOD-AM supports the iBiquity HD-AM® system. Except for common stereo enhancement and AGC , the HD-AM processor is an independent processing chain with its own set of user-adjustable parameters, maintaining 15 kHz audio bandwidth (per iBiquity’s specifications) regardless of the bandwidth setting of the processing intended for the analog channel. To ensure source-to-source consistency, the HD-AM processing includes full five-band compression/limiting that is independent of the five-band compression/limiting in the analog processing chain. This output can also be used for netcasts. The HD chain can effectively pre-process for low bit rate codecs, minimizing high frequency artifacts that can give the audio a watery, "phasey" quality.

Controllable and Adjustable

The 9400 comes with a wide variety of factory presets to accommodate almost any user requirement. Two Less-More controls (one for the analog processing chain and one for the digital chain) easily modify any factory preset. The user (via Full Modify) can further customize the presets, and these can be stored and recalled on command. Advanced Control (accessible from the PC Remote application) facilitates detailed sound design using the same controls that were available to the factory programmers.
An LCD and full-time LED meters make setup, adjustment and programming of OPTIMOD-AM easy—you can always see the metering while you’re adjusting the processor. Navigation is by dedicated buttons, soft buttons (whose functions are context-sensitive), and a large rotary knob. The LEDs show all metering functions of the processing structure (Two-Band or Five-Band) in use.
OPTIMOD-AM contains a versatile real-time clock, which allows automation of various events (including recalling presets) at pre-programmed times.
A Bypass Test Mode can be invoked locally, by remote control (from either the 9400’s GPI port or the 9400 PC Remote application), or by automation to permit broadcast system test and alignment or “proof of performance” tests.
OPTIMOD-AM contains a built-in line-up tone generator, facilitating quick and accurate level setting in any system. The tone generator can output sine, square, and triangle waves.
OPTIMOD-AM’s software can be upgraded by running Orban-supplied downloadable upgrade software on a PC. The upgrade can occur remotely through the 9400’s Ethernet port or serial port (connected to an external modem), or locally (by connecting a Windows^® computer to the 9400’s serial port through the supplied null modem cable).
The 9400 can be remote-controlled by 5-12V pulses applied to eight programmable, optically isolated “general-purpose interface” ( GPI ) ports.
9400PC Remote software runs under Windows 2000 and XP. It communicates with a given 9400 via TCP/IP over modem, direct serial, and Ethernet connections. You can configure PC Remote to switch between many 9400s via a convenient organizer that supports giving any 9400 an alias and grouping multiple 9400s into folders. Clicking a 9400’s icon causes PC Remote to connect to that 9400 through an Ethernet network, or initiates a Windows Dial-Up or Direct Cable Connection if appropriate. The PC Remote software allows the user to access all 9400 features (including advanced controls not available from the 9400’s front panel), and allows the user to archive and restore presets, automation lists, and system setups (containing I/O levels, digital word lengths, GPI functional assignments, etc.).

Versatile Installation

The 9400 controls the transmitted bandwidth of the analog channel as necessary to meet government regulations, regardless of program material or equalization. The high-frequency bandwidth of the analog processing channel can be switched instantly in 500Hz increments between 4.5 kHz and 9.5 kHz. The lower cutoff frequencies meet the output power spectral density requirements of ITU-R 328-5 without further low-pass filtering at the transmitter, while the 9.5 kHz filter meets the requirements of the NRSC-1 standard ( North America). The 5.0 kHz filter makes the analog AM bandwidth compatible with HD-AM transmission. The lowpass filters have parametric cutoff shapes, allowing you to trade off filter ringing against frequency response flatness.
OPTIMOD-AM compensates for inaccuracies in the pulse response (tilt, overshoot, ringing) of transmitters and antenna systems with a powerful four-parameter transmitter equalizer. A built-in square-wave generator makes adjustment easy. Four sets of equalizer parameters can be stored and recalled, allowing you to program day and night variations for two transmitters. You can set equalization independently in the stereo sum and difference channels, facilitating adjustment in CQUAM AM stereo facilities.
The 9400 includes analog and AES3 digital inputs.
The analog inputs are transformerless, balanced 10kΩ instrumentation-amplifier circuits. The analog outputs are transformerless balanced, and floating (with 50Ω impedance) to ensure highest transparency and accurate pulse response.
Two sets of analog stereo outputs and two AES3 outputs accommodate as many as four transmitters. Outputs can be switched independently to emit the analog-channel signal, the digital-channel signal, or a low-delay monitor signal suitable for talent headphones.
Both the digital input and the two digital outputs are equipped with sample-rate converters and can operate at 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz sample rates. The pre-emphasis status and output levels are separately adjustable for the analog and digital outputs.
OPTIMOD-AM is usually installed at the transmitter, replacing all processing normally employed at the transmitter site, including compressor, protection peak limiters, clippers, and high- and low-pass filters normally included within the transmitter. It can also be installed at the studio if an uncompressed digital STL is available.
OPTIMOD-AM comes with a passive Monitor Rolloff Filter to accurately simulate the frequency response of an average receiver, for use in studio monitoring.
All input, output, and power connections are rigorously RFI-suppressed to Orban’s traditional exacting standards, ensuring trouble-free installation.
The 9400 is designed and certified to meet all applicable international safety and emissions standards.

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