Optimod-FM 8500S: Overview
The 8500 Sound You Trust at a Price You Can Afford.
For years, broadcasters have trusted Optimod-FM 8500 to build audiences and ratings with its big, bold sound. Optimod-FM 8500S now offers the popular 8500 sound in a compact, cool-running 1U package at a more affordable price. The 8500S provides stereo enhancement, equalization, AGC, multiband compression, low-IM peak limiting, stereo encoding, and composite limiting–everything that you need to compete in your market.
More than 20 excellent sounding, format-specific factory presets get you started. You'll find all of your favorite 8500 presets here. Although the factory presets are fully competent “out of the box,” you can customize them with easy one-knob LESS-MORE control or with more than 60 advanced controls whose versatility will satisfy even the most finicky on-air sound designer. If you have created custom presets for Optimod-FM 8500, 8400, 8300, 5500, or 5300, you'll find that they import perfectly into the 8500S, retaining your carefully designed sound.
Independent Processing
The FM and digital media processing paths split after the 8500S's stereo enhancer and AGC. There are two equalizers, multiband compressors, and peak limiters, allowing the analog FM and digital media processing to be optimized separately. The bottom line? Processing that optimizes the sound of your FM channel while punching remarkably crisp, clean, CD-like audio through to your digital channel audience.
Versatility doesn't stop with sound.
If you choose to use the 8500S's superb DSP-based stereo encoder and composite limiter, be assured that they deliver an FM analog signal that is always immaculately clean and perfectly peak limited, with full spectral protection of subcarriers and RDS/RBDS regardless of the amount of composite limiting.
The 8500S includes a “ratings encoder loop-through” connection. This allows a ratings encoder with an AES3 digital input and output to be inserted between the output of the left/right audio processing and the input of the stereo encoder. This keeps the audio level driving the ratings encoder as high as possible, minimizing the number of “low audio level” alarms that the ratings encoder generates.
For our European customers, a second-generation ITU BS 412 multiplex power controller smoothly and naturally complies with the standard.
RDS:
The 8500S includes a full-featured RBS/RBDS generator at no additional charge. The generator supports dynamic PS. It can be controlled via 8500S presets and an ASCII terminal server that can be connected to automation to support displaying title and artist.
Controlable:
The front-panel display includes a 2x40-character LCD and LED bargraphs that show all metering functions of the processing structure (Two-Band or Five-Band) in use. The metering is always visible while you are adjusting the processor. Navigation is by dedicated buttons, soft buttons (whose functions are context-sensitive), and a large rotary knob.
Ethernet connectivity is standard, as is an easy to use PC remote control application that runs on Windows XP and higher and that can control many 8500S units on a TCP/IP network. Additionally, programmable contact-closure (GPI) control plus ACSII terminal control via the 8500S's RS232 serial and Ethernet ports together give you total freedom to interface the 8500S with your facility's remote control infrastructure, whatever it might be. SNMP support offers yet another way to control and monitor the 8500S's operation via your network.
Administrating and Monitoring
The SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) features allow you to monitor your Optimod’s status and to send Alarm notifications via your Optimod’s Ethernet connection to your network.
API: This interface can be used to allow custom third-party applications (including automation systems) to recall presets, view status and set the controls.
Upgradeable:
The 8500S is available in two versions: an FM-only version (8500SFM) and a version (8500SHD) that includes simultaneous processing for FM and for digital transmissions like netcasts and HD Radio. Via a purchased upgrade kit, the FM version can be upgraded to the HD version at any time without removing the unit from the rack or disconnecting any wiring. Both versions offer up to 16 seconds of delay in the FM processing chain, which is useful for HD Radio diversity delay or other purposes.
To protect your investment, the 8500S can be upgraded to full 8600S functionality via a purchased upgrade kit. There's no need to remove the unit from the rack, and you will immediately benefit from Orban's state-of-the-art MX limiter technology.