Multitasking with the Orban Optimod 6300
by Kevin Clayborn
Stations today deliver audio, not only to the transmitter, but also to a variety of items in which to broadcast their signal. They can send a signal to a cable operator for distribution among the subscribers of that operator. Audio may be delivered to a server for distribution to the Internet. Audio may be delivered to a cell phone provider's uplink service for distribution to cell phone users.
These signals (or "streams") can be audio only for radio, or audio and video for TV stations. In most cases, however, the audio that is delivered to the distributor has to follow a few certain rules.
The audio must not be pre-emphasized. Most secondary content providers will already have such equipment for delivery in their systems. Pre-emphasizing the audio before sending to them will create an overly bright and syllabant sound to the final end user. It is better for the end user, and simpler for you, to not pre-emphasize this audio in the first place.
The audio should already be processed. You want to make your content clean and consistent. The secondary provider will usually not have equipment to do this. So, it is easier and better for you to take control of your content and make it sound the way you want it to. This sound can be as close to your "on-air" sound as you want to make it or it can be tailored for the distribution network you will be sending it to.
Finally, the audio should be at a controlled level to avoid overshoots and peak clipping by the secondary provider. You do not want any careful adjustments of your sound to be undone by a third party before it is delivered to the final listener.
While in some cases we have an extra output on several of our units which can be configured to do this, there are times when you may need multiple outputs, configured in different ways. The Orban Optimod 6300 can handle these applications.
The 6300 can be configured to deliver up to three outputs with only one source. The input can be either analog or digital. The outputs are two digital and one analog. All inputs and outputs are stereo, but can be configured for mono if you need.
Of the three outputs, each can be configured independently and with the following four options, all will have stereo enhancement and equalization:
- Option 1 is with AGC, but without look ahead limiting. This option is useful for feeding an Internet server.
- Option 2 is with AGC and peak limiting. This option is useful for use feeding a third party distributor who may do some light processing on the receive end.
- Option 3 includes either 2 or 5 band processing without peak limiting. This option is useful for use feeding a cable operator or other third party distributor.
- Option 4 includes either 2 or 5 band processing with peak limiting. This option is great for DTV transmission or HD Radio.
The versatility of the 6300, with its many robust presets, makes it a processor which can solve several problems at once. There is no need for multiple processors for multiple tasks. Ask your Orban Authorized Dealer to arrange a demo for your station today.