Orban OPTIMOD 6200, Operating Manual

Page: 100 / 195

3-20
OPERATION ORBAN Model 6200
The Two-Band Structure
The Two-Band structure consists of a slow two-band gated AGC (Automatic Gain Con-
trol) for gain riding, followed by a gated two-band compressor and a look-ahead limiter.
Like the “2-Band Purist” structure in Orban’s OPTIMOD-FM 8200, it is phase-linear
throughout to maximize sonic transparency.
This structure is equipped with a CBS Loudness Controller, intended primarily for tele-
vision applications.
The Two-Band structure has an open, easy-to-listen-to sound that is similar to the source
material if the source material is of good quality. However, if the spectral balance be-
tween the bass and high frequency energy of the program material is incorrect, the Two-
Band structure (when its
B2>B1 CPL control is operated toward 0%) can gently correct it
without introducing obvious coloration.
The Two-Band structure is mainly useful for classical or “fine arts” programming that
demands high fidelity to the original program source. Its two-band compressor and look-
ahead limiter are identical to the Protection Limiter structure, although more controls are
made available to the user.
Setting Up the Two-Band Structure
To set up the Two-Band structure for radio, recall preset 2B CLASSICAL for a “smooth,”
unprocessed-sounding quality, or
2B PROCESSED
for a louder, more processed sound.
Of course, you can modify any preset using the
LESS-MORE
control or using the Full
Control screen, and you can then store the resulting modified preset as a User Preset for
future recall at any time.
Note that choosing a conservative Multi-Band preset (like one of the POP presets or
INSTRUMENTAL
) will usually create an even more attractive, smooth, and consistent
sound on pop music than will the Two-Band structure. Additionally, because each band
in the Multi-Band structure handles a smaller part of the audio spectrum than each band
in the Two-Band structure, the Multi-Band structure will create less spectral gain inter-
modulation when driven heavily. We therefore recommend using the Two-Band struc-
ture for purist jazz, classical or light classical music, or if your goal is to broadcast a
sound that is more faithful to the frequency balances of the original program material
than the sound produced by the Multi-Band structure.
Unlike the Two-Band structures in Orban’s FM processors, the 6200’s Two-
Band structure does not reduce high frequency content because it has no
high frequency limiter. (It is not required because digital broadcasting does
not use pre-emphasis.) Therefore, the Two-Band structure can be very useful
if the broadcaster wants to preserve the spectral balance of the original pro-
gram material. An example might be a “heritage rock” format where the
broadcaster wants to transmit the original frequency balance of a mix that is
very familiar to the audience.