Orban OPTIMOD-FM 8600, Operating Manual

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OPTIMOD-FM DIGITAL OPERATION
3-87
simultaneously increases IM distortion. Setting these controls away from “0” tends
to reduce energy below 125 Hz (although this is quite program-dependent). When it
reduces bass energy below 125 Hz, the MX peak limiter tends to
increase energy be-
tween 125 and 200 Hz, which can create the impression of more bass on smaller ra-
dios. See the discussion of these controls on page 3-51.
Summary
Bass is a matter of preference, but the canny broadcast engineer will be aware of
the variability of radios out there and will not apply excessive bass boost that can
sound
awful on "boom-boxes" and other consumer radios with bass boost already
built-in. It is usually wise to emulate the bass balance of hit CDs, because very expe-
rienced people who make these trade-offs every day have mastered these. The 8600
provides enormous flexibility to get the bass sound you want, but this flexibility
comes at a price—you have to familiarize yourself with the relevant controls, truly
understand what you are doing, and work within the laws of physics. This manual is
there to help and it is worthwhile to reserve some time with if you want to become
an 8600 bass expert.
Using the 8600 PC Remote Control Software
8600 and 8600FM do not use the same PC Remote software. Be sure to use 8600 PC
Remote with an 8600 and 8600FM PC Remote with an 8600FM.
8600 PC Remote control software allows you to access any front-panel 8600 control.
The software also gives you the ability to backup user presets, system files, and au-
tomation files on your computer’s storage devices (hard drives, floppy drives, etc.)
and to restore them later to your 8600.
Note to users familiar with Optimod-FM 8400: 8600 PC Remote is a com-
pletely new application compared to 8400 PC Remote. 8600 PC Remote’s
GUI and its backup and restore functionality are different. 8600 PC Re-
mote also simplifies upgrading your Optimod’s software by managing
the upgrade process automatically. Therefore, even if you are familiar
with 8400 PC Remote it is still worthwhile to read the following infor-
mation on 8600 PC Remote.
The 8600 PC Remote software can connect to your 8600 via modem, direct serial ca-
ble connection, or Ethernet network. It communicates with your 8600 via the TCP/IP
protocol, regardless of how it is connected to your 8600.
PC Remote works best on displays of 1024x768 pel or higher. Scroll bars will appear
when using lower resolutions.
Before running 8600 PC Remote, you must have installed the appropriate Windows
communications services on your computer. By default, the installer installs a
shortcut to
8600PC.exe
on your desktop and in your Start Menu under
Orban\Optimod 8600.
8600 PC Remote can control only one 8600 at a time but it can readily switch be-
tween several 8600s. 8600 PC Remote has a built-in “address book” that allows it to
select and connect to: