Orban OPTIMOD-FM 8700, Operating Manual

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INTRODUCTION ORBAN MODEL 8700i

All input, output, and power connections are rigorously RFI-suppressed to
Orban’s traditional exacting standards, ensuring trouble-free installation.

The 8700i is designed and certified to meet all applicable international safety and
emissions standards.
Adaptability through Multiple Audio Processing Structures

A processing structure is a program that operates as a complete audio processing
system. Only one processing structure can be on-air at a time, although all are
active simultaneously to permit mute-free switching between them. The 8700i
realizes its processing structures as a series of high-speed mathematical compu-
tations made by Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chips.

The 8700i features six processing structures. Four of these are the same as Opti-
mod-FM 8500: Five-Band (or “Multiband”) for a consistent, “processed” sound
with 17 ms delay (typical), free from undesirable side effects, Low-Latency Five-
Band (12 ms delay), Ultra-Low-Latency Five-Band (3.7 ms delay), and Two-Band
(17 or 22 ms delay) for a transparent sound that preserves the frequency balance
of the original program material. A special Two-Band preset creates a no-
compromise “Protect” function that is functionally similar to the “Protect” struc-
tures in earlier Orban digital processors.
The 8700i’s two “MX” structures (five-band and two-band) are similar to their
8500 counterparts except that they use the 8700i’s MX peak limiting technology
to decrease distortion while achieving substantial improvements in transient
punch and high frequency clarity. This advanced technology requires more input-
to-output delay than the older structures, so it is impractical for talent to moni-
tor these structures off-air with headphones. The 8700i offers a special low-delay
monitor output for this purpose. This uses a separate instance of the Ultra-Low-
Latency structure to allow the monitor to provide a “FM-processed” sound with
user control over the amount of FM peak limiting applied to the audio.

The 8700i can increase the density and loudness of the program material by
multiband compression, limiting, and clipping—improving the consistency of the
station’s sound and increasing loudness and definition remarkably, without pro-
ducing unpleasant side effects.

The 8700i rides gain over an adjustable range of up to 25 dB, compressing dy-
namic range and compensating for both operator gain-riding errors and gain in-
consistencies in automated systems.

The 8700i’s Two-Band processing structures can be made phase-linear to maxim-
ize audible transparency.

Exclusive Xponential Loudness™ processing restores clarity and cleanliness to
over-processed source material, reducing listening fatigue.