Equipment information

Orban OPTIMOD-AM 9300 Effect Processor
Manufacturer:
Model:
OPTIMOD-AM 9300
Date:
2009
Category:
Group:
Description:
Digital Audio Processor

Information

The OPTIMOD-AM 9300 Digital Audio Processor Orban's all-digital 9300 OPTIMOD-AM Audio Processor can help you achieve the highest possible audio quality in monophonic AM shortwave, medium wave and long wave broadcasts. OPTIMOD-AM delivers louder, cleaner, brighter, FM-like audio with an open, fatigue-free quality that attracts listeners and holds them. Because all processing is performed by high-speed mathematical calculations within Motorola DSP56367 digital signal processing chips, the processing has cleanliness, quality, and stability over time and temperature that is unmatched by analog processors. OPTIMOD-AM 9300 is descended from the industry-standard 9100 and 9200 OPTIMOD-AM audio processors. Thousands of these processors are on the air all over the world. They have proven that the “OPTIMOD sound” attracts and keeps an audience even in the most competitive commercial environment. Because OPTIMOD-AM incorporates several audio processing innovations exclusive to Orban products, you should not assume that it can be operated in the same way as less sophisticated processors. If you do, you may get disappointing results. Take a little time now to familiarize yourself with OPTIMOD-AM. A small investment of your time now will yield large dividends in audio quality. OPTIMOD-AM was designed to deliver a high-quality FM-like sound to the listener's ear by pre-processing for the limitations of the average car or table radio (while avoiding audible side effects and compromises in loudness or coverage). Because such processing can make audible many defects ordinarily lost in the usual sea of AM mud, it is very important that the source audio be as clean as possible. Orban's publication Maintaining Audio Quality in the Broadcast Facility (available in .pdf form from ftp.orban.com) contains valuable information and specific suggestions for improving the quality of your audio. The rest of Section 1 explains how OPTIMOD-AM fits into the AM broadcast facility. Section 2 explains how to install it and set it up. Section 3 tells how to operate OPTIMOD-AM. Sections 4 through 6 provide reference information. For best results, feed OPTIMOD-AM unprocessed audio. No other audio processing is necessary or desirable. If you wish to place level protection prior to your studio / Transmitter link (STL), use an Orban studio level control system expressly designed for this purpose. (At the time of this writing, this is the Orban 6300 Multipurpose Digital audio Processor.) The 6300 can be set up so that it substitutes for the broadband AGC circuitry in OPTIMOD-AM, which is then defeated. Making the Most of the AM Channel OPTIMOD-AM rides gain over an adjustable range of up to 25dB, compressing dynamic range and compensating for operator gain-riding errors and for gain inconsistencies in automated systems. OPTIMOD-AM increases the density and loudness of the program material by multiband limiting and multiband distortion-canceling clipping, improving the consistency of the station's sound and increasing loudness and definition without producing audible side effects. OPTIMOD-AM precisely controls peak levels to prevent overmodulation. OPTIMOD-AM compensates for the high- and low-frequency rolloffs of typical AM receivers with a fully adjustable program Equalizer providing up to 20dB of high-frequency boost (at 5 kHz) without producing the side effects en- countered in conventional processors. This Equalizer can thus produce extreme preemphasis that is appropriate for very narrow-band radios. OPTIMOD-AM's fully parametric low- and mid-frequency equalizers allow you to tailor your air sound to your precise requirements and desires. OPTIMOD-AM also fully supports the NRSC standard preemphasis curve.

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Service and User Manual
Manual Type:
Service and User Manual
Pages:
236
Size:
4.79 Mbytes (5021530 Bytes)
Language:
english
Revision:
Manual-ID:
96126.105.03
Date:
2009 04 01
Quality:
Electronic document, no scan, very well readable.
Upload date:
2017 10 31
MD5:
230740983ce008a0818f0bad8f6e67e4
Downloads:
547

Information

Version 1.0 Software Index ... 0-8 Section 1 Introduction ... 1-1 ABOUT THIS MANUAL ... 1-1 THE OPTIMOD-AM 9300 DIGITAL AUDIO PROCESSOR ... 1-1 Making the Most of the AM Channel ... 1-2 Controllable and Adjustable ... 1-2 Versatile Installation ... 1-3 PRESETS IN OPTIMOD-AM ... 1-4 Factory Presets ... 1-5 User Presets ... 1-5 I NPUT/OUTPUT CONFIGURATION ... 1-5 Digital AES3 Input/Output ... 1-5 Analog Input/Outputs ... 1-6 Remote Control Interface ... 1-6 Computer Interface ... 1-7 RS-232 Serial Port ... 1-7 RJ45 Ethernet Connector ... 1-7 LOCATION OF OPTIMOD-AM ... 1-7 Optimal Control of Peak Modulation Levels ... 1-7 Best Location for OPTIMOD-AM ... 1-8 If the Transmitter is not accessible: ... 1-8 If the Transmitter is accessible: ... 1-9 STUDIO-TRANSMITTER LINK ... 1-9 Transmission from Studio to Transmitter ... 1-9 Digital Links ... 1-10 Analog Microwave STLs ... 1-11 Analog Landline (PTT/Post Office Line) ... 1-12 AM Transmitters and Antennas ... 1-12 Bypassing the Transmitter's Internal Filters and Clippers ... 1-12 Power Supplies ... 1-13 Pre-1965 Transmitters ... 1-14 Asymmetry ... 1-15 System Presets and Transmitter Equalization ... 1-15 Antenna System ... 1-17 USING LOSSY DATA REDUCTION IN THE STUDIO ... 1-17 ABOUT TRANSMISSION LEVELS AND METERING ... 1-18 Meters ... 1-18 Figure 1-1: Absolute Peak Level, VU and PPM Reading ... 1-19 Studio Line-up Levels and Headroom ... 1-19 Transmission Levels ... 1-20 LINE-UP FACILITIES ... 1-20 Metering of Levels ... 1-20 Built-in Calibrated Line-up Tones ... 1-20 Built-in Calibrated Bypass Test Mode ... 1-20 MONITORING ... 1-21 Modulation Monitors and Their RF Amplifiers ... 1-21 Monitoring on Loudspeakers and Headphones ... 1-2 EAS TEST ... 1-22 PC CONTROL AND SECURITY P ASSCODE ... 1-23 WHY THE NORTH AMERICAN NRSC STANDARD? ... 1-23 AM Stereo Introduces a Preemphasis Dilemma ... 1-23 Figure 1-2: NRSC Modified 75 μs Deemphasis ... 1-24 NRSC Standard Preemphasis and Low-pass Filtering ... 1-24 Figure 1-3: NRSC Lowpass Filter ... 1-25 WARRANTY , USER FEEDBACK ... 1-26 User Feedback ... 1-26 LIMITED WARRANTY ... 1-26 INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY ... 1-26 EXTENDED WARRANTY ... 1-27 Section 2 Installation ... 2-1 INSTALLING THE 9300 ... 2-1 Figure 2-1: AC Line Cord Wire Standard) ... 2-2 Figure 2-2: Wiring the 25-pin Remote Interface Connector ... 2-3 Figure 2-3: 9300 Serial Port Pin Identification ... 2-4 Figure 2-4: Jumper Positions, Monitor Roll-Off Filter ... 2-4 Figure 2-5: Frequency Response Curves as Function of ROLLOFF Control, Monitor Rolloff Filter Strapped for 18 dB/Octave ... 2-5 Figure 2-6: Monitor Rolloff Filter Schematic Diagram ... 2-6 9300 REAR PANEL ... 2-7 INPUT AND OUTPUT CONNECTIONS ... 2-8 Cable ... 2-8 Connectors ... 2-8 Analog Audio Input ... 2-8 Analog Audio Outputs ... 2-9 AES3 Digital Input and Output ... 2-10 Grounding ... 2-10 Power Ground ... 2-11 Circuit Ground ... 2-11 9300 FRONT PANEL ... 2-11 QUICK SETUP ... 2-13 ANALOG AND DIGITAL I/O SETUP ... 2-20 Figure 2-7: Effect of Lowpass Filter Shape Control on 5 kHz Lowpass Filter ... 2-23 Overview of Transmitter Equalization ... 2-28 Description of the TX EQ Controls ... 2-28 Procedure for LF Equalization ... 2-28 Figure 2-8: Unequalized RF envelope (showing tilt) ... 2-29 Figure 2-9: RF envelope requiring no tilt equalization ... 2-29 Figure 2-10: Unequalized RF envelope (showing ringing) ... 2-31 Figure 2-11: RF envelope showing successful HF equalization ... 2-31 AUTOMATION USING THE 9300’S INTERNAL CLOCK ... 2-34 SECURITY AND PASSCODE PROGRAMMING ... 2-37 To Create a Passcode: ... 2-38 To Edit a Passcode: ... 2-38 To Delete a Passcode: ... 2-38 To Lock the Front Panel Immediately: ... 2-39 To Program local lockout: ... 2-3 To Unlock the Front Panel: ... 2-39 Dial-up Networking and the Passcode ... 2-40 If You Have Forgotten Your Passcode ... 2-40 REMOTE CONTROL INTERFACE PROGRAMMING ... 2-40 NETWORKING AND REMOTE CONTROL ... 2-42 I NSTALLING 9300 PC REMOTE CONTROL SOFTWARE ... 2-44 Installing the Necessary Windows Services ... 2-44 Check Hardware Requirements ... 2-45 Running the Orban Installer Program ... 2-46 Setting Up Ethernet, LAN, and VPN Connections ... 2-46 Conclusion ... 2-47 SYNCHRONIZING OPTIMOD TO A NETWORK TIMESERVER ... 2-47 Table 2-1: NIST-referenced timeservers (2006) ... 2-48 APPENDIX: SETTING UP SERIAL COMMUNICATIONS ... 2-51 Preparing for Communication through Null Modem Cable ... 2-51 Connecting Using Windows 2000 Direct Serial Connection: ... 2-51 Connecting Using Windows XP Direct Serial Connection ... 2-56 Preparing for Communication through Modems ... 2-61 Connecting Using Windows 2000 Modem Connection ... 2-61 Connecting using Windows XP Modem Connection ... 2-67 UPDATING YOUR 9300’S SOFTWARE ... 2-73 Section 3 Operation ... 3-1 9300 FRONT PANEL ... 3-1 SOME AUDIO PROCESSING CONCEPTS ... 3-2 Loudness and density ... 3-3 OPTIMOD-AM PROCESSING ... 3-4 AM Processing: The Art of Compromise ... 3-4 Shortwave/HF Processing ... 3-6 Working Together ... 3-6 Fundamental Requirements: High-Quality Source Material and Accurate Monitoring ... 3-6 Monitor Rolloff Filter ... 3-7 Reference Radios for the Processing ... 3-7 Modulation Monitors ... 3-8 More About Audio Processing ... 3-8 Judging Loudness ... 3-9 Reverberation ... 3-9 CUSTOMIZING THE 9300’S SOUND ... 3-9 Basic Control ... 3-10 Full Control ... 3-11 Advanced Control ... 3-11 Gain Reduction Metering ... 3-12 To Create or Save a User Preset ... 3-12 F ACTORY PROGRAMMING PRESETS ... 3-13 Description of the Factory Presets ... 3-14 Table 3-1: Factory Programming Presets ... 3-15 Equalizer CONTROLS ... 3-17 Table 3-2: Equalization Controls ... 3-17 Figure 3-1: HF Receiver Equalizer Curves ... 3-21 AGC CONTROLS ... 3-2 Table 3-3: AGC Controls ... 3-24 Advanced AGC Controls ... 3-26 CLIPPER CONTROLS ... 3-28 Table 3-4: Clipper Controls ... 3-28 MULTIBAND DYNAMICS PROCESSING ... 3-30 Table 3-5: Multiband Controls ... 3-30 Table 3-6: MB Attack/Release Controls ... 3-31 Table 3-7: MB Band Mix Controls ... 3-33 Advanced Multiband Controls ... 3-34 TEST MODES ... 3-37 Table 3-8: Test Modes ... 3-37 USING THE 9300 PC REMOTE CONTROL SOFTWARE ... 3-37 To set up a new connection: ... 3-38 To initiate communication: ... 3-39 To modify a control setting: ... 3-39 To recall a preset: ... 3-40 To save a user preset you have created: ... 3-40 To back up User Presets, system files, and automation files onto your computer’s hard drive: ... 3-40 To restore archived presets, system files, and automation files: ... 3-41 To modify INPUT/OUTPUT and SYSTEM SETUP: ... 3-43 To modify AUTOMATION: ... 3-43 To group multiple 9300s: ... 3-43 Navigation Using the Keyboard ... 3-43 To Quit the Program ... 3-43 About Aliases created by Optimod 9300 PC Remote Software ... 3-43 Multiple Installations of Optimod 9300 PC Remote ... 3-44 To share an archived User Preset between 9300s: ... 3-45 Section 4 Maintenance ... 4-1 ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ... 4-1 SUBASSEMBLY REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT ... 4-2 FIELD AUDIT OF PERFORMANCE ... 4-5 Section 5 Troubleshooting ... 5-1 PROBLEMS AND POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS ... 5-1 RFI, Hum, Clicks, or Buzzes ... 5-1 Poor Peak Modulation Control ... 5-1 Excessively Low Positive Peak Modulation ... 5-2 Audible Distortion On-Air ... 5-2 Audible Noise on Air ... 5-3 Shrill, Harsh Sound ... 5-3 Audible Lowpass Filter Ringing ... 5-3 Dull Sound ... 5-4 Excessive Occupied Bandwidth ... 5-4 System Will Not Pass Line-Up Tones at 100% Modulation ... 5-5 System Will Not Pass Emergency Alert System (“EAS” USA Standard) Tones at the Legally Required Modulation Level ... 5-5 System Receiving 9300’s Digital Output Will Not Lock ... 5- General Dissatisfaction with Subjective Sound Quality ... 5-5 Security Passcode Lost (When Unit is Locked Out) ... 5-6 Connection Issues between the 9300 and a PC, Modem, or Network ... 5-6 Troubleshooting Connections ... 5-6 You Cannot Access the Internet After Making a Direct or Modem Connection to the 9300: ... 5-7 OS-SPECIFIC TROUBLESHOOTING ADVICE ... 5-8 Troubleshooting Windows 2000 Direct Connect: ... 5-8 Troubleshooting Windows 2000 Modem Connect: ... 5-9 Troubleshooting Windows XP Direct Connect: ... 5-10 Troubleshooting Windows XP Modem Connect: ... 5-11 TROUBLESHOOTING IC OPAMPS ... 5-12 TECHNICAL SUPPORT ... 5-13 F ACTORY SERVICE ... 5-13 SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS ... 5-13 Section 6 Technical Data ... 6-1 SPECIFICATIONS ... 6-1 Performance ... 6-1 Installation ... 6-2 CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION ... 6-4 Overview ... 6-4 Control Circuits ... 6-5 User Control Interface and LCD Display Circuits ... 6-5 Input Circuits ... 6-7 Output Circuits ... 6-8 DSP Circuit ... 6-10 Power Supply ... 6-10 ABBREVIATIONS ... 6-11 PARTS LIST ... 6-13 Obtaining Spare Parts ... 6-13 Control Board ... 6-13 Combined Input/Output and DSP (I/O+DSP) Board ... 6-15 Display Board (Front) ... 6-18 Display Board (Back) ... 6-1

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