Orban
Optimod 8585 rear panel

Optimod 8585 ~ Specifications

It is impossible to characterize the listening quality of even the simplest limiter or compressor based on specifications because such specifications cannot adequately describe the crucial dynamic processes that occur under program conditions. Therefore, the only way to evaluate the sound of an audio processor meaningfully is by subjective listening tests.

Certain specifications are presented here to assure the engineer that they are reasonable, to help plan the installation, and make certain comparisons with other processing equipment.

Frequency Response
(Bypass Mode)
Surround Processing: ±0.10 dB, 20 Hz - 20 kHz for 44.1 kHz or higher input/output sample rates. At 32 kHz input and/or output sample rate, the passband is reduced to approximately 14.7 kHz.

2.0 Processing: Depending on settings, is flat or follows standard 50 µs or 75 µs preemphasis curve ±0.10 dB, 20 Hz - 20 kHz (except at 32 kHz; see above). Output can be user-configured to be flat or pre-emphasized. (Pre-emphasis limiting is offered to accommodate certain older analog studio/transmitter links.)

Noise Output noise floor will depend upon how much gain the processor is set for (Limit Drive, AGC Drive, Two-Band Drive and/or Multiband Drive), gating level, equalization, noise reduction, etc. The noise floor of the digital input signal primarily governs it. The dynamic range of the 8585's digital signal processing is greater than 100 dB.

Processing Sample Rate 48 kHz. We believe this provides maximum audible transparency by minimizing numerical "noise" in the equalizers and filters while still preserving a pure, transparent sound. The double-precision equalizers and crossover filters used throughout the 8585 produce at least 6 dB lower noise and nonlinear distortion than they would at 96 kHz.

Processing Resolution Internal processing has 24 bit (fixed point) or higher resolution; uses 12 Freescale (formerly Motorola) 150 MHz DSP56367 DSP chips.

Delay The minimum available input/output delay is approximately 21 ms with look-ahead limiting active and 6 ms with look-ahead limiting bypassed. This can be padded to exactly one frame of 24, 25, 29.97 or 30 frames / second video up to a maximum delay of 50 ms.

Surround Processing Stereo Coupling All channels of the AGC and compressors are coupled using r.m.s. summation. The user can select whether or not the LFE channel contributes to the r.m.s. sum in the AGC and compressor control sidechains. Peak limiters in the multiband compressor limiter and look-ahead limiters all operate uncoupled to prevent transients in a given channel from causing audible loudness modulation in other channels.

2.0 Processing Stereo Coupling Stereo or dual-mono. In dual-mono mode, both processing channels have the same subjective adjustments (as determined by the active preset) but are otherwise independent, making this mode appropriate for dual-language transmissions. In stereo mode, the user can set the maximum permitted gain difference between the channels in each band of the multiband compressor/limiter. 2.0 Stereo/Dual-Mono operating mode can be set via GPI, Ethernet and serial connections, internal clock-based automation and AES3 Status Bits.

Loudness Level Meter (x2) One meter for the surround processing and one meter for the 2.0 processing, both meters realized in software. Meter can be displayed on the 8585's front-panel screen and on its PC Remote software. In ITU terminology, this meter measures "short-term" loudness. Its display time constants are matched to the loudness integration time of the human ear, reaching steady-state level in approximately 200 ms and having a decay time constant of approximately 300 ms. Meter uses the Jones & Torick algorithm developed at CBS Technology Center and published in the 9/1981 issue of the SMPTE Journal, pp. 772-777.

Digital Audio Inputs (x5)

Configuration Each of five hardware inputs accepts two audio channels per AES3id standard, 24 bit resolution. Internal programmable routing switcher allows any of the 10 physical input channels to be routed to the LF, RF, C, LB1, RB1, LFE, LB2, RB2, STEREO L or STEREO R inputs of the audio processing. For the 2.0 processing, unit can detect Stereo or Two-Channel status bits appearing at Input #1 and switch the 2.0 processor between stereo and dual-mono modes.

Sampling Rate 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96 kHz, automatically selected.

Connectors BNC, female, transformer-coupled, shell bypassed to chassis via 1000 pF capacitor, EMI-suppressed. 75Ω impedance, terminated.

Input Reference Level Variable within the range of -30 dBfs to -10 dBfs.

Filtering RFI filtered.

Digital Audio Outputs (x6)

Configuration AES3id. Internal, remote-controllable routing switcher allows sending LF, RF, C, LB1, RB1, LFE, LB2, RB2, STEREO L, STEREO R, DOWNMIX L and DOWNMIX R to any hardware output channel. J.17 pre-emphasis can be applied to digital audio output.

Sample Rate Internal free running at 32, 44.1, 48, 88.1 or 96 kHz, selected in software. Can also be synced to the AES3id Input #1,or to the sync input (which supports AES11id and wordclock) at 32, 44.1, 48, 88.1 or 96 kHz, as configured in software. (Passband is limited to approximately 14.7 kHz when using 32 kHz input and/or output sample rate.)

Word Length Software selected for 24, 20, 18 or 16-bit resolution. First-order high-pass noise-shaped dither can be optionally added, Dither level is automatically adjusted to complement the word length.

Connectors BNC, female, transformer-coupled, shell bypassed to chassis via 1000 pF capacitor, EMI-suppressed. 75Ω impedance.

Output Level (100% peak modulation) -20.0 to 0.0 dBfs software controlled.

Filtering RFI filtered.

Analog Audio Outputs

Configuration One pair of outputs, which can be configured in software to emit LF, RF, C, LB1, RB1, LFE, LB2, RB2, STEREO L, STEREO R, DOWNMIX L, DOWNMIX R, LF/RF, C, LB1/RB1, LB2/RB2, STEREO L/R and DOWNMIX L/R signals.

Source Impedance 50μ, electronically balanced and floating.
Load Impedance 600μ or greater, balanced or unbalanced. Termination not required or recommended.

Output Level
(100% peak modulation) Adjustable from -6 dBu to +24 dBu peak, into 600Ω or greater load, software-adjustable.

Signal-to-Noise =100 dB unweighted (Bypass mode, 20 Hz - 20 kHz bandwidth, referenced to 100% modulation).

Distortion =0.01% THD (Bypass mode, de-emphasized) 20 Hz - 20 kHz bandwidth.

Connectors Two XLR-type, male, EMI-suppressed. Pin 1 chassis ground, Pins 2 (+) and 3 electronically balanced, floating and symmetrical.

D/A Conversion 24 bit 128x oversampled.

Filtering RFI filtered.

Sync Input

Configuration Can accept wordclock or AES11id (75Ω) sync, automatically selected.

Connector Female BNC, shell bypassed to chassis via 1000 pF capacitor, transformer-coupled.

Termination Unterminated. Use an external 75Ω terminator if the 8585 is the last item in the chain.

Remote Computer Interface

Configuration TCP/IP protocol via direct cable connect, modem, or Ethernet interface. Modem is not supplied.

Serial Port 115 kbps RS232 port DB-9 male, EMI-suppressed.

Ethernet Port 100 Mbit/sec on RJ45 female connector.

RS485 Serial Interface (x2)

Hardware 115 kbps RS485 port DB-9 male, EMI-suppressed.

Compatibility Hardware-compatible with Dolby Digital® hardware that sends and receives Dolby Digital metadata.

Remote Control (GPI) Interface

Configuration Eight (8) inputs, opto-isolated and floating.

Voltage 6 - 15 V AC or DC, momentary or continuous.
12 VDC provided to facilitate use with contact closure.

Connector DB-25 male, EMI-suppressed.

Control User-programmable for any eight of user presets, factory presets, bypass, test tone, stereo or mono modes, analog input, digital input.

Filtering RFI filtered.

Tally Outputs

Circuit Configuration Two NPN open-collector outputs.

Voltage +15 Volts maximum. Do not apply negative voltage. When driving a relay or other inductive load, connect a diode in reverse polarity across the relay coil to protect the driver transistors from reverse voltage caused by inductive kickback.

Current 30 mA maximum.

Indications Tally outputs can be programmed to indicate a number of different operational and fault conditions.

Power

Voltage 100 - 132 VAC or 200 - 264 VAC, switch-selected on the rear panel, 50 - 60 Hz, 50 VA.

Connector IEC, EMI-suppressed. Detachable 3-wire power cord supplied.

Safety Standards ETL listed to UL standards, CE marked.

Environmental

Operating Temperature 32 to 122 °F / 0 to 50 °C for all operating voltage ranges.

Humidity 0 - 95% RH, non-condensing.

Dimensions (W x H x D) 19" x 5.25" x 15.5" / 48.3 cm x 8.9 cm x 39.4 cm. Depth shown indicates rack penetration; overall front-to-back depth is 17.75" / 45.1 cm. Three rack units high.

RFI / EMI Tested according to Cenelec procedures. FCC Part 15 Class A device.

Shipping Weight 40 lbs. / 18.1 kg

Warranty

Two Years, Parts and Service Subject to the limitations set forth in Orban's Standard Warranty Agreement.

Because engineering improvements are ongoing, specifications are subject to change without notice.

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