Optimod FAQs ~ 2300
HOW DO I ADJUST THE OPTIMOD-FM 2300 TO GET THE SOUND I WANT?
Follow these three general steps to getting the sound that you want:
1. Choose the factory preset closest to your objective. Find 2 or 3 un-modified “factory” presets that you like. Of these, listen very critically over several days, to discover which one will come the closest to your “ideal” preset. Take your time, and listen carefully. It will save time later to find the closest factory preset in this first step.
While it's theoretically possible to adjust an arbitrary factory preset to get the sound you're after, this approach takes far too much time, and usually ends in frustration.
2. Use the LESS-MORE control, EQ, and Stereo Enhancer parameters to customize that preset, if necessary. Once you have decided on the “best” preset from step #1, do you want to modify this preset to bring it closer to your “ideal?” If so, use LESS-MORE control to make the initial adjustments. Adjust only one or two steps at a time, up or down, followed by a full day (at least) of careful listening to many different program sources, and on different radios. The “ideal” setting for LESS-MORE is where one step higher sounds slightly over-processed, and one step lower sounds slightly under-processed. It may take a week or more of careful listening and adjustment to find that “best” place, but it's very important to choose carefully! After deciding on the best setting for LESS-MORE, you can use EQ and Stereo Enhancer parameters to make further adjustments. Usually, you will be able to obtain your objective at this step, with no need to proceed further.
3. Use Full Control ONLY after optimizing in steps 1 and 2 above. Use Full Control only if necessary to make small adjustments that cannot be obtained from LESS-MORE. Make sure that you understand the purpose for each control. Use Full Control to fine-tune your previous adjustments, instead of trying to create your own preset “from scratch”.
In almost all cases, Advanced Modify should be avoided. The advanced controls are intended to be used by veterans with many years of experience in audio processing adjustments, and who are willing to spend the time and attention required. It is much easier to make the processing do bad things at this level than it is to make the processing do good things!
We hope you will find this tuning approach to be helpful.
WHAT IS THE LATENCY FOR THE OPTIMOD-FM 2300?
The following is from the first paragraph on page 1-22 of 2300 Operating Manual, V2:
“The normal delay through the 2300 is about 5 ms. A 5 ms delay is comfortable for most talent because they do not hear echoes of their own voices in their headphones. Because of the relatively low delay, customers can confidently replace an older, low-delay processor with the 2300 with no studio wiring changes. Moreover, off-air cueing of remote talent is routine.”
Also, from the Performance Specifications, page 6-1:
Input/Output Delay: Approximately 3 ms (audio processor mode or stereo generator mode with L/R overshoot limiter defeated; 7ms (stereo generator mode with L/R overshoot limiter active).
HOW DO I UNLOCK THE OPTIMOD-FM 2300?
To unlock the 2300 it will be necessary to do the following:
1. Disconnect power from 2300.
2. Press and hold the Escape and Setup buttons.
3. Apply power to 2300.
4. Continue holding the Escape and Setup buttons during the boot-up process until you see "RESTORE DEFAULTS". Release Escape and Setup buttons.
5. Press the soft key button labeled “ERASE ALL PASSCODES”.
6. You will need to reprogram any passcodes previously entered. After 2300 has completed boot-up (first line on screen will display "on air:"