Other than providing FM analog processing only, Optimod-FM 8500FM is identical to Orban's flagship 8500 and can be easily field-upgraded to full 8500 functionality. The 8500FM builds on the proven, competitive sound of Optimod-FM 8400 version 3 while adding features that make it the ideal choice for analog FM stations, particularly those that may want to upgrade to HD Radio^®, Eureka 147, or netcast processing in the future. "Under the hood," we redesigned all of the circuitry using the latest components. We also doubled the DSP power, so the DSP not only supports the new features but also provides comfortable headroom for future DSP improvements.

Featuring versatile five-band and two-band processing for analog FM transmission, the 8500 provides the industry's most consistent sound, track-to-track and source-to-source. This consistency allows you to create a sonic signature for your station with the assurance that your signature will stay locked in, uniquely branding your sound.

The 8500 provides stereo enhancement, equalization, AGC, multiband compression, low-IM peak limiting, stereo encoding, and composite limiting—everything that even the most competitive major market station needs to stand out on the dial.

More than 20 excellent sounding, format specific factory presets get you started. You'll find all of your favorite 8400 version 3 factory presets, plus some new ones designed by Bob Orban and Greg Ogonowski to please any broadcaster. Although the factory presets are fully competent "out of the box," you can customize them with easy one-knob LESS-MORE control or with more than 60 advanced controls, whose versatility will satisfy even the most finicky on-air sound designer. If you have created custom presets for your 8400, you'll find that they import perfectly into the 8500, retaining your carefully crafted sound.

If you choose to use the 8500's superb DSP-based stereo encoder and composite limiter, be assured that they deliver an FM analog signal that is always immaculately clean and perfectly peak limited, with full spectral protection of subcarriers and RDS/RBDS regardless of the amount of composite limiting.

For HD Radio broadcasters who prefer using a separate processor for the HD channel, the 8500FM's built-in diversity delay in the analog processing path vastly improves installation versatility in HD Radio facilities, freeing you from the need to use the delay line built into the HD Radio exciter. This allows you to use the 8500FM's's built-in stereo encoder and composite limiter to drive the analog FM transmitter, ensuring no-compromise analog-channel loudness. If you defeat the diversity delay, you'll find that the 8500's base throughput delay has decreased by almost 4 milliseconds compared to the 8400. This makes off-air headphone monitoring even more comfortable for talent. Of course, we've retained the 8400's "headphone monitor" output option, which now has a negligible 2-millisecond delay regardless of the processing structure on-air. We've also added the "ultra-low-latency" structure first introduced in Optimod-FM 8300. This structure yields about 3 milliseconds of throughput delay at the expense of lower loudness.

Ethernet connectivity is now standard, as is a new, easy to use PC remote control application that runs on Windows 2000 and XP and that can control many 8500s on a TCP/IP network. In addition, RS232 serial control and programmable contact-closure (GPI) control give you total freedom to interface the 8500 with your facility's remote control in-frastructure, whatever it might be.

User interface improvements round out the package. We started with the 8400's easy to use joystick, knob, and button navigation system and added a bright, active-matrix color LCD that makes it easier to program the 8500 from its front panel. The panel's eye-catching new metallic blue styling makes the processor look as great in your rack as it sounds on the air.

For our European customers, a second generation ITU BS 412 multiplex power controller greatly improves the accuracy of the process as measured on industry standard monitoring instruments, yielding the best possible coverage while flawlessly complying with the standard.