The 8200ST provides transparent gain riding, adjustable compression, high-frequency limiting and absolute peak control. Applications include STL protection, studio level control and budget FM processing. A variable density control which can be used for inconspicuous gain riding, to increase punch and density for a louder sound, or to create any desired effect in between. The high-frequency limiter is adjustable for all standard pre-emphasis curves.

Frequency Response: (20Hz-20kHz): ±0.25dB below leveler, compressor and high-frequency limiter thresholds.
RMS Noise: (20Hz-20kHz): <100dB (103dB typical) below 100% peak output level, with high-frequency limiter strapped for flat output.
Interchannel Crosstalk: Better than -74dB at 15kHz, improving below 15kHz.
Noise at Output: <-75dB microseconds. 20-20kHz.
Gain: 0dB, ±0.5dB.

Impedance: >10k ohms active-balanced, EMI-suppressed.
Operating Level: Usable with -10dBu to +8dBu average level lines. Maximum peak input level +27dBu. (0dBu=0.775VRMS; for this application, the dBm @ 600 ohms scale on voltmeters can be read as if calibrated in dBu.)
Connectors: Female XLR.

Impedance: 30 ohms electronically-balanced and floating to simulate true transformer output. Minimum load impedance is 600 ohms. Output can be unbalanced by grounding pin 2 or 3 of output XLR.
Level: Front panel adjustable for 100% peak output level up to +24dBu.
Connector: Male XLR.

Level Controller:
Attack Time: Approximately 200ms (VOICEmode OFF), 5ms (VOICEmode ON); program-dependent.
Release Time: Adjustable between approximately 1dB/sec; program-dependent. Rate declines exponentially when less than 10dB gain reduction occurs.
Compression Ratio: >20:1 (static); program-dependent (dynamics).
Range of Gain Reduction: >25dB.
Interchannel Tracking: ±0.5dB (with COUPLE button set ON).
Total Harmonic Distortion (100% Modulation): <0.05% at 1kHz (with RELEASE control centered and 15dB gain reduction). Typically <0.1% at 20Hz, <0.03% from 100Hz-2kHz, 0.05% from 2-10kHz and <0.1% from 10-20kHz.
SMPTE Intermodulation Distortion: <0.05% (60Hz/7kHz 4:1 with 15dB gain reduction).
Gain Reduction Element: Class-A VCA.

Pre-emphasis: Five switch-selectable 6dB/octave pre-emphasis curves: 25 microseconds, 50 microseconds 75 microseconds, 100 microseconds and 150 microseconds. Can be strapped for flat or pre-emphasized output.
Response: The high-frequency limiting threshold and attack time have been set so that no audible distortion is produced with dynamic program material that has been processed by the leveler/compressor and peak controller. Because these settings have taken into account the peak-to-average ratio of the level compressor's output, it is not possible to specify the high-frequency limiter's response to test tones with simple, meaningful numbers.
Total Harmonic Distortion: The high-frequency limiter/clipper will add no more than 0.02% THD to sine wave test tones that have been processed by the leveler/compressor.
Release Time: Approximately 30ms, program-dependent.
Interchannel Coupling: Each channel's high-frequency limiter operates independently at all times. (The use of fast release times precludes disturbances of the stereo image's stability.)
Gain Reduction Element: Junction FET.
HF Limiting Curve: Shelving, 6dB/octave.

Attack Time: Instantaneous.
Release Time: Instantaneous.
Peak Control Element: Soft clipping diodes. The 8200ST's level controller and high-frequency limiter circuitry
control average level sufficiently below the threshold of peak control to prevent audible distortion in the clipping process.

Buttons: Momentary with power-failure keep-alive feature to preserve COUPLE and VOICE logic settings (Unit always powers up with TONEOFF and AGC ON.)
Metering: Four 10-segment LED bargraph displays show gain reduction and modulation level for each channel.
Indicators: Two LEDs show operation of gating or high frequency limiting. Other indicators (e.g., COUPLE) light when their respective buttons are enabled (ON).
Power Requirements: 115/230 volts AC ±10%, 50-60Hz, 16VA. IEC-standard detachable mains cord. EMI-suppressed.
Fuse: 1/2 -amp 3AG 250V Slow-Blow for 115V operation; 1/4-amp "T"-type (250mA) Slow-Blow for 230V operation.
Mounting: Requires 1 unit (1.75"/4.5cm) of vertical space in an EIA 19"/48.3cm rack. Depth is 9.625"/24.5cm.
Operating Temperature Range: 32-113 degrees F (0-45 degrees C).
Limited Warranty: One year, parts and labor. Subject to the limitations set forth in Orban's Standard Warranty Agreement.

When OPTIMOD-FM 8200 or OPTIMOD-AM is installed at the transmitter, install OPTIMOD STUDIO 8200ST before the STL to protect it from peak and high frequency overload. The 8200ST also controls average level on the link to maximize its dynamic range, translating to improved signal quality at the receiver. Barely adequate signal-to-noise ratio often makes the land line or microwave studio-to-transmitter link the weakest part of the broadcast chain. Transparent gain control translates to improved effective dynamic range for the link and improved signal quality at the receiver. Switch-selectable pre-emphasis limiting and peak control ensure matching to any standard transmission medium.

In the studio, time is money. Quick setup and "no re-takes" certainty of control make OPTIMOD-STUDIO 8200ST the perfect multi-purpose level controller for studio production applications. On voice, its smoothness and Silence Gating guarantee uniform, hot levels without noise rush-up during pauses, while the built-in de-esser makes excessive sibilance disappear. Setting the RELEASE control toward FAST increases the punch and intelligibility of a signal without losing the feel of the apparent dynamic range. Moving the control toward SLOW allows the 8200ST to more subtly reduce the dynamic range of the entire mix.

In the heat of field production, concentrating on riding audio levels is difficult. But if you don't, you risk overloading the audio sub-carrier on the microwave or satellite transmitter, or saturating the master tape. OPTIMOD-STUDIO 8200ST performs the level control-over a range of 25dB-and controls high frequency and peak levels to prevent overmodulation.

OPTIMOD-STUDIO 8200ST contains advanced Orban gain control circuitry featuring Class-A VCAs with inherently low noise and distortion, broadcast grade interfacing with EMI-suppressed, electronically-balanced and floating inputs and outputs and Orban's traditionally rugged construction. The 8200ST is designed to provide years of high performance operation.