Vorsis FM-2000 User manual

TECHNICAL MANUAL
600 Industrial Drive, New Bern, North Carolina, USA 28562
D IGITAL S PECTRAL P ROCESSOR
FM -2000
ORSIS
®

Vorsis
600 Industrial Drive
New Bern, North Carolina 28562
tel [phone] / fax [phone]
FM-2000 Digital Spectral Processor Technical Manual - 1st EditionFM-2000 Digital Spectral Processor Technical Manual - 1st Edition
FM-2000 Digital Spectral Processor Technical Manual - 1st EditionFM-2000 Digital Spectral Processor Technical Manual - 1st Edition
FM-2000 Digital Spectral Processor Technical Manual - 1st Edition
©2008 Vorsis
FM-2000 / May 2008

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FM-2000 / May 2008
Attention!
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Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Complianceederal Communications Commission (FCC) Compliance
ederal Communications Commission (FCC) Complianceederal Communications Commission (FCC) Compliance
ederal Communications Commission (FCC) Compliance
Notice:Notice:
Notice:Notice:
Notice:
Radio FRadio F
Radio FRadio F
Radio Frequency Noticerequency Notice
requency Noticerequency Notice
requency Notice
NOTE:NOTE:
NOTE:NOTE:
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in
which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own
expense.
This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment, thisThis is a Class A product. In a domestic environment, this
This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment, thisThis is a Class A product. In a domestic environment, this
This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment, this
product may cause radio interference, in which case, theproduct may cause radio interference, in which case, the
product may cause radio interference, in which case, theproduct may cause radio interference, in which case, the
product may cause radio interference, in which case, the
user may be required to take appropriate measures.user may be required to take appropriate measures.
user may be required to take appropriate measures.user may be required to take appropriate measures.
user may be required to take appropriate measures.
This equipment must be installed and wired properly in order to assure
compliance with FCC regulations.
Caution!Caution!
Caution!Caution!
Caution! Any modifications not expressly approved in writing byAny modifications not expressly approved in writing by
Any modifications not expressly approved in writing byAny modifications not expressly approved in writing by
Any modifications not expressly approved in writing by
Wheatstone could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.Wheatstone could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.
Wheatstone could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.Wheatstone could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.
Wheatstone could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.

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INTRODUCTIONNTRODUCTION
NTRODUCTIONNTRODUCTION
NTRODUCTION - 1- 1
- 1- 1
- 1
FM-2000 / May 2008
MakingAudio Processing History
In 2005 Wheatstone returned to its roots in audio processing with the creation of
Vorsis, a new division of the company. The same year it introduced the model AP-3
DigitalSignalProcessorattheNationalAssociationofBroadcasters(NAB)convention
in Las Vegas.
At the following year’s NAB convention, and with more than 100,000 people in
attendance,VorsisintroducedthemodelHDP3DigitalMultibandSignalProcessorand
the revolutionary model AP-1000 Digital Spectral Processor. The AP-1000 garnered
two coveted industry recognitions: the Radio World “Cool Stuff” award and the BE
Radio “Pick Hit.” With its incredible dual 31-band FM and HD “Fine Grain” limiters
and intuitive graphical user interface the AP-1000 set a completely new performance
standard for high-end broadcast audio processors.
At the 2007 NAB Show Vorsis introduced the FM-5 and AM-5HD processors, as
well as the new and hot-selling M1 Microphone Processor.
Oneyearlateratthe2008NABShow,Vorsisagainsurprisedthebroadcastindustry
with the introduction of five new audio processing products:
AP-2000 and FM-2000: successors to the well-received AP-1000 introduced just
two years earlier, the AP-2000 is targeted for stations needing the power of its dual
31-band FM and HD limiters, while the FM-2000 has all the features of the AP-2000
except the HD signal path.
AM-10HD and FM-10HD: successors to the AM-5HD and extremely popular
FM-5. The AM-10HD and FM-10HD are equipped with dual signal chains for
separately processing the standard analog and HD signals.
VP-8: the first multimode broadcast audio processor with six built-in processing
modes for FM, AM, FM-HD, AM-HD, MP3/AAC>48k, and MP3/AAC<48k. Audio
modesarechangedbysimplyselectingthemfromwithintheWindows-basedGUI-no
reboot is required to change from one processing mode to another.
ThesenewVorsisproductsareequippedwithoneormoreofthefollowingexclusive
Vorsis-designed algorithms:
- Vorsis Bass Management System©(VBMS): Finally… clean, deep, low bass
without the distortion that plagues other audio processors. VBMS manages bass by
preventing frequencies that could “inter-modulate” in the main clipper from doing so,
resulting in a dramatically deep low end - and clean midrange - and clean highs –
simultaneously.

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INTRODUCTIONNTRODUCTION
NTRODUCTIONNTRODUCTION
NTRODUCTION - 2- 2
- 2- 2
- 2
FM-2000 / May 2008
- Sweet Spot Technology©(SST): A completely new five band dynamics
controller that is specially designed for maximizing the consistency of the station’s
on-air presentation.
-VoiceMaster©:Forthe loudest and cleanest on-airvoicesever, VoiceMaster is
a special vocal power spectrum management tool for detecting and then specially
processing live announcer voice.
- Refined Main Peak Controller: It and its companion distortion control
algorithm have been further improved for even greater on-air loudness and clarity
than before while simultaneously reducing harshness and distortion.
The Vorsis Vision
Wheatstone’s Vorsis Audio Processing division was created for one purpose —
to “design audio processing tools that improve the sound of broadcasting.”
Company founder and owner Gary Snow noted how harsh and distorted radio
stationshadbecomeovertheyearsastheytriedtoincreasetheiron-airloudnesswith
existingproducts.In2005hesetagoaltodesignaudioprocessorsthatcouldimprove
the sound of radio, not further destroy it.
TodaytheVorsisdevelopment team has grown to overadozenexperts in digital
signal processing, professional audio, and product design, and is led by broadcast
industry veteran and audio processing expert Jeff Keith. Jeff joined Wheatstone in
January2007andguidestheVorsisteamastheydesignnewandrevolutionaryaudio
processingproductsinWheatstone’sdesignandmanufacturingfacilityinNewBern,
North Carolina.
One hundred percent of Vorsis design, manufacturing, testing, and quality
control are accomplished within the state-of-the-art Wheatstone facility to ensure
that customers always receive the very highest quality products.
Wheatstone’s Vorsis audio processing division offers the broadcast industry
superior performance in our line of competently designed and feature-rich audio
processingproducts,built to Wheatstone’s exacting qualitystandards.Vorsis audio
processors are a perfect match for customers who truly care about how they sound.

page Contents – 1
FM-2000 / May 2008
CONTENTS
FM-2000 Technical Manual
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 – General Information
Introduction ...................................................................................1-2
Overview ........................................................................................1-4
Rack Mounting ..............................................................................1-5
Installation Tips......................................................................................................... 1-5
Where to Install the FM-2000 ................................................................................... 1-6
Analog STL ........................................................................................................... 1-6
Analog Phone Lines ............................................................................................. 1-6
Digital STL ............................................................................................................ 1-6
EAS—United States Emergency Alert System .................................................... 1-7
Arbitron People Meter........................................................................................... 1-7
Energizing......................................................................................1-7
I/O Connections.............................................................................1-8
Audio Inputs.............................................................................................................. 1-8
Analog In................................................................................................................ 1-8
AES In.................................................................................................................... 1-8
Audio Outputs ........................................................................................................... 1-9
FM Path ................................................................................................................. 1-9
Analog Out............................................................................................................. 1-9
AES Out ................................................................................................................. 1-9
SCA In.................................................................................................................... 1-9
TX Out.................................................................................................................... 1-9
Headphones............................................................................................................. 1-10
Front Panel USB Port .............................................................................................. 1-10
Front Panel Ethernet Connection ............................................................................ 1-10
Network Connections............................................................................................... 1-10
Ethernet RJ-45...................................................................................................... 1-10
Typical Ethernet Cable ......................................................................................... 1-11
Typical Crossover Cable ...................................................................................... 1-11
General Purpose Interface (GPI/GPO).................................................................... 1-12
GPI........................................................................................................................ 1-12
User Presets ......................................................................................................... 1-13
Example Schematic of General Purpose Inputs .................................................. 1-14
GPO ...................................................................................................................... 1-15
Analog XLR Connections Pinouts Drawing ............................................................. 1-16
Digital XLR Connections Pinouts Drawing .............................................................. 1-17
BNC Connections Pinouts Drawing......................................................................... 1-18
Ethernet RJ-45/GPI DB-9 Pinouts Drawing ........................................................... 1-19

page Contents – 2
FM-2000 / May 2008
CONTENTS
Chapter 2 - Features and Presets
Vorsis FM-2000 Quick Start Setup Guide ...................................2-2
Ten Steps to Success ...................................................................2-3
Achieving Your Special On-Air Sound........................................2-5
First a Few Words About Our Factory Presets ........................................................ 2-5
What Sound Are You Trying to Achieve?................................................................. 2-5
About Bass................................................................................................................ 2-6
Isn’t There Always a Caveat?................................................................................... 2-6
What Is Your Short Term Goal? ............................................................................... 2-6
How Do I Make It Louder?........................................................................................ 2-6
What Is Your Long Term Goal?................................................................................ 2-7
Clean and Loud ........................................................................................................ 2-8
Can I Generate That “Sixties” Compression Sound?............................................... 2-9
The FM-2000 Factory Presets .....................................................2-10
A Quick Start (Factory Default) ............................................................................... 2-10
Bass: Loud, Loud n Wide, Punchy .......................................................................... 2-10
CHR: Hot, Hotter, Medium....................................................................................... 2-11
Classic Rock: I, II, III, IV .......................................................................................... 2-11
Classical: Big, Light, Medium .................................................................................. 2-11
Compressed: Light, Loud, Medium, Wide ............................................................... 2-12
Country: Easy, Hot, Medium.................................................................................... 2-12
Dance: Edgy, Energy, Smooth, Wide...................................................................... 2-13
Folk: Big, Medium, Soft ........................................................................................... 2-13
Hot Stuff ................................................................................................................... 2-14
Instrumental: Big, Medium, Soft .............................................................................. 2-14
Jazz: Big, Light, Smooth.......................................................................................... 2-14
Latin: Hot!, Medium, Mild......................................................................................... 2-15
News Talk: Light, Loud, Medium ............................................................................. 2-15
Oldies: Big, Medium, Soft ........................................................................................ 2-15
Punchy ..................................................................................................................... 2-16
Radio Active............................................................................................................. 2-16
Sports: Light, Loud, Medium.................................................................................... 2-16
Urban: Heavy ........................................................................................................... 2-17
Future Vorsis Preset Updates ................................................................................. 2-17
Chapter 3 - Vorsis FM-2000 GUI
Architecture of the FM-2000 GUI .................................................3-5
NetworkConfiguration .................................................................3-5
Getting Started ..............................................................................3-5
Connecting the FM-2000 and the GUI .........................................3-5
Using a LAN Connection .......................................................................................... 3-5
Configuring Remote GUI .......................................................................................... 3-7
Connecting Directly Without a LAN .......................................................................... 3-8
PC System Requirements ........................................................................................ 3-8
Wireless Connection................................................................................................. 3-8
The Really Remote Connection! .............................................................................. 3-8
VPN........................................................................................................................... 3-9
FM-2000 / Sep 2008

page Contents – 3
FM-2000 / May 2008
CONTENTS
The FM-2000 and Internet Security Concerns ....................................................... 3-9
About DHCP and FM-2000..................................................................................... 3-9
FM-2000 Ports and Network Protocols .................................................................. 3-9
Using the GUI ........................................................................... 3-10
Dynamic Displays Region..................................................................................... 3-11
Frequency-Domain Graph ............................................................................... 3-11
FM-2000 Graphical Interface Operation.......................................................... 3-12
First, a short tutorial..................................................................................... 3-13
Bargraph Metering........................................................................................... 3-14
Gain Reduction Meter.................................................................................. 3-15
60dB Range................................................................................................. 3-15
Display Signal Selection .................................................................................. 3-15
Input............................................................................................................. 3-15
FM preDelay ................................................................................................ 3-15
Audio............................................................................................................ 3-16
Gain Reduction ............................................................................................ 3-16
Controls ....................................................................................................... 3-16
L/R (Left/Right) ............................................................................................ 3-16
O-Scope....................................................................................................... 3-16
Control Area Region ............................................................................................. 3-17
Input Menu....................................................................................................... 3-18
Input Settings............................................................................................... 3-18
Input Source ................................................................................................ 3-18
Input Signal Presence ................................................................................. 3-18
Input Failsafe ............................................................................................... 3-18
Analog Gain ................................................................................................. 3-19
AES Gain ..................................................................................................... 3-19
L/R Balance ................................................................................................. 3-19
Auto Mono Threshold .................................................................................. 3-19
What is Auto Mono? .................................................................................... 3-19
Phase Rotator.............................................................................................. 3-20
HPF - High Pass Filter................................................................................. 3-21
Why Would We Want To Do This? .......................................................... 3-21
VoiceMaster................................................................................................. 3-22
Enable....................................................................................................... 3-23
Spatial Sense ........................................................................................... 3-23
Spectral Sense ......................................................................................... 3-23
Lim Drive .................................................................................................. 3-23
Pk (Peak) Ceiling...................................................................................... 3-23
Lim Atk (Attack) ........................................................................................ 3-24
Lim Rls (Release) ..................................................................................... 3-24
AGC Atk (Attack) ...................................................................................... 3-24
AGC Rls (Release) ................................................................................... 3-24
VoiceMaster Equalization......................................................................... 3-25
A Note Regarding VoiceMaster Equalization........................................... 3-26
Parametric Equalizer Menu ............................................................................. 3-27
Enable.......................................................................................................... 3-28
Automatic Gain Control and Compressor Menus ........................................... 3-29
Drive ........................................................................................................... 3-30
Makeup ....................................................................................................... 3-30
SST/AGC/Comp Buttons ............................................................................ 3-30
The Eight AGC Operating Modes: 0 through 7.......................................... 3-31
FM-2000 / Sep 2008

page Contents – 4
FM-2000 / May 2008
CONTENTS
SST Controls Overview ................................................................................. 3-32
SST Drive ................................................................................................. 3-32
SST Gate Thresh...................................................................................... 3-32
Ramp Rate ............................................................................................... 3-32
Window Size............................................................................................. 3-33
AGC Controls Overview ................................................................................ 3-34
Gated Modes ............................................................................................ 3-34
Ooze ......................................................................................................... 3-34
Freeze ...................................................................................................... 3-34
AGC Gate Threshold................................................................................ 3-34
Gate Delay................................................................................................ 3-35
AGC Backoff............................................................................................. 3-36
Band Coupling .......................................................................................... 3-36
Crossover Frequencies ................................................................................. 3-37
Selecting Crossover Frequencies ............................................................ 3-37
AGC/Compressor Gain Reduction ................................................................ 3-39
FM Limiter Menu................................................................................................. 3-40
31-Band Limiter .............................................................................................. 3-40
Multiband Enable............................................................................................ 3-40
Multiband Drive............................................................................................... 3-41
Lim/Clip (Limiter/Clipper) Drive ...................................................................... 3-41
Multiband Knee............................................................................................... 3-41
Vorsis Bass Management System (VBMS).................................................... 3-42
VBMS Drive .............................................................................................. 3-42
VBMS Style .............................................................................................. 3-43
VBMS Output............................................................................................ 3-43
VBMS Frequency ..................................................................................... 3-43
Emphasis Selection ........................................................................................ 3-44
DeEmphasis ............................................................................................. 3-44
Look Ahead Limiter......................................................................................... 3-44
FM Limiter Controls ........................................................................................ 3-45
Limiter Enable........................................................................................... 3-45
L/R Linked ................................................................................................ 3-45
Limiter Thresh........................................................................................... 3-45
Attack........................................................................................................ 3-45
Release .................................................................................................... 3-45
Delayed Release ...................................................................................... 3-46
Digital Output (dBFS) ............................................................................... 3-46
Clip Style (Main Clipper) .......................................................................... 3-46
FM Diversity Delay ......................................................................................... 3-47
Entering Delay Value................................................................................ 3-47
Special 31-Band Operating Settings — Wide and Timbral............................ 3-48
31-Band Limiter Dynamics Screens............................................................... 3-49
Thresholds Screen ................................................................................... 3-49
Multiband Mode ........................................................................................ 3-50
Attack Time Screen .................................................................................. 3-52
Release Time Screen............................................................................... 3-53
Coupling Controls Screen ........................................................................ 3-54
Final Equalization Screen ........................................................................ 3-55
VoiceMaster Equalization......................................................................... 3-56
A Note Regarding VoiceMaster Equalization........................................... 3-57

page Contents – 5
FM-2000 / May 2008
CONTENTS
Stereo Encoder Menu......................................................................................... 3-58
Stereo Width Limiter ....................................................................................... 3-58
Lim/Clip (Limiter/Clipper) Drive ...................................................................... 3-59
Test Oscillator................................................................................................. 3-59
Multiplex Process ........................................................................................... 3-60
Output Metering.............................................................................................. 3-60
Stereo Encoder............................................................................................... 3-61
Pilot........................................................................................................... 3-61
SCA 1 ....................................................................................................... 3-61
SCA 2 ....................................................................................................... 3-61
Analog L/TX 1........................................................................................... 3-61
Analog R/TX 2 .......................................................................................... 3-61
Pilot Only .................................................................................................. 3-61
Pilot Phase ............................................................................................... 3-62
Multiplexer ................................................................................................ 3-62
Mask Filter ................................................................................................ 3-62
Analog—Stereo Coder Output Options.......................................................... 3-62
System Menu...................................................................................................... 3-63
System Settings Change With Preset Takes ................................................. 3-63
Headphone Source......................................................................................... 3-64
Headphone Control ........................................................................................ 3-65
Comp./AGC Bands ......................................................................................... 3-65
Remote Login ................................................................................................. 3-66
GUI Access..................................................................................................... 3-67
GUI Lock......................................................................................................... 3-67
Indicators/Temperature Readout ................................................................... 3-69
Skin................................................................................................................. 3-69
Events............................................................................................................. 3-70
Set Time ......................................................................................................... 3-72
Backlight Dimmer ........................................................................................... 3-72
Side Bar Region....................................................................................................... 3-73
Preset.................................................................................................................. 3-73
Save.................................................................................................................... 3-73
Library ................................................................................................................. 3-74
Locking Presets .............................................................................................. 3-75
Devices ............................................................................................................... 3-76
Quick Save (QSave) ........................................................................................... 3-76
Title Bar Region ....................................................................................................... 3-78
Status.................................................................................................................. 3-78
Devices ............................................................................................................... 3-78
Presets................................................................................................................ 3-79
Notes on “Online” and “Offline” Working ............................................................ 3-79
Accessing Menu Options......................................................................................... 3-80
File Menu Items .................................................................................................. 3-80
Hardware Menu Items ........................................................................................ 3-80
FM-2000 Hardware Update ............................................................................ 3-81
VBN/LBN Updating Order Sequence ............................................................. 3-85
Presets Menu Items............................................................................................ 3-85