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!
FF
FF
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

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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

page Contents – 6
FM-2000 / May 2008
CONTENTS
Chapter 4 - Schematic and Load Sheet Drawings
FM-2000 Signal Flow Diagram .....................................................4-2
Audio Processor (FM-2000)
Schematic ................................................................................................................. 4-3
Load Sheet................................................................................................................ 4-8
Processor Switch Card (FMSW-2000)
Schematic ................................................................................................................. 4-9
Load Sheet............................................................................................................... 4-10
Appendix
Parameters, Units and Ranges ................................................... A-2

GENERAL INFORMATION
page 1 – 1
FM-2000 / May 2008
General Information
Chapter Contents
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

GENERAL INFORMATION
page 1 – 2
FM-2000 / May 2008
General Information
Introduction
TheVorsisFM-2000takesthepoweroftheoriginalAP-1000andraisesthebartoawhole
newlevel! ThissecondgenerationFM-2000 expands ontechnologiesinventedby theVorsis
design team, who approach audio processing with an attitude of “quality first.”
New and improved audio processing algorithms push the limits of what can be accom-
plishedinanon-airprocessor.Theresult?Evenmoreaudioprocessingpowerwhileretaining
complete user control over that power. No hidden controls. No secret “back door.” Every
control is labeled for exactly what it does, and everything is brought out to the end user.
With the power and the tools required to create exactly the on-air sound you’ve been
searchingfor,itsaudioclarity,on-the-dialpower,andaccuracyofsoundisacombinationnot
foundinanyotherbroadcastaudioprocessor.AndbecausetheFM-2000doesnothaveitsown
sound coloration you are completely free to create any on air sound that you can dream of.
Clean. Detailed. Loud. Or all three simultaneously.
The FM-2000 has 30% more DSP horsepower than the previous model, providing more
than adequate resources for the new processing algorithms developed since the original
AP-1000 was introduced. Nineteen DSP engines provide well over twice the computing
powerofthepopulartop-endaudioprocessors,andaninternalbasesamplingrateof192kHz
processes your stations audio with extremely high precision.
A front panel LCD screen and touch-pad allows for total control of all system and
processing parameters. The FM-2000 can also be remotely controlled from anywhere via a
TCP/IP network connection and a Windows-based software application.
Vorsis is a division of Wheatstone Corporation of New Bern, NC.
FM-2000 Digital Spectral Processor

GENERAL INFORMATION
page 1 – 3
FM-2000 / May 2008
Wheatstone Corporation is a world-leader in broadcast audio equipment design
and manufacturing. Our product line includes audio consoles for the radio and
television broadcast industries, audio control surfaces and digital audio networks,
products for commercial audio applications, and now, our ever-growing and award
winning line of Vorsis digital audio processors.
Wheatstonebeganin1975asthe“Audioarts”company.By1976,itsproductline
had already grown to include high quality audio equalizers, electronic crossovers,
and specialized compressor/limiters. In 1977 its first audio mixing control console
was introduced. Wheatstone returned to its audio processing roots in 2005 when it
createdtheVorsis line of signal processing products and introduced theAP3Digital
Signal Processor for radio.
Wheatstone’s product line has expanded greatly since the early days, and
Wheatstoneisnowarecognizedworldleaderinradiobroadcastconsoles,television
consoles, and many types of audio processing equipment.
Wheatstone Corporate Headquarters

GENERAL INFORMATION
page 1 – 4
FM-2000 / May 2008
Overview
The FM-2000 digital audio processor is designed to process and output audio for
conventional analog FM signals.
AttheheartoftheFM-2000isaspecializedDSPfarmcontainingnineteenfloating
and fixed-point Digital Signal Processors. Advanced FPGA-based signal routing
capability allows restructuring the processing chain as desired, and headphone
monitoring can be patched to any processing section at will. Headphone monitoring
is also possible for an audio source that is attached to the FM-2000 but not even on
the air!
ThemostsalientfeatureoftheFM-2000isitsFM31-bandprocessingsection.The
FMsidehastheaddedfeatureofa31-banddistortionmaskedclipperthatcanbeused
aloneorincombinationwiththe31-bandlimitertoachieveexactlythesounddesired.
This innovative design allows for far more flexible peak control and audio tailoring
thantheantiquatedlimiteralgorithmshavingfewerbandsthatarefoundinotheraudio
processors on the market today.
The 31-band limiter is equipped with fully adjustable thresholds and attack and
release times for each of the 31 bands. Because the FM-2000 FM limiters operate
much like the filter banks used in perceptual codecs its dynamic operation is nearly
invisible to the ear. The sound of the signal path is quite flexible and can be carefully
tailored to create exactly the on air sound desired.
The 31 bands used in the FM limiter allows tuning flexibility previously unheard
ofinanybroadcastaudioprocessor.The31-bandlimitersectionisfollowedbyitsown
four-bandparametricequalizationstagethatcanbeusedtofurtherfinetunethesound
of the signal path.
The FM signal path is equipped with an adjustable diversity delay of up to ten
seconds, corresponding to the requirements of the North American (iBiquity®) HD
Radio system.

GENERAL INFORMATION
page 1 – 5
FM-2000 / May 2008
Rack Mounting
The FM-2000 is designed to fit into an industry standard 19” equipment
rack, and requires three rack units (5.25 inches / 13.335cm) of vertical space.
The FM-2000 does not have top or bottom cover vent holes. Latent heat is
vented out of the enclosure by natural convection through slots in the top of the
rearpanel.Coolerairisdrawnintotheunitthroughverticalslotspositionedlower
in the side panels.
There is one small fan internal to the unit to stir air inside the enclosure to
prevent hot spots. It does not “remove” heat. Failure of the fan, in the unlikely
event it should occur, will not compromise the operation of the FM-2000.
TheFM-2000maybemountedbetweenotherdevicesin the equipment rack;
however,inaccordancewithgoodengineeringpracticeitshouldnotbemounted
directly above devices that generate significant amounts of heat, such as power
amplifiersorpowersupplies.Ifsuchalocationisunavoidable,thenitisadvisable
to utilize an extra 1RU blank rack panel between the FM-2000 and devices
immediately above and/or below it.
WARNING!UndernocircumstancesshouldtheFM-2000unitbeopened!
The unit contains high voltage circuits that are hazardous and potentially
harmful.Theunithasnouser-serviceablepartsinside!Ifyouhaveaproblem
the unit must be returned to Wheatstone Corporation for repair.
InstallationTips:
• Place any surge protection circuits as close as possible to the FM-2000 or
other device being protected.
• Establish a low impedance common ground in your facility and try to route
all grounds to that point.
• Choose the best power conditioning / UPS units that you can afford and
suitable for your equipment - focus on the features and options you need.
The better UPS products can prevent thousands of dollars in equipment
damage — some even come with an external equipment damage warranty.
• Unbalanced audio connections to the FM-2000 should be made with
shielded two conductor cable such as Belden 8451 or 9451 as if connecting
a balanced source. At the unbalanced source’s output connect the + Output
to the HI input wire and connect the source GND wire to the LO wire.
Connect the shield at the FM-2000 end only.
• For digital audio connections always use a good quality digital audio cable
with a characteristic impedance of 110 ohms.
TheAES/EBUspecification,withitsbroadimpedancetolerance,allowsforcableswith
impedances from 88 ohms to 132 ohms - 110 ohms is ideal. Twisted pair cable should be
shielded,andinthecaseofmulti-paircable,eachpairshouldbeindividuallyshielded.Foil
shielding is recommended for permanent installations and foil shield plus overall braid
should be used in applications where frequent flexing of the cable will occur. One cable
pair is capable of carrying two channels of digital audio.

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FM-2000 / May 2008
Generic“audio”cablesuchasBelden8451maybeusedforinterconnecting
AES3 digital audio devices but only for distances of less than about
25 feet. The actual cable length that will work satisfactorily in an installa-
tion is primarily determined by the error correction and jitter tolerance of
the AES3 receiver device and the cable used.
Theimpedanceofmost “analog”cablesranges from40ohms to70ohms andrepresents
a large impedance mismatch from the nominal 110 ohms required in the AES3 standard.
Such mismatch will result in signal reflections causing bit errors at the AES3 receiver. The
highercapacitanceofgeneric analogcablesalsoslowsdowntherise timeofthedigitaldata
signals, impairing the ability of the AES3 receiver to accurately detect digital signal
transitions. This may result in increased jitter.
Where to Install the FM-2000
The recommended location for the FM-2000 is at the transmitter site if a
discrete STL is involved in the signal path. A transmitter site installation will
enabletheuseofthebuilt-instereoencoder,whichwillalwaysallowmoreprecise
control of modulation peaks.
If you choose to locate the FM-2000 at the studio and use an STL to send the
program material to the transmitter there are several issues that need to be
addressed.
Analog STL:
Older analog discrete left/right STL’s can suffer from an inability to control
high frequency audio peaks because of inadequate bandwidth in their IF circuits,
orinadequatelowfrequencyperformancewhichwillresultintilt.Theyalsodonot
usuallyhaveidenticalaudiogroupdelayinbothchannels.Ontheotherhandsome
compositeSTLdesignsmaysufferfrombounceintheirAFCloopswhenhandling
processed low frequency material and this can rob modulation capability.
Analog Phone Lines:
We cannot recommend any form of discrete (left/right) analog “phone line”
type STL because of the inability of many service providers to guarantee flat
frequency response and proper phase matching between circuits. Furthermore, in
manycountriesanalogcircuitssuchasthesearebeingdiscontinuedorthecosthas
been raised to prohibitive points.
Digital STL:
If using a Digital STL that employs audio compression, then it is highly
recommendedthattheFM-2000beplacedatthetransmittersite.Thisisprimarily
because the encoding schemes used in such STL’s will not accurately pass the
well-defined peak levels created by the FM-2000.
The FM-2000 can also be placed at the studio end of a compressed STL with
at least two caveats:
-YouwillnotbeabletousethecompositeclipperintheFM-2000.Whilemost
digital exciters offer a composite clipper function, they are typically quite
crudeintheiroperationbycomparisontowhatisinsidetheFM-2000andare
never the optimum choice when sound quality is important.

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FM-2000 / May 2008
- Compressed (data reduced) STL’s may not perform well when competi-
tivelyprocessedaudioispresentedtotheirinputs.Thisisprimarilybecause
when dense audio is presented to these codecs they have fewer “opportu-
nities” to remove redundant audio information and mask that removal.
Therefore,codecoperationmaybemuchmoreobvious—potentiallymore
so than what might be expected if the processing is located after the codec
where the masked artifacts are simply unmasked by the increased “gain”
due to processing.
TIP: If using the FM-2000 at the studio be certain that the pre-emphasis and
clippers in the stereo generator at the transmitter site are properly set up to
complementthe settings in theFM-2000. This will preventgross distortion and
large modulation overshoots.
EAS – United States Emergency Alert System
IftheEASgeneratorisplacedbeforetheFM-2000,thelevelsofthesignaling
tones and FSK data may be disturbed by the processing. Therefore it is highly
recommend that the EAS unit be placed after the processing.
If the EAS unit must be installed prior to it, the FM-2000 should be
configured so that when the EAS tones are being sent the FM-2000 is switched
to a bypass mode. This can be accomplished by using the FM-2000’s GPI
interface and by assigning a special preset to the EAS function that has internal
processing defeated and audio levels calibrated to provide proper modulation
levels during EAS transmissions.
Arbitron People Meter
The FM-2000 favorably passes the data watermarking scheme used in the
Arbitron rating service People Meter technology regardless of the aggressive-
ness of the audio processing performed.
Energizing
Assuming the Vorsis FM-2000 Digital Audio Spectral Processor is cor-
rectly rackmounted, you may now energize it. There is no power switch.
The AC line input voltage may be between 90 and 260 VAC, 50 or 60Hz.
Power consumption is under 100VA.
Aggressive AC input filtering is utilized at the AC input of the FM-2000;
however it is always advisable to use external surge protection and/or an
uninterruptible power supply (UPS), especially where AC power quality is
questionable, such as at a remote transmitter site.
Powerconditioning, surge suppression, and evenpower backup devices are
wise investments when using sensitive modern electronic devices that use an
internal computer.
Use of a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is a good idea and will protect
the FM-2000 from short duration power interruptions which may cause it to
reboot. During boot up, audio is interrupted for approximately 28 seconds.

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FM-2000 / May 2008
I/O Connections
All audio input and output, control, Ethernet, and power supply connections are made
via various connectors mounted on the FM-2000’s rear panel.
Six XLR connectors are provided for analog and digital audio input and output con-
nections.
Four BNC connectors are provided for SCA in and TX (transmitter) out connections.
Two RJ-45 connectors are provided for Ethernet connections, with a third RJ-45
Ethernet connector provided on the front panel (see page 1-10). Any of these connectors
can be used to connect a Windows®PC running the Vorsis FM-2000 GUI (see Chapter 3).
The other two connectors can be used for peripheral equipment.
Two DB-9 connectors provide 8 GPI inputs (for selecting the first 8 presets) and
4 GPO outputs.
The pinout drawings on pages 1-16 through 1-19 summarize all wiring connections.
Audio Inputs
Inputaudiocanbeappliedtoeithertheanalogleft/rightinputsortoanAES3digitalinput.
The AES3 input accepts sample rates between 32 kHz and 96 kHz.
Automatic audio failover from one input to the other is a user selectable option. Failover
fromAES3toanalogisinstantaneousandbasedoninvalidormissingbitsintheAES3stream,
orafter30secondsof“silence”(levelbelow-48dBFS).FailoverfromanalogtoAES3isbased
on the same silence sense algorithm responding to audio below -48dBFS for more than
30 seconds.
Analog In—XLR-F
Pin 1 XLR LT SH – LINE LT IN SH
Pin 2 XLR LT HI – LINE LT IN HI
Pin 3 XLR LT LO – LINE LT IN LO
Pin 1 XLR RT SH – LINE RT IN SH
Pin 2 XLR RT HI – LINE RT IN HI
Pin 3 XLR RT LO – LINE RT IN LO
AES In—XLR-F
Pin 1 XLR SH – AES IN SH
Pin 2 XLR HI – AES IN HI
Pin 3 XLR LO – AES IN LO

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FM-2000 / May 2008
Audio Outputs
FM Path
Output audio is available as:
- Analog balanced left/right stereo.
- Analog balanced left/right stereo and de-emphasized according to any pre-
emphasis used.
- AES3 digital, either pre or post diversity delay, and/or de-emphasized
according to any pre-emphasis used.
- Balanced line level composite stereo.
- Composite stereo on two rear panel BNC female connectors.
Analog Out—XLR-M
Pin 1 XLR FM LT SH – LINE FM LT OUT SH
Pin 2 XLR FM LT HI – LINE FM LT OUT HI
Pin 3 XLR FM LT LO – LINE FM LT OUT LO
Pin 1 XLR FM RT SH – LINE FM RT OUT SH
Pin 2 XLR FM RT HI – LINE FM RT OUT HI
Pin 3 XLR FM RT LO – LINE FM RT OUT LO
AES Out—XLR-M
Pin 1 XLR FM SH – AES FM OUT SH
Pin 2 XLR FM HI – AES FM OUT HI
Pin 3 XLR FM LO – AES FM OUT LO
SCA In—BNC
Pin 1 BNC 1 HI - SCA 1 IN HI
Pin 2 BNC 1 SH - SCA 1 IN SH
Pin 1 BNC 2 HI - SCA 2 IN HI
Pin 2 BNC 2 SH - SCA 2 IN SH
TX Out—BNC
Pin 1 BNC 1 HI - TX 1 OUT HI
Pin 2 BNC 1 SH - TX 1 OUT SH
Pin 1 BNC 2 HI - TX 2 OUT HI
Pin 2 BNC 2 SH - TX 2 OUT SH