BD-500 Profanity Delay

No longer manufactured.  All upgrades are available.  Information for reference only.

Operating Information

The BD500 is a new audio broadcast "profanity" delay which utilizes state-of-the-art digital technology. The unit performs the typical delay and dump functions but with several enhancements. New capabilities include adjusting the dump amount from 1 second up to the entire delay length in half-second increments. Another new feature, the SNEEZE function, momentarily "edits" audio entering the delay, allowing the host to sneeze, cough or make a short comment without being heard on air.

The BD500 features two different methods of delay build up and delay reduction. The first is Eventide's patented catch-up and catch-down system (REBUILD and RAMP-TO-ZERO). The second is an exclusive fast entry and exit feature which allows starting a broadcast with the delay already built up to a safe amount and allows ending with a rapid reduction of the delay (WAIT-FOR-SAFE and WAIT-AND-EXIT).

Front Panel Buttons

There are eight buttons, divided into three functional groups.

Offline Group

BYPASS Toggles into and out of relay bypass. This switch is illuminated when the unit is off-line (bypassed).

CONFIGURE Enters configuration mode from bypass mode, or selects configurable item once in configuration mode. Press BYPASS to exit configuration mode

Mode control group

WAIT FOR SAFE Starting from live/real-time, starts loading the delay line with 4 seconds (configurable) of audio. This function is used at the start of a show segment and is usually used in conjunction with the end of a commercial break, during bumper music, or at the trailing end of station ID. This button is illuminated when valid (OK to push) and flashes when wait-for-safe is in progress.

WAIT AND EXIT Starting from delay, "Plays Out" the stored delay audio delay and then, after the last word comes out on-air, the unit returns to real-time. This button is illuminated when valid and flashes when wait-and-exit is in progress. Pressing this button while wait-and-exit is in progress returns the unit back to delay mode (as if WAIT-AND-EXIT was not ever pressed).

REBUILD Enters catch-up/rebuild. This process will go from real-time/live to the full 20.0 second (40 second optional) buffer in a period that is configurable by the user. This button is illuminated when valid and flashes when rebuild is in progress. Pressing this button while rebuild is in progress stops rebuild.

RAMP TO ZERO Initiates a catch-down process which automatically and inaudibly decrements delay until it reaches zero. Catch-down time (time required to run from full buffer to live/real-time) is configurable and defaults to 120 seconds. This button is illuminated when valid (OK to push) and flashes when ramp-to-zero is in progress. Pressing this button while ramp-to-zero is in progress stops ramp-to-zero, leaving the remaining delay active.

Editing Group

SNEEZE Momentarily "edits" audio entering the delay, allowing the host to sneeze, cough or make a short comment without being heard on air, and without dead air. This button is illuminated when the delay has an adequate amount of delay built up to be considered "safe" (configurable).

DUMP Removes/"edits" three seconds (configurable) of audio from the input of the delay buffer. This button is illuminated when the delay has built up to an amount adequate to be considered "safe" (configurable).

Front Panel Indicators

LEVEL Meters Level meters reflect after-trim input levels. Digitally controlled input trim adjustment is via configuration mode.

DELAY AMOUNT alphanumeric display
In Bypass: displays preset safe amount. This is the amount of time wait-for-safe will run before delay line is inserted (configurable).
In Configuration: shows three character identification of configuration item.
In Delay mode: shows amount of delay. In this mode the display will be in seconds, with one, two or no digits after the decimal point. The delay mode display may be completely disabled.

DELAY AMOUNT Graph
In Delay mode: shows amount of delay as a percentage of the maximum delay, as in a bar graph lit from left to right. All segments lit indicates maximum delay. None lit indicates live (but BD500 in-line).
In Configuration or Bypass: shows a non bar-graph pattern to indicate "not in delay mode".

Configuration Mode

Many features are configurable, including Delay Length, Safe Amount, Rebuild Rate, and audio parameters.  Abbreviated information is given in the specifications, and full information in the downloadable manual. 

Options

Enhanced remote control, including RS-232 control and delay of external control signals is available.  See specifications and downloadable manual appendices.

Mechanical

The BD500 is one standard rack unit high and requires 50W with an internal "universal" power supply.

More Information 

Specifications
Downloadable User Manual (PDF)
Information on 40-second upgrade
Remote DUMP FAQ

Updated 11 July 2006 
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