Lexicon MPX 1 - REV 2 User Manual

Lexicon MPX 1 - REV 2 User Manual

Multi processor fx
Hide thumbs Also See for MPX 1 - REV 2:
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

MPX 1
Multi Processor FX
User Guide

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading

Summary of Contents for Lexicon MPX 1 - REV 2

  • Page 1 MPX 1 Multi Processor FX User Guide...
  • Page 2: Unpacking And Inspection

    Cry Baby, Leslie, Moog, Mutron and Vox are trademarked by their respective companies. Copyright 1997 All Rights Reserved. Lexicon Inc. • 3 Oak Park • Bedford MA 01730-1441 USA • Telephone 781-280-0300 • Fax 781-280-0490 Lexicon Part # 070-11097 Rev 2...
  • Page 3 MPX 1 Multi Processor FX User Guide...
  • Page 4 Dansk Suomi Vigtig information om sikkerhed Tärkeitä turvallisuusohjeita Säilytä nämä ohjeet tulevaa käyttöä varten. Gem denne vejledning til senere brug. Seuraa kaikkia yksikköön merkittyjä ohjeita ja varoituksia. Følg alle anvisninger og advarsler på apparatet. Käytä aina oikeaa verkkojännitettä. Tehovaatimukset selviävät valmistajan Apparatet skal altid tilsluttes den korrekte spænding.
  • Page 5 Deutsch Español Wichtige Sicherheitsanweisungen Instrucciones importantes de seguridad Heben Sie sich diese Sicherheitsanweisungen auch für später auf. Guarde esta instrucciones para uso posterior. Befolgen Sie alle auf der Vorrichtung stehenden Anweisungen und Warnungen. Utilice siempre el voltaje correcto. Diríjase a las instrucciones de operación Immer nur mit der richtigen Spannung verwenden! Die Gebrauchsanweisungen del fabricante para obtener las especificaciones de potencia.
  • Page 6: Table Of Contents

    Contents Introduction 1. Product Overview The Front Panel .................. 1-1 The Rear Panel .................. 1-2 Installation Notes ................1-3 Mounting ..................1-3 Power Requirements ..............1-3 Look here for information Audio Connections ............... 1-4 on setting levels and hooking up to other Analog Audio •...
  • Page 7 Contents, cont'd. 4. Patching Patch Jump from Edit Mode ............... 4-2 Selecting a Source and Destination............ 4-2 Changing the Range of the Source Controller ........4-3 Viewing Source Controller Activity ..........4-3 All about the MPX 1 MIDI Learn — Automatic Controller Assignment ......4-4 Patch System Copying Patches ................
  • Page 8 Contents, cont'd. Global Patches ................. 5-15 MIDI Learn and Dst Edit ............. 5-15 Calibrate Pedal ................. 5-16 6. MIDI Operation Selecting a MIDI Channel ..............6-1 Accessing Programs ................6-1 Controlling MIDI Tempo Rate with MIDI Clock ........6-2 MIDI Tempo Control ..............6-2 Using the MPX 1 as a MIDI Clock Source ........
  • Page 9 Mod Effects ..................7-19 Contents, cont'd. Panner ..................7-19 Auto Pan ..................7-19 Tremolo (M) and Tremolo (S) ............. 7-20 Overdrive ..................7-20 Volume (M), Volume (S) and Volume (D) ........7-21 Delay Effects ..................7-22 Delay (M), Delay (S) and Delay (D) ........... 7-23 Echo (M), Echo (S) and Echo (D) ..........
  • Page 10: Introduction

    Thank you for your purchase of the MPX 1, the vanguard of Lexicon’s latest line Introduction of effects processors. The MPX 1 multi processor technology gives you multi effects the way you expect them to work — with instant access to individual effects, and the ability to run uncompromised stereo reverb at all times.
  • Page 11 An A/B glide function is also available from the front panel — and of course we've designed presets to show this function off to its fullest. Whenever the A or B LED is lit, press the A/B button to activate the glide. When you want to create your own versions, you'll find A/B available as an internal controller in Edit mode along with two LFOs, a MIDI arpeggiator, two ADRs, Envelopes, and more.
  • Page 12: Product Overview

    Product Overview Product Overview The Front Panel Program* Options Activates Program Mode where you can select LED lights to indicate additional options exist for the and load programs, see which effects are active displayed parameter. Press to access options. (LED will Input/Output in any program, and access a special set of soft flash while options are displayed.) Press again to exit.
  • Page 13: The Rear Panel

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon The Rear Panel Balanced Inputs Input impedance is 50k unbalanced, and 100k balanced. Inputs accept input levels from -14dBu to +20dBu. 1/4" phone connectors and XLRs provided. Input Level 2-position (In/Out) switch for Balanced Outputs...
  • Page 14: Installation Notes

    Product Overview Installation Notes The MPX 1 uses one EIA-standard rack space, and can be mounted on any Mounting level surface or in a standard 19 inch (483 mm) rack. If the unit is mounted in a rack or road case, support the rear of the chassis to prevent possible damage from mechanical shock and vibration.
  • Page 15: Setting Audio Levels

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Mono Applications: Using the MPX 1 Outputs with Mono Return Virtually all of the MPX 1 programs generate stereo or dual output signals, even when driven by a mono source. For the best sonic results, the MPX 1 outputs should be connected in stereo.
  • Page 16 Product Overview Digital input level is adjustable from the Dig In Lvl screen of the Audio menu in System mode. Level can be set to Off, -89dB to +6db to optimize noise and avoid overload. Headroom Display The headroom display provides both headroom and overload information from a variety of measurement points.
  • Page 17 MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Setting the Input Mode The MPX 1 can be set for stereo input, mono left input or mono right input. To set the mode, press System, select Audio, then select Input Mode. If cables are connected to both XLR and 1/4" connectors, the 1/4" inputs will override and disable the XLR inputs.
  • Page 18 Product Overview Setting Output Level 1. Press System and select the Audio menu. 2. Scroll to Audio Output and select Analog or Digital. 3. Press System again and select the Modes menu. 4. Scroll to Modes: Bypass and make sure that the assignment is Bypass (the default setting).
  • Page 19: Configuration

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Configuration Connection to a mixing console's effects sends Channel Insert or Pre or Post Effects Send (R) Channel Insert or Pre or Post Effects Send (L) Channel Input or Effects Return (R) Channel Input or...
  • Page 20: Basic Operation

    Basic Operation Basic Operation This section is provided to get you up and running on the MPX 1 in the shortest possible time. Beginning with a menu tree to guide you through the major areas of the MPX 1, this chapter focuses on the basics that you want to get to first — finding, loading, tweaking and storing programs.
  • Page 21: Loading And Playing With Programs

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Pressing the front panel Program button accesses the MPX 1 library of 250 Loading and Playing presets and user programs. In this mode, you can select and load programs, with Programs select database sorting criteria and access the "Soft Row" — a selected set of the most useful parameters for each program.
  • Page 22: Effect Bypass

    Basic Operation The front panel Effect buttons light to show you which effect blocks are active. Effect Bypass — When you're scrolling through programs, they'll change to show you the effects in any displayed program. Once you stop scrolling, they'll return to display of the effects that are active in the currently loaded program.
  • Page 23: Tap

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon MPX 1 tempo controls are available right on the front panel through the Tempo LED and the Tap button. Many preset programs are designed with their own tempo rate settings which are stored with the programs. The front panel Tempo LED will flash in tempo whenever you load a program with tempo control.
  • Page 24: Soft Value Editing

    Basic Operation Soft Value Editing The MPX 1 offers access to the most useful parameters of any program without having to enter a separate Edit mode. These parameters are available from Program mode in a "Soft Row" which is accessed by pressing Value. In Program mode...
  • Page 25: Program Sort, Search And Show - Using The Database

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Program Sort, Search The MPX 1 has a database sorting function which allows you to sort and search for programs in various categories. This is a great timesaver when you're looking and Show — Using specifically for guitar effects, or EQ effects, or for EQ effects for guitar.
  • Page 26: Program Store

    Basic Operation Program Store Once you've made changes to a program, such as turning an effect off, or modifying any of the soft row parameters, an edit indicator in the display (•) will appear in front of the program name. This identifies the program as having been altered since the last store procedure.
  • Page 27: Mpx 1 Preset Summary

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon MPX 1 Preset Summary Effects Effects Name Name MPX Blue Concert Hall RvbEko Morph Tajma Hall 480PrimeFlng Small Church RandomDetune Cathedral Vintage Trem M Sq. Garden Tap Delay Morph Spaces Tape Echo Process Verb ParametricEQ...
  • Page 28 Basic Operation Effects Effects Name Name Phat Detune Dual 2-Band Detune&Dlys Dual TapDlys Detune+Hall Ghost Mist Pitch-O-Latr Submarine S/H Pitch 50’s Sci Fi Uni to Chord Synthis- izer Doubler S/H Improv Wet Triads MIDI Arp 1 Up 3 Down 5 MIDI 16thArp 4 Funky Comp A/B Freeze...
  • Page 29: Editing

    Editing Editing This chapter describes all of the MPX 1 edit functions. As the first thing you are likely to want to modify in a program are its effects, this section starts there and then moves on to all of the functions available in Edit mode. Note that, in Edit mode, as elsewhere, the Value button acts as a toggle to allow you to assign "select"...
  • Page 30 MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon To load any available Effect, press the Effect button again. The asterisk will disappear from the displayed name and the button light will return to its normal slow blinking edit state. An edit indicator is displayed to indicate that the active program has been modified.
  • Page 31: The Mpx 1 Edit Menus

    Editing The MPX 1 Edit Menus The MPX 1 Edit Menus give you access to all of the controls you need to create your own programs. Whether you want to reassign the front panel meter display, re-route the effects in a program, or create an entirely new sound, you will find the tools you need in this section.
  • Page 32: Meter Assign

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Edit select: > Compare Press the > button. If the program has not been edited, the message Pgm is unchanged will be displayed. If the program has been edited, the display will change to show:...
  • Page 33: Copy Effect

    Editing Copy Effect lets you take an Effect from any program in the MPX 1 and copy it Copy Effect into the current program. To use this function, select Copy Effect from the Edit menu. Press the > button and use the knob to display any of the MPX 1 programs.
  • Page 34: Soft Row Parameter Assignment

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Soft Row Parameter Parameters that you want to assign to the Program mode Soft Row for easy access are selected from the Edit mode Soft Row menu. When you first select Assignment Soft Row in Edit mode, you have direct access to all of the Soft Row parameters, exactly as in Program mode.
  • Page 35 Editing Tempo Rate can be set internally or via MIDI Clock. If Tempo Source is set to Internal, you can dial in any tempo from 41-400 BPM, or you can press the front panel Tap button twice in rhythm to establish the rate you want (allowing you to change tempo on the fly from any mode).
  • Page 36: Tempo

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon The MPX 1 allows you to individually tag all 250 programs for easy sorting by DataBase — Source and/or Effect type. The DataBase controls in the Edit menu let you Assigning DataBase assign your programs to any (or all) of the categories shown below.
  • Page 37: Routing Map

    Editing The MPX 1 allows you to reconfigure the effect blocks along audio paths of your Routing Map own design. The Routing Map is a graphic display that shows routing and connections between the MPX 1 effect blocks. Use the Routing Map to change connections between individual effects and also to change the overall routing configuration of all six effect blocks as a group.
  • Page 38 MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon How to Change Routing The routing page lets you alter the connections between the inputs of the Connections selected block and the outputs of the blocks in front of it. It is easy to think of these connections as patch cords connecting the different blocks.
  • Page 39 Editing In the following example we've selected one of the presets, FazerTremolo, as Routing Example an illustration of the kind of programs that can be created with the MPX 1 routing and connection capabilities. FazerTremolo Routing Map In this program, the input signal is routed into an EQ block (Crossover) where it is summed to mono.
  • Page 40 MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Notes and Tips on Routing The number of configurations you can create is huge. The best approach to take is to think about what you want before changing anything. When changing the routing options, work from left to right — from the input block to the output block.
  • Page 41: Effect Order

    Editing Selecting Effect Order from the Edit menu allows you to put the six MPX 1 Effect Effect Order blocks in any order you wish. Press to display the current ordering and routing configuration. An ordering display such as the one shown below will appear. An underscore identifies the Effect block which is selected for moving to a new location.
  • Page 42: Setting The Parameters Of The Internal Controllers

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon The last of the MPX 1 Edit menu selections provide controls for making individual Setting the Parameters adjustments and assignments for each of the MPX 1 internal controllers. This of the Internal Control- section describes controller editing. For detailed information on the controllers lers (Knob, LFO 1 and 2, themselves, see Chapter 8.
  • Page 43: Patching

    Patching Patching Patching is the ability to assign a control (Source) to a parameter (Destination). This allows you to alter the value of the parameter by manipulating the control Source. For example, you can select the front panel knob as a Source and an effect's Mix parameter as a Destination.
  • Page 44: Patch Jump From Edit Mode

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Patch Jump Whenever a patched parameter is selected for adjustment in Edit mode, the Patch LED will light to let you know that the parameter is being used in a patch. from Edit Mode If you press Patch, you will "jump" directly to the patch that uses the displayed parameter so that you can view and modify the patch.
  • Page 45: Changing The Range Of The Source Controller

    Patching With Src selected, pressing Options will allow you to specify range limits for the Changing the Range of controller you have selected. With the following screen displayed, use the < and the Source Controller > buttons to select the Min, Mid or Max field, and the knob to set the value from 0-127.
  • Page 46: Midi Learn - Automatic Controller Assignment

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon MIDI Learn — Automatic You can have the MPX 1 automatically recognize a MIDI controller as a patch Source, as well as assigning its MIDI Receive channel to match any controller Controller Assignment with the MIDI Learn function.
  • Page 47: Changing The Range Of The Destination Parameter

    Patching For most applications, the default full-range Destination values are all you will Changing the Range of want, as these allow your selected Source to exert direct control over the full the Destination range of parameter values. In other cases, you may want to adjust the Parameter Destination values to a more limited range, or establish a nonlinear relationship between the controller and the parameter values.
  • Page 48: Linear Or Nonlinear Control

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Linear or Nonlinear From either of the Destination Values screens, pressing Options will allow you Control to set the control relationship between your Source and Destination, temporarily suspend the current patch, or to clear one or more patches entirely.
  • Page 49: Suspending And Clearing Patches

    Patching Suspending and Continuing to press > will step you to the Suspend option. Selecting Suspend temporaily suspends the patch until such time as you return to the Patch System Clearing Patches Destination Option and select Unsuspend. Continuing to press > will step you to the options: Clear 1-5, and Clear All. These allow you to select any or all patches to be cleared.
  • Page 50: System Controls

    System Controls System Controls The System menus shown below provide access to all of the controls which affect overall operation of the MPX 1, such as Bypass state, MIDI transmit and receive channels, as well as some unique options that make the MPX 1 adapt to your personal requirements.
  • Page 51: Audio Controls

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon The Audio menu allows you to change the settings of controls which affect the Audio Controls MPX 1 audio input and output characteristics. These include: configuring the inputs for stereo or mono applications, selecting analog or digital inputs and outputs, etc.
  • Page 52: Dig In Lvl

    System Controls Dig In Lvl is a master control for digital inputs. Select Off or a value from -89dB Dig In Lvl to +6dB to optimize the level of the digital input signal. ChanStatus When digital input is connected to the MPX 1 and Dig/Ext is selected in the Input/Clck menu, the ChanStatus menu allows you to determine whether or not Channel Status information received via the MPX 1 digital input is transmitted unchanged through the MPX 1 or whether the MPX 1 is to generate its own...
  • Page 53: Mix

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Each MPX 1 program has its own Master Mix and Level parameters, as well as individual mix and level settings for each Effect. These settings are stored as integral parts of the program. The Mix parameter allows you to select Program,...
  • Page 54: Tempo Mode

    System Controls Tempo Mode The MPX 1 gives you an exciting approach to working with delay times and modulation parameters. You can set these parameters in beats, allowing you to control your programs in a completely musical way. Each MPX 1 program has its own Tempo parameters, with tempo settings stored as an integral part of the program.
  • Page 55: Storeprompt Contrast

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Setup Load and A set of parameters from System mode, including audio parameters, Modes, Setup Store MIDI parameters and your current DataBase sorting method are collectively called a "Setup". Five Setups can be stored in the unit, allowing you to quickly reconfigure the MPX 1 at any time.
  • Page 56 System Controls The LED in the Store button will flash. When you press Store the display will show: Load #n: Setup1 (Press Store) The upper line of the display shows the Setup number currently selected for loading. Turn the knob to select any Setup number 1-5. Press Store again. The display will show: New setup loaded Then the MPX 1 will return to normal operation with the new Setup parameters...
  • Page 57: Midi

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon MIDI This menu contains all of the MPX 1 MIDI controls. The operation of each of these controls is described here. More information on working with MIDI is presented in Chapter 6. Program Change The Pgm Change control allows you to enable or disable the Reception of MIDI Program Change messages.
  • Page 58: Ctl Smooth

    System Controls Options: MIDI Reset The MPX 1 recognizes the “Reset All Controllers” MIDI message. When received, all patched parameters are reset to their stored values. Patched parameters may also be reset from the MPX 1 front panel —in System mode Press Options to select Ctl Send from the MIDI menu and press Options, then press Yes.
  • Page 59: Dump

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Dump This control allows you to perform MIDI dumps of Current Pgm, All Programs, Map 1-3, Chain 1-10, Setup 1-5. Select whichever of these categories you want, and press Store. Options: Xmit Speed Press Options to select one of four MIDI transmission speeds (Slow, Medium Press Options to Slow, Medium Fast and Fast.)
  • Page 60: Program Chains

    System Controls The MPX 1 has 10 internal program chains, each made up of ten "links". You can Program Chains assign any program to any link in the chain with the controls in this menu. A chain can be loaded with a MIDI Program Change message, or by selecting Members of Pgm Chains as a DataBase sorting option and loading the chain from Program mode.
  • Page 61: Initialize

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Initialize Selecting any item in the Initialize menu will restore portions of the MPX 1 to their factory default settings. These controls allow you to perform a complete reset of the unit to its factory defaults, or to reset only selected functions.
  • Page 62: Clear Programs

    System Controls This control allows you to clear a single User program, or any number of Clear Programs consecutively numbered User programs. From the Clear Programs screen, press > to display the following screen. Clear Programs 201 to 250 Two fields are available for selecting any num- ber of User programs between 201 and 250.
  • Page 63: Copy Programs

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Copy Programs This control allows you to copy a single program, or any number of consecutively numbered programs into a new location in User memory (program #s 201-250). Selections you make here will overwrite programs currently at the location(s) you designate.
  • Page 64: Global Patches

    System Controls Ten global patch assignments are available which allow you to assign an Global Patches external controller to the MPX 1 Master Mix or Master Level controls, or to individually control any one of the MPX 1 Effect Mix or Level controls. Global patches override, but do not clear, program patches with the same parameter Destination.
  • Page 65: Calibrate Pedal

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Calibrate Pedal This control allows you to achieve full range output of any connected 10k-100k continuously variable footpedal. From the main System menu, select Calibrate Pedal and press Yes. A display prompt will allow you to choose to continue the calibration procedure, overwriting any pre-existing pedal settings, or to discontinue the procedure.
  • Page 66: Midi Operation

    MIDI Operation MIDI Operation Selecting a All MPX 1 parameters and programs can be accessed by MIDI. All MIDI applications require the MPX 1 to be connected with one or more MIDI devices MIDI Channel with standard MIDI cables via the rear panel MIDI jacks. MIDI controls, such as Transmit and Receive Channel selection are available in the System mode MIDI menu.
  • Page 67: Midi Tempo Control

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Controlling MPX 1 Tempo Rate with MIDI Clock MIDI Tempo Control MIDI Out (MIDI Clock) MIDI In Edit mode Tempo Source set to MIDI Using the MPX 1 as a MIDI Clock Source MIDI In...
  • Page 68: Slaving Two Or More Mpx 1S

    MIDI Operation The configuration below shows the MIDI connections for controlling the MPX 1 simultaneously with MIDI Clocks from a sequencer, and messages from another MIDI controller. Note that the controller is set to "local control off" and the sequencer is set to "echo input". MIDI Thru MIDI In MIDI Out...
  • Page 69: Controller Quirks

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Controller Quirks Some synthesizers and controllers cannot send the full range of MIDI program change messages (1-128). Others may appear to be able to send only 32, but actually have a bank mode that does let you send all 128 program change messages.
  • Page 70: The Arpeggiator

    MIDI Operation The Arpeggiator The MPX 1 has a full featured MIDI arpeggiator. It processes held notes received from MIDI IN and transmits them as arpeggios through MIDI OUT. You can process the output of the sound generator through the MPX 1, but this is not necessary to hear the effect of the arpeggiator.
  • Page 71: Program Change Messages

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Reception of MIDI Program Change and Bank Select messages can be Program Change selectively enabled/disabled from the System mode MIDI menu. The manner Messages in which the MPX 1 interprets these messages is determined by the value of this...
  • Page 72: Automation

    MIDI Operation Automation SysEx Automation The MPX 1 will transmit SysEx automation messages when the System mode MIDI Automation parameter is set to On. Virtually all changes made by front panel operations are transmitted as MPX 1 SysEx messages. This is intended primarily for use by editor programs and in configurations where it is desirable for one or more MPX 1s to be slaved to a single MPX 1 acting as a master.
  • Page 73: Bulk Data Dumps

    Tempo. MIDI Implementation Details, including System Exclusive documentation, are available to assist experienced programmers in developing software for use with the MPX 1. These can be obtained directly from Lexicon. Request: MPX 1 MIDI Implementation Details. Bulk Data Dumps...
  • Page 74: Midi Implementation Chart

    MIDI Operation MIDI Implementation Chart Lexicon MPX 1 Digital Effects System Function Transmitted Recognized Remarks Basic Default Channel Changed 1-16 1-16, OMNI Mode Default Mode 1 Mode 1, 3 Messages Altered Note 0-127 0-127 Last Note, Low Note, Number High Note, LGate, Gate,...
  • Page 75: The Effects And Parameters

    The Effects and Parameters The Effects and Parameters The MPX 1 contains a library of 57 effects, each of which is described in detail in this section. The effects are organized into six effect types corresponding to the Effect Selector buttons on the front panel (Pitch, Chorus, EQ, Mod, Delay, and Reverb).
  • Page 76: Notes On Combining Effects

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Notes on Different effects require different amounts of MPX 1 processing. The following notes should be kept in mind when creating new combinations of effects in a Combining Effects program. All reverb effects have dedicated processing and can be used in combination with any other effect.
  • Page 77: Pitch Effects

    The Effects and Parameters Pitch Effects In the Pitch effects: Detune (M), (S) and (D) and Shift (M), (S) and (D), Tune controls the amount of pitch shift. The Optimize parameter (an option of Tune) allows balancing of any artifacts vs. the amount of delay through the effect. Higher settings of Optimize are good for chords and low notes, lower settings minimize the delay through the effect.
  • Page 78: Shift (M), Shift (S) And Shift (D)

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Shift (M), Shift (S) and Shift (D) Shift (M) Shift (S) The pitch shift effects are de- signed to provide both fine (1 cent resolution) and coarse (semitone resolution) pitch shift effects. Use them to create harmonizations, detuning, or special effects.
  • Page 79: Test Tone

    The Effects and Parameters Test Tone Test Tone is an audio sine wave generator with its output quantized to correspond with the pitches of a chromatic scale (A = 440 Hz) over a nine-and-one-half octave range. It is provided primarily as a conve- nient way of generating test tones and tuning references.
  • Page 80: Chorus Effects

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Chorus Effects The chorus effects are generally used to enhance a sound by modulating delay times and/ or frequency content in various ways. Of course, the classic effects of this type : Chorus, Flanger and Phaser are all here – along with several other variations such as: Rotary Cab, Aerosol, Orbits, Centrifuge, Comb 1 and Comb 2.
  • Page 81: Flanger (M) And Flanger (S)

    The Effects and Parameters Flanger (M) and Flanger (S) Originally, flanging effects were Flanger (M) Flanger (S) created by simultaneously playing two identical programs on two tape recorders, then using hand pres- sure against the flange of the tape reels to slow down first one ma- chine, then the other.
  • Page 82: Rotary Cab

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Rotary Cab This effect simulates a Leslie speaker with one pair of stereo mics on the rotating low-frequency drum, and another pair on the ro- tating high-frequency horn. Bal sets the relative mix of Drum and Horn mics.
  • Page 83: Orbits

    The Effects and Parameters Orbits Orbits processes the left and right inputs independently with a pair of modulated delay/auto panners. This effect can be used to create spatial effects via a com- bination of Doppler and level pan- ning. In the Orbits effect, Pulse Width controls allow independent adjust- ment of left and right LFOs from 0-100%...
  • Page 84: Centrifuge1 And Centrifuge2

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Centrifuge1 and Centrifuge2 Centrifuge1 The Centrifuge effects have a pair of modulated left and right delays routed into a single auto panner. In these effects, mod and pan rate and depth (Rate1, Depth1) are modulated by an additional set of rate and depth controls (Rate2, Depth2).
  • Page 85: Comb 1 And Comb 2

    The Effects and Parameters Comb 1 and Comb 2 Comb 1 The Comb effects work by com- bining the original input signal with a micro-delayed version. The tiny delay difference between the two signals causes certain frequen- cies to be cancelled or reinforced when the two are combined.
  • Page 86: Eq Effects

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon EQ Effects At its simplest, equalization is the process of cutting and boosting certain frequencies to make portions of program material more or less audible. This is generally accomplished by combining filters which affect a specific “band” of frequencies together with gain controls.The three types of filters commonly used...
  • Page 87 The Effects and Parameters EQ Tips (for tweakers only) About “Q” Q is a measure of the sharpness of an EQ curve. The larger the Q value, the sharper the curve. In some situa- tions it is convenient to think of Q in terms of bandwidth in octaves.
  • Page 88: 1-Band (M), 2-Band (M), 3-Band (M) And 4-Band (M)

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon 1-Band (M), 2-Band (M), 3-Band (M) and 4-Band (M) The 1-Band (M) effect provides a single band of double-precision parametric EQ. 2-Band (M), 3-Band (M) and 4- Band (M) have two, three and four bands, respectively, of double-pre- cision parametric EQ.
  • Page 89: Sweepfilter

    The Effects and Parameters SweepFilter SweepFilter simulates a Moog- type resonant low-pass filter. Cut- off frequency and output level are interpolated, and can be swept. The performance of this filter is high enough that it can be used as a lowpass filter for hiss reduction. The parameters were de- signed to allow synthesizer-like 0-100%...
  • Page 90: Fc Splitter

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Fc Splitter The Fc Splitter effect splits a mono input into a low-passed out- put on the left channel and a high- passed output on the right, with independent control of the corner frequencies of both filters. If the...
  • Page 91: The 2-Tone And 3-Tone Effects

    The Effects and Parameters The Tone effects allow you to create a unique set of EQs to make simple tone The 2-Tone and adjustments. 3-Tone Effects The 2-Tone effects split the signal into two bands, one low and one high, with the controls to create low or high shelving filters.
  • Page 92: 3-Tone (M), 3-Tone (S) And 3-Tone (D)

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon The 3-Tone effects have two selectable frequency selectors (Fc1 and Fc2) which split the signal into three bands controlled by Gain1, Gain2 and Gain3. The diagram below shows a few of the infinite variety of EQ curves which can be obtained from the 3-Tone effects.
  • Page 93: Mod Effects

    The Effects and Parameters The Mod effects are a collection of pan, gain, and volume processors that can be Mod Effects modulated with built-in contollers or with any MPX 1 patch source. With the exception of Overdrive, all Mod effects require relatively small amounts of processing resources and can therefore be used in combination with many other effects.
  • Page 94: Tremolo (M) And Tremolo (S)

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Tremolo (M) and Tremolo (S) Tremolo (M) Tremolo (S) In Tremolo (M), the left and right inputs are mixed together, then a local sinewave generator modu- lates the volume. In Tremolo (S) the left input is...
  • Page 95: Volume (M), Volume (S) And Volume (D)

    The Effects and Parameters Volume (M), Volume (S) and Volume (D) Volume (M) Volume (S) The Volume effects are in- cluded here for convenience when constructing programs that don't use Modulation effects. These effects are simple, but have many applications. Place them in front of, or behind, other effect blocks to provide smooth Volume (D)
  • Page 96: Delay Effects

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Delay Effects The Delay effects include delay, echo, looping and ducking effects. Delays are high quality digital delays. Echoes are similar to delays, but low-pass filters have been added to simulate the high-frequency rolloff that occurs naturally in acoustic echoes and in echoes created with analog tape.
  • Page 97: Delay (M), Delay (S) And Delay (D)

    The Effects and Parameters Delay (M), Delay (S) and Delay (D) Delay (M) Delay (M) is a simple mono de- Delay (S) lay with feedback. Delay (S) is a simple stereo de- lay with feedback. Delay (D) is a dual delay with feedback, crossfeedback, inde- pendent output level adjusts, and panners.
  • Page 98: Echo (M), Echo (S) And Echo (D)

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Echo (M), Echo (S) and Echo (D) The Echo effects are similar to Echo (M) the Delay effects, except the feed- back inputs are sent through 1- pole low-pass filters. Damp provides control over the cutoff frequency of the filter.
  • Page 99: Looper

    The Effects and Parameters Looper In the Looper effect InMix controls the ratio of input to feedback into the delay. This parameter is ducked by the input level, so that louder signals route the input sig- nal into the delay, and softer sig- nals route the feedback signal into the delay.
  • Page 100: Reverb Effects

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Reverb Effects The MPX 1 Reverb effects provide a full suite of reverberation and ambience algorithms. All of the reverbs are true stereo in that differerent processing is applied to the left and right input signals. Dedicated processing resources are allocated to the reverb effects so that you can always load any reverb into any program, regardless of what other effects are loaded.
  • Page 101: Plate

    The Effects and Parameters Plate Plate effects were originally gen- erated by large, thin sheets of metal suspended upright under tension on springs. Transducers attached to the plate would transmit a signal which would, in turn, vibrate the plate. Because the plate provided a denser medium than air, sounds broadcast through it would seem 0-100%...
  • Page 102: Ambience

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Ambience The Ambience effect gives warmth, spaciousness and depth to a performance without coloring the direct sound, and is commonly used to add a room sound to re- corded music or speech. The ef- fect simulates reflections from...
  • Page 103: Mpx 1 Internal Controllers

    MPX 1 Internal Controllers This chapter describes all of the MPX 1 internal controllers. Examples of presets MPX 1 Internal which make use of a controller are noted to the side of each description. The Controllers controls for making individual adjustments and assignments to the controllers are available in the Edit menu and are described in Chapter 3: Editing.
  • Page 104: Arpeggiator

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Arpeggiator The MPX 1 arpeggiator requires a MIDI note source (keyboard, sequencer, etc.) to be connected to the MIDI IN connector. Once connected it will arpeggiate keys that are held down. You can use the arpeggiator as a source to control MPX 1...
  • Page 105: Adr1 And Adr2

    MPX 1 Internal Controllers These ADSR-type envelope generators can be gated on and off via any MPX 1 ADR1 and ADR2 patch source. Aside from the usual attack, decay, sustain and release param- eters. The MPX 1 ADRs include additional controls that allow you to further ADR Modes customize their behavior.
  • Page 106: A/B Glide

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon The A/B Glide controller is linked to the front panel A/B button and LEDs. A/B Glide Pressing the button toggles the state of the controller between A and B, as indicated by the LEDs. A/B Glide Modes...
  • Page 107: S/H

    MPX 1 Internal Controllers The sample and hold controller is similar to functions found in many synthesiz- ers. Its output is derived by “sampling” the value of an input signal.The MPX 1 version allows you to select any controller as the input signal, and also allows you to select any controller to trigger the sample.
  • Page 108: Footswitch Controllers

    MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Footswitch Controllers The rear panel Foot Switch jack can be connected to as many as three independent analog switches. Each switch appears as two simultaneous patch sources. Tog1: Value toggles between 0 and 127 at each off/on transition of foot switch 1.
  • Page 109: Preset Descriptions

    RvbEko Morph Press A/B to moprh between a long decay reverb and echoes. 480PrimeFlng The Stereo Flanger effect is used to emulate the characteristics of the Lexicon 480L Prime Flange program. RandomDetune This program uses randomly demodulated dual detuners. Press Value to access the overall depth of the detuning.
  • Page 110 MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Tiled Room A small bright room for percussion and tight rhythm guitar. Bright Room A small, airy room. An excellent general purpose ambience effect. Plate Space A huge, bright, loooong plate reverb. Ambience4 PA Optimized for PA, this program adds “air” around vocals or other sources without making them muddy.
  • Page 111 MPX 1 Internal Controllers Percus Place A bright medium-sized room for percussion. Snare Gate Fatten up the snare with this short, EQ’d, gated Chamber. Controls for the gate rates and sensitivity, as well as reverb and EQ settings are in the Soft Row. Md Drumroom A medium-sized, bright room for drums.
  • Page 112 MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Small Hall The name says it all. Medium Hall A bright, empty medium-sized hall. Large Hall A very large space with a little extra emphasis in the low end. Piano Hall A long smooth hall optmized for acoustic piano. Stereo EQ follows the reverb so you can fine tune the tone or the reverberation to fit the mix.
  • Page 113 MPX 1 Internal Controllers DoubleEQ Rvb A bright, EQ’d and slightly predelayed small room reverb. Rev Wahtouch A bright reverse reverb through a wah. The wah filter is controlled by input level. Tap GatedRvb A tempo-contolled LFO is used as a rhythmic gate to a large plate. The gate is opened every other beat for the duration of an eighth-note.
  • Page 114 MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon EkoSweepFltr This program employs the 4-pole resonant sweep filter. Its frequency is swept by the output level of the dual delay that feeds into it – and it’s inside the delay feedback loop! Way cool with percussive sources. Be sure to check this one out with guitar and bass too.
  • Page 115 MPX 1 Internal Controllers Rubberate A comb flange controlled by input level with slight delays and ambience. FlangeNonlin A flange fed into a nonlinear reverb. TalkinFlange A throaty vowel effect controlled by input level. Works well with percussive or melodic sources.
  • Page 116 MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Up 3 Down 5 Standard triad harmony. Press A/B to change the third from major to minor. 4 Funky Comp A detuned and phased signal fed into a very very small predelayed hall reverb. 5th Plate A pitch shifter tuned to a fifth, fed into a medium plate.
  • Page 117 MPX 1 Internal Controllers Phased Place A small room with predelay and phase shifting. Fazer->DlyPan Phase shifter, tap tempo echo and panners are combined to produce a richly undulating wash of tone. Dry and delayed versions of the phase shifter are panned separately and chase each other through stereo space.
  • Page 118 MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon OD Rotary A rotary speaker effect with some built-in overdrive. Press A/B to switch between fast and slow speeds. This program is already set up to use MIDI AfterTouch to toggle between slow and fast speeds.
  • Page 119 MPX 1 Internal Controllers Submarine Who could have possibly fathomed an underwater sound as deep as this? 50’s Sci Fi Inspired by the score of “Forbidden Planet”. This preset plays a cascade of descending pitches all by itself — complete with echoes and reverberation! Press A/B to turn off the pitch generator and process the input of your choice.
  • Page 120 MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Programs 165-199 each contain a single effect. While each of these programs is meant to be used alone, many can be used as building blocks when you create your own multi- effect programs from scratch. Use Copy Effect in Edit mode to copy different combina- tions of these effects into a single program.
  • Page 121 MPX 1 Internal Controllers Wah Pedal The wah effect, patched up for pedal control. Pedal Filter Four pole resonant filter with pedal-controlled cut-off frequency. A very analog sounding effect. 3-Tone A simple low, mid, high tone control. LFO Filter A low pass filter modulated by an LFO. RumbleFilter EQ with very steep roll-off below 50 Hz created by cascading four low shelf filters.
  • Page 122 MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Tight Plate A nice short plate reverb for drums and percussion. Clean Slate Want to start from scratch? This one’s as empty as they get. 9-14...
  • Page 123: Troubleshooting

    MPX 1 front panel, or by simple means such as cable replacement. Any error states which are not covered here should be referred to your local dealer or Lexicon Customer Service. Low Voltage In a low-voltage, or "brown-out"...
  • Page 124: Operational Problems

    The MPX 1 performs a series of self tests each time it is powered on, then Power On Behavior displays the MPX 1 copyright notice. This should be followed by the display and loading of the last loaded effect. If this sequence does not occur, contact Lexicon Customer Service. 10-2...
  • Page 125: Specifications

    Specifications MPX 1 Specifications Audio Input Connectors: 1/4 inch T/R/S phone jacks (2), XLR 3-wire balanced (2) Impedance: +4dB/BAL switch position: 100k -10dB/UNBAL switch position: 50k Levels: +4dB/BAL switch position: -2dBu min for full scale, +20dBu max -10dB/UNBAL switch position: -14dBu min for full scale, +8dBu max CMRR: +4dB/BAL switch position: 40dB minimum, 10Hz to 20kHz Audio Output...
  • Page 126 MPX 1 User Guide Lexicon Internal Audio Data Paths Conversion: 18 bit A/D, 20-bit D/A DSP: 32 bits S/PDIF I/O: 24 bits Control Interface MIDI: 7-pin DIN connector for MIDI IN/powered bidirectional remote 5-pin DIN connectors for MIDI THRU and OUT...
  • Page 127 Lexicon Inc. 3 Oak Park Bedford MA 01730-1441 USA Telephone 781-280-0300 Fax 781-280-0490 Lexicon Part # 070-11097 Rev 2 Printed in P.R.C.

This manual is also suitable for:

Mpx 1

Table of Contents