Tempo Mode - Lexicon PCM 90 - REV 1 User Manual

PCM 90 User Guide

Tempo Mode

When Compare is on, Tap
will not alter the tempo, but
will still reset the LFOs. See
Chapter 3 Modulation.
2-20
The PCM 90 gives you unique control over tempo. In the PCM 90, tempo is not
just a matter of setting echo rates. Any delay parameter and any time-based
modulator (LFO1, LFO2, Sw 1, Sw 2 and Mod: Delay) can be individually
assigned to an absolute time value, or assigned to a tempo value.
For example, a delay time can be set to a specific number of milliseconds, and
you will always get a delay of that number of milliseconds, regardless of tempo
changes. Alternatively, a delay time can be set to a specific ratio of echoes to
beats. Now, if you create a rhythmic echo pattern, delay times will be linked to
tempo. When you change tempo, the delay time will change to maintain the
same rhythm at the new tempo.
With the LFOs, time-based switches, and Mod: Delay, the rate of change can be
an absolute value (such as once per second), or it can be linked to tempo (for
example, once every four beats). Almost any delay parameter, or time-based
modulator, can be set to its own individual rhythm, allowing you to set up an effect
which will change in a rhythmically interesting way — evolving over time, for
example, as opposed to being a mere series of repetitions. Once delays and
time-based modulators are assigned, tempo rate can be easily changed in a
variety of useful ways.
Tempo Rate can be set internally or via MIDI. If Tempo Source is set to Internal,
you can dial in any tempo from 40-400 BPM at location 0.0 in the Tempo mode
matrix. Alternatively, you can press the front panel Tap button twice in rhythm
to establish the rate you want, or you can have the value of a patch source act
as a tap trigger. (See Patching.) The tap function, whether performed by the front
panel Tap button, or by an assigned controller, is always active, allowing you to
change tempo on the fly from any mode. You can also choose to have your
tempo transmitted as a MIDI Clock signal to control the tempo of connected MIDI
devices (Control mode 3.6). If Source is set to MIDI Clock, PCM 90 tempo will
sync to incoming MIDI Clock. Whether tempo is set internally or via MIDI, the
LED in the Tempo button will flash at the current rate. (You can disable the
Tempo LED flashing under Tempo mode 1.3.) Press and hold the Tempo button
at any time to display the current Tempo Rate and Source.
Each effect in the PCM 90 has its own tempo rate setting which is stored with the
effect. You can override these individual tempo rates with a global tempo rate
at Control Mode 1.2. Tempo is also available as an independent patch source
which can control any effect parameter. (See Patching later in this chapter.)
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