Owner's Manual CP-3 Digital Surround Processor
Lexicon Unpacking and Inspection After unpacking the CP-3, save all packing materials in case you ever need to ship the unit. Thoroughly inspect the CP-3 and packing materials for signs of damage. Remove the adhesive protective film from the CP-3 frontpanel lens. Report any shipment damage to the carrier at once; report equipment malfunction to your dealer. Precautions This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Safety Suggestions Read Instructions Read all safety and operating instructions before operating the unit. Retain Instructions Keep the safety and operating instructions for future reference. qualified service personnel when: the power supply cord or the plug has been damaged, objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the unit, the unit has been exposed to rain, Heed Warnings Adhere to all warnings on the unit and in the operating instructions.
CP-3 Digital Surround Processor Owner's Manual
CP-3 Digital Surround Processor Contents 1 Introduction to the CP-3 Introduction Using the Documentation System Overview 1 1 3 4 2 Installation and Calibration Controls and Indicators The Front Panel • The Rear Panel The Standard Remote • The Expanded Remote Connection Location Cosiderations • AC Connections Wiring Considerations • Audio/Video Connections • Connecting the CP-3 as a preamp • Connecting the CP-3 in a tape monitor loop • Video Connections 7 7 12 Calibration LCD Adjustment • The Video O
CP-3 Digital Surround Processor All of the operating modes of the Lexicon CP-3 Digital Surround Processor have a common goal: to draw you, the listener, more deeply into a musical performance or a film. For music the CP-3 uses true stereo digital processing to recreate the original recording space or to create a new one of your choosing.
Introduction to the CP-3 Lexicon The Ambience and Reverberation modes transform the listening room into a new acoustic space, letting you choose an environment which matches your music or your mood. Unlike most ambience processors, the CP-3 provides full stereo processing, preserving the critical SI information in the recording and expanding upon it. The Ambience mode generates the side and rear reflection patterns of idealized rooms and concert halls.
CP-3 Digital Surround Processor Because the CP-3 is designed to be customized for your system and your listening space, the information required for installation is considerably more extensive than that required for use of the system. We have, therefore, provided separate documentation for these needs. The CP-3 is shipped with an Owner's Manual, a Quick Reference Card and a booklet titled: CP-3 Theory and Design.
Introduction to the CP-3 System Overview Glossary of Terms Lexicon Although the CP-3 performs very complex signal processing, a great deal of effort has gone into making the technology behind the effects as transparent as possible to the user. To understand the overall organization of the unit, it is helpful to define those few terms which are unique to the CP-3. Mode A mode is a configuration that determines how the CP-3 will process an input signal.
CP-3 Digital Surround Processor Introduction to the CP-3 Essentially, the CP-3 can be thought of as a line level preamp with one audio-only and three audio/video inputs. It behaves as the master processor for your system, controlling system volume, balance, source selections and acoustical environments. Two remote control units are provided with the system: an Expanded remote, and a Standard remote.
Installation and Calibration CP-3 Digital Surround Processor 2 Controls and Indicators The Front Panel 1. Input The four INPUT buttons are used to select which input is processed by the CP-3. Pressing any one of these buttons will select that input and light the LED above it. The CP-3 can be programmed to engage a specific operating mode for each input, so changing inputs may change the mode being used. See Auto-Mode Load, Page 24. 2.
Controls and Indicators Lexicon The Rear Panel CAUTION: Never make or break any connections to the CP-3 with the rear-panel power ON. Make sure any associated amplifiers have been turned off for at least one minute before turning this master power switch on or off. 1. Power On/Off The master power switch should be left ON when the unit is in regular use.
Controls and Indicators CP-3 Digital Surround Processor The Standard Remote 4. On/Off Turning the CP-3 off with this button (or the front panel ON/ OFF button) deactivates the unit while leaving power to the signal processing circuitry to keep it at optimum operating temperature. 1. The Operating Modes The five operating mode buttons on the Standard Remote can be customized to load any of 45 operating modes.
Controls and Indicators Lexicon The Expanded Remote 1. The Modes THX CINEMA (15) combines Dolby Pro Logic decoding and the spectral enhancements of the LucasFilm Home THX Cinema system to re-create film sound in your home the way it was heard in the final production stages. The PANORAMA modes (1, 2 and 3) provide enhanced lateral sound (and hence greater spaciousness and envelopment) for either music or films. This mode is effective even using only the two front loudspeakers.
Controls and Indicators CP-3 Digital Surround Processor 5. Bank The BANK button switches between the three register banks: the Presets and the two User register Banks (A & B) where customized modes may be stored. The mode number doesn’t change: if you are using Preset 9, pressing BANK once switches to User A9, pressing BANK again switches to USER B9, and pressing BANK once more selects Preset 9. 6.
Connection Lexicon Connection Location Considerations The CP-3 is a highly specialized signal processing computer and requires special care during installation to ensure optimum performance. The CP-3 may be installed on a shelf or in a standard 19" equipment rack, using rack-mounting hardware available from Lexicon. Observe the following precautions: • Select a dry, well-ventilated location out of direct sunlight. • Do not stack the CP-3 directly above heat-producing equipment such as power amplifiers.
Connection CP-3 Digital Surround Processor Wiring Considerations There is controversy over the audible effects of different types of interconnects. Good engineering practices have minimized the effect that cables might have on the inputs and outputs of the CP-3 — but feel free to evaluate different interconnects in your system.
Connection Audio/Video Connections Lexicon Before making any connections, turn off ALL audio and video components, including individual power amplifiers. (Unplug any preamps and power amps that don’t have power switches.) The CP-3 is designed to function as the control center of the system, selecting inputs and controlling the volume of all speakers in the system.
CP-3 Digital Surround Processor If there are four or fewer sources to be used in the system, they can each be connected directly to the CP-3 inputs. A typical system might use Input 1 for television, Input 2 for VCR, Input 3 for video disc and Input 4 for CD player or turntable (output through a preamp). Since Input 4 is audio only, the video output will default to the video signal from Input 1. This feature allows TV or other video source viewing while different audio is playing.
Connection Connecting the CP-3 in a Tape Monitor Loop Lexicon If you have a receiver with no external access to the preamplifier outputs, you can use a tape output or external processor loop to the CP-3. However, any change in the receiver’s volume control after the system is adjusted will upset the balance between the main and auxiliary speakers. * In this configuration, use a Y-connector to hook the VCR to Video 1 as well if its tuner is used instead of the TV tuner.
CP-3 Digital Surround Processor The CP-3 has three video inputs and one video output. The inputs are labeled VIDEO IN 1, 2, and 3, and are switched along with audio inputs 1, 2, and 3 via the front panel or either remote. (Audio Input 4 will use the video signal from Video Input 1.) These inputs are designed for standard NTSC composite video signals such as those found at the outputs of video disc players and VCRs.
Calibration Lexicon Calibration When turning on the CP-3 for the first time, perform the Restore Defaults routine described in Chapter 4 of this manual. LCD Adjustment Depending on the location of the CP-3 in your room, you may need to adjust the front panel Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) for optimum viewing. To adjust this display, press the SETUP key on the Expanded Remote. The CP-3 is now in SETUP mode. Within this mode, operations are carried out using the three PARAM buttons and STORE.
CP-3 Digital Surround Processor In addition to the front-panel LCD, the CP-3 contains a character generator for a video overlay display on television sets. Since the On-Screen Display is capable of showing the full menu of options available at any point, calibration of the system is faster and easier if the CP-3 video output is connected to a video input on a television monitor. Calibration The Video On-Screen Display Adjustments to the on-screen display are made from the Display Adjust menu.
Calibration The Setup Menu 20 Lexicon Press SETUP to display the Setup menu. PARAM will step the cursor through the Setup menu selections. Once an item is selected, pressing PARAM ▲ or ▼ will display a sub-menu for that item. With the sub-menu displayed, PARAM once again selects menu items. PARAM ▲ and ▼ adjust the settings of the selected item over its available range. Press STORE to exit any sub-menu; press SETUP to return to the Setup menu. Press SETUP again to exit the Setup menu.
CP-3 Digital Surround Processor The CP-3 Configuration Menu allows a wide range of choices in speaker placement and room setups to maintain optimal performance in almost any room with virtually any speaker system. A table of these menu choices is shown below. Calibration Setting the Speaker Configuration 80Hz HPF Turns on and off the High Pass Filter that removes low frequency information from the left, center, right, side and rear outputs (12dB per octave, -3dB at 80 Hz.
Calibration Setting Input Levels Lexicon There are four inputs on the CP-3. Inputs 1, 2 and 3 switch audio and video; Input 4 switches audio only and outputs the video signal from Video Input 1. Each input can be assigned an individual gain level to compensate for sources with different output levels. You can create a name that will be displayed on the screen whenever that input is selected and have each input automatically engage the proper operating mode.
CP-3 Digital Surround Processor Calibration The PARAM ▲ and ▼ buttons increase or decrease the input gain for the input you have selected over a range of -18dB to +12dB. Your setting is displayed(in dB) as the MAN (manual) setting. The AUTO setting shows the optimum input level as determined by the CP-3. If the manual level is set too high, causing input overload, the input level will automatically decrease to the point at which it is no longer causing overload.
Calibration Lexicon Auto-Mode Load (Automatic Input Mode Loading) Auto-Mode Load determines which operating mode will be engaged when a specific input is selected. For example, the input for a video disc player would load the Home THX Cinema mode, while the input for a CD player would load the Music Surround mode. Any of the preset modes or any of the CP-3's 30 User Registers can be selected — or the current mode can remain unchanged.
CP-3 Digital Surround Processor When CP-3 Input and Output levels are set properly, the entire system will be calibrated to play films at the level intended by the director. Setting the output levels is easy, particularly if a Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter is used. Using the PARAM and the PARAM ▲ and ▼ buttons, adjust the level of each individual output until they are all the same relative level. You can use an external source for this, or the CP-3's internally generated calibration signal.
Calibration Lexicon In the absence of an SPL meter, it is possible to set the output level by ear. Use the built-in signal generator in the CP-3 to adjust all volumes to be the same as they cycle around the various speakers. Depending on timbre variations between your speakers, this may be difficult to judge, get as close as you can. The system should be reasonably well balanced, although not actually calibrated for precise playback level matching.
CP-3 Digital Surround Processor The Listener Position must be calibrated for the Panorama mode and the Panorma Effect parameter in Reverb and Ambience modes to work optimally. Calibration of the listener position is performed from the setup menu. Press SETUP, then select "LISTENER POS". Calibration Calibrating the Listener Position Panorama works by canceling the sound going from each speaker to the opposite ear.
Calibration Lexicon From the Setup menu, use the PARAM button to select the LISTENER POS menu, then press PARAM ▲ three times to show the following display: CALIBRATE NOISE CALIBRATE LEFT ONLY If you are symmetrically centered between the two front speakers, the test signal should sound as though it is coming from off to your left side, well beyond the left speaker, with near-total silence in your right ear. Still facing forward, move your head from side to side until the effect is strongest.
Calibration CP-3 Digital Surround Processor When presented with several similar sounds (as in the case of surround sound) we tend to localize on the first sound we hear.Because rear speakers are often closer to the listening area than the main speakers, occasional leakage of the front channel sound into the surround speakers can be audible and distracting. Delaying the sound from the rear speakers gives the sound from the front a chance to reach the listener before the surrounds kick in.
Customization Lexicon Customization Locking In Settings After you have calibrated and customized the CP-3, there are two additional steps recommended to safeguard the settings: First, document your adjustments on the Installation Worksheet (provided at the end of this manual) if you have not already done so. Second, consider locking the settings in so that they cannot be inadvertently changed.
Customization CP-3 Digital Surround Processor At this point an underline character appears in the bottom row of the LCD display. (On the on-screen display, one of the characters of the current name will flash.) The cursor will move to the leftmost character of the mode name. Now push PARAM ▲ or ▼ until the character you want appears in the space. (Holding either button for one second activates an auto-repeat mode to speed you through the list.
Customization Lexicon Modifying the Mode Chapter 3 describes the CP-3’s four basic modes and all of their variable parameters. Any changes in the parameters of a mode in the User bank will be automatically recorded and stored for future use. The CP-3 also allows you to store a new version of any Preset or User mode in any User register.
CP-3 Digital Surround Processor To rename any mode, press the STORE button. The display reads: Customization Renaming a mode STORE MENU >STORE THIS MODE SET MODE NAME. Move the cursor to select "SET MODE NAME". The PARAM button will now move the cursor to one of twelve available spaces in the display, while PARAM ▲ and ▼ cycle through the available list of characters, beginning with the one currently occupying the space. At this point an underline character appears in the bottom row of the LCD display.
CP-3 Digital Surround Processor The CP-3 contains four basic operating modes: Panorama, Ambience, Reverb and Surround. Each of these modes is labeled on the Expanded remote, with its variations. Pushing one of the buttons numbered 1-15 during normal operation will load that mode. Whenever the CP-3 is turned on, it will load the mode that was running when it was turned off.
Using the CP-3 Lexicon Panorama Panorama extracts the natural ambience from recorded music and moves it outward from the speakers, producing greater width and depth of image and a feeling of enhanced spaciousness. This mode adds no additional sound but expands the existing stereo image. Panorama also works with Dolby Stereo movies, bringing the surround track outward into the room. Panorama works with just two loudspeakers. The front speakers are driven entirely from the CP-3’s digital circuits.
CP-3 Digital Surround Processor Using the CP-3 INPUT BALANCE compensates for the occasional source with audible channel imbalance. It is especially important when using Panorama for movies. If the movie sound tracks are unbalanced, the dialog will wander away from the center; adjusting the Input Balance corrects for this. LF WIDTH controls the amount of low-frequency spatial correction that is applied to the signal.
Using the CP-3 Lexicon Ambience Ambience generates the appropriate early reflections for stereo simulation of one of six different halls — one rectangular hall and one fan-shaped hall in small, medium and large sizes — and sends the reflections to the side and rear speakers. For systems without side speakers, Ambience also incorporates a version of Panorama that will spread the stereo image and add the reflections it generates to the expanded sound stage.
CP-3 Digital Surround Processor Using the CP-3 side speakers are absent. (If the system is configured without side speakers, the signal normally sent to the sides will be mixed into the front outputs.) SPEECH DETECT The Speech Detection circuit distinguishes monaural speech from other inputs. Essentially, this control turns down the effect to make speech clearer. Whenever stereo signals are present, the right and left input channels are used independently as inputs to the ambience synthesis.
Using the CP-3 Lexicon Reverb essed stereo signal. Note that the S/N Optimizer is not active in this mode. The Reverberation mode differs from Ambience in that it does not simulate the early reflections of specific halls, but emphasizes rich, smooth reverberant decay in small, medium or large spaces. It works well for simulating a space with a long reverberation time relative to its size, such as a reverberant chamber, or a church.
CP-3 Digital Surround Processor Using the CP-3 value of 0 is usually a good starting point. Increasing the pre-delay will make the hall sound larger. PANORAMA EFFECT adjusts the strength of the signal used to expand the stereo image outward from the front two speakers. Its initial value is zero, unless you have configured the CP-3 for no side loudspeakers. SPEECH DETECT The Speech Detection circuit distinguishes monaural speech from other inputs.
Using the CP-3 Lexicon Surround Surround Parameters The SURROUND modes make full use of additional loudspeakers at the center, sides and rear of the room. TELEVISION provides surround effects for television viewing of monaural, stereo, and stereo synthesized programs. MUSIC is a 7-channel ambience extraction mode, appropriate for any type of music. It also provides a unique way to listen to films, particularly stereo films which are not Dolby surround encoded.
CP-3 Digital Surround Processor Using the CP-3 music. When it is on, special patented algorithms continually monitor the input signal and adjust both the relative level and time offset of the two channels to keep the dialog properly centered and special effects properly localized. This automatic feature is why the CP-3 does not have or need an input balance control for Dolby Surround decoding.
Using the CP-3 Lexicon Music * OFF if configured with no center speaker ** BYPASS if center speaker configured as NONE or FULL; 63 Hz if configured as SMALL (Presets only) EFFECT LEVEL controls the loudness of the center, side and rear outputs. CENTER LEVEL attenuates the level of the center channel and can turn it off completely. The proper setting for this control will vary depending on the recording and your taste. There is no "correct" setting. CENTER DELAY provides a delay of the center channel.
Using the CP-3 CP-3 Digital Surround Processor REAR ROLLOFF sets the frequency above which the rear channel sound is attenuated. It should be high enough to give presence and airiness to the rear sound, but not so high as to place distracting instrumental overtones or other sounds behind you. The appropriate setting will vary with program material. REAR DELAY Since the rear channel in Music contains extracted ambient information, it typically does not need as much delay as the film surround modes.
Using the CP-3 Lexicon Mono Logic * 6 if configured with center speaker; 15 if configured without center speaker (Presets only) The setting of EFFECT LEVEL is very important in Mono Logic. If this control is set too high, the sound will be too reverberant; too low, a setting will result in an insufficient amount of the effect. This control adjusts the loudness of the side and rear outputs as well as the amount of ambient signal mixed into the front speakers.
Using the CP-3 CP-3 Digital Surround Processor Pro Logic * depends on speaker configuration ** Inaccessible if side speakers configured as THX or NONE EFFECT LEVEL controls the loudness of the front, side and rear outputs. The AUTO AZIMUTH/BAL (short for Auto Azimuth Error Correction/ Automatic Input Balance) parameter should be set to ON for films, OFF for music.
Using the CP-3 Lexicon THX Cinema * depends on speaker configuration EFFECT LEVEL is inactive in this mode. The RE-EQUALIZER equalizes the left, center and right channel outputs to match the overall frequency balance of the original recording. Without this re-equalization, many films, and some television programs, will sound too bright and become fatiguing to listen to.
Troubleshooting If you encounter a problem, please review the items in the following checklist. Also be sure to thoroughly check all other connected components such as speakers, receiver/amplifier/preamp, VCR, TV, CD player, etc. Problem 4 Troubleshooting CP-3 Digital Surround Processor Troubleshooting Possible Cause and Solution Power does not come on Check line cord to ensure good connection to the AC outlet and to the receptacle on the CP-3 rear panel.
Troubleshooting Problem Lexicon Possible Cause and Solution Hum Finding and eliminating audio hum in a complex installation can be a very frustrating task. Often, the easiest way to identify the culprit(s) is to systematically eliminate devices from the audio chain. If Cable TV is connected to any component in the system, start by unplugging the Cable completely, preferably right at the wall jack. If this eliminates, or greatly reduces the hum, it is worth a call to your Cable company.
CP-3 Digital Surround Processor Troubleshooting Other than occasional replacement of the batteries in the remote control units, the CP-3 requires minimal maintenance. Use a soft, lint-free cloth slightly dampened with warm water and a mild detergent to clean the exterior surfaces of the unit. Do not use alcohol, benzene or acetone-based cleaners or any strong commercial cleaners. Avoid using any abrasive materials such as steel wool or metal polish.
5 Installation Installation CP-3 Digital Surround Processor Documentation Documentation Installation Documentation This section is provided for the documentation of values set during system setup and calibration. The Setup menu selections are reproduced here for your convenience when filling out the worksheet.
Installation Documentation The Setup Menu 54 Lexicon Press SETUP to display the Setup menu. PARAM will step the cursor through the Setup menu selections. Once an item is selected, pressing PARAM ▲ or ▼ will display a sub-menu for that item. With the sub-menu displayed, PARAM once again selects menu items. PARAM ▲ and ▼ adjust the settings of the selected item over its available range. Press STORE to exit any sub-menu; press SETUP to return to the Setup menu. Press SETUP again to exit the Setup menu.
Installation Documentation CP-3 Digital Surround Processor Installation Worksheet CP-3 serial #_________ Installed by________________________________Phone____________________Date______________ Input 1 2 3 4 Gain ____dB ____dB Name ______________________ ______________________ Auto Mode Load _______________ ______________ Wiring comments ________________________ ________________________ ____dB ____dB ______________________ ______________________ _______________ _______________ ____________________
Specifications 6 Specifications CP-3 Digital Surround Processor Specifications Inputs: Audio: 4 stereo pairs Minimum Input Level: 300 mVrms for maximum output 35 mVrms for Dolby level Input Impedance: 100 kΩ in parallel with 100pf Video: 3 composite, NTSC M standard Input Sensitivity and Impedance: 1V p-p, 75Ω Outputs: Audio: 8 outputs (Left, Right, Center, Subwoofer, 2 Side, 2 Rear) Maximum Output Level: 6 Vrms Output Impedance: 500 Ω Video: 1 composite, NTSC M standard Output Level and Impedance: 1
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