MPX 500 24-Bit Dual Channel Processor User Guide
Unpacking and Inspection After unpacking the unit, save all packing materials in case you ever need to ship the unit. Thoroughly inspect the modules and packing materials for signs of damage. Report any damage to the carrier at once; report equipment malfunction to your dealer. Communications Notice 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.
Table of Contents Getting Started Introduction ...................................................................... 1 Front Panel Overview ...................................................... 2 Setting Audio Levels Rear Panel Connections .................................................. 4 Audio Connections • Footswitch Basic Operation The MPX 500 Display ...................................................... 7 Selecting and Loading Programs .................................... 8 Editing ...............
Getting Started Introduction Thank you for your purchase of the MPX 500 24-Bit Dual Channel Processor. Powered by Lexicon’s proprietary Lexichip™, the MPX 500 has 240 presets with classic reverb programs such as Ambience, Plate, Chamber and Inverse, as well as Tremolo, Rotary, Chorus, Flange, Pitch, Detune, 5.5 second Delay and Echo. Dual-channel processing gives you two independent effects in a variety of configurations: Dual Stereo (Parallel), Cascade, Mono Split and Dual Mono.
Getting Started Lexicon Front Panel Overview Store Initiates store procedure. (When pressed with Tap, activates MIDI Learn.) Edit Pages Accesses additional edit pages. Embedded LED lights to indicate program is altered but not stored. Display LCD shows input type, real-time meters, program and bank information, one page of four editable parameters, routing information, tempo rate. Input Trim Sets the level of the incoming analog signal. System Accesses System mode.
MPX 500 User Guide Getting Started Setting Audio Levels As with any audio product, it is good practice to first power on all outboard gear, then the mixer, then any loudspeakers. Input 1. First, bypass all effects. The System parameter, Bypass Mode must be set to pass dry audio. To do this: Press System to enter System mode. Turn Edit Knob 1 to display Bypass Mode. Turn Edit Knob 3 to select Dry. Press System again to exit System mode. Press Bypass. 2.
Getting Started Lexicon Rear Panel Connections POWER Standard 3-pin IEC power connector; 100-240V, 5060Hz automatic switching to correct voltage range. LCD Contrast Adjusts display contrast. Audio Connections MIDI Two 5-pin DIN MIDI connectors are provided for MIDI IN and software selectable MIDI OUT/THRU. DIGITAL I/O RCA S/PDIF connectors. INPUT Balanced Tip-Ring-Sleeve and XLR stereo inputs. OUTPUT Balanced Tip-Ring-Sleeve and XLR stereo outputs.
MPX 500 User Guide Getting Started The MPX 500 can be used as two independent Effects Processors with the Dual Programs. Designate two auxiliary sends on your console and connect one to the left MPX 500 input, and the other to the right input. Refer to the Program Descriptions to take advantage of this configuration.
MPX 500 User Guide Basic Operation Basic Operation The MPX 500 Display The MPX 500 Program Select display shows detailed program information, including routing, the current tempo setting, a full page of as many as four editable parameter settings, and real-time input level meters.
Basic Operation Lexicon Selecting and Loading Programs MPX 500 programs are organized into 24 Banks plus a User Bank. (The programs are described in detail later in this manual.) When powered on, the unit will display and load the last program used. To display any other MPX 500 program, simply turn the front panel PROGRAM knob. The knob will progressively select the rest of the programs in the current Bank, then proceed through each of the remaining Banks.
MPX 500 User Guide Basic Operation Editing Each MPX 500 program has as many as 16 editable parameters, organized into edit "pages" of as many as four parameters each. The front panel Edit Pages button cycles through all of the available pages for the current program. Dedicated edit knobs corresponding to each page of displayed parameters make program adjustment easy. Simply turn the knob (1-4) for the displayed parameter (1-4) you want to adjust.
Basic Operation Lexicon The "Adjust" Knob A special control in each program lets you make quick adjustments to the most critical parameters of the sound. We have positioned this custom control under Edit knob 1 on Page 1 of each program and refer to it as the Adjust knob in this manual. In many cases, this parameter controls several effect parameters simultaneously to provide simple control of a complex editing process.
MPX 500 User Guide When programs with tempo-based parameters are loaded, the current tempo (in Beats per Minute) is shown in the upper right corner of the display. Basic Operation The Tap LED will flash in the selected tempo. To set the tempo from the front panel, simply press the Tap button (or a connected footswitch) twice in time with the music. That’s your tempo. No more dialing up what “could be” the delay time in milliseconds — just tap twice — the MPX 500 will figure out the time for you.
Basic Operation Lexicon When you select Global Tempo from the MPX 500 System mode, the last tempo tapped in will be applied to all programs with tempo-controlled parameters. (You will know if a program is tempocontrollable because the Tap button LED will flash when the program is loaded and the tempo rate display will appear.) Setting Tempo via MIDI When used in conjunction with the Learn feature, Tap can be set remotely from any MIDI device.
MPX 500 User Guide Basic Operation Storing Programs When you want to save a program, press Store. The Store and the Tap/Cancel LEDs will light to indicate that the MPX 500 store function is armed. (If you want to exit without saving the current program, press Tap/Cancel at any time before completing the store operation.) The first available location in the User Bank will be selected by default when Store is pressed.
MPX 500 User Guide System Mode System Mode System parameters and MIDI dumps are activated in System mode. To enter this mode, press System. The System LED will light to indicate you are in System mode. The adjustable parameters available in this mode are described on the following page. Edit knob 1 will select parameters, edit knob 3 will change the selected parameter's setting. Use Edit knob 1 to select System mode parameters. Use Edit knob 3 to change the selected parameter.
System Mode Lexicon System Mode Parameters Parameter Settings Default Setting Output Level 0dB to -24dB, Off 0dB Input Source Analog Stereo, Analog Mono L, Analog Stereo Analog Mono R, S/PDIF Digital Clock Source Internal 44.1K, Internal 48K, External (S/PDIF) Internal 44.
MPX 500 User Guide System Mode Output Level This parameter appears by default whenever you press System to give you quick access to output level settings. Input Source Allows you to specify the type of input. If S/PDIF Digital is selected and no digital signal is present, the MPX 500 will mute and display an alert message. Clock Source Allows you to select 44.1kHz or 48kHz internal clock sources, or external (S/PDIF) clock source.
System Mode Lexicon Tempo Mode Determines whether the current tempo of the MPX 500 will be applied to all programs (Global), or whether program-specific tempos are restored on each program load. NOTE: A default Tempo is stored with each program. These individual stored tempos will take effect if Tempo Mode is set to Program — the Global tempo setting will override the individual stored settings if Tempo mode is set to Global.
MPX 500 User Guide System Mode Operating Mode Allows the MPX 500 front panel controls to be locked into their current settings, or to be placed in continuous program load cycle for demonstration purposes. When Locked is selected, only the User Bank is available. Program Load Mode is set to Auto Load and only Bypass, Program Select and System modes are available. Edit Mode is not available and Tempo and Patches cannot be Learned. Changes to this parameter take effect on the next power cycle.
MPX 500 User Guide Program Descriptions Program Descriptions The 240 programs in the MPX 500 are designed to provide a full palette of high caliber ambience, reverb, delay, pitch shift and other effects. As you audition the programs, be sure to vary the Adjust parameter. The Adjust parameter (Edit Page 1, Knob 1 in each program) has been carefully customized for each individual program.
Program Descriptions Lexicon 1 Plate The Plate programs synthesize the sound of metal plates with high initial diffusion and a relatively bright, colored sound. These programs are designed to be heard as part of the music, mellowing and thickening the initial sound. They are a popular choice for enhancing pop music, particularly percussion.
MPX 500 User Guide Program Descriptions 2 Gate The Gate programs provide a fairly constant sound with no decay until the reverb is cut off abruptly. These programs work well on percussion — particularly on snare and toms, but be sure to experiment with other sound sources as well. * Note that audio is muted briefly when Time is altered with Adjust.
Program Descriptions Lexicon 3 Hall The clean reverberation of the Hall programs is designed to add spaciousness, while leaving the source material unchanged. In addition to general instrumental and vocal applications, the Hall programs are a good choice for giving separately recorded tracks the sense of belonging to the same performance.
MPX 500 User Guide Program Descriptions 4 Chamber The stereo Chamber programs produce even, relatively dimensionless reverberation, with little change in color as the sound decays. The initial diffusion is similar to the Hall programs, but the sense of space and size is much less obvious. This characteristic, along with the low color of the decay tail makes these programs useful on a wide range of material.
Program Descriptions Lexicon 5 Ambience The Ambience programs simulates reflections from room surfaces with random reflections, a gradual decay of overall level, and a gradual narrowing of the bandwidth. In these programs, the Mix control adds depth — emulating the movement of a coincident pair of microphones from the sound source into the room.
MPX 500 User Guide Program Descriptions 6 Room The Room programs are very useful on drums and percussion and can also be applied to electric guitar tracks.
Program Descriptions Lexicon 7 Tremolo The tremolo programs offer a variety of tremolo shapes (square, sawtooth, triangle, sine and rectified sine). The synchronization of the left and right sides can be adjusted to produce mono and stereo effects. As the tremolo rates of several variations are set with Tap, it’s easy to match the tempo of the music. Other variations let you set left and right channel waveforms out-of-phase, resulting in a panning motion.
MPX 500 User Guide Program Descriptions 8 Rotary The rotary effect is a detailed simulation of a Leslie-style cabinet. The input signal is split into high and low frequency bands. The rotation effect is created by a synchronized combination of pitch shifting, tremolo and panning. Like the physical model, the high (horn) and low (drum) frequencies are “spun” in opposite directions.
Program Descriptions Lexicon 9 Chorus The stereo Chorus programs uses six independently randomized delay voices panned across the stereo field. These programs, inherited from Lexicon's PCM 80, generate a rich, airy effect that can simulate the sound of multiple sound sources from a single source. These programs are stunning on acoustic or clean electric guitar. All of these programs should be used with Mix set to fully Wet to achieve the full richness of the 6voice chorus.
MPX 500 User Guide Program Descriptions 10 Flange The MPX 500 stereo Flanger has two 2-tap delays —one per channel. The first tap is fixed, and the second sweeps past it. Mixing the two delay taps together creates the flanging effect. All of these programs should be used with Mix set to fully Wet to achieve the full flange effect.
Program Descriptions Lexicon 11 Detune The 4-voice stereo Detune programs have one pair of voices per channel. As more detune amount is applied (with Adjust), the pair grow more out of tune, providing a lush sound without the need for a dry signal to be mixed in. All of these programs should be used with Mix set to fully Wet to achieve the full effect.
MPX 500 User Guide Program Descriptions 12 Pitch The stereo polyphonic Pitch programs allow complete program material or monophonic sources to be shifted from two octaves down through one octave up. For pitch correction, use these programs with Mix set to fully Wet. For harmonization, use the desired amount of wet/dry Mix.
Program Descriptions Lexicon 13 Delay, Echo The Delay, Echo variations include mono (5.5 seconds), stereo (2.7 seconds) and 6-voice multitap effects. Each of the programs can be used for digital delay or tape echo effects. When the Adjust parameter (Page 1, Edit knob 1) is set to a value between 63 and 3, tape echo effects are produced. (Each repeat is darker and softer.) When the Adjust parameter is set to a value between 64 and 127, digital delay effects are produced.
MPX 500 User Guide Program Descriptions # Delay, Echo PROGRAMs Adjust Tap 90 Dly Mono Tap Feedbk Delay Time 91 DlyStereo Tap Feedbk Delay Time 92 Dly ShuflTap Feedbk Delay Time 93 Dly Dot8 Tap Feedbk Delay Time 94 Dly 8+3plTap Feedbk Delay Time 95 Dly Pong Tap Feedbk Delay Time 96 Dly XfbkTap1 Feedbk Delay Time 97 Dly XfbkTap2 Feedbk Delay Time 98 Dly Mono Time: 0-5.5sec – 99 Dly Stereo Time: 0-2.
Program Descriptions Lexicon About the Dual Programs (Banks 14-24) The Dual programs combine either a Delay or Reverb algorithm with a Flange, a Pitch or a Chorus. The Effects Lvl/Bal parameter (Page 1 Edit knob 3) controls the relative balance of each effect in the combination. Four routing configurations are used in the Dual programs: Dual Stereo (Parallel), Cascade, Mono Split and Dual Mono. Bank 14 (Special FX) contains programs which use a variety of crouting configurations.
MPX 500 User Guide Program Descriptions Generally, the Effects Lvl/Bal parameter (Page 1, Edit knob 3) controls the balance of the two effects in each dual program. In the cascade variations, rather than simply controlling balance, the knob varies the amount of the first effect or dry signal which is fed into the second effect.
Program Descriptions Lexicon 14 Special FX The Special FX programs showcase the flexibility and creative possibilities of the MPX 500. Adjust is completely different in each of the programs, so be sure to experiment with all of them.
MPX 500 User Guide Program Descriptions 15 Flange – Delay # Flange-Delay PROGRAMs Adjust Tap 120 Flng Tap Feedbk Delay Time (1/4 Note) 121 Flng .
Program Descriptions Lexicon 17 Chorus– Delay # Chorus-Delay PROGRAMs Adjust Tap 140 Chor Tap Feedbk Delay Time 141 Chor .
MPX 500 User Guide Program Descriptions 19 Flange – Reverb # Flange-Reverb PROGRAMs Adjust Tap 160 LiteFl Smal MidRT Speed (Whole Note) 161 LiteFl MidSz MidRT Speed (Whole Note) 162 LiteFl Large MidRT – 163 DeepFl Small MidRT – 164 DeepFl MidSz MidRT – 165 DeepFl Large MidRT – 166 LiteFl > Small MidRT Speed (Whole Note) 167 LiteFl > Room Livenes Speed (Whole Note) 168 DeepFl>Large MidRT – 169 DeepFl>Room Livenes — Routing 20 Pitch – Reverb # Pitch-Reverb PROGR
Program Descriptions Lexicon 21 Chorus – Reverb # Chorus-Reverb PROGRAMs Adjust Tap 180 Chor1 Small MidRT – 181 Chor1 MidSiz MidRT – 182 Chor1 Large MidRT – 183 Chor2 Small MidRT – 184 Chor2 MidSiz MidRT – 185 Chor2 Large MidRT – 186 Chor1 > Room Livenes – 187 Chor2 > Room Livenes – 188 Chor3 > Room Livenes – 189 Chor1 > Small MidRT – 42 Routing
MPX 500 User Guide Program Descriptions 22 MonoSplitDly # MonoSplitDly PROGRAMs Adjust Tap 190 Flng+Tap Feedbk 1/4 Note 191 Flng+Pong Feedbk 1/4 Note 192 Flng+Xfeed Time – 193 Flng+Bnce Time – 194 DeepFl+Dly Time – 195 5th+Tap Pitch Delay Time 196 8ve+3plTap Pitch Delay Time 197 4th5th+Xfeed Pitch Delay Time 198 5th6th+Xfeed Pitch Delay Time 199 PchFine+Tap Pitch Delay Time 200 Chor+Tap Feedbk Delay Time 201 Chor+Pong Feedbk Delay Time 202 Chor+Xfeed T
Program Descriptions Lexicon 23 MonoSplitRvb # MonoSplitRvb PROGRAMs Adjust Tap 205 Tap+MidSiz MidRT Delay Time 206 Pong+Large MidRT Delay Time 207 Bnce+MidSz MidRT Delay Time 208 Xfeed+Small MidRT Delay Time 209 Xfeed+MidSiz MidRT Delay Time 210 LiteFL+MidSz MidRT Speed 211 LiteFl+Large MidRT – 212 DeepFl+Small MidRT – 213 DeepFl+MidSz MidRT – 214 DeepFl+Room Livenes – 215 4th5th+Room Pitch PreDelay 1/32 216 5th6th+Room Pitch PreDelay 1/32 217 4ths+Lar
MPX 500 User Guide Program Descriptions 24 Dual Mono # Dual Mono PROGRAMs Adjust Tap 225 Tap | Small MidRT Delay Time 226 Tap | MidSz MidRT Delay Time 227 Tap | Large MidRT Delay Time 228 Tap | Room Livenes Delay Time 229 DeepFl | Tap Feedbk Speed (1/4 Note) 230 DeepFl | Dot8 Feedbk Speed (dotted 1/4 Note) 231 8ves | Tap Pitch Delay Time 232 8ves | 3pl Pitch Delay Time 233 Chor2 | Tap Feedbk Delay Time 234 Chor2 | Dot8 Feedbk Delay Time 235 LiteFl | Large MidR
MPX 500 User Guide MIDI Operation MIDI Operation MPX 500 MIDI Behavior The MPX 500 “learns” Program Change and Continuous Controllers in its Learn Mode. All of the parameters controlled by the front panel Edit knobs, as well as the Bypass and Tap buttons are supported. As all MPX 500 messages use a single, selectable MIDI Channel, before using any of the MIDI control features, you should go to System Mode and select the MIDI Channel you want to use. (See System Parameters.
MIDI Operation Lexicon Using Program Change Messages for Program Load The MPX 500 will allow loading of all of its preset and User programs via standard MIDI Program Change messages. It also conforms to the use of MIDI controller 32 to perform Bank Select. The MPX 500 banks are ordered numerically from 0-24. Here’s how it works. If a standard MIDI Program Change is sent to the MPX 500, Program Change messages 0-9 will load programs the first ten programs from the current Bank.
MPX 500 User Guide MIDI Operation Learning Continuous Controllers The MPX 500 recognizes Pitch Bend, AfterTouch and MIDI Continuous Controllers 1-31 and 33-119. To Learn a Continuous Controller: 1. Simultaneously press Store and Tap/Cancel to enter Learn Mode. (The LEDs of both these buttons will light to indicate Learn Mode is active.) 2. Move one of the MPX 500 front panel controls (Edit Knob 1-4 with any of the four edit pages displayed, Bypass or Tap) to assign it to the controller.
MIDI Operation Lexicon Activating Bypass or Tap functions with Program Change Messages The MPX 500 recognizes MIDI Program Changes 100-127 (101-128 on some MIDI devices) on any channel. To assign a Program Change message to Bypass or Tap: 1. Simultaneously press Store and Tap/Cancel to enter Learn Mode. (Both LEDs will light to indicate Learn Mode is active.) 2. Press the front panel button you want to control (Bypass or Tap). 3. Send a MIDI Program Change to the MPX 500.
MPX 500 User Guide MIDI Operation To aid MIDI controllers (such as some foot controllers) which do not allow repeated Program Change messages to be sent by a single button, the MPX 500 learns the next highest Program Change along with every Program Change message it learns for Bypass and/or Tap. For example, if you Learn Program Change 20 as the source for Bypass, Program Change 21 will also control Bypass functions.
MIDI Operation Lexicon MIDI Clock The MPX 500 recognizes MIDI Clock messages and applies the tempo (40-400 BPM) to any program which utilizes the Tap-tempo feature. Connect a MIDI device which outputs MIDI Clock (such as the MPX R1 foot controller or a MIDI sequencer) to the MPX 500 MIDI IN jack, to have the MPX 500 automatically recognize and begin to process the MIDI clocks.
MPX 500 User Guide MIDI Operation MIDI Implementation Lexicon MPX 500 Function Basic Channel Mode Note Number Velocity After Touch Pitch Bender Control Change Program Change System Exclusive System Common System Real Time Aux Messages Default Channel Default Messages Altered Transmitted Recognized Remarks X X Selected in System Mode X 1 1-16 Mode 2 X X X X X X X X (Off=9n v=0) X X OX X X OX OX X 0-15=1-16 X True Voice Note ON Note OFF Keys Channels True # Bank Select X O Lexicon Real
MPX 500 User Guide Specifications Specifications Audio Inputs Digital Audio I/O Power Requirements Connectors: XLR/TRS balanced Connectors: Coaxial RCA; S/PDIF (IEC-958, CP-340) 90-250V 50-60Hz; 12.5W 3-pin IEC Connector System Sample Rates Dimensions Internal Clock and S/PDIF Input: 44.1, 48kHz 19"Wx 1.75"H x 5.5"D (483x45x140.25mm) Display Weight 150 x 32 LCD, Backlit 3 lbs (1.
Lexicon, Inc. 3 Oak Park Bedford MA 01730-1441 USA Telephone: (781) 280-0300 Fax: (781) 280-0490 06/00 • Part No.
