USER MANUAL
Lex - rotary Contents Knobs and Switches ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 Front Panel Controls ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 Rear Panel I/O and Control ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 5 Live Edit Functions ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 7 Bi-Amp Output Mode ������������
Lex - rotary Knobs and Switches Front Panel Controls MIC Changes the position of the stereo microphones relative to the cabinet. front: picks up the sound from the partially covered front of the cabinet rear: picks up the sound from the open back of the cabinet SPEED Controls the rotor speed for the SLOW and FAST modes, as currently selected by the SLOW/FAST footswitch. HORN LEVEL Controls the output level of the high-frequency rotating horn.
Lex - rotary Knobs and Switches Front Panel Controls RAMP Controls how quickly the rotors transition when switching between speeds via the SLOW/FAST switch. The rotors accelerate independently, with the low-frequency rotor accelerating more slowly, just like a physical rotating speaker system. VOLUME Controls the +/-6dB boost or cut when the pedal is engaged. Unity gain is at the 12 o’clock position. PREAMP DRIVE Controls the drive of the rotary cabinet’s tube preamp and phase inverter stages.
Lex - rotary Rear Panel I/O and Control AUDIO INPUT SELECTOR MONO: Use with a mono input signal, such as a guitar. Output is stereo. Use OUT L for mono connection. STEREO: Use with a stereo input signal. Output is stereo. IN OUTPUTS High impedance, ultra lownoise, discrete Class A JFET preamp input. Use a TRS stereo adapter/cable for stereo input. Low impedance stereo outputs. Use OUT L for mono output.
Lex - rotary Rear Panel I/O and Control (cont.) USB 9VDC Computer connection for MIDI control as well as for performing firmware updates. Use the included power supply or an adapter with the following rating: • 9VDC, center negative • 300mA minimum EXP / MIDI Multifunction communication jack for external control of Lex’s features and functions. Can be set to operate in one of the following modes. (See “Configuring the EXP/MIDI Jack” on page 13 for details.) Expression Pedal mode (see page 15).
Lex - rotary Live Edit Functions Use the following steps to enter Live Edit mode and access the secondary functions of the controls. Any of the following secondary functions can be edited while in Live Edit mode. Bi-Amp Output Mode Allows you to enable Bi-Amp Output mode rather than the default stereo output. When in Bi-Amp Output mode, the Left output is the woofer signal and the Right output is the horn signal. 1 Press and hold the ON footswitch to enter Live Edit mode.
Lex - rotary Live Edit Functions Cab Filter Optimizes the output signal for use either into the front of a guitar amplifier or a full range speaker system. 1 Press and hold the ON footswitch to enter Live Edit mode. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Turn VOLUME (CAB FILTER) to choose the Cab Filter setting. Both ON LEDs light to indicate your selection: • Left for Guitar Amp (GREEN, default) • Right for Full Range System (RED), such as studio monitors or an FRFR amplifier system.
Lex - rotary Live Edit Functions MIDI Clock Sync Selects whether Lex’s Speed will sync to incoming MIDI Clock messages. 1 Press and hold the ON footswitch. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Set the position of the RAMP switch to select whether Lex will sync to incoming MIDI Clock messages. Both LEDs will momentarily change color to indicate the current status as you set the switch. • Set the switch down to fast for Off (default): both LEDs light RED Lex will not respond to MIDI Clock.
Lex - rotary Live Edit Functions Respond/Ignore MIDI Expression When set to MIDI mode, this setting selects whether Lex will respond to MIDI Expression CC# 100 to control the knob settings in the same manner as a TRS Expression pedal. 1 Press and hold the ON footswitch. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Set the position of the MIC switch to select whether Lex will respond to MIDI Expression CC#100. Both LEDs will momentarily change color to indicate the current status as you set the switch.
Lex - rotary Power Up Modes Input Level Selects the input level that is routed to the effect processing. 1 Press and hold the ON footswitch while powering up Lex. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Turn the SPEED knob to select the Input Level mode. The SLOW/ FAST LED will change color to indicate the current status as you turn the knob. • Instrument: GREEN (default) - Input headroom is set for an instrument level source, such as a guitar or bass.
Lex - rotary Power Up Modes Bypass Mode Setting Lex to Buffered Bypass mode preserves the high frequency response of your instrument’s signal through your pedal chain and long cable runs. 1 Press and hold the ON footswitch while powering up Lex. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Turn the VOLUME knob to choose between True Bypass or Buffered Bypass modes. The ON LED will change color to indicate the current status as you turn the knob. • True Bypass: GREEN (default).
Lex - rotary Power Up Modes Configuring the EXP/MIDI Jack 1 Press and hold the SLOW/FAST footswitch while powering up Lex. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Turn the VOLUME (EXP/MIDI JACK) knob to select the function of the rear panel’s EXP/MIDI jack. The ON LED will change color to indicate the current status as you turn the knob. • Expression Pedal mode: GREEN (default) - Allows continuous control over any of the knobs in any direction with a standard TRS expression pedal.
Lex - rotary Configuring the EXP/MIDI Jack (cont.) 3 Press either footswitch to store the EXP/MIDI jack mode and begin using Lex. NOTE: The EXP/MIDI jack mode setting persists across power cycles and is not saved per preset.
Lex - rotary External Control Expression Pedal Setup Use a TRS expression pedal to control the knobs of Lex. 1 Configure the EXP/MIDI jack for Expression mode. See page 13 for configuration instructions. RIGHT IN LEFT OUT RIGHT OUT EXP USB MIDI IN MIDI OUT 2 Connect an expression pedal to the EXP/MIDI jack of Lex using a TRS cable. 3 Press and hold both footswitches until both LEDs blink GREEN. 4 Rock the expression pedal to the HEEL position. Only the SLOW/FAST LED will blink GREEN.
Lex - rotary External Control External Speed Switch Mode Connect a MiniSwitch or other external latching footswitch with a TRS cable to toggle between the fast and slow speeds. OR 1 Configure the EXP/MIDI jack for External Speed Switch Mode. (See page 13 for more info.) 2 Connect an external switch with a TRS cable to the EXP/MIDI jack. 3 Press to toggle between the fast and slow rotor speeds.
Lex - rotary External Control Favorite Switch Setup and Compare Mode Connect a MiniSwitch or other external latching footswitch with a TRS cable to store and recall your favorite setting. OR 1 Configure the EXP/MIDI jack for Favorite mode. (See page 13 for details.) 2 Connect an external switch with a TRS cable to the EXP/MIDI jack. 3 Dial in your desired sound. 4 To save your sound as the new Favorite setting, press and hold both footswitches until they blink GREEN.
Lex - rotary Favorite Switch Setup and Compare Mode (cont.) Compare Mode With the Favorite or MIDI preset recalled, as a knob or switch is adjusted, both LEDs flash GREEN when the current knob or toggle switch position matches the setting of the preset. NOTE: Along with the knobs and toggle switches on the face of the pedal, all Live Edit settings and Lex’s bypass state are stored with the Favorite and MIDI presets. Power Up modes are not stored with the presets.
Lex - rotary External Control Tap Mode Connect a MiniSwitch or other external momentary footswitch with a TRS cable to tap in the speed of the rotating speaker. OR 1 Configure the EXP/MIDI jack for Tap mode. (See page 13 for more info.) 2 Connect an external switch with a TRS cable to the EXP/MIDI jack. 3 Tap in a tempo in quarter notes to set the speed of the rotating speaker.
Lex - rotary External Control Configuring MultiSwitch Plus Configure Lex and MultiSwitch Plus for remote access to three additional presets. 1 Press and hold the SLOW/FAST footswitch while connecting power to the pedal. Hold until both LEDs stop blinking. 2 Turn the SPEED knob all the way counter-clockwise to set the MIDI channel to Channel 1. The SLOW/FAST LED should be GREEN.
Lex - rotary External Control Using MultiSwitch Plus Selecting and saving Lex presets using MultiSwitch Plus. Preset 1 Preset 2 Preset 3 NOTE: Footswitches A, B, and C on MultiSwitch Plus correspond to MIDI Program Changes 1, 2, and 3. 1 Step on a switch that is not illuminated to recall the corresponding preset. 2 Step on an illuminated switch to bypass Lex. Saving Lex Presets with MultiSwitch Plus: 1 Dial in the sound that you would like to save as your preset on Lex.
Lex - rotary MIDI Functionality Configuring Lex to Use MIDI Using MIDI unlocks a set of tools that can be used to load any of Lex’s 300 preset locations using a suitable MIDI controller or interface connected to the Lex EXP/MIDI jack. This requires a Strymon MIDI EXP cable or a MIDI controller/interface, such as Strymon Conduit, with at least one quarter-inch output. NOTE: When using a Strymon MIDI EXP Cable, the MIDI OUT mode must be set to Off. (See page 26 for details.) Please see strymon.
Lex - rotary Configuring Lex to Use MIDI (cont.) STEP 1 – SET EXP/MIDI JACK TO MIDI MODE 1 Press and hold the SLOW/FAST footswitch while connecting power to the pedal. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Turn the VOLUME knob clockwise until the ON LED is BLUE.
Lex - rotary Configuring Lex to Use MIDI (cont.) STEP 2 – SET MIDI CHANNEL 3 Turn the SPEED knob to set the MIDI communication channel. The SLOW/FAST LED indicates status. Your SPEED knob selections are as follows: • • • • Channel 1: GREEN (default) Channel 2: AMBER Channel 3: RED Channel 4-16: BLUE (set by next received MIDI Program Change message, requires 1⁄4” MIDI connection) Once the SLOW/FAST LED turns BLUE, it will blink until the pedal receives a MIDI Program Change message.
Lex - rotary STEP 2 – SET MIDI CHANNEL (CONT.) 4 Press either footswitch to exit and store your MIDI Channel setting and begin using Lex. NOTE: A simple way to check that communication is working is to send CC #102 with a value of 127 when the ON footswitch is off. This will enable the ON footswitch if MIDI is properly connected and configured. NOTE: If you are only sending data to Lex using the Strymon MIDI EXP Cable, the MIDI OUT mode must be set to OFF.
Lex - rotary Configuring Lex to Use MIDI (cont.) STEP 3 – SET MIDI OUT MODE 1 Press and hold the SLOW/FAST footswitch while connecting power to the pedal. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Turn the HORN LEVEL knob to select what kind of MIDI data is sent from Lex to other MIDI devices. Both LEDs will flash momentarily to indicate status. • OFF: RED (default) - No MIDI messages are sent out of Lex.
Lex - rotary MIDI Functionality (cont.) Saving Presets in MIDI Mode When in MIDI mode, the currently loaded settings can be saved to any of Lex’s 300 preset locations at any time. 1 To enter Save mode, press and hold BOTH footswitches. Both LEDs will blink GREEN to indicate that Lex is waiting to receive a MIDI Program Change message. 2 To save the current state of the pedal to the currently loaded preset location, press and hold the SLOW/FAST footswitch until the LED lights BLUE.
Lex - rotary MIDI Specifications MIDI Program Changes Lex contains 300 preset locations, numbered sequentially from 0-299. Because MIDI Program Change messages have a maximum number of 128 (0-127), the presets are grouped into three MIDI patch banks. MIDI BANK 0 = PRESETS 0-127 MIDI BANK 1 = PRESETS 128-255 MIDI BANK 2 = PRESETS 256-299 0 Favorite setting (accessible via MiniSwitch) See page 17 for details.
Lex - rotary MIDI Specifications (cont.
Lex - rotary Factory Reset Performing a Factory Reset restores the pedal to its factory default Power-up modes and secondary functions, and replaces all stored presets with their factory default settings. 1 Press and hold the ON footswitch while connecting power to the pedal. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Sweep the MIC DISTANCE knob from 0-100% and back two times.
Lex - rotary Factory Reset (cont.
Lex - rotary Features • Hand crafted rotary algorithms for meticulous and nuanced recreations of rotary speaker systems • Selectable mic orientation (front or rear cabinet) • Fast and slow rotary speeds with independent horn and drum acceleration times • Two Live Edit, secondary parameters: Bi-Amp and Guitar Amp/Full Range Speaker Output Modes • Remote switching of SLOW / FAST speeds with a Strymon MiniSwitch, with BRAKE feature • True bypass (electromechanical relay switching) • Ultra low noise, high perf
Lex - rotary Specifications Input Impedance: Output Impedance: A/D & D/A: Max Input Level Signal/Noise Bypass Switching Dimensions 1 Meg Ohm 100 Ohm 24-bit 96kHz +10 dBu 109 dB typical True Bypass (electromechanical relay switching) 4.5” deep x 4” wide x 1.75” tall Power Adapter Requirements Use an adapter with the following rating: 9VDC, center negative, 300mA minimum. © 2022 Damage Control Engineering, LLC.
Lex - rotary Appendix 1: Sample Settings pg 34
Lex - rotary Sample Settings ALMOST PINKISH ROOTSY BE THREE Rotor Speed: Slow Rotor Speed: Fast MIDI Program Change 0 MiniSwitch Favorite MIDI Program Change 1 MultiSwitch Plus A LAZY RIVER SLOW SWIRLY CHORUS Rotor Speed: Slow Rotor Speed: Slow MIDI Program Change 2 MultiSwitch Plus B MIDI Program Change 3 MultiSwitch Plus C SHOT OF ESPRESSO LIVE EDIT FUNCTIONS Lex provides a way to adjust additional parameters that do not have a dedicated knob or switch.
Lex - rotary Appendix 2: Power Up Modes Quick Reference pg 36
Lex - rotary Power Up Modes Quick Reference Global parameters and functions can be accessed via a power up procedure. All power up functions persist through power cycles. General Options 1 Press and hold the ON footswitch while powering up Lex. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Adjust the desired functions with the knobs and buttons noted below. 3 Press either footswitch to store your changes and exit power up mode. INPUT LEVEL See page 11 for an illustrated description.
Lex - rotary Power Up Modes Quick Reference (cont.) Global parameters and functions can be accessed via a power up procedure. All power up functions persist through power cycles. MIDI & Jack Options 1 Press and hold the SLOW/FAST footswitch while powering up Lex. Once both LEDs flash, release the footswitch. 2 Adjust the desired functions with the knobs and buttons noted below. 3 Press either footswitch to store your changes and exit power up mode.
Lex - rotary Appendix 3: Live Edit Controls Quick Reference pg 39
Lex - rotary Live Edit Controls Quick Reference Lex provides a way to adjust several secondary functions that are available on several knobs (also, see “Live Edit Functions” on page 7). Live Edit Functions are saved per preset. 1 Press and hold the ON footswitch until both LEDs blink to enter Live Edit mode. 2 Release the footswitch and use the knobs as described below. 3 Press ON footswitch to store your setting and exit Live Edit mode.
Lex - rotary Strymon Non-Transferable Limited Warranty Warranty Strymon warranties the product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from the original date of purchase when bought new from an authorized dealer in the United States of America or Canada. If the product fails within the warranty period, Strymon will repair or, at our discretion, replace the product at no cost to the original purchaser.