MX200 User Guide
Warranty This warranty is valid only for the original purchaser and only in the United States. 1. The warranty registration card that accompanies this product must be mailed within 30 days after purchase date to validate this warranty. Proof-of-purchaseis considered to be the burden of the consumer. 2. Lexicon Professional warrants this product, when bought and used solely within the U.S., to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service. 3.
Quick Start ...............................................................................................................1 About the MX200 .....................................................................................................3 Overview ...........................................................................................................3 Diagram - Front Panel..............................................................................................4 Diagram - Rear Panel ............
Installing the MX-Edit VST Hardware Plug-In...................................................35 Connecting the MX200 .....................................................................................35 Software Configuration .....................................................................................36 Using the MX200 Plug-In Window ....................................................................36 Controls.....................................................................................
Quick Start Ideally, you should read this entire manual before using the MX200. But, if you just can’t wait to get started, this section explains how to set up a simple parallel connection (using the MX200 with a mixer) and select a program. Powering the Unit 1. Plug the included power supply into an A/C outlet. 2. Connect the Power Supply to the Power Jack connection on the MX200’s back panel. Power 3. When the MX200 first powers up, the Audition button quickly flashes for a moment.
Quick Start Audition the Effect Audition Button The Audition button allows you to preview the loaded program by playing short digital samples through the effect processors. There are five audio samples included in the MX200, including various drum sounds, vocal, and guitar. In the factory setting, tapping the Audition button cycles through the five sounds, but you may want to repeat a particular sound as you choose or edit an effect. See page 11 for more information.
About the MX200 Overview The MX200 is a dual-processor, single rack space multi-effects device designed with both live sound reinforcement and home recording in mind. Featuring the deep, rich reverb algorithms that built the Lexicon® legend, the MX200 offers increased versatility with dynamics and specialty effects—all instantly accessible via the extremely intuitive front panel.
Diagram - Front Panel 4 12 3 11 12 13 14 1. Dual Input Bargraph Meters LEDs indicate input level for each channel. 56 15 2. Digital In LED Indicates when the S/PDIF digital input is selected and active. 3. Routing Button Press this button to cycle through the four signal routing options. For more information about routing, see page 12. 4. Active Reverb / Effects Matrix Indicates which effects are active at all times.
14. Effect Select - P1 This button selects the reverb, delay, or effect to be loaded in Processor 1. 15. Pre Delay Knob - P1 Controls Pre Delay of the reverbs or the first parameter of the selected delay or effect in Processor 1.* 16. Decay Knob - P1 Controls Decay of the reverbs or the second parameter of the selected delay or effect in Processor 1.* 17. Variation - P1 Controls Liveliness or Diffusion (depending on the reverb selected) or the third parameter of the selected effect in Processor 1.
Diagram - Rear Panel 1 2 3 4 5 1. Power Jack Connect only the included Harman Pro PS0913B power supply here. 2. Footswitch Input An optional 2-button footswitch can be plugged into this TRS jack for independent Bypass control of P1 and P2. Use the Lexicon® LEX-DFS or a 2-button footswitch wired as follows: Tip = Bypass 2 Ring = Bypass 1 Sleeve = Ground 3. MIDI In, Out/Thru Provides MIDI operation capabilities. Two 5-pin MIDI DIN connectors are available for MIDI IN and MIDI OUT/THRU.
Setup Connecting the MX200 Parallel vs. Serial The MX200 can be used as both a Parallel and Serial (in-line) effects processor. Typically, reverbs and delays are used in parallel, compressors and de-essers in serial, and modulated effects can be used in either configuration, depending on the desired application.
Setup Bargraph LEDs stay lit, too much signal is being sent to the MX200; reduce the Aux Master or Aux send on the mixer. 9. Turn up the Aux Return to the 12 o’clock position (or line input faders to the 0db positions, if you used that connection). 10. To increase or decrease the amount of effect on the signal, adjust the Aux Send level on the channel that you want affected.
Setup Instrument - In Line Setup Studio – Digital Setup S/PDIF Out S/PDIF In Stereo Line Input This setup utilizes the MX200 as a multieffects processor connected in line from an instrument to a mixer. It is an ideal setup to use when your mixer does not have an Aux Send/Return option built in. 1. Select routing 2 using the Routing button (you can always experiment using other routings). 2. Connect a line level signal directly from your instrument to the MX200 Inputs. (use Left input for mono signals).
Using the MX200 The MX200 is equipped with 99 Factory programs that combine the 32 reverbs and effects to cover a wide range of applications. Additionally, there are 99 User program locations in which to store your own reverb and effects combinations. These are identical to the Factory programs until you change them. Loading Programs To load a program: 1. Choose a program by rotating the Program Select knob. The selected program number flashes in the Program Display until loaded.
The Audition Feature Effect Select An LED lights next to the selected reverb or effect label in the Active Reverb/Effects Matrix (green LED for P1, red for P2). Active Reverb/Effects Matrix The Effect Select control is cyclical, meaning if Effect Select is pressed up when Small Hall is active, Detune will be the next selected effect. Similarly, if Detune is active, and Effect Select is pressed down, the effect will change to Small Hall.
Using the MX200 Routing Options The MX200’s powerful Dual Processor design and four signal routing options allow you to use it as two independent effects processors, or combine the reverbs and effects for a nearly limitless palette of complex sounds. 1. Dual Mono This routing option sends the Left and Right input signals through Processor 1 and Processor 2 respectively. Each signal is then routed to its respective output, completely independent from the other. 2.
Effects Descriptions The MX200 effects come in four varieties: Stereo, Mono In/Stereo Out, Mono (Wet only), and Stereo (Wet only). When using Wet only effects, turn the processors Mix knob fully clockwise. Reverbs Reverberation (or “reverb” for short) is the complex effect created by the way we perceive sound in an enclosed space. When sound waves encounter an object or boundary, they don’t just stop. Some of the sound is absorbed by the object, but most of the sound is reflected or is diffused.
Effects Descriptions - Reverbs Plate Reverbs Stereo Small Plate Large Plate Vocal Plate Drum Plate A Plate reverb is a large, thin sheet of metal suspended upright under tension on springs. Transducers attached to the plate transmit a signal that makes the plate vibrate, causing sounds to appear to be occurring in a large, open space. The Plates in the MX200 model the sound of metal plates with high initial diffusion and a relatively bright, colored sound.
Effects Descriptions - Reverbs Arena Reverb Stereo Arena reverb emulates a huge physical space such as an indoor sports venue or stadium. The characteristics of Arena reverb are long secondary reflection times and a reduced amount of high frequency content. Arena is a mostly mid- and lowfrequency dominant reverb, and is an ideal selection for “special effect” type applications that require extremely long reverb times. It is not a good choice for a very busy mix, since it can reduce intelligibility.
Reverb Control Values Note: Values of 0 – 100 are displayed as 0 – 00 (100 is displayed as 00 in the Program Display). Values of greater than 100 are shown with a decimal between the digits, i.e. 115 displayed as 1.5, 150 displayed as 5.0, and 200 is displayed as 0.0.
Delays Delays repeat a sound a short time after it first occurs. Delay becomes echo when the output is fed back into the input (feedback). This turns a single repeat into a series of repeats, each a little softer than the last. Studio Delay Stereo The Studio Delay features up to 2.5 seconds of stereo delay and offers a built-in ducker that attenuates the delay output whenever signal is present at the input. This can be used to keep the original signal from being muddied up by delay repeats.
Effects Descriptions - Delays Ducker Threshold MX200’s Studio and Digital delays offer a “ducking” feature, which causes the delay repeats to attenuate (or get softer) by -6dB when live (or input) signal is present. This allows the delay to remain as an effect, and not clash with the original signal. The higher this value is set, the louder an input signal must be for the ducking to take place. Smear This parameter controls the amount of “smear,” or signal degradation and frequency loss.
dbx® Dynamics De-Esser Mono (Wet only) A De-Esser is a type of compressor used to control specific frequencies. Excessive sibilance, or the “s” sounds, can be tamed by applying this effect. De-Esser Controls Knob 1: Compression Ratio amount determined by the Ratio. For example, if the threshold is set to -12dB, and the ratio set to 4:1, then when signal exceeds -12dB, the signal level above that amount only increases by 1dB to every 4dB of signal level above -12dB.
Modulated Effects Chorus Stereo Chorus creates a lush, full sound by combining two or more signals together where one is unaffected and the other signals vary in pitch very slightly over time. Chorus is commonly used to fatten up tracks and to add body to guitars without coloring the original tone. Chorus can also be used with discretion to thicken a vocal track. Chorus Controls Speed Controls the modulation rate of the Chorus effect.
Effects Descriptions - Modulated Effects ed signal being fed back into the input, creating feedback. Higher amounts add more resonance to the effect signal. Tremolo/Pan Stereo (Wet only) Tremolo and Panner create rhythmic changes in signal amplitude. Tremolo affects both channel’s amplitude simultaneously, while the Panner affects the amplitude of each channel in an alternating manner. Tremolo/Pan Controls Knob 1: Speed Controls the modulation rate of the Tremolo/Panner.
Effects Descriptions - dbx® Dynamics Knob 3: Cutoff Frequency This controls the cutoff frequency of the low pass filter. Lower settings roll off high frequency response. Vibrato Controls Knob 1: Speed Controls the modulation rate of Vibrato. Knob 2: Depth Controls the maximum amount of pitch shift. Lower settings result in a mere “warble,” while higher settings produce a more exaggerated “wow” sound.
MX200 Utilities The MX200 has several global functions that can be customized to meet your needs. These functions are MIDI Channel Select, Program AutoLoad enable, Dry Track to digital output, Analog/Digital Input Select, and Factory Reset. To access these Utility functions, press and hold both the Store and Audition buttons simultaneously until the Audition button LED begins to flash. The Program Display reads Ut to indicate that you are in Utility mode rather than Program mode.
MX200 Utilities buttons simultaneously. 2. Press the Audition button repeatedly until In appears in the Program Display. The Program Display flashes betweenIn and dI if the digital input is selected. If you want to disable the digital input and use the analog inputs, turn the Program Select knob until the Program Display reads An to select the analog input. 3. Press the Store button to save this change.
the MX200 will have a signal source (such as an instrument) connected directly to its inputs and the MX200’s outputs are connected to a mixer or amplifier input channels. The difference between these two banks is the way the Mix 1 and Mix 2 controls are set in the Factory programs, providing the proper wet/dry mix for either application. Note: The default Factory bank is the Serial bank.
The MX-EditTM Editor/Librarian - Windows The included MX-Edit Editor/Librarian software lets you create, edit, compare, save and load reverb and effects programs for use with your MX200 on your Windows® computer. While the MX200 has 99 User program locations, you can create and save as many programs you like on your computer, and load them into your MX200 via a USB or MIDI connection at any time. Minimum System Requirements Files->Lexicon->MX-Edit->Reinstall Drivers, and follow the installation prompts.
Program Editor appears, with the selected program’s name in the Title Bar and Program Name field. The program settings are also reflected in the Parameter knobs and buttons in the Program Editor window. Opening or Creating a Program The selected program is now loaded in your MX200 as well, and can be previewed using the Audition button on the MX200’s front panel. Any changes made in the MXEdit Program Editor window will also occur simultaneously on the MX200 hardware.
The MX-Edit Editor/Librarian - Windows this program is a basic clean sound. However, you can create your own default program by overwriting the Default file in the MX-Edit directory with the program of your choice. The MX-EditTM Program Editor The MX-Edit Program Editor lets you quickly and easily view, compare and edit any program stored in the MX200, or programs saved to your computer. and buttons, and are loaded into the MX200 hardware.
The MX-Edit Editor/Librarian - Windows tion depending on the default values for the selected reverb or effect. Adjusting Knobs To make editing in MX-Edit easy and intuitive, there are three ways to adjust knobs in MX-Edit: Mouse - Circular Place the cursor at the outer (shadowed) edge of a knob, then click and hold the left mouse button. The white indicator line on the knob jumps to the mouse cursor’s position, and follows the cursor as it moves around the circumference of the knob.
The MX-Edit Editor/Librarian - Windows Saving a Program If you make any changes to a program, an asterisk (*) will appear next to the program name in the Title Bar of the Program Editor. The LED associated with the corresponding knob or button and the Store button on the MX200’s front panel also illuminates, indicating a change from the loaded program. To save a program to disk, click File and select Save or Save As, and enter a file name.
The MX-Edit Editor/Librarian - Windows your previous programs and settings. To archive the MX200, click Device and select Backup. A warning will appear, advising you that a full Backup may take a few minutes, and asking whether you wish to proceed. To cancel without creating a Backup archive, click Cancel or close the dialog box. To proceed, click OK. A progress bar appears at the bottom of the MX-Edit screen, indicating that a Bulk Dump is in process.
The MX-EditTM Editor/Librarian - Mac The included MX-Edit Editor/Librarian software lets you create, edit, save and load reverbs and effects programs for use with your MX200 on your Macintosh® OSX computer. While the MX200 has 99 User program locations, you can create and save as many programs you like on your computer, and load them into your MX200 via a USB connection at any time.
To store a program into one of the MX200’s 99 User program locations, select Device > Store Program, choose the location and program name, then click the Save button. You can create new programs based either on the User or Factory programs, but you may only store to User program locations. As in the MX200 hardware, Factory programs cannot be over-written. To rename a User program, select Device > Rename. Enter a new name, select the User program location, and press Enter.
The MX-Edit Editor/Librarian - Mac Archiving Archiving is a powerful tool for preserving the current state of your MX200. When you archive the MX200, all of its presets and global settings are sent to the computer and saved to a file. When an archive is restored, the MX200 is configured exactly how it was when you archived it. This allows you to not only create safety backups, but create unique configurations for various purposes.
Using the MX200 as a Hardware Plug-In The MX200 comes with VST™ and Audio Units software which allows you to use the MX200 as a Hardware Plug-In. Now you have access to classic Lexicon® reverbs and effects within your software recording projects, with full automation and total recall, without burdening your CPU! Using the MX200 with the VST and Audio Units software works much like any other plug-in you’d use with a DAW, except that the audio is routed through the MX200 for the signal processing.
Using the MX200 as a Hardware Plug-In either 44.1kHz or 48kHz sample rate to avoid problems. Software Configuration Because the audio is being processed within the MX200 hardware, and not inside your computer, your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation, or Recording Software) needs to be set up to send and receive audio to and from the MX200. Many DAW’s have built-in routing configurations for this; consult your software’s documentation for information about setting up external routing options.
Important! MIDI Port Error Message CC Mapping If you see this message, the MX200 is either disconnected or its USB MIDI ports are in use by an application. Some hosts, such as Cubase, may automatically open the MX200’s MIDI ports by default. In this case, you will need to deselect or disable the port named “Lexicon MX200 Control” in the application’s MIDI Devices setup.
Specifications Audio Inputs: (2) 1/4” TRS balanced or unbalanced Input Impedance: 20k Ohms balanced, 10k Ohms unbalanced Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20kHz, ref. 1kHz +/- 1dB Line Outputs: (2) 1/4” TRS balanced or unbalanced Dynamic Range: >108dB Input Level: THD+N: Output Level: A/D Converters: Power: +4dBu Nominal, +20dBu Maximum <.007% 20Hz - 20kHz +4dBu Nominal, +20dBu Maximum 24-bit, 48kHz 9V AC (power supply included) Audio Processor: 24-bit Size: 1 RU Weight: 3.75 lbs.
Appendix Delay Time Range Values De-Esser Frequency Values Bandwidth Values Note: A value of 36 is the 12 o'clock knob position, or equal to the Tempo LED rate. Intermediate values (e.g. 1-3) do not represent exact note values.
Program List Effects in the list that are italicized and shaded are in Bypass in the factory programs. Effects that are bolded are designed to be Full Wet only (e.g. Compressor).
Effects in the list that are italicized and shaded are in Bypass in the factory programs. Effects that are bolded are designed to be Full Wet only (e.g. Compressor).
Lexicon® 8760 South Sandy Parkway Sandy, Utah 84070 PH (801) 566-8800 FAX (801) 566-7005 www.lexiconpro.com Manufactured in the U.S.A. Printed 7/2005 Lexicon MX200 Owners Manual 18-0327-B ©2005 Harman International Industries, Incorporated, all rights reserved.
