Lexicon MX200 - anyone used this?

[dino757]

Hi all:

Just wanted to see if anyone has used this device with a PC/Mac and sequencing software:

MX200 on AMS's website

It's a Lexicon MX200, and it's on AMS's site for $200. Can't figure out if it's new or not, because it's not even on Lexicon's site right now, even in the "legacy" products section.

Anyway, this thing is a dual-engine multi-effects unit that's suppose to come with a USB port, and it's got drivers that make it appear as a VST plug-in to software programs. Sounds kind of neat since you can use it as a hardware processor or a plug-in without messing around with ins and outs.

I was hoping someone on this board had some experience with this hardware and Sonar or some other sequencer as a VST plug.

Thanks,
Dino

[lemerlisP]

Dino,

I've run across that box too. It is definetly new (I think it was first available on the 18th of this month). I would guess that nobody has anything to say about it yet. Personally I really like the idea of an external fx box that functions as a vst plugin. I'm probably going to get one of these. It's perfect for my mini studio.

[Bob's Mods]

This looks like a cool idea. If it works like we think its supposed to work, meaning just like a plug in, then I expect many box makers will jump on board this band wagon. I suspect there may be some latency deal with.

Bob

[SonicAlbert]

Yeah, that's a new unit. Hardware that is accessed like a plugin seems like a great idea. It can be used as a standard external fx box as well, since it has analog and SPDIF I/O.

[Sloan]

hmmm.

that IS a really cool idea.
supa-badass if it's ever realtime!

[SonicAlbert]

I'm assuming it's realtime, but there would certainly be latency of some milliseconds. The question is how much?

[dino757]

Man, I'm needing this Lexicon more and more by the hour

Found an article on HC on this unit. Doesn't address latency, but does offer some more info:

HC Article (Lexicon press release) on the MX200

Just wanted to pass this on...

Dino

[davefromfade]

electronic musician has a blurb about it on page 20 of the current issue. sounds really cool.

[sweetnubs]

Sometimes I use the mpx 200 as a step when I need to reach real gear.

[Al Sim]

Just to clarify - the unit in question is the MX200, not the MPX200. Considering the reputation of the MPX200, you have to wonder why Lexicon assigned a confusingly similar code to a new product.

So does anyone have any experience with MX200?

[diogo]

nope,

but im thinking of getting one...

either that or a mpx100/500/tc m300...
alesis wedge...

these are my choices...but i really expect a lot from this new one...

[diogo]

one more thing...

if we're talking about usb 2.0 in this unit, i doubt there's gonna be any lactency...2.0 is waaay faster than firewire.

[Al Sim]

I emailed Lexicon on the USB 2.0 question. Couldn't find any mention of USB version on the spec sheet. I'll let you know what I find out. They have the MX200 at the Guitar Center here, so I may make a little trip to go check it out.

[diogo]

Al,

if they dont state it, im pretty sure its not 2.0

usb 2.0 is being used as a marketing tool everywhere...a valuable one nevertheless, cause it is actually a lot faster than firewire.

most of the top companies have a lot invested in either firewire, pci or usb 1.0 i figure its gonna take a while to make it affordable as these companies cant do anything without the other following right after, cause otherwise its not profitable. with the amount of stuff rme, lynx, echo, maudio, etc have to offer in those domains, i really doubt anyhting will come out with usb 2.0 in it anytime soon...

still..most new desktops have nothing but usb 2.0 ins so...

who knows..i hope lexicon surprises us.

tanx a lot for checking it! do let us know..and while you're at it...judge a bit of the reverb quality

[RezN8]

I don't think Guitar Center would have the MX200 just yet, because I don't believe it's been shipped yet. I've been waiting for this unit since they announced it, and as soon as it's in (Sweetwater 'thinks' they'll get it first) I'm going to buy one and tell you all what I think of it.

Cheers, Rez

[diogo]

Rez,

in europe its all over..i mean in the usual online stores (germany, etc)..lexicon is american right? it should be there :/

do let us know!

tanx.

[diogo]

anyone looking for a deal?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...sPageName=WD2V

[Al Sim]

Here's what I learned from Lexicon:

1) They say there's no latency issue with the USB connection because it only handles control data. Audio data goes through the analog or S/PDIF connections. (Okay, but is it USB 2.0? Don't know, they addressed the latency issue but not the version issue.)

2) I asked if the MX-Edit(tm) Editor/Librarian Software needs a MIDI connection. They tell me it uses the USB connection also, and you only need a MIDI connection if
you are syncing the MIDI clock.

3) I verified that when you use the S/PDIF Digital Input/Output, the MX200 takes the clock time from the source (for example, your PC sound card).

4) When you use the the S/PDIF Digital Input/Output, your source sample rate (i.e. your sound card) can be 16 or 24 bit, and 44.1 or 48kHz.

Haven't been to Guitar Center yet. Maybe I should call and verifiy they have it in, I saw it in the catalog they send to the guy who lived in this house before me and assumed that it was in stock and available.

[Al Sim]

Another place to get it:

http://www.bayviewproaudio.com/custo...8&cat=0&page=1

[Bob's Mods]

The Lexicon web site only listed one sample rate, 48kHz. I read nothing about 44.1. Either I missed it or they might have added it. I haven't looked lately. If it only works in 48kHz, that could be an issue.

Bob

[diogo]

tanx!

thats very good to know.

[MrBoogie]

Seems to be a lot of mis-information going around.

Yes, USB 2.0 is fast for sustained transfer speed, but that is a different thing from latency.

Also, USB 2.0 is 480Mbs while firewire is 400Mbps. Based on that, I wouldn't say USB 2.0 is a "lot" faster or "waay" faster....it's 20% faster. That's considerable or noticeable. Musicians have a gift for exaggeration :-)

Also, don't forget, it's measured in megabits, NOT megaBYTES which is what many people(in general, not here specifically) seem to think. This IS a big difference.

Last, as Al Sim pointed out, the usb connection is NOT for audio data, only control data.

With all that in mind, this unit looks (to me) like it wouldn't be any better than any other effects processor with MIDI control and digital I/O. It looks like having "USB 2.0" on the box is causing clouding of vision.

Even if USB 2.0 has better latency than MIDI for control data, so what? You can do some crazy stuff using MIDI control over your processor. Realtime stuff. I honestly can't understand how USB 2.0 would help here....



I forgot to add, if you do a search on the internet, most sources [that I've read] say that Firewire is actually faster than USB 2.0 in the real world. The raw throughput doesn't tell the whole story, apparently. One thing I don't know is whether Firewire or USB 2.0 has lower latency.....

[diogo]

Boogie,

i stand corrected then. I really thought that a quicker connection would mean lower lactency...as in, quicker, not so demanding of the cpu, real time, etc would equal low lactency.

[Purge]

Just giving this a semi-bump...I'm really looking forward to a review here.

[turnitdown]

From the zzounds website, they claim 44/48 compatibility...Features
16 legendary Lexicon reverbs

Lexicon delays & mod effects

dbx compressor & de-esser

VST plug-in & editor software

"Hardware plug-in" mode

Dual-processor design

4 routing configurations

99 factory / 99 user programs

S/PDIF digital inputs / outputs

24 bit, 44.1kHz / 48kHz



BUT, the Lexicon site does not... Hmmmmm.... Father's Day is coming up, and I think I want this, but, not if I can't use it at 44.1....

Plus, Id like to see some reviews... I couldn't find a single one....