Lexicon Reverb...

[Seeker of Rock]

I use Alesis Midiverb IV currently, but need a second and preferrably better unit to replace as primary reverb. I don't like having a thousand adjustment parameters and don't use them, just the very basic mix, input and output for the effect. Are MPX 110s as bad of a quality as the reviews say? How about the LXP1 and LXP15? MPX500? Again, a good reverb sound is all I need with a couple of basic adjustment parameters...LCD screens are not important to me. I want the Lexicon 'color', thus Lexicon and not TC, Roland SRV, Sony, etc.
BTW,
I will be using this for reverb only in the overall mix of my tracks, vocals, drums, and a little on guitars. Other fx if needed will be from the Alesis.
Which Lexi in the $200 max range (used)?

[scottboyher]

I love the sound of the MPX 100! That would be my choice...

I haven't found too many good reviews on the 110.

[mixsit]

The LXP-1 has a nice set of turn-and-go sounds. I use it mostly on the analog quick-mix side and head-phone/monitoring vs the 80 and 90 that get piped into the daw, but it is quick and dials up good presets mostly.
Havent tried or compared it to the other mid range newer stuff though...
Front knobs tend to be scratchy too.
Wayne

[Seeker of Rock]

Interesting. Quality of the reverb alone, and out of curiosity, how much difference between the LPX and the sweet PCMs you have? Someone was saying that the LPX series (Lexi's former "bargain" line) was more attuned to professional grade sound quality than the newer MPX "bargain" line. Hmmm.

[Jack Real]

Hi

I have a Lexicon MPX550 and a Roland SRV3030. I'm using the lexicon more for the effects and the compression but here are my preferences:

- Ambiance reverb for mix; Lexicon or Roland, they are both equally good
- Instrument reverb (acoustic guitar); Lexicon
- Vocal reverb: Roland

/Jack Real.

[mixsit]

Originally Posted by Seeker of Rock

Interesting. Quality of the reverb alone, and out of curiosity, how much difference between the LPX and the sweet PCMs you have? Someone was saying that the LPX series (Lexi's former "bargain" line) was more attuned to professional grade sound quality than the newer MPX "bargain" line. Hmmm.

Wow. For quite a while now it's been the pcm's primarily, but to try to put it in perspective, I'd guess the jump from QuadraVerbs' to LXP might be a bigger bump than LXP to PCM. On drums in particular the difference hit home immediately. (As in, big grin.) So yeah, there's plenty of differences, but it's still just verb' and it's still a struggle (for me) sometimes to get them to 'sit right. I guess the bigger factor is the shear number of options, voicings, layers, routing, on and on.. the power to tailor the things. I don't often do much that builds the mix around the effects, but like any track, the stronger it is, the more you can lean on it, so...
I hope that helps some.
Wayne

[Seeker of Rock]

It helps immensely. I believe I will look into an LXP for the time being. I have noticed four models, two that I am looking at. The LXP1 half rack, and the LXP15. I'll see if I can pick one up. Thanks again for your help!

[xstatic]

There is a pretty bif difference actually between an LXP and a PCM. On the LXP's, you lose a lot of parameter control. Not that the LXP's are bad, but are fairly limited. They have a little more self noise, the pots go out easier, and they sound a little grainier. In my opinion however, like someone stated above, they are MUCH nicer than something like an Alesis Quadraverb. The lexicon PCM series really allows you to dial in your sound. Great parameter control, better DSP for complex programming, more options etc... The biggest thing however between the LXP and the PCM is that you WON"T hear the difference. By that I mean that the PCM's will tend to add a lot more space and dimension without leaving the audible artifacts behind. I don't want to sound like I am talking badly about the LXP's, because they are great little boxes. The PCM's are just a little more for the experienced user that is ready to utitlize the things that the PCM offers both in flexibility and sonic capability. The differences sound pretty subtle when you cue them up. When you finish a mix though, those differences can have a HUGE impact.

[mixsit]

Originally Posted by xstatic

... The differences sound pretty subtle when you cue them up. When you finish a mix though, those differences can have a HUGE impact.

What about the newer boxes out there? Have the price/performance gaps narrowed? I haven't heard the Rumour' for example.
Wayne

[SonicAlbert]

The Rumour is the best budget reverb out there, in my opinion. I've owned and used many of them, and the Rumour is the best sound for the best price. Lots of programming options too in that box.

There is a big jump up from the LXP line ot the PCM line, although I would probably put the LXP line ahead of the MPX line (except the MPX-1) because of the appeal of the LXP tone. If you get the LXP-15, the model to get is the version 2, the LXP-15II.

Don't overlook the MPX-1, it's a good deal at current prices, and better than the rest of the MPX line.

[Seeker of Rock]

One LXP15 v1 on ebay and I'm not sure if I want to play the wait game for a MKII. Is it easily upgradable to v2 specs or no?
MPX1...better quality reverbs than 550/220/110? If so, is it a noticeable jump? Tone is obviously very critical in my choice, and Lexicon is known for that. MPX-1 tone decent?

[SonicAlbert]

I don't think you should expect to be able to upgrade a version one to version two at this point. Perhaps the upgrades are still available from Lexicon, but I kind of doubt it. Perhaps worth a call or email to Lexicon to find out.

If I remember correctly, there are some compelling reasons to go with version two. I think the knob ballistics are better, and some other improvements were made. It's been a while though.

The MPX-1 and the Rumour are my favorite low budget reverb boxes, with a nod toward the TC M2000. I've owned all those at various times, by the way. I haven't owned a 550/220/110 series, but I have heard them and wasn't impressed. For the money I suppose they are okay, but the MPX-1 is a better choice in my opinion.

My current fx box collection consists of: Lexicon PCM-91/81, TC M3000, Kurzweil KSP8, Klark Teknik DN780, and Ensoniq DP/4. The PCM series is a big improvement over the MPX series, with the MPX-1 being the best of the MPX series. The tone is good, but in all honesty I'm spoiled now by my current reverb boxes. The tone of the MPX-1 is not as good as the PCM-91, but better than the other MPX series. As far as a comparison between the MPX-1 and the LXP-15, I haven't compared them side by side. The last time I used an LXP box was years ago and I remember the tone being a bit darker and thicker than the MPX-1. Very subjective though, and like I said, it was long time ago.

If you go for the LXP-15 it would be worth it to hold out for a version two. There's a guy here in LA that mods those and claims they sound better than the PCM series after his mod. I'm almost tempted to et one and try it out, but I already have all my sends filled.

[boingoman]

What do you think of the K-T unit? I've toyed with getting one of those (they don't show up much)

[Seeker of Rock]

Man, HC reviews on ease of operation....ay ay ay! I guess it can't be too much worse than my DM Pro. To change pages in that, you have to position the cursor under the page number and away from the parameter(s) you were adjusting. I think MPX1 at least has dedicated page buttons, but it still sounds like a lot to learn. Looks like a fine piece of gear, but I was really trying to stay around $250 max. Did see a few on ebay go for under $350. Still a hard sell to the wife, but not impossible. May check out the Rumors too, just to see what's out there.

[IronFlippy]

My father has that Midiverb. From what I've used of it, it sounds pretty damn good, but I really don't have anything to compare it to, other than free software reverbs.

[Seeker of Rock]

Iron,
The MidiVerb is not the worst box in the world, and it is fairly tweakable, but the quality of the reverb is not quite what I am looking for. I'm looking to go to the next level for now, until I can be so fortunate to own a PCM.

Time to hijack my own thread...while I have you guys, any advice on eliminating bass farts? I'm running a Fender Deluxe Jazz (active electronics) into my Joe Meek MQ3 into my 488 II. Battery in the Jazz Bass is good, new strings on it yesterday, not clipping my input, get the same thing when I run straight to the board and bypass MQ3, and it only happens on the low E string and when I strike it good. I also use a pick, so maybe it's in my playing?? Ever happen to anyone else? It's been awhile since I've tracked bass, but I can't recall it being a problem in the past, but then again maybe so. I think I'll track it through the monitors tonight and see if it's not my headphones crapping out on me.

[SonicAlbert]

Ease of use on the LXP's is pretty good.

As far as Alesis, I think their best reverb box was the Wedge. It's also incredibly easy to use, one of the best user interfaces ever designed in my opinion. If you are even considering a midiverb, go for the Wedge instead.

[Seeker of Rock]

Already own the Midiverb, just looking to upgrade the primary reverb to the Lexi "character". The LXP-15 v1 on ebay looks to be in decent condition. Not sure when I'll see a v2, but I am considering that v1 just for the bang-for-the-buck factor. Also an LXP-1 up for grabs. Hmmm.
Any suggestions on the bass clipping? Even at low input, both on the bass volume and the input signal path, I still get it. I think I may be playing it too hard, especially since I use a pick (been a few years since I have tracked on a bass, and I'm a guitarist/vocalist by nature) but any advice is appreciated.

[MrBoogie]

Originally Posted by xstatic

There is a pretty bif difference actually between an LXP and a PCM. On the LXP's, you lose a lot of parameter control. Not that the LXP's are bad, but are fairly limited.

This isn't entirely true. I have used the LXP-1 and LXP-5 with my computer connected via MIDI, and I could tweak the crap out of any of the patches. There were a bunch of settings that I didn't even know what they were. IIRC, the software was SoundDiver.

Originally Posted by xstatic

They have a little more self noise, the pots go out easier, and they sound a little grainier

This is for sure. I bought mine used and had to work the controls quite a bit to get out the scratchiness. You should only have to set the levels once, though.

I've owned the Alesis nanoverb and the Midiverb IV, some Digitechs and the LXP-1/5 sounded noticeably better to me. In fact, I think the Alesis(the ones I owned) reverbs and ESPECIALLY the flanger SUCKED!! The flanger's volume goes up and down along with the flange effect. The reverbs sound like if I was just to simply simulate a reverb tail by making a hissing sound and then recording that!

[Seeker of Rock]

Yes, yes....thus the reason to upgrade.

I currently own the MidiVerb IV and it is all I have to deal with as my end-all reverb for all my tracks. As far as mulit-effects, I don't use much more than reverb for my recordings, and probably don't want to use more at this point. But from a quality of the 'tone' only standpoint, what is the best bang-for-the-buck Lexicon (or other) I could get strictly for basic but good sounding reverb, that would provide a noticeable step up from the Alesis? MXP1 looks awesome, but not sure if I am that into dialing in, or would need it right now...What, in reverb only, can I, or should I, do to noticeably improve upon the Alesis for $200 or $250? That is my true question, as honest as I can get.

p.s.-To give you an idea of the what I am working with, my home setup is as follows:
TASCAM 488 MKII
CDRW700
Pro VLA
ART eq
Joe Meek MQ3
Alesis MidiVerb IV

[xstatic]

The TCm300 is quite an upgrade as well as any Lexicon that is still in that price range. Even an old Yamaha SPX90 would be an upgrade. It's really hard to describe what the Alesis is NOT doing for you right now. The best I can do is tell you that when you get something nicer, you will realize within 5 minutes. That being said, you may still find some uses for your Alesis reverb

As far as the LXP1 goes, I still think I was pretty much right. First, I was not aware that there was a software program for editing it. Now I am going to have to pull my LXP's out. I do have the MRC which certainly changes the capabilities. However, my response was purely to the LXP-1. There was never any mention of an MRC, and like I said I was not aware of third party software that controlled it My statement still stands unless the end user has the capabilities to run remotes with it (be it software or hardware).

[Seeker of Rock]

Sounds like a step toward any decent unit is going to be better than my initial pony up of $189 for the Alesis. I will keep it around for whatever, I guess, but look forward to a bump in reverb. Guess it's down to MPX500 or 550, LXP-1, TC 300, Yamaha Rev 500, or an LXP-15. Thanks again to everyone for your help and experience!

[xstatic]

It's not that the Midiverb is 'bad". Back when they were for sale, there weren't any better options in that price range per say. You could also find a used Yamaha spx900 nowadays for around $300.

[SonicAlbert]

Originally Posted by Seeker of Rock

Sounds like a step toward any decent unit is going to be better than my initial pony up of $189 for the Alesis. I will keep it around for whatever, I guess, but look forward to a bump in reverb. Guess it's down to MPX500 or 550, LXP-1, TC 300, Yamaha Rev 500, or an LXP-15. Thanks again to everyone for your help and experience!

Out of that list I personally would be most inclined toward the LXP-15 (a version 2 ideally) or Yamaha REV500.

[Seeker of Rock]

Sonic, your insistence on the MPX-1 has taken its toll on me. My final purchase choice will be an LXP-15 (sorry, no v 2 up for grabs and may or may not be for some time) or an MPX-1. The latter looks very sweet, it may be big-time overkill for my needs, but I have read it does have presets, just the price....OUCH!!!! Anyway, your advice, Sonic, is well taken and I am looking...anybody have and MPX-1 to let go for $350???? Otherwise, I have to do what I have to do.
Thanks again for all of the help you gave me and let's see what becomes available on ebay!...
Dale