Lexicon MX200 - anyone used this?

[RezN8]

Help me Lexicon guys!

OK- I got it. I'm impressed with the quality of effects.

HOWEVER- Before I give any more feedback on the MX200, I need to know if you're planning to support Windows 2000!!! Had I known this before, I would've purchased a different device.

I tried it through the effects loop of my amp but couldn't get rid of that nasty 60 cycle hum. I tried everything - high-end instrument cables, speaker cables, different outlets... even tried holding the MX200 high above my head and across the room from the amp. The hum is just too noticeable to be useful. Oh well.

Please tell me a software version for windows 2000 is coming. Pretty please?

 

[diogo]

even tried holding the MX200 high above my head and across the room from the amp.

dude lol this is just too funny

im sorry you're having trouble, maybe these fellas can jump in and address it?
how does the usb connection work? does it have any drivers to be installed, or just pops up in whatever software's fx section you might be using...if it has drivers it can be fixed right?...

verry funny..sorry, not laughing at you, but with you

 

[RezN8]

dude lol this is just too funny

im sorry you're having trouble, maybe these fellas can jump in and address it?
how does the usb connection work? does it have any drivers to be installed, or just pops up in whatever software's fx section you might be using...if it has drivers it can be fixed right?...

verry funny..sorry, not laughing at you, but with you

Diogo- I was actually trying to be funny, tnx for getting my humor. I can't tell you if the usb connection works yet. The manual says to pop in the CD and run the exe and then you'll be prompted to plug in the USB cable. Since I don't have WinXP, I can't get that far.

I'm hoping there's a way around it.

 

[diogo]

hey Rezn, that was funny

say, u mention the sound is good...but what can u compare with? what verbs have u used before..i really need to place this unit, im about to go for a lexicon alex and frankly dunno if i should...

tanx, and good luck!

 

[TGB]

...I need to know if you're planning to support Windows 2000!!! Had I known this before, I would've purchased a different device. ?

--> Unfortunately, there are no currently plans to support Win2k. As 2k requires a completely different set of drivers, it's hard to justify spending eng resources to write a whole new driver (not to mention extensive testing) -- when our research tells us less than 10% of our user base is using something other than WinXP. Like you -- I happen to be one of those small percentage using 2k, as it works better for my Nuendo rig... but even -I- couldn't rationalize the extra resources to do it. Note that our website and all related literature indicates min sys req as WinXP SP2.

......I tried it through the effects loop of my amp but couldn't get rid of that nasty 60 cycle hum. ?

->> That's most likely due to your amp, and unbalanced cabling causing a ground loop. Did you try lifting the ground on your amp to see if that helped?

BTW -- there are, indeed, drivers and software to load for MX200 -- VST and Audio Units plug-in controls, MX-Edit Editor Librarian Software, and of course, USB drivers.

Bob -- yes, you can use it as a send FX, insert, anywhere a plug can be used. The clock will synch to SPDIF (44.1 or 48k).

TGB

 

[Bob's Mods]

Can this unit be used that same way the old MPX200 was used? I used to own one and could plug it into the S/PDIF chain which needed no software drivers. I would set it up using front panel or using the midi connection. If you can adjust it using midi and/or the front panel then installing the drivers would not be needed and it could be used in any operating system. For me, I'm still using Win98SE. You would be loosing the ability to control the unit as a "plugin" which is only available in the WinXP it appears but it could still be used in other operating system with a little less flexibility.

Bob

 

[diogo]

im seriously thinking of getting this...

lex fellas...will i have trouble with hum and white noise pluggin this to the unbalanced ins of my tascam 488MKII?

what can i expect...?



ps. do u guys know that this is going for waaaaaaaay more in europe than in the states? (not friggin fair lol)

 

[mixsit]

im seriously thinking of getting this...

lex fellas...will i have trouble with hum and white noise pluggin this to the unbalanced ins of my tascam 488MKII?

There should be no hum issues. (Unless something's broke..

 

[diogo]

cool!

tanx for the reply mixsit!

 

[diogo]

im wondering how this compares to the TC M300...

any ideas?

 

[TGB]

Mx200 Midi

Can this unit be used that same way the old MPX200 was used? [snip] If you can adjust it using midi and/or the front panel then installing the drivers would not be needed and it could be used in any operating system.

Bob --

You can absolutely use it this way... MIDI can control any/all of the front panel controls via MIDI mapping... you could even send the MIDI CC Messages over USB -- meaning you'd lose the cool control panel, and I don't think MX-Edit would work on Win98, but you sure could write a MIDI track into a DAW or sequencer and get automation as well.

Over.

TGB

 

[Wurlitzer]

I have a couple of questions for you guys

1. Can you use ANY two of the available effects in the two effects slots? I've been put off buying other budget Lexicon units because, while they're called "dual effects" there seem to be huge restrictions on which effects can be used together - you're restricted to the preset pairings that the unit is set up to accomodate. For example on the MPX 110/550, you can't use rotary or tremelo in combination with another effect.

My impression from the blurb is that this is different - you have x number of effects, you choose any one you like for the first engine, then any one you like for the second engine. Is it really as simple as that?

Basically I want to be able to choose any available effect for the first engine, plus always have a reverb in the second engine.

2. How deep is the unit, from front to back? I want it for my live rig and only have quite a shallow space for it. I notice it has an external power supply, so I presume this cuts down on size.

Looks exciting.

 

[diogo]

will the unit work connected with analog jacks, into a device that only records at 44.1kz?

 

[TGB]

All Things MX200....

1. Can you use ANY two of the available effects in the two effects slots? [snip] ... you have x number of effects, you choose any one you like for the first engine, then any one you like for the second engine. Is it really as simple as that?

It really IS that simple. Each processor has access to all of the 16 Reverbs (some taken directly from PCM91 algorithms -- the ones that would fit, anyway), or any of the other 16 delays and effects. Two reverbs, two delays, two compressors, a delay and a reverb -- whatever. Two completely independent processors, that can be routed four ways -- so you can have one going into the other, or run them seperately.

Most dual processors give you access to one reverb plus some other effect, meaning that you can't use them as two seperate reverbs...

2. How deep is the unit, from front to back?

Pretty shallow, just under 4 1/2" deep. Make sure and leave about 2" for your 1/4" TRS connectors, though...

diogo also asked... "will the unit work connected with analog jacks, into a device that only records at 44.1kz?"

The default sample and processing rate of the unit is 48kHz, and the S/PDIF outs are always active. There is no utility to change the processing rate to 44.1k, but it will lock to an incoming 44.1kHz signal via S/PDIF. I'm assuming that you probably want to hook it to a CD recorder or some such -- and most devices will have an SRC (sample rate converter) to make the minor downsample from 48k to 44.1k. BTW -- you can change the S/PDIF outs to be "dry track" -- sending unprocessed signal out, if desired.

Hope that helps...

TGB

 

[Wurlitzer]

Thanks so much TGB.

That's it, I'm ordering. Sounds perfect for what I need.

 

[twinaxe]

For TGB

For you in terms of reverb quality the mx200 is equivalent of mpx1?

 

[TGB]

Comparisons

twinaxe --

There were a number of comparative tests done during the development of MX200: MPX110, MPX550, MPX1 and PCM91, as well as several competing products. If you've heard MPX1 vs MPX550, you'd have to say they were... different...

And so it is with MX200 vs MPX1 -- there's some difference... for the fairest comparison, I'd say that MX200 exceeds MPX550 sonically in most aspects... and that they're both somewhat different than MPX1. MPX1 has a great deal more "tweak-ability" than MX200 -- but requires a MUCH steeper learning curve.... since there really *isn't* one for the MX200.

Hope that doesn't obsfucate things to much...

TGB

 

[twinaxe]

For TGB

Excuse me but i don't speak english very well, i live in Italy. I don't understand what do you want to say with "tweak ability". I was interested in reverb quality only. Thank you very much and excuse me again.

 

[TGB]

Idioms revisited

I don't understand what do you want to say with "tweak ability".

Sorry about that, twinaxe. I meant to say that MPX1 gives you a great deal more in terms of parameter controls -- many per effect. MX200 gives you less control, but the ones you probably want

In terms of quality -- MX200 has really good reverbs (more than the price would indicate) -- and similar to MPX1 -- which has more modulated effects algorithms. I'd say very similar, with MPX1 and MX200 edging each other out on some specific reverbs... depends on what you like. MPX1 has more high-frequency content.

TGB

 

[twinaxe]

For TGB

Thank you very much. Now i have all clear in my mind.