Lexicon U42S USB Interface

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ido1957

ido1957

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I'm really interested in buying this USB interface. It's middle of the line up at $399US from most retailers. It's pretty new but I'm wondering if anyone here has tried one and what they think of it. Functionality, ease of use, build quality etc etc. Any reviews/opinions are welcome...
 

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I guess the Lexicon name doesn't mean as much to me as it does to some people. That thing costs as much as a FIREPOD, but has only half as many input channels, plus it presumably has all the problems inherent in USB audio transport. The first words that come to mind are "massively overpriced", but that's just my gut talking here.
 
I agree that I wouldn't buy it on the Lexicon name alone, but knowing now that they put 4 dbx preamps in it, it's intriguing. According to Lexicon's site, you also get the Pantheon plugins - assuming that might be important to you. The specs I've seen look good, but as they just started hitting shelves this week, I doubt anyone has actually used one yet...
 
It looks huuuuge!

Essentially it has 4 balenced inputs, MIDI I/O and some spdif. I would not expect it to be that big!

Im very concious of desk space, and I would say this doesn't have enough features to warrent the size. Who can really say they need 8 LED's on an input indicator, just to monitor 4 channels? This seems to take up most of the space.

Ignoring this fact, it looks sexy and has a higher spec than their other audio interfaces.
 
I like the form factor and looks like it will be in reach, but not in the way. I'm curious if you would be able to apply reverb to a channel without it going to the computer to help a singer during tracking.

Is the Pantheon reverb plug processed in the unit or do you have to load it up on the computer? I would think the load on the USB buss would be fairly large if the plug ran inside the unit and also had to handle 6 channels of input and two channels of out.

I like that they included a second headphone out with level knob. Cool.

Is it just an interface or a DAW controller as well.

Cool, let us know if you get it.
 
Is the Pantheon reverb plug processed in the unit or do you have to load it up on the computer? I would think the load on the USB buss would be fairly large if the plug ran inside the unit and also had to handle 6 channels of input and two channels of out.
Just on the host computer, according to Lexicon.
Is it just an interface or a DAW controller as well.
Just interface. The hardware knobs control input gain, but there's nothing yet stating the knobs could control software faders, etc. Likewise, the master volume pot controls the hardware control room outputs, but not the master fader in the recording software.
 
Funny you ask... since my last response, someone on a voiceover board I belong to was raving about these - he picked up the U-42s model and really liked the preamps - enough to not use his regular outboard pre at all.
 
Went to the store this morning and ordered the U42S. It should be here in a week or so. I'll post a review once I've had a chance to check it out...:D
 
My Review

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/...ng+Interfaces/product/Lexicon/IONIX+U42S/10/1

Product: Lexicon IONIX U42S
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted 05/16/2009 at 06:21pm by Gerald

General : 7
I'm converting from an ADAT 8 Track recording setup to completely computer based recording. I already own a Lexicon PCM80 so I was pleased to see they were introducing USB Interfaces. I picked the U42S but I could have easily picked the U82S for the extra channels, to avoid plugging and unplugging. But now that I've bought it I'll plug/unplug the four channels as needed. I have mic/guitar/Drum L/Drum R so it's enough channels for my "live" setup. In any case I only record one track at a time.

It has a solid metal/plastic case which should withstand any bumps. I don't intend to use it for gigs.

It has a strip of LED's for each of the four channels, two for the Output and one for the monitor mixer. They're not bad but are not really that accurate - seems like the same number of leds are lit up regardless of the level control know setting until you hit the peak then it lights up all the leds and peaks (more on this later).

The knobs, switches, inputs are all high quality. It has two headphone jacks, two instrument jacks (which override the mic inputs 1 and 2) and 4 mic jacks. There are also two main outs which I route to my mixer for mixing/monitoring.

The headphone outputs are good - enough volume and you don;t have to crank them to hear the live/recorded mix.

There's a level control for each channel. These are not that good - I found the level didn't change a lot until you cranked it - then at the last bit you got a big jump in volume and it overdrove the channel. It was still clean but it overloaded the signal going to the software. I would have liked to see the change in level more even over the range of the volume knob.

The monitor mix knob works well - no latency for the live signal and you can blend in the previously recorded tracks perfectly.


Connectivity : 10
USB 2.0 works flawlessly.

I/O : 9
Preamps sound excellent for guitar (Marshall/SM57). I run a RODE NTK and it sounded rather thin but clean. I prefer to preamp it through my mixer with a compressor insert for some more bottom end/eq.

It has SPDIF and MIDI which I'll never use.

2 Headphone outs, with individual volume control. Ample volume through the headphones.

Power : 10
It has it's own power cord - not a wall wart but an inline transformer. 9VAC so you need the specific adapter not 9VDC so Radio Shack adapters won't work.

Has phantom power (in pairs) for the 4 preamps.

Technical specs : No Opinion
I run 44100 but it will do higher sample rates. It has ASIO driversa and I downloaded the most recent set from the website.

Other : 10
It comes with CUBASE LE but I use SONAR 6 PE so I never installed it. It comes with EZDRUMMER which I will try later.
It took about an hour to load the software/drivers from DVD and register everything.

Overall : 8
The sudden jump in volume on the channel volume control worries me. I would have expected it to be a smoother increase overall.
I had latency with SONAR 6 PE but I set the AUDIO/OPTIONS/ADVANCED Manual Offset (Recording Latency) to 1000 and every track recorded in sync. The latency was frustrating until somebody on Harmony Central suggested I try this.

I would probably buy another one but maybe the U82S for more channels.

Plus it doesn't have an on/off switch.???:confused:
 
Update - from Lexicon - there is a fix for the volume control problem:

There is an update available for the U42S which helps with the input level
pots. You will need to contact the Lexicon distributor in Canada to get the
update installed. Here is their contact information:

Company: SOUNDCRAFT CANADA
Country: CANADA
City: H8R 4B4 QUEBEC CANADA
Contact: info@soundcraft-canada.com
Telephone: (514) 595-3966
Email: information@soundcraft-canada.com
Website: Soundcraft Canada - Professional Audio / Son Professionnel

Thanks for your comment about the text; it would be nice if it were larger.

Regards,
Ryan Hauschild
Lexicon Pro Support
 
Hi,

I just bought a Lexicon I-Onix U42S. For some reason the interface can detect the signals from the mic but my computer can not detect any signals. I did set the interface as default microphone but nothing goes through to my computer (I have the latest driver updated too).
Can someone please enlighten me on this?

Thanks,
Gigi
 
Lexicon advised today regarding the distorted volume pots that :

Hello,

This issue has been resolved on all units manufactured after 10/06/09. There should be a sticker on the outside of the packaging box which has a serial number and manufacture date. Most other units in stores have been fixed to meet the same standard.


Regards,

Shane Vander Veur
Lexicon/DigiTech Support
Phone# (801)566-8800
 
Wow 4200 + views and no one has bought this unit but me and GiGi :D:D:D:D:D:D
 
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