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Has anyone tried the Lexicon MX400 for orchestra reverb?

I am thinking to replace my STW A-100 because it consumes a lot of DSP power.

Any comment? those two reverb comparison?

Thanks.

hc.

can't help you with that, I only have the MPX1, which sounds (even) better to me than the Masterverb-Pro.

But I'd like to sign in for your A100 if you start selling it (you could pm me)

I have had Lexicons since the last century. They have been Top Shelf items for a long time. But I have heard their new hybrid 1U's, and realise that Elvis has left the building. It's sad to see such a fine name be put upon these consumer products. But older models, especially the PCM90's, and 91's are awesome inside of Scope. Even the MPX series is of the older chips, and algos. I use the MPX-200 on my keyboard rig, and it sounds fine. 4 vocals, having the editing ability is nescessary 4 custom pres., so the MPX-1 up through the PCM90's models are great 4 this. But these new models are far from reminiscient of the older ones, so give them a listen first. I prefer hardware still, as it sounds fine to me, and uses no DSP's.
Not having heard Warp's A100, or other great DSP based algos. I cannot judge their quality though, as I simply avoid the PCI buss and use a Lexxy. As synth power is my concern.

I've been curious about the MX400 & recently announced MX500 myself. I had an older Alesis unit at one point but since it didn't offer any sound advantages over the Masterverb it's long since been sold, and I have meant for 6-7 years now to buy something again. The fact that I haven't tells you that I find the CW reverbs at least workable, especially when supplanted by software (now that cpu's are faster) when I want to mix & match colors.

However I still would like to get a nice piece of outboard kit. Eventide is beyond my needs & pricerange currently, since I'm not selling enough music to make that financial outlay justifiable. THe Kurzweil Rumour seems a nice interesting reverb especially for special fx, but they haven't been in production in a few years and finding one used is hit & miss (when I have the cash to spend).

From what you're saying Jimmy, it might be better to just keep my eyes out for a used Lexi?

One of the things I was hoping for was a unit that would allow input via spdif/aes and at least 1 analog input at the same time (in addition to 2 from analog or 2 from digital in), so that I could have a lot of flexibility in deciding how to use the 2 dsp engines that most of the units I have been interested in offer.

Recent 'Lexicon' devices are Digitech chips/algo's with the Lexicon name on it. Don't bother. The real Lexicon guys left the company when Harman took over, it's just an exercise in branding.

Brotha' Man Valis,
The Lexicon PCM91 is awesome. You can however achieve close to the the same sounds, w/ way less editing though., in the MPX series.

If you like precision w/o zippers, it's hard to beat. It has super accurate algo's 4 ambience, tiled floors, etc. But I find it's Halls unrealistic. But once youv'e heard them, your concerns w/ realism is of no consequence.

I happen to have an Alesis Q20 w/ ADAT I/O's that has the sweetest plates for horn sections, especially the gated plate.

Good luck finding a 91 on ebay. Nobody's selling 'em. But the Q20 is a steal @ 3-400 USD.


Darkrezin, as always is well informed,

If you have a VST host, really consider to check out Nebula 2 Free or coming full version.
http://www.acusticaudio.com/modules.php?name=Products

In the free version there is a "Rich Chamber" patch from the PCM70 and this one sounds better than anything I`ve heard based on software....

This kicks serious ass on any IR based convolution reverb....

Its some kind of dynamic convolution based host fx vst, and the results are convincing....

It eats up a lot of CPU power but the results are so great.

Definitly has my recommendation for absolute high quality master reverb for post production and orchestral...

check it out....
the free version only comes with few impulses and the Full evrsion will be really cheap, from what the developers statement (20,30$ or so )

just a little question.... Is someone owning a Lexicon Pcm70?

Yepp !!!
It is ancient, but awesome !! I have one that's great for recording on an analog console only. It's MIDI implementation is primitive, but was the first one to use it in 1984. When you load a patch through MIDI, well the Yamaha QX-1, ( hardware sequencer ) was the only thing capable of doing that then, it paused and loaded, due to the Lexichip ( probably Motorola DSP ), which was a drag. We used it live, and did program changes on the sequencer, and the light console as well. We thought we were big time tekkies then. Then came the cheap ass Alesis MIDI verb, and MIDIFx. They were not recording quality, but sounded O.K. live, and we used them 4 they loaded fast w/o any audio hiccups.
The PCM70's are still used live w/ many touring companies like Gamble, ShoCo, etc. But mostly for monitors, where the preset stays constant the whole night. You will see the 480L's, and the 960L's as they are multi-timbral, 8 seperate revebs cookin' on those DSP's. But those dogs will hunt.
They still go used for several large.


Hope This Helps,

I might sell my Lexicon MPX-100. It's missing a knob.

I use an MPX 200 still. It sounds good on synths and keys, especially if you use the external FX module via S/PDIF. Simple halls or rooms only.

I use it as an AUX on a Samson 4 BUSS 4U mixer.

$500 USD or close to is the pricerange I was hoping to keep to for an fx unit, but ever since I long ago abandoned my alesis stuff the CW devices I have have been serviceable enough I have yet to get anything else. I'd like something with dual engines & configurable routing but the budget Lexicon & TC options don't really appeal to me enough (I would have gotten one already if they did). I'm tempted to just save for a used Eventide...

Do you have to have digital I / O's ?
The PCM 70's are cheap used. 500 USD is a good price too.

The Eventides are top shelf live and in the studio. They were always so good I call them all Ultras. On live bass they were a serious weapon in capable hands.

If you could get both of these for 1 large, I would jump. The 80.s 81's 90's. 91's. are so sweet though. Ultimate build quality also, no stinkin' wall warts.