Lexicon 960L-LARC2 Manual Addendum

960L Version 2.5

Owner’s Manual Addendum

1

Using the Documentation

This addendum to the 960L Owner’s Manual contains information about the 960L Version 2.5 software. It covers features
of Version 2.5 that differ from previous Version 2 software releases (such as Versions 2.20, 2.21, 2.22, and 2.4). Refer to the
960L Owner’s Manual for general information and operating instructions.

About Version 2.5

The 960L Version 2.5 software contains several new Delay algorithms, as well as additional 96kHz Reverb algorithms. The
list below highlights Version 2.5 features:

Stereo Delay Algorithms

• Simple Delays

• Dual Delays

• Random Delays

• Stereo Frame Delay

Multi-Channel Delay Algorithms

• Simple Surround Delays

• Random Surround Delays

• Surround Frame Delay

• Octal Frame Delay (8x8 configuration only)

• Octal Zone Delay (8x8 configuration only)

New Stereo 96kHz Reverb Algorithms

• Chamber

• Plate

New Multi-Channel Reverb Algorithms

• Surround Chamber

• Surround Plate

Stereo Delay Factory Programs

• Eight banks contain new preset programs that utilize
the Stereo Delay algorithms listed here. There is also a
bank containing 480L Delay programs. These
programs are described in detail later in this
document (see page 9).

Multi-Channel Factory Programs

• Five banks contain new preset programs that utilize
the Multi-channel Delay algorithms listed here. These
programs are described in detail later in this
document (see page 13).

A Harman International Company

Lexicon Part No. 070-14825 | Rev 0 | 07/01

Lexicon, Inc.
3 Oak Park
Bedford, MA 01730-1441
USA

Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]

www.lexicon.com

Customer Support

Tel [phone]
Fax [phone] (Sales)
Fax [phone] (Service)

2

Version 2.5 Software Release

Lexicon, Inc.

Delay Algorithms

SIMPLE DELAYS

Simple Delay is a basic delay algorithm. It features one
delay line for each input channel (in 5-channel operation,
the center channel input is split between the left and right
input channels). Each delay line has a single output
"voice". Each voice has independent delay time, output
level, feedback control, filtering, and panning. The
feedback path also features high-pass and low-pass filters,
as well as diffusion. Each voice has up to four seconds of
delay time.

In addition to the basic voice architecture described
above, Simple Delay also has diffusion control. This controls
diffusors on the input and in the feedback path. Simple
Delay is available in Stereo, Quad, and 5-channel
configuration of the DSP card.

Parameters

There are two types of parameters available in the Delay
algorithms. There are general parameters, which affect
the entire algorithm, and delay voice parameters, which
affect the individual voices. To toggle between the two
types, press the EDIT key. Alternatively, press the ALG key
and select from the popup menu.

General Parameters

LvlMST Controls the level of all delays.
FbkMST Controls the level of all feedbacks.
DelMST Controls the length of all delays.
Diffus Controls the amount of diffusion on input and

feedback. At a minimum, the diffusor has no
effect. As diffusion increases, the signal
becomes "smeared."

FbRoll Controls the low-pass filter in the feedback

path.

FbHipass Controls the high-pass filter in the feedback

path.

Hold Provides infinite hold for audio in delays. Each

delay loops at its delay length. When Hold is
set to ON, no input signal is admitted into the
delay. Voices can still be panned, and filters
and gains can still be adjusted. Changes in
delay length or feedback will not take effect
until Hold is set to OFF.

Ctr In Adjusts center input level (this is only available

in 5-channel configurations). Unless the center
channel audio is discrete, it is recommended
to set the center input 6dB below the InLvl
parameter setting.

InLvl Controls input level. Normally, this value can

be set to 0dB. High levels of diffusion or strong
low-frequency content may require a setting
of -6dB or lower.

Mix Controls the wet-to-dry mix ratio.

Delay Voice Parameters

Each delay voice has a name. L1 indicates Left 1, R2
indicates Right 2, and so on.

Gain Adjusts voice gain from positive full scale to

negative full scale. Be aware of the position of
LvlMST when making gain adjustments.

Tip:

To reset the parameter to OFF, hold down the
FINE ADJ key and touch the fader lightly.

Delay Time Adjusts delay length, which can be

accomplished with the fader or the +/- keys.
FINE ADJ can be used to achieve the correct
delay length setting. Be aware of the position
of DelMST when making delay adjustments.

Fbk Adjusts voice feedback from positive full scale

to negative full scale, although full scale will
probably cause unpleasant sounds. A non­zero value will cause the delay to be fed back
into the input. A voice can be fed back even
when its gain is off. Be aware of the position
of FbkMST when making Fbk adjustments.

Tip:

To reset the parameter to OFF, hold down the
FINE ADJ key and touch the fader lightly.

Filt Controls the filter of each voice. In the center

position, the filter is flat. Below center, the
filter becomes low-pass, removing more
high-frequency content as the fader is
lowered. Above center, the filter is high-pass,
removing low-frequency content as the filter
is raised. This only affects voice output, not
feedback.

Tip:

To reset the parameter to flat, hold down the
FINE ADJ key and touch the fader lightly.

Pan Adjusts voice pan. Press the JOYSTICK button

to engage the panner for the current voice.

3

Version 2.5 Software Release

960L

DUAL DELAYS

The Dual Delay algorithm is similar to Simple Delay, except
with two delay lines for each input channel. Each voice
has independent delay time, output level, feedback
control, filtering, and panning. The feedback path also
features high-pass and low-pass filters. Each voice has up
to two seconds of delay time.

In addition to the basic voice architecture described
above, Dual Delay provides more control over diffusion.
This is explained in the parameter section.

Parameters

Please refer to the parameter section for Simple Delay.
This section will only describe parameters not introduced
earlier.

General Parameters

FbkMST Controls the level of all feedbacks AND

crossfeeds.

Grain Provides further control of the input diffusor. A

low value causes a very tight smear pattern
(perhaps only discernable on percussion). A
large value causes a more spread-out
pattern.

FbkDiff Provides diffusion in the feedback path. It

creates the effect of moving echoes a little
farther into the background as they loop,
which is useful when modeling tape loops
and other effects.

Fgrain Controls gain for the feedback diffusor.

Delay Voice Parameters

Xfd Adjusts crossfeed control from positive full

scale to negative full scale. This injects the
delay signal into the opposite delay line. It
can be used to create ping-ponging effects
or to cause density buildup. A voice can be
crossfed even if its gain is OFF. Be aware of
the position of FbkMST when making Xfd
adjustments.

Tip:

To reset the parameter to OFF, hold down the
FINE ADJ key and touch the fader lightly.

4

Version 2.5 Software Release

Lexicon, Inc.

RANDOM DELAYS

The Random Delay algorithm provides no-holds-barred
control of delays. It features a delay line for each input
channel of the machine (center input is shared between
left and right). Each delay line has three output voices
with full feedback, filtering, and panning. Each voice has
up to 3 seconds of delay time (plus another second from
the randomizers described below). Random Delay has the
same diffusion controls as Dual Delay.

In addition to the basic voice architecture described
above, Dual Delay features two randomizers. Voices can
be assigned to either randomizer or no randomizer at all.
The randomizer provides up to one second of additional
delay time for each voice. There are several modes of
randomization described in the parameter section.

Random Delay includes all features of Simple Delay, but is
especially useful for:

• Multitap Tape Loops - Recirculate a delay using the
feedback parameter. Appropriate use of high-pass
and low-pass filters will emulate the bandpass effects
of multigenerational tape loops (sorry, we don't add
hiss). The feedback diffusor also allows emulation of
azimuth misalignment, a hallmark of the sound.

• Early Reflection Modeling - Although very different in
scope from Lexicon's Ambience algorithms, Random
Delay can be used to carefully place early reflections
in a stereo or surround field. Randomization can be
used to control coloration that might otherwise occur
with straight delays.

• Doublers - Short delays (10 to 50ms, depending on
material) can be randomized by a number of
techniques. This yields a variable delay time that can
be convincing in creating a doubled voice.

• Very Strange Sounds - Using randomization and large
wander times generates completely unpredictable
delays - just the thing to scare talent into that 12-step
program.

Random Delay is available in Stereo, Quad, and
5-channel configuration of the DSP card.

5

Version 2.5 Software Release

960L

Parameters

Please refer to the parameter section for Simple Delay and
Dual Delay. This section will only describe parameters not
introduced earlier.

Note:

The Hold parameter works as described earlier,
except that only Voice 1 is recirculated. The
output from all voices is still available.

General Parameters

FsLvl Sends the Front Left/Right inputs to the

Surround Left/Right inputs. This is useful in
situations where only a stereo input signal is
present. It allows as many as 12 voices to exist
for a stereo signal.

Rand1 Selects the randomizer type for Randomizer 1.

Choices are:

SloRand: One delay voice at a time is changed, at the

rate specified in Mod1.

FstRand: All delay voices are changed at once, at the

rate specified in Mod1.

Gate: Wander time is added to all delay voices

whenever the input level is above the
threshold specified in Mod1.

-Gate: Wander time is added to all delay voices
whenever the input level is below the
threshold specified in Mod1.

Wand1 Specifies the amount of delay that is added

to voices affected by Randomizer 1. For any
of the Gate modes, the full amount is added.
For the Rand modes, the wander amount can
be anything between 0 and the full
randomizer amount.

Mod1 Modifies Randomizer 1. This can be a

threshold or a rate, depending on the value
of Rand1.

Rand2, Control Randomizer 2.
Wand2,
Mod2

V1Rand Designates the Randomizer that affects all

Voice 1s (Voice Ones). This can be Rand1,
Rand2, or no Randomizer.

V2, V3 Designate the Randomizer for Voices 2 and 3.
Rand

Delay Voice Parameters

Xfd Works like the Crossfeed parameter in Delay,

except for the target. The crossfeed data is
sent to the opposite corner. Left Front goes to
Right Surround; Left Surround goes to Right
Front.

6

Version 2.5 Software Release

Lexicon, Inc.

Delay Tools

ZONE DELAY

The Zone Delay algorithm is intended primarily for use in
live sound applications. It provides up to eight
independent channels of delay for speaker groups. These
delays can be controlled by either absolute value
(milliseconds) or distance (feet or meters). When delays
are controlled by distance, additional parameters for
temperature and humidity are available. There is no
additional signal processing inside the algorithm. The Zone
Delay requires 8-in/8-out configuration of the DSP card.

Parameters

Temp Set to temperature of venue.
Hum Set to relative humidity of venue.
Units Controls the mode of display. Settings

include:

English: Distances are shown in feet and temperatures

are shown in Farenheit .

Metric: Distances are shown in meters and

temperatures are shown in Celsius .

Time: Distances are shown in absolute time.

Temperature and humidity have no effect.

Zone1 Controls the delay time for the signal passing

from Input 1 to Output 1.

Zone2, etc. Control delay times for the other signals.

FRAME DELAY

The Frame Delay algorithm is intended for use primarily in
video post-production applications. It allows audio to be
delayed in order to maintain synchronization with video.

The Frame Delay is available in all configurations of the
machine: Stereo, Quad, 5-channel, and 8-channel.

Parameters

FrDly Indicates the number of frames that all

channels are delayed.

Type Indicates the frame for mat. For mats include

24, 25, 29.97, and 30 FPS.

TrimL Trims the left input by an additional delay.

Choices include 0, 1/4, 2/4, and 3/4 inch
Frame.

TrimR, etc. Trims other inputs.

7

Version 2.5 Software Release

960L

Figure 1 - Delay Voice Screen

User Inter face Enhancements

The 960L user interface features several enhancements that support Delay algorithms. To simplify delay algorithm
editing, the algorithm parameters have been grouped into two separate Edit screens: the Delay Voice Screen and the
Standard Algorithm Edit screen. The new Delay Voice Screen is pictured below (Figure 1).

The Delay Voice screen displays each time a delay
program is loaded and the EDIT mode button is pressed. It
contains all parameters associated with the delay voices
of each algorithm.

To select a delay voice to edit:

1. Use the Numeric Keypad or Navigation Arrows to
select the desired delay voice. The selected Delay
Voice parameters will be assigned to the faders.

2. Adjust the Delay Voice parameter to the desired
setting.

DELAY VOICE PANNING

When a delay voice is selected, the panner for that delay
voice is automatically assigned to the joystick. To position
the delay voice, lock the joystick by pressing the JOYSTICK
button, then move the joystick to position the delay voice.

FINE ADJUST

To make fine adjustments to parameters, use one of the
following methods:

1. To make fine adjustments to a single parameter, simply
touch the appropriate fader to select the
parameter, then use the +/- keys to adjust the
parameter to the desired setting. (This option does not
apply for FbkMST and LvlMST.)

2. Press the FINE ADJ button located on the right side of
the LARC2, then adjust the parameter to the desired
setting. When FINE ADJ is pressed, the button will light
to indicate that fine adjust is enabled. The faders will
automatically center. To disable fine adjust, press FINE
ADJ again. The faders will automatically move to their
set positions.

8

Version 2.5 Software Release

Lexicon, Inc.

Figure 2 - Standard Algorithm Edit Screen

Figure 3 - Algorithm Parameter Screen Selection Menu

All other parameters in the delay algorithm are contained on the Standard Algorithm Edit screen shown below (Figure 2).

To select between these two screens, use the following
methods:

1. When the unit is in Algorithm Edit mode, press the EDIT
button to toggle between the two Delay algorithm
edit screens.

To select between these two screens, use the following
methods:

2. Press the ALG soft button and select the screen from
the menu. The menu is shown below (Figure 3).