Lexicon CP-3 User Manual

CP-3

Digital

Surround

Processor

Owner's Manual

Lexicon Part #070-08342 Rev 1

Printed in the United States of America

Lexicon, Inc.• 3 Oak Park Bedford, MA 01730 USA Tel 781-280-0300 Fax 781-280-0490

Acknowledgements

The CP-3 is manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Additionally licensed under one or more of the following patents: U.S. numbers 3,632,886, 3,746,792 and 3,959,590; Canadian numbers 1,004,603 and 1,037,877. "Dolby" and the doubleD symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.

The CP-3 is manufactured under license from LucasArts Entertainment Company. "THX" and "Home THX Cinema" are trademarks of LucasArts Entertainment Company.

"Auto-Azimuth" and the A-Z logo are trademarks of Lexicon, Inc.

Unpacking and Inspection

After unpacking the CP-3, save all packing materials in case you ever need to ship the unit. Thoroughly inspect the CP-3 and packing materials for signs of damage. Remove the adhesive protective film from the CP-3 frontpanel lens. Report any shipment damage to the carrier at once; report equipment malfunction to your dealer.

AUTO AZIMUTH

Precautions

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Lexicon

This triangle, which appears on your component, alerts you to the presence of uninsulated, dangerous voltage inside the enclosure... voltage that may be sufficient to constitute a risk of shock.

WARNING:

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR

ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE

DO NOT DEFEAT OR REMOVE

GROUND PIN ON THE POWER PLUG.

This triangle, which appears on your component, alerts you to important operating and maintenance instructions in this accompanying literature.

WARNING:

THE UNIT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

Safety Suggestions

Read Instructions Read all safety and operating instruc-

tions before operating the unit. Retain Instructions Keep the safety and operating instruc-

tions for future reference. Heed Warnings Adhere to all warnings on the unit and in the

operating instructions.

Follow Instructions Follow operating and use instructions. Heat Keep the unit away from heat sources such as radia-

tors, heat registers, stoves, etc., including amplifiers which produce heat.

Ventilation Make sure that the location or position of the unit does not interfere with its proper ventilation. For example, the unit should not be situated on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surface that may block the ventilation openings; or, placed in a cabinet which impedes the flow of air through the ventilation openings.

Wall or Ceiling Mounting Do not mount the unit to a wall or ceiling except as recommended by the manufacturer.

Power Sources Connect the unit only to a power supply of the type described in the operating instructions, or as marked on the unit.

qualified service personnel when:

the power supply cord or the plug has been damaged, objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the

unit, the unit has been exposed to rain, the unit does not appear to operate normally or exhibits

a marked change in performance, the unit has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.

Outdoor Antenna Grounding If an outside antenna is connected to the receiver, be sure the antenna system is grounded so as to provide some protection against voltage surges and built-up static charges. Section 810 of the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA No. 70-1984, provides information with respect to proper grounding of the mast and supporting structure, grounding of the lead-in wire to an antenna-discharge unit, size of grounding conductors, location of antenna-discharge unit, connection to grounding electrodes, and requirements for the grounding electrode. See figure below.

Power Lines An outside antenna should be located away

Grounding or Polarization* Take precautions not to defeat

the grounding or polarization of the unit’s power cord.

*Not applicable in Canada.

Power Cord Protection Route power supply cords so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed on or against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point at which they exit from the unit.

Nonuse Periods Unplug the power cord of the unit from the outlet when the unit is to be left unused for a long period of time.

Water and Moisture Do not use the unit near water — for example, near a sink, in a wet basement, near a swimming pool, near an open window, etc.

Object and liquid entry Do not allow objects to fall or liquids to be spilled into the enclosure through openings.

Cleaning The unit should be cleaned only as recommended by the manufacturer.

Servicing Do not attempt any service beyond that described in the operating instructions. Refer all other service needs to qualified service personnel.

from power lines.

Damage requiring service The unit should be serviced by

CP-3

Digital Surround

Processor

Owner's Manual

CP-3 Digital Surround Processor

1 Introduction to the CP-3 1

Introduction 1 Using the Documentation 3 System Overview 4

2 Installation and Calibration 7

Controls and Indicators 7

The Front Panel • The Rear Panel The Standard Remote • The Expanded Remote

Connection 12

Location Cosiderations • AC Connections Wiring Considerations • Audio/Video Connections • Connecting the CP-3 as a preamp • Connecting the CP-3 in a tape monitor loop • Video Connections

Calibration 18

LCD Adjustment • The Video On-Screen Display • The Setup Menu Setting the Speaker Configuration • Setting Input Levels • Setting Output Levels Calibrating the Listener Position • Setting Rear Delay

Customization 30

Locking in Settings • Custom Name Custom Modes • Modifying the mode

Contents

3 Using the CP-3 35

Using the Modes 35

Presets and User Registers Panorama 36 Ambience 38 Reverb 40 Surround 42

Television • Music • Full Range • Mono

Logic • Pro Logic • THX Cinema

4 Troubleshooting 49 5 Installation Documentation 52 6 Specifications 57

CP-3 Digital Surround Processor

All of the operating modes of the Lexicon CP-3 Digital Surround Processor have a common goal: to draw you, the listener, more deeply into a musical performance or a film. For music the CP-3 uses true stereo digital processing to recreate the original recording space or to create a new one of your choosing. For films it offers an extremely accurate version of Dolby® Pro Logic Surround decoding with all of the enhancements of the LucasFilm Home THX® Cinema system and Lexicon's own decoding for monaural film soundtracks. The increase in impact of a musical performance or film when heard with the CP-3 is incredible.

A great deal of effort went into designing an instrument which would be flexible enough to satisfy the most critical listeners and yet be simple to operate. Essentially, the CP-3 is a signal processing computer that can be custom-programmed for any specific system. Once installed, it can be operated by either of the two remote controls supplied with the unit. The Standard Remote features simple, intuitive controls for most day-to-day operations; the Expanded Remote, which is used to customize the CP-3, allows complete control of every aspect of operation.

To recreate the experience of being at a live musical performance the CP-3 draws on recent studies of concert-hall acoustics, and applies this research to home listening rooms. Our auditory sense is quite adept at interpreting clues about our physical environment. Even with your eyes closed, it is possible to get a good mental picture of the room or hall you are in by listening to the ambience, or reflected sound energy, in the room. We are not aware of our auditory sense in everyday life because it confirms what our eyes identify as the environment. When we listen to recorded music, however, there are no visual clues and we rely completely on our sense of hearing. The introduction of two-speaker stereo systems over thirty years ago brought dramatic improvement to high fidelity music reproduction. With a carefully-designed system, and good recording, it became possible to produce a good sonic picture of the original event. Unfortunately, our listening rooms do not approximate the acoustics of a good concert hall, an intimate jazz club, or a magnificent cathedral — our ears tell us where we really are. The Lexicon CP-3 is designed to overcome this fundamental limitation to two-speaker reproduction and bring us closer to the ultimate goal of transporting ourselves to the original musical event.

The object is to increase the sideways-moving sound in a room, thus increasing Spatial Impression, or SI. The CP-3 increases SI by either extract- ing it from the original recording, using the Panorama or Surround modes, or by generating a new acoustic environment with Ambience or Reverb.

When a listener is in the correct spot the Panorama mode provides an almost ideal recreation of the original recording space. It works by using digital signal processing to cancel the crosstalk between the listener’s ears, effectively spreading the sound from the two front loudspeakers in a wide arc in front of the listener. With the optional addition of rear speakers, Panorama can be startling in its realism.

Introduction

to the CP-3

Introduction

to the CP-3

Introduction to the CP-3

Lexicon

The Ambience and Reverberation modes transform the listening room into a new acoustic space, letting you choose an environment which matches your music or your mood. Unlike most ambience processors, the CP-3 provides full stereo processing, preserving the critical SI information in the recording and expanding upon it. The Ambience mode generates the side and rear reflection patterns of idealized rooms and concert halls. The larger spaces add the true depth and realism of a concert hall to classical and popular music, while the smaller spaces are ideal for jazz and rock. The Reverberation mode is similar, but places more emphasis on rich, dense reverberant decay than on early reflections. It is especially good for simulating large, highly reverberant spaces such as churches, stadiums, and cathedrals.

The requirements for processing sound for home theater are quite different than those for music. Lexicon invented the technology that permits the most accurate reproduction of film sound in the same system that is used for music listening, and the software-based CP-3 is optimized for each of these unique tasks. The Music Surround mode is specifically designed to optimally play conventional stereo music through any system which includes side or side-located rear speakers. Additionally, the CP-3 is able to perform automatic analysis and error correction to compensate for problems in the source material.

For films encoded with Dolby Surround, Lexicon has incorporated the Lucasfilm Home THX Cinema processing into the CP-3. This utilizes a patented, completely digital Dolby Pro Logic Surround decoder, and is the only one with automatic correction of inter-channel phase and channelbalance errors (the most common audio problems in currently available video releases of films).

The CP-3 also provides modes for expanding monaural film sound tracks (Mono Logic), general TV viewing (Television) and, of course, direct twochannel stereo playback (Effects Mute ON).

CP-3 Digital Surround Processor

Introduction

to the CP-3

Because the CP-3 is designed to be customized for your system and your listening space, the information required for installation is considerably more extensive than that required for use of the system. We have, therefore, provided separate documentation for these needs. The CP-3 is shipped with an Owner's Manual, a Quick Reference Card and a booklet titled: CP-3 Theory and Design.

The Owner's Manual is designed to assist you in installing, calibrating and operating the CP-3. It should be used in conjunction with the Expanded Remote Control when configuring the system to perform optimally in your environment. This manual was written with the underlying assumption that the installer is familiar with audio/video system installation.

To keep operation simple, the unit recognizes which remote control is used to turn it on. In the Owner's Manual, references to "Standard" operation mean that the unit was turned on with the Standard remote; "Expanded" operation refers to the Expanded remote. "Normal" operation refers to modes for using (as opposed to setting up) the CP-3.

An Installation worksheet is provided in Chapter 5 of the Owner's Manual for documentation of the settings arrived at during the calibration procedure.

Once installation is satisfactorily completed, you should need only the Standard Remote and the Quick Reference Card for day-to-day operation of the system.

Using the Documentation

Whether you are performing the installation, or simply using the system, we hope that you will read the Theory and Design booklet. Understanding the goals of CP-3 design will make sense of each step in the setup procedure, and will help you make the most of the operating features.

Introduction to the CP-3

Lexicon

System Overview

Glossary of Terms

Although the CP-3 performs very complex signal processing, a great deal of effort has gone into making the technology behind the effects as transparent as possible to the user. To understand the overall organization of the unit, it is helpful to define those few terms which are unique to the CP-3.

Mode A mode is a configuration that determines how the CP-3 will process an input signal. The CP-3 contains four basic modes: Panorama, Ambience, Reverb and Surround. Each of these basic modes has a set of variations which are labeled on the Expanded remote (1-15). In this manual, these 15 variations are also referred to as modes.

Parameter Each mode has a set of parameters (controls) that uniquely characterize it. The settings of the parameters can be changed to create custom User modes.

Mode Parameter values are stored/recalled in Presets and User modes. Some examples are: Delay Time, Bass Split, etc.

System parameter values are not associated with a particular mode. System parameters are not stored in User registers or Presets, nor do their values change when a new mode is recalled. Examples are: display contrast, volume, etc.

Finding your way around

Bank The CP-3's 45 registers are organized into 3 banks, of 15. Presets One bank of 15 registers is loaded with the modes which appear

on the Expanded Remote. These modes are presets which are permanently initialized at the factory. Presets appear on the display with their names and their numbers preceded by the letter P.

User Registers Two banks of 15 registers each are designated as User registers. These are available for storing your own custom modes. The

factory presets cannot be overwritten, but they can be modified and stored into User registers (or copied into registers,then modified). When shipped, the CP-3 has a duplicate of the presets loaded into both Bank A and Bank B. The contents of User registers appear on the display with their names and their numbers preceded by the Letter A or B.

Press SETUP to display the Setup menu. PARAM will step a cursor through the Setup menu selections. Once an item is selected, pressing PARAM ▲ or ▼ will display a sub-menu for that item. With the submenu displayed, PARAM once again selects menu items. PARAM ▲ and ▼ adjust the settings of the selected item over its available range. Press STORE to exit any sub-menu; press SETUP to return to the Setup menu. Press SETUP again to exit the Setup menu.

CP-3 Digital Surround Processor

Essentially, the CP-3 can be thought of as a line level preamp with one audio-only and three audio/video inputs. It behaves as the master processor for your system, controlling system volume, balance, source selections and acoustical environments.

Two remote control units are provided with the system: an Expanded remote, and a Standard remote. The Expanded remote is designed primarily for use in configuring the CP-3 to work optimally with your system. This remote gives you access to setup controls and parameter menus for all of the modes of operation of the CP-3. This remote also allows access to 15 Preset modes and storage of as many as 30 of your own custom modes.

Although some users may continue to use the Expanded remote after installation and configuration is complete, a second, simpler remote control, called the Standard remote, is provided for everyday use. This remote is designed to control some system parameters and to access only five modes of operation. (We have chosen names for these modes, as labeled on the Standard remote, but the actual modes that are triggered by these buttons can be changed.)

Introduction

to the CP-3

In many systems, a universal, or learning remote, may take the place of the Standard remote. If you are using one of these, we strongly suggest that the types of operating controls we have provided on the Standard remote be adapted into the universal remote. We have found these controls enhance the listening/viewing experience while keeping the technology transparent.

CP-3 Digital Surround Processor

Controls and Indicators

The Front Panel

Installation and

Calibration

The PROGRAM button steps through the modes of the bank currently in use. Using its Expanded modes, the CP3 can have as many as 45 operating modes: Presets 115 are configured at the factory, those labeled User A115 and User B1-15 are available for storage of modes customized by the user.

In Standard operation, 5 modes are available.

7. Volume

The VOLUME buttons adjust the level of all channels simultaneously. These buttons assume the function of the volume control on your

preamp or receiver.

8. Main Mute

MAIN MUTE turns off all outputs and lights both MAIN and EFFECTS MUTE LEDs.

9. Effects Mute

3. Alphanumeric Display

The alphanumeric LCD (liquid crystal display) shows both the mode that is running and its modifiable parameters. The contrast of the LCD can be adjusted for optimum visibility. See Page 18. (A video on-screen display is described on Page 19.)

4. Infrared Receiver

The small unlabeled window to the right of the LCD houses the infrared receiver used by the CP-3 to detect signals from the remote controls.

5. Bank

In Expanded operation, the BANK button cycles through the Preset bank and two User banks (A&B) where customized modes can be stored. The mode number doesn't change: if you are using Preset 9, pressing BANK once switches to User A9, pressing it again switches to User B9, pressing it again switches back to Preset 9. In Standard operation, the

BANK button is inoperative.

6. Program

1. Input

The four INPUT buttons are used to select which input is processed by the CP-3. Pressing any one of these buttons will select that input and light the LED above it. The CP-3 can be programmed to engage a specific operating mode for each input, so changing inputs may change the mode being used. See Auto-Mode Load, Page 24.

2. Input Level Display

The INPUT LEVEL display monitors the level in the CP3's digital encoding circuits and is used to indicate the correct Dolby level for video sound sources (marked by the double-D symbol between the LEDs.) When correctly set, the loudest passages will light the entire row of green LEDs, the two yellow ones, and occasionally flash the red peak LEDs at the top. See Page 22, Setting Input Levels. (The input level meters can be turned off to eliminate distraction — See Page

19.)

EFFECTS MUTE turns off all signals added by the CP-3, lights the yellow EFFECTS MUTE LED on the front panel, and displays “EFFECTS MUTED.” This bypasses all signal processing in the CP-3 except level control, and is the simplest way to play “normal” two-speaker stereo. Pressing again will restore normal operation.

10. On/Off

ON/OFF alternately puts the CP-3 into and out of standby mode. Turning the CP-3 off with this button (or with either remote) deactivates the unit while leaving power to the signal processing circuitry to keep it at optimum operating temperature. Although this switch may be used to turn the CP-3 off, it is important that the CP-3 be turned on with the remote control that will be used during each listening session. If the front panel switch is used to turn on the CP-3, it will resume operation in whichever mode (Standard or Expanded) it was last in.

Controls and Indicators

The Rear Panel

CAUTION: Never make or break any connections to the CP-3 with the rear-panel power ON. Make sure any associated amplifiers have been turned off for at least one minute before turning this master power switch on or off.

Lexicon

1. Power On/Off

The master power switch should be left ON when the unit is in regular use. When the CP-3 will not be used for an extended period of time, or whenever you are connecting or disconnecting any cables to the unit, this switch should be turned OFF.

2. Power Connector

Connect the supplied AC power cord here, then plug the cord into an unswitched outlet. Be sure that the power cord is firmly seated in this connector.

3. Video In and Video Out

The three video inputs are switched with their corresponding audio inputs and fed to VIDEO OUT. VIDEO OUT should be connected to a video input on your monitor for the On Screen display to work. The CP-3 will generate a blue background field if there is no video signal in the selected input. If the CP-3 is turned off via the front panel or either remote, the last input selected will continue to be passed to the video output. If the rear-panel master power switch is turned off, or if AC power is removed from the unit, the video output will default to Input 1.

4. Tape Out

This provides an unprocessed, buffered audio output of whatever input has been selected. This output will be active if the CP-3 is turned off via remote, or front panel, but is shut off when the rearpanel master power switch is turned off.

5. Audio Inputs and

Outputs

There are four stereo audio inputs on the CP-3. Input 4 is audio only; it uses the video signal from Video Input 1.

Stereo outputs are provided for Front, Side, and Rear amplifiers, as well as single monaural outputs for the Center speaker amplifier and the Subwoofer amp.

CP-3 Digital Surround Processor

1. The Operating Modes

The five operating mode buttons on the Standard Remote can be customized to load any of 45 operating modes. The specific modes we recommend for each button are:

NIGHTCLUB gives the best re-creation of the orignal recording venue, but covers a somewhat limited listening area. This mode is most suitable for intimate listening of any type of music.

CONCERT HALL creates the sound of a near-perfect large concert hall with your seat in the front third. This mode covers a very large listening area, and is best for large-scale works.

MUSIC SURROUND is a unique, versatile surround program that adapts itself to the individual recording. The results, which can be quite subtle on simply miked recordings, are spectacular on heavily produced recordings.

TELEVISION provides surround effects for television viewing of monaural, stereo, and stereo synthesized programs.

MOVIES (Home THX Cinema) is designed for any surround sound encoded movies, music, or television programs.

2. Main Mute

Turns off all outputs, lights both MAIN and EFX MUTE LEDs and displays “SYSTEM MUTED.” Pressing again will restore normal operation. (Because it is possible to alter the setting of the volume while Main Mute is on, check the volume before you turn the mute off again.)

Pressing EFX MUTE after the MAIN MUTE (which mutes the main and effect outputs) has been engaged will turn the effect mute off while leaving the main speakers muted. This allows you to hear the effect the CP-3 is adding without the main channels on. Operation depends on the mode in use and is explained in the manual section for each mode.

The Standard Remote

3. EFX Mute (Effects Mute)

Turns off all signals added by the CP-3, lights the yellow EFFECTS MUTE LED on the front panel, and displays “EFFECTS MUTED.” This bypasses all signal processing in the CP-3 except level control, and is the simplest way to play “normal” twospeaker stereo. Pressing again will restore normal operation.

Controls and

Indicators

4. On/Off

Turning the CP-3 off with this button (or the front panel ON/ OFF button) deactivates the unit while leaving power to the signal processing circuitry to keep it at optimum operating temperature.

The CP-3 uses this button’s signal to differentiate between the remotes. Therefore it is important that the CP-3 be turned on with the remote control that will be used during each listening session. To use the other remote, simply turn the CP-3 off (with either remote or the front panel switch), then turn it on with the ON/OFF button of the remote you wish to use.

5. Balance

These four buttons adjust the level of the sound relative to the other channels. For instance, pressing the left arrow will turn down the level of all the right channels. The effect of the Front/Back control on the side channels will depend on speaker configuration and operating mode.

6. Volume

These buttons simultaneously adjust the level of all channels. It should be used instead of the volume control on your preamp or receiver.

The first push of either of these buttons displays the current value for 2 seconds; another push during that time increases or decreases the displayed value. Holding the button down for 1 second engages auto-repeat, changing the value rapidly.

7. Input

Buttons 1-4 select the input source and can be programmed to automatically engage the desired operating mode.

Controls and Indicators

The Expanded

Lexicon

Remote

1. The Modes

The PANORAMA modes (1, 2 and 3) provide enhanced lateral sound (and

hence greater spaciousness and envelopment) for either music or films. This mode is effective even using only the two front loudspeakers. NORMAL(1) and WIDE(2) differ primarily in their initial Effect Levels. BINAURAL(3) is for playback on loudspeakers of recordings made with a dummy head microphone system.

The AMBIENCE modes (4, 5 and 6) simulate concert

halls of three different sizes, generating reflections of appropriate directionality, delay and spectral shape, sending them to the side and rear speakers. The Ambience modes provide adjustable recirculation through the Liveness parameter but for long reverberation times, use Reverb. Both Ambience and Reverb are true stereo simulators.

Like Ambience,

the REVERB

modes (7, 8 and 9)

simulate rooms of three sizes with the aid of

side and rear channels. These modes have fewer specific initial reflections than Ambience, but richer and smoother reverberant decay. Reverb is especially good for simulating large, highly reverberant spaces.

SURROUND: TV (10) is designed to expand

and enhance a wide range of television programming. This mode also allows adjustment of certain parameters for film sound which are not adjustable in Mode 14. If a program is designated as being in surround, use Pro Logic (14), or THX (15).

MUSIC (11) enhances music through a unique ambience extraction method, and can provide spectacular results with music that has carefully recorded stereo information.

FULL (12) allows unprocessed music to be played over all the speakers for background music, or for maximum acoustical output of the system.

MONO (13) expands the music and effects on monaural films into the additional channels while leaving the dialog in the front center.

PRO LOGIC (14) provides the same decoding used in Dolby Stereo theater systems, using as many as eight speakers for front, center, side, rear, and subwoofer channels.

THX CINEMA (15) combines Dolby Pro Logic decoding and the spectral enhancements of the LucasFilm Home THX Cinema system to re-create film sound in your home the way it was heard in the final production stages.

2. Setup

The SETUP button allows selection and adjustment of all the interface functions of the CP-3 including Input and Output levels, visual displays, speaker configurations, etc.

3. Store

The STORE button saves in memory the settings from the SETUP mode and is used to memorize and store any customized operating modes.

4. On/Off

Turning the CP-3 off with this button (or the front panel ON/ OFF button) deactivates the unit while leaving power to the signal processing circuitry to keep it at optimum operating temperature.

CP-3 Digital Surround Processor

Controls and

Indicators

5. Bank

The BANK button switches between the three register banks: the Presets and the two User register Banks (A & B) where customized modes may be stored. The mode number doesn’t change: if you are using Preset 9, pressing BANK once switches to User A9, pressing BANK again switches to USER B9, and pressing BANK once more selects Preset 9.

6. Parameter

The three parameter buttons allow selection and adjustment of variable parameters within each mode. Pushing PARAM displays the parameter menu with a moveable cursor for 5 seconds; pushing it again before the display changes moves the cursor to the next parameter. Pressing PARAM ▲ or ▼ will display and adjust the current parameter (whether or not PARAM has been pushed.) A single push of either of these buttons displays the parameter; another push changes the parameter by one unit. Holding PARAM ▲ or ▼ for more than 1 second causes the values to change rapidly in an auto-repeat mode.

▲ and ▼ adjust the level of all signals added by the CP-3.

8. Mutes

MAIN MUTE turns off all outputs and lights both MAIN and EFX MUTE LEDs. Pushing EFX MUTE while in system- mute mode turns the effects alone back on. EFX MUTE alternately turns off and on all signals added by the CP-3. Use it to compare the sound with and without CP-3 processing, or as a simple way to play normal two-speaker stereo.

9. Balance*

BALANCE: The four balance buttons adjust the levels of the rear speakers relative to the sides and fronts, and the left/right balance of all speakers: front, sides and rear. It should be used instead of the balance control on your preamp or receiver.

10. Volume*

▲ and ▼ simultaneously adjust the level of all channels. These should be used instead of the volume control on your preamp or receiver.

11. Input

INPUT buttons 1-4 select the input source and can be programmed to automatically engage the desired operating mode.

*The first push of either of these buttons displays the current value for 2 seconds; another push during that time increases or decreases the displayed value. Holding the button down for 1 second engages auto-repeat, changing values rapidly.

7. Effects*

Note: Unless otherwise indicated, all references to the remote control in this manual

refer to the Expanded Remote.

Connection

Lexicon

Location

Considerations

The CP-3 is a highly specialized signal processing computer and requires special care during installation to ensure optimum performance.

The CP-3 may be installed on a shelf or in a standard 19" equipment rack, using rack-mounting hardware available from Lexicon. Observe the following precautions:

• Select a dry, well-ventilated location out of direct sunlight.

• Do not stack the CP-3 directly above heat-producing equipment such as power amplifiers.

• Avoid placing the CP-3 near unshielded TV or FM antennas, cable TV decoders, or other receivers. The CP-3 may interfere with some FM tuners if it is placed immediately above or below them. Some products, particularly power amplifiers, may cause hum in the CP-3 if they are in close proximity.

• Make sure the IR receiver window (located above the On/Off switch on the CP-3 front panel) is unobstructed. The remote control must be in lineof-sight to this receiver for proper operation. If line-of-sight is impractical, an infrared remote repeater can be used. Place the sender/emitter so that it has an unobstructed path to the CP-3’s IR receiver window. The CP-3 may be placed in a glass-doored cabinet but smoked glass will make the front panel Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) difficult to read and will reduce the sensitivity of the IR receiver.

• Do not mount the CP-3 into walls or ceiling.

AC Connections

The CP-3 is designed to be connected to an uninterrupted AC power line in the same manner as a VCR or aTV with a clock in it. Like all computers, the CP-3 is sensitive to voltage fluctuations. We therefore recommend the use of an AC line filter to protect against line surges, or the installation of a line conditioner to protect against under voltage (brownouts) as well as overvoltage conditions. A lithium battery prevents loss of information stored in the CP-3 in the event of power loss. This battery should not need replacement for 5-7 years. As it is not user-replaceable, please contact Lexicon or your local dealer for service.

The CP-3 has a master power switch on the rear panel above the IEC standard AC power receptacle. This switch may be left ON continuously when the unit is in regular use. When the CP-3 will not be used for an extended period of time, or whenever you are connecting or disconnecting any cables to the unit, this switch should be turned OFF.

Connect the power cable to the CP-3, then plug the power cord into a wall outlet or into an unswitched outlet on the back of your preamplifier. Be sure that the power cord is firmly seated in the connector on the rear panel of the CP-3.

CP-3 Digital Surround Processor

nects. Good engineering practices have minimized the effect that cables might have on the inputs and outputs of the CP-3 — but feel free to evaluate different interconnects in your system. If you want to do some tweaking, be conscious of the mechanical stress from repeated insertion and overly tight connectors, and the possibly corrosive nature of some contact-enhancing fluids.

Note that the use of audio cables for video applications may cause signal degradation, and is not recommended. For video connections, please use only cables that are designed for video applications — these have different impedance characteristics than cables approved for audio applications.

Both audio and video cables should be kept as short as possible.

Connection

Wiring Considerations

Audio/Video CablesThere is controversy over the audible effects of different types of intercon-

In general, speaker cables should be kept short, and low-impedance wire should be used throughout to assure efficient power transmission and avoid audible distortion. Recommended wire lengths are given in the table below. Although these examples can be used as a general guide, your system manuals should provide detailed information specific to your components.

Wire Lengths

Length AWG Size & Stranding

up to 12 feet 16 gauge (19/29) up to 18 feet 14 gauge (19/27) up to 29 feet 12 gauge (19/27) up to 51feet 10 gauge (105/30)

Contact your dealer for specific recommendations regarding interconnects and speaker cables.

Speaker Connections

Connection

Lexicon

Audio/Video

Connections

Before making any connections, turn off ALL audio and video components, including individual power amplifiers. (Unplug any preamps and power amps that don’t have power switches.)

The CP-3 is designed to function as the control center of the system, selecting inputs and controlling the volume of all speakers in the system. There are several ways to integrate the CP-3 into the system, but they basically fall into two categories: those where the CP-3 is connected directly to all of the amplifiers in the room, and those where the CP-3 is connected into a tape or signal processor loop of a preamp or receiver.

As most systems which use the CP-3 are likely to be fairly complex, one of the design goals should be to make the entire system intuitive to use. If there are no more than four line level (not a turntable) sources, it is easiest to hook them directly to the inputs of the CP-3, and to connect all of the system amplifiers to the CP-3 outputs. If a mono source is used (such as an older VCR), a Y-connector should be used to connect to both left and right audio inputs on the CP-3.

Many installations will have more than four sources in the system. A preamp, or A/V switcher, can handle the additional components — and possibly add some additional dubbing capabilities. A preamp has the advantage of a built-in phono amp, and many include decent tone controls as well. The disadvantages include: a redundant gain stage, another volume control that can be set incorrectly, forfeit of remote switching and loss of the CP-3 programmable input functions for the sources connected through the preamp. An A/V Switcher may yield more dubbing flexibility, and should be considered if there is no turntable in the system.

You may choose to connect the CP-3 in the tape monitor, or external processor loop of a preamp, allowing you to completey bypass the CP-3. This, however, will make the system somewhat more complicated to operate, and adds a gain stage (the preamp) that is not needed.

CAUTION: The CP-3 Tape Out output is not a tape monitor circuit. The audio input selected is always fed directly to Tape Out. If a tape deck is connected to this output and one of the inputs, and that input is selected, a feedback loop will result. This can damage the amplifiers, the speakers, and your ears.

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