Lexicon MPX 500 Owner's Manual
MPX 500 24-Bit Dual Channel Processor
User Guide
Unpacking and Inspection
After unpacking the unit, save all packing materials in case you ever need to ship the unit. Thoroughly inspect the modules and packing materials
for signs of damage. Report any damage to the carrier at once; report equipment malfunction to your dealer.
Communications Notice
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 harmful
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 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
Le présent appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le materiel brouiller du Canada.
Copyright 1999, 2000 Lexicon Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
06/00 • Lexicon Part No. 070-14116 • Rev. 1
Lexicon Inc.
3 Oak Park
Bedford MA 01730-1441
Telephone 781-280-0300
Fax 781-280-0490
www.lexicon.com
Getting Started
Introduction...................................................................... 1
Front Panel Overview ...................................................... 2
Setting Audio Levels
Rear Panel Connections.................................................. 4
Audio Connections • Footswitch
Basic Operation
The MPX 500 Display...................................................... 7
Selecting and Loading Programs .................................... 8
Editing ............................................................................. 9
The "Adjust" Knob • Tap Tempo Functions:
Varying the rhythm • Audio Tap • Setting Tempo
via MIDI
Bypass........................................................................... 12
Storing Programs........................................................... 12
System Mode
System Mode Parameters ............................................. 15
Bypass • Patching • Program Load • Digital Output
MIDI OUT/THRU • MIDI Pgm Change • MIDI Clock
Receive • Tempo • MIDI Dumps
Program Descriptions
1 Plate ........................................................................... 22
2 Gate ........................................................................... 23
3 Hall ........................................................................... 24
4 Chamber..................................................................... 25
5 Ambience.................................................................... 26
6 Rooms ........................................................................ 27
7 Tremolo ...................................................................... 28
8 Rotary ......................................................................... 29
9 Chorus ........................................................................ 30
10 Flange....................................................................... 31
11 Detune ...................................................................... 32
12 Pitch.......................................................................... 33
Table of Contents
13 Delay, Echo .............................................................. 34
About the Dual Programs .............................................. 36
14 Special FX ................................................................ 38
15 Flange-Delay ............................................................ 39
16 Pitch-Delay ............................................................... 39
17 Chorus-Delay............................................................ 40
18 Delay-Reverb............................................................ 40
19 Flange-Reverb.......................................................... 41
20 Pitch-Reverb............................................................. 41
21 Chorus-Reverb ......................................................... 42
22 MonoSplitDly ............................................................ 43
23 MonoSplitRvb......................................................... 44
24 Dual Mono.............................................................. 45
MIDI Operation
MPX 500 MIDI Behavior ................................................ 47
Using Program Change Messages for Program Load... 48
Learning Continuous Controllers ................................... 49
Activating Bypass or Tap Functions with Program Change
Messages ............................................................... 50
Clearing a Learned Assignment .................................... 51
MIDI Clock ..................................................................... 52
MIDI Dumps................................................................... 52
MIDI Implementation Chart............................................ 53
Specifications
Introduction
Getting Started
Thank you for your purchase of the MPX 500 24-Bit Dual Channel Processor.
Powered by Lexicon’s proprietary Lexichip™, the MPX 500 has 240 presets with classic reverb
programs such as Ambience, Plate, Chamber and Inverse, as well as Tremolo, Rotary, Chorus,
Flange, Pitch, Detune, 5.5 second Delay and Echo. Dual-channel processing gives you two
independent effects in a variety of configurations: Dual Stereo (Parallel), Cascade, Mono Split and
Dual Mono.
A large graphics display and dedicated Edit knobs give you instant access to each preset’s
parameters and an easy Learn mode allows MIDI patching of front panel controls. In addition, tempocontrolled delays and modulation rates lock to Tap or MIDI clock, and Tap tempos can be controlled
by audio input, the front panel Tap button, dual footswitch, external MIDI controller or MIDI Program
Change.
Other features include a software-selectable MIDI OUT/THRU port, pushbutton or footswitch
selection of dry or muted audio output and a built-in power supply.
To make sure you get the most out of the MPX 500, be sure to read the manual.
Front Panel Overview
LexiconGetting Started
Edit Pages
Accesses additional edit
pages. Embedded LED lights
to indicate program is altered
but not stored.
Input Trim
Sets the level of the incoming analog signal.
System
Accesses System mode. Use EDIT
knob 1 to select parameters; knob 3
to change the parameter setting.
Display
LCD shows input type, real-time
meters, program and bank information, one page of four editable parameters, routing information, tempo rate.
EDIT
Knobs 1-4 adjust parameters
1-4 on the display.
Store
Initiates store procedure.
(When pressed with Tap, activates MIDI Learn.)
Load
Loads the selected program.
LED lights to indicate another
program is cued.
PROGRAM
Selects programs. Push and
turn to select Banks.
Bypass
Mutes or bypasses the signal
depending on the setting of the
System Bypass parameter.
Tap/Cancel
Flashes for tempo-based
programs. Press twice to
set a tempo. Hold to have
audio input level or dialedin value determine tempo.
(When pressed with Store
activates MIDI Learn.)
* The level indicators are at their minimum size when the incoming signal is low (more than 30dB below full scale). The highest level indicators
are highlighted when the signal approaches full scale.
2
MPX 500 User Guide Getting Started
Setting Audio Levels
As with any audio product, it is good practice to first power on all outboard gear, then the
mixer, then any loudspeakers.
Input
1. First, bypass all effects. The System parameter, Bypass Mode must be set to pass dry audio.
To do this:
Press System to enter System mode.
Turn Edit Knob 1 to display Bypass Mode.
Turn Edit Knob 3 to select Dry.
Press System again to exit System mode.
Press Bypass.
2. With your highest level program material, start with a very low input level and advance it slowly.
3. When you reach audible distortion, or when the display clip indicators light and stay on, lower the
input level until the clip meters come on only on the highest peaks.
The Input Trim control allows the MPX 500 to be driven by an input level in the range of +20dBu
to +8dBu. The minimum setting (fully counterclockwise) should be optimal for +4dBu (balanced)
inputs. The maximum setting (fully clockwise) should be optimal for -10dBV (unbalanced) inputs.
Output
1. Press System to enter System mode.
Output Level (the first System parameter) will be displayed.
2. Turn Edit Knob 3 to set Output Level.
0dB should be unity gain for a +4dBu input device.
-12dB should be unity gain for a -10dBV input device.
3. Press System again to exit System mode.
3
Rear Panel Connections
LexiconGetting Started
POWER
Standard 3-pin IEC power
connector; 100-240V, 5060Hz automatic switching to
correct voltage range.
LCD Contrast
Adjusts display contrast.
Audio Connections
The MPX 500 produces effects from either mono or stereo sources. With mono sources, the dry signal
appears, along with audio effects, at both outputs. For instruments and sources with stereo outputs,
use both inputs. We recommend using the outputs in stereo whenever possible, but if mono output
is required, use either output jack.
MIDI
Two 5-pin DIN MIDI connectors
are provided for MIDI IN and software selectable MIDI OUT/THRU.
DIGITAL I/O
RCA S/PDIF connectors.
FOOTSWITCH
1/4" TRS connector, for momentary contact footswitch, allows footswitch control
of front panel Tap and Bypass functions.
INPUT
Balanced Tip-Ring-Sleeve and
XLR stereo inputs.
OUTPUT
Balanced Tip-Ring-Sleeve and
XLR stereo outputs.
Use only a Tip/Ring/Sleeve connector.
Using a Tip/Ring connector will short the ring
and sleeve, which can hang the unit.
Footswitch
4
A footswitch connected via the rear-panel footswitch jack allows control of Tap and Bypass. A
momentary footswitch can be wired to a tip-ring-sleeve connector. A stereo Y-connector allows two
identical single switches to be used.
Power off the MPX 500 before plugging in the footswitch. (Otherwise, Bypass will be enabled.)
MPX 500 User Guide Getting Started
The MPX 500 can be used as two independent Effects Processors with the Dual Programs. Designate
two auxiliary sends on your console and connect one to the left MPX 500 input, and the other to the
right input. Refer to the Program Descriptions to take advantage of this configuration.
TRS to XLR
Dual Processor Setup with a Console
Modes of Operation
5
MPX 500 User Guide Basic Operation
Basic Operation
The MPX 500 Display
The MPX 500 Program Select display shows detailed program information, including routing, the
current tempo setting, a full page of as many as four editable parameter settings, and real-time input
level meters.
Bank containing currently
loaded program
Number of currently loaded program
Number of cued program (if any)
Input Level meters
Incoming signal information
S (Stereo), L or R (Mono Left
or Right), D (S/PDIF) and
Sample Rate (44.1 or 48kHz)
Current tempo setting for delays
Name of currently
loaded program
As many as four editable parameters are shown on
a page. (Pressing the Edit Pages button repeatedly
cycles through all of the available pages.)
and status of tempo selection
(p=program-specific, g=global)
Routing configuration of
the current program
7
Selecting and Loading Programs
MPX 500 programs are organized into 24 Banks plus a User Bank. (The programs are described in
detail later in this manual.) When powered on, the unit will display and load the last program used.
To display any other MPX 500 program, simply turn the front panel PROGRAM knob. The knob will
progressively select the rest of the programs in the current Bank, then proceed through each of the
remaining Banks. To jump between Banks, push the PROGRAM knob in while turning.
If the selected program is not the currently loaded program, the Load LED will light. After four seconds,
the display will revert to showing the current program, but the Load LED will remain lit to indicate that
the last selected program is cued for loading. The number of the cued program will appear highlighted
to the left of the name of the current Bank on the display. To load the cued program, press Load.
An AutoLoad feature is available which will cause selected programs to load automatically 3/4 second
after the knob stops turning. (See System Mode for information on activating this and other System
mode parameters.)
Turn PROGRAM to cycle through
all of the MPX 500 programs.
LexiconBasic Operation
To select a specific program Bank, push
the PROGRAM knob in while turning.
When the selected program is different from the
currently running program, the Load LED will light.
Press to load the selected program.
8
MPX 500 User Guide Basic Operation
Editing
Each MPX 500 program has as many as 16 editable parameters, organized into edit "pages" of as
many as four parameters each. The front panel Edit Pages button cycles through all of the available
pages for the current program.
Dedicated edit knobs corresponding to each page of displayed parameters make program adjustment
easy. Simply turn the knob (1-4) for the displayed parameter (1-4) you want to adjust. When you alter
a parameter value, it will be highlighted and the Edited LED will light to show that the program is
different than the currently running version. (These edit indicators will be turned off when you store
the new program, or if you load another program.) If you return to Program Select mode without storing
your changes, your edited version will still appear as the currently running program, but the Load LED
will light and the original version of the program will be cued.
The current tempo will be
Edited parameter values will be highlighted.
The Edited LED will light to
show that the program has
been changed from the
currently running version.
displayed (in BPM) if the
program contains tempobased parameters.
Pressing Edit Pages will display
another page of parameters.
The 4 front panel edit knobs correspond to the
displayed parameters. Position 1 on Page 1 always
contains a special custom control for easy editing.
9
The "Adjust" Knob
A special control in each program lets you make quick adjustments to the most critical parameters
of the sound. We have positioned this custom control under Edit knob 1 on Page 1 of each program
and refer to it as the Adjust knob in this manual.
In many cases, this parameter controls several effect parameters simultaneously to provide simple
control of a complex editing process. In many Chamber and Room programs, for example, this
parameters controls the "liveness" of the space by changing decay, EQ and early reflections all at the
same time. For easy identification, this parameter name will always appear in parentheses, as:
(Livenes). When you turn the knob, the bottom display line will temporarily show a more complete
description of its function in the running program.
NOTE: As the Adjust knob can access and control more internal controls than the 16 displayed
parameters in each program, there may be instances where this control (or Tap) will modify a
parameter which is not displayed on any of the program's edit pages. In these instances, the Edited
LED will light, even though no displayed parameters are highlighted.
Tap Tempo Functions
LexiconBasic Operation
Varying the Rhythm
The MPX 500 Tempo features allow you to set the delay times and modulation rates of tempo-based
programs to the beat of the music. There are several ways to set tempo (40-400BPM), each of which
is described below. No matter which method you select, the current tempo rate will be displayed in
the upper right corner of the display, and the embedded LED in the Tap button will flash in tempo
whenever a program with tempo-controllable parameters is loaded . You can set a global tempo for
all of the MPX 500 programs, or have each program stored with its own tempo. (See System Mode.)
The global (g) or Program (p) system parameter selection is shown to the right of the tempo display.
10
MPX 500 User Guide Basic Operation
Audio Tap
When programs with tempo-based parameters
are loaded, the current tempo (in Beats per
Minute) is shown in the upper right corner of the
display.
The Tap LED will flash in
the selected tempo.
To set the tempo from the front panel, simply press the Tap button (or a connected footswitch) twice
in time with the music. That’s your tempo. No more dialing up what “could be” the delay time in
milliseconds — just tap twice — the MPX 500 will figure out the time for you. When you want to change
tempo, just tap twice again in the new rhythm.
You can also use audio input to set the tempo of the MPX 500 delay times.
1. Press and hold the Tap button until the Tempo display appears. (Using a footswitch lets you press
and hold Tap without taking your hands off your instrument. )
2. The message Detecting Audio will be shown, along with a list of parameters in the current
program which can be controlled by tempo. Play 2 short notes in rhythm to set the tempo.
When you release Tap, the message Use Knob 3 will be displayed to indicate that tempo can
now be further adjusted from the front panel. Just turn Edit knob 3 to dial in a tempo (in BPM).
3. Press Tap to exit this mode.
Many factory programs are stored with their own tempo rate. You can tap in a new tempo (and store
your version in a User location) or set the MPX 500 to always recall the last tempo used and apply
it to every program. (See System Mode for information on changing the MPX 500 default Tempo Mode
from Global to Program.)
11
When you select Global Tempo from the MPX 500 System mode, the last tempo tapped in will be
applied to all programs with tempo-controlled parameters. (You will know if a program is tempocontrollable because the Tap button LED will flash when the program is loaded and the tempo rate
display will appear.)
Setting Tempo via MIDI
When used in conjunction with the Learn feature, Tap can be set remotely from any MIDI device. MIDI
controllers, such as Lexicon's MPX R1 Foot Controller, can be used to send Continuous Controller
messages or Program Changes to the MPX 500 or you can send Continuous Controller or Program
Change messages from the button and fader moves of many mixing consoles. The MPX 500 will
Learn these messages and allow you to set tempo via MIDI.
The MPX 500 can also receive and utilize MIDI Clock. So, when used with a MIDI sequencer or drum
machine, the MPX 500 automatically adjusts its internal tempo to match. (See MIDI Operation.)
Bypass
Pressing the front panel Bypass button will cause the MPX 500 to pass only unprocessed audio, to
mute completely, or to mute the inputs to the current effect.
LexiconBasic Operation
12
A System Mode parameter determines which of these three options is in effect. (See System Mode.)
Bypass functions can also be activated by footswitch or via MIDI.
MPX 500 User Guide Basic Operation
Storing Programs
When you want to save a program, press Store. The Store and the Tap/Cancel LEDs will light to
indicate that the MPX 500 store function is armed. (If you want to exit without saving the current
program, press Tap/Cancel at any time before completing the store operation.)
The first available location in the User Bank will be selected by default when Store is pressed. To
select a different location (including the location of a User program you want to overwrite), press and
turn PROGRAM to select another location in the User Bank.
The program will be displayed with its original name and a numeric suffix (1-9). You can keep this
default name, or use Edit knobs 1 and 3 to select character positions and assign characters to create
a different name.
Press Store to save the program with its new name. When the Store operation is complete, the new
program will automatically load (becoming the currently running program).
13
MPX 500 User Guide System Mode
System Mode
System parameters and MIDI dumps are activated in System mode. To enter this mode, press
System. The System LED will light to indicate you are in System mode.
The adjustable parameters available in this mode are described on the following page. Edit knob 1
will select parameters, edit knob 3 will change the selected parameter's setting.
Use Edit knob 1 to select
System mode parameters.
The System LED will
light when System
mode is active.
Use Edit knob 3 to change
the selected parameter.
Except for MIDI dumps and reinitialization commands, which require confirmation to execute, system
parameter changes are effected immediately.
Pressing System again will return the unit to its previous running mode.
15
System Mode Parameters
Parameter Settings Default Setting
Output Level 0dB to -24dB, Off 0dB
Input Source Analog Stereo, Analog Mono L, Analog Stereo
Analog Mono R, S/PDIF Digital
Clock Source Internal 44.1K, Internal 48K, External (S/PDIF) Internal 44.1K
Digital Output Processed, Dry Processed
Mix Mode Program, Global Global
Bypass Mode Dry/Full Mute/Input Mute Dry
Program Load Mode Bypass Dry, Full Mute Bypass Dry
Tempo Mode Program, Global Global
MIDI Patches Enabled, Disabled Enabled
MIDI Channel Off, 1-16, Omni 1
MIDI Program Change Enabled, Disabled Enabled
MIDI Clock Enabled, Disabled Enabled
MIDI Out/Thru Out, Thru Out
Operating Mode Normal, Locked, Demo Normal
Memory Protect Enabled, Disabled Disabled
Auto Load Enabled, Disabled Disabled
Dump User Bank - Dump Current Program - Dump System Data - Clear User Bank - Factory Init - -
LexiconSystem Mode
16
Loading...