PCM NATIVE RANDOM DELAY
OWNER’S MANUAL
The Lexicon® Legacy
continues...
2
2
...with the PCM Native Random Delay
For over 40 years Lexicon® has
been recognized as the gold
standard of digital reverb and
effects processing and has
continuously introduced leading
edge technology for the audio
industry. Lexicon again rocked
the audio industry with the
introduction of the PCM Native
Reverb and PCM Native Effects
Plug-In Bundles, the ultimate
bundles for creating professional,
inspirational mixes within popular
DAWs like Pro Tools
any other VST
®
RTA S
compatible platform.
With all the flexibility you would
expect from native plug-ins,
these powerhouse plug-ins offer
legendary Lexicon processing
with the most versatile and finely
crafted studio presets. Designed
to bring the highest level of sonic
quality and functionality to all
your audio applications, the PCM
Native Series Plug-Ins will take
center stage in your DAW.
®
®
, Audio UnitTM, or
, Logic®, and
Congratulations and thank you
for purchasing the PCM Native Random Delay plug-in. With decades of legacy products to
pull from, the PCM Native plug-ins include the finest collection of factory presets available.
Designed to bring the highest level of sonic quality and functionality to all of your audio
applications, the PCM Native plug-ins will take center stage in your DAW.
Quick Start
• Open your DAW and choose the Lexicon plug-in from your list of plug-ins
• In the plug-in’s window, select a category
• Select a preset
• Adjust parameters (optional)
• Save the preset (optional)
It can be as simple or as in-depth as you’d like. The included presets work well for most
situations, but you can easily adjust any parameter and save any preset. See the “Factory
Presets” section for more information on editing, loading and saving presets.
Included Items
• PCM Native Random Delay software CD
• iLok license code
• This manual
Table of Contents
Installation ............................................... 1
Install the Plug-in .................................... 1
iLok License ............................................ 1
First Look—The User Interface ................ 2
Overview ................................................. 2
Level Meters ....................................... 3
Preset Category.................................. 3
Preset Selector ................................... 3
Realtime Display ................................. 3
Control Buttons .................................. 3
Stereo/Phase Analyzers ...................... 3
Fader Area .......................................... 3
The Realtime Display .............................. 4
Off ...................................................... 5
3-D Voice View .................................. 5
Frequency........................................... 5
Live Impulse Response ....................... 5
The Stereo/Phase Analyzers ................... 6
Lissajous Figure Window .................... 6
Stereo Width Meter............................ 6
The Fader Area ....................................... 7
Parameter Name ................................ 7
Parameter Value ................................. 7
Modifier Button .................................. 7
Fader .................................................. 7
The Control Buttons ................................ 8
Compare ............................................ 8
Edit ..................................................... 8
Reload ................................................ 8
Store ................................................... 8
Edit Navigation and Full Edit Mode ....... 9
The Soft Row ........................................... 10
Customizing the Soft Row .................. 10
Master Edit Page .................................... 11
LFO Edit Page ......................................... 12
Voice Edit Pages ..................................... 13
Presets ..................................................... 14
Loading a Preset ..................................... 14
Storing and Managing Presets ................ 15
Portable Presets ...................................... 16
Where are presets stored? ...................... 17
Getting the most out of your computer .. 18
The Algorithm .......................................... 22
Random Delay ........................................ 23
The Parameters ....................................... 24
Delay Master ........................................... 24
Mix...................................................... 24
Diffusion ............................................. 24
Feedback Diffusion ............................ 24
Delay Level Master ............................. 24
Delay Time Master ............................. 24
Delay Feedback Master ..................... 25
LFO Control ............................................ 25
LFO Waveform ................................... 25
LFO Rate ............................................ 25
Voice Parameters .................................... 25
Delay Time ......................................... 25
LFO Select .......................................... 25
Wander ............................................... 25
Delay Level ......................................... 25
Feedback Level .................................. 26
Output Pan ......................................... 26
Feedback Pan ..................................... 26
Output Filter Type .............................. 26
Output Frequency .............................. 26
Output Bandwidth.............................. 26
Output Shelf ....................................... 26
Feedback Filter Type .......................... 26
Feedback Frequency .......................... 27
Feedback Bandwidth ......................... 27
Feedback Shelf ................................... 27
Lexicon Plug-Ins & Upgrades ................... 27
Available Lexicon Plug-Ins ...................... 27
Upgrading .............................................. 27
Installation
Install the Plug-in
Insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive. The Installer should start automatically.
If the Installer doesn’t start automatically, you can start it manually by opening the appropriate
file on the CD:
Mac®: Use the “.dmg” installation file
Windows®: Use the “32-bit.exe” or “64-bit.exe” installation file
Once the Installer is open, follow the on-screen instructions to install the software.
iLok License
You must download the license to your 2nd Generation iLok USB smart key before running
any program that might use this plug-in. If a valid iLok license is not present, the initial plug-in
validation scan will fail and you may not be able to run the plug-in without digging into your
system. For more information go to www.iLok.com.
Important! Your PCM Native Plug-in will not work without an authorized
!
2nd Generation iLok USB smart key inserted in your computer’s USB
port!
!
1
First Look—The User Interface
Overview
When the plug-in is instantiated, you will see a window that looks something like this:
Level Meters
Preset
Category
Preset
Selector
Realtime
Display
Control Buttons
Stereo/Phase
Analyzers
Fader
Area
2
Level Meters
Shows the input, output and feedback levels. The Feedback meters measure the energy level
being fed back into the beginning of the delay line.
Preset Category
Presets for the algorithm are grouped into categories to make them easier to find. Clicking
in this area will show the list of categories. Selecting a category will load the presets for that
category in the Preset Selector.
Preset Selector
Displays the list of presets within the selected category. Selecting a preset from the list will
cause the preset to be loaded into the plug-in.
Realtime Display
Three unique visualizations help you to see inside the effect. See the “Realtime Display” section
for more detailed information.
Control Buttons
These buttons are used to compare, edit, reload and store presets. This is explained in more
detail in the “Control Buttons” section of this manual.
Stereo/Phase Analyzers
These tools provide a visual of the phase response and perceived stereo image of the
processed signal. See the “Stereo/Phase Analyzers” section for more detailed information.
Fader Area
Parameter values are shown and controlled in this area. This is explained in more depth in the
“Fader Area” section of this manual.
3
The Realtime Display
The realtime display window allows you to visualize the effect in three ways. While your ears will
always be the primary tool in choosing and adjusting presets, the displays provide a direct way to
see what’s going on. Click anywhere in the realtime display window to change the view.
4
Off
This display mode shows only the algorithm name.
It is the default view for the plug-in and requires the
least amount of CPU cycles.
3-D Voice View
This display shows a 3-D view of each individual
voice. Each voice (feedback or output) is displayed
on screen using a vertical hollow frame. The frame
is filled by the measured real-time level in the voice,
and therefore, acts as a meter (0dB = full scale). The
depth represents logarithmic delay time and the x
axis represents pan.
Frequency
This display shows the frequency levels of the left
and right output signals.
Live Impulse Response
This display shows a live impulse response of the
left and right output signals.
5
The Stereo/Phase Analyzers
These analysis tools provide visualizations of the output signal’s stereo image and phase
response.
Lissajous Figure
Window
Stereo Width Meter
Lissajous Figure Window
This window shows the width and panning of the effects stereo image. The width of the stereo
image is displayed by how far out, from center, the lines spread. Therefore, a mono effect
signal panned center would be represented by a thin vertical line and an extremely wide spread
would indicate inverted mono and may have mono compatibility problems. A rightward slant
indicates effect voices have more energy on the right output as compared to the left and a
leftward slant indicates the effect voices have more energy on the left output as compared to
the right.
Stereo Width Meter
This meter shows the perceived width of the stereo image in a different way. A mono signal
would show no level. A true stereo signal will display a wider bar, while inverted mono
will display at the maximum width. The widest signals may exhibit problems with mono
compatibility, so they should be monitored. The left and right side of this meter will always show
identical level. The greater the meter level, the wider the stereo image will be perceived.
6
The Fader Area
The fader area may be populated by up to nine faders. This illustration shows what may be
found for each fader.
Parameter
Name
Parameter
Value
Modifier
Button
Fader
Parameter Name
Shows the parameter being adjusted.
Parameter Value
Shows the current value of the parameter. This field may be directly edited.
Modifier Button
This button only appears for certain types of parameters. It controls aspects of the parameter.
Fader
Changes the value of the parameter. May be dragged, control-dragged (for higher resolution)
or may be controlled by the mouse wheel.
7
The Control Buttons
These buttons let you access all of a preset’s parameters, manage presets, and compare
changes you’ve made to the original settings.
Compare
The Compare button temporarily resets all parameters to the original preset value. It is used to
get back to the original preset and quickly audition your edits verses the original preset. When
compare is on, all parameters are frozen and cannot be changed. Turning compare off returns
you to your edits. Choosing a different preset cancels compare mode.
Edit
Clicking the Edit button enters “Pro” mode. Here you can adjust all parameters and configure
the soft row. See the “Edit Navigation and Full Edit Mode” section for more detailed
information.
Reload
Clicking the Reload button reloads the current preset, overriding all user edits.
Store
The Store button allows you to create and manage user presets. See the “Storing and
Managing Presets” section for more information.
8
Edit Navigation and Full Edit Mode
When the Edit button is clicked, an additional row of buttons appear along the lower portion of
the plug-in. Clicking one of the buttons will bring up an edit page holding parameters related
to the button name. Those parameters may be edited until the desired sound is achieved.
Click
Edit
9
The Soft Row
When the plug-in is first instantiated, a number of parameters appear. This page of parameters
is called the “Soft Row”. These parameters were chosen as being the most useful parameters
for a particular preset. In most cases, we’ve tried to make a consistent set of choices, but many
presets call for different parameters. For most people, the soft row is all that’s needed.
Customizing the Soft Row
The soft row assignments are part of the preset. You can change the soft row assignments and
store the preset as a User Preset. To do this, press the Edit button to go into edit mode then
press the button for Soft Row. The plug-in will look something like this:
2. Click
Soft Row
In the modifier button area, just above the fader, you will see the name of the parameter that is
assigned to that position in the soft row. Clicking on any of these parameter buttons reveals a
list of all the algorithm’s parameters. Select a parameter (or “no selection”) from the list, and
that parameter is then assigned to the soft row. The assigned parameter is still available on its
original edit page, but now it appears in the soft row as well.
You can assign any parameter to the soft row. You can even assign the same parameter more
than once. When you’re done, store it as a User Preset and you’ll always be able to recall the
preset with your customized soft row.
1. Click
Edit
3. Modifier
button area.
Click to assign
soft row
parameter.
10
Master Edit Page
To enter the Master Edit page, click the Edit button to display the edit page buttons, then click
the Master button. A page similar to this will appear:
1. Click
Master
Each parameter is described in the “Parameters” section starting on page 24.
The Master page allows you to adjust the master levels of the algorithm. For example, you can
adjust the overall mix level (wet/dry mix) and diffusion here.
This page also gives you global control over some of the individual voice parameters. For
example, adjusting the delay time master on this page will re-adjust the delay time parameter
for all delay voices.
Other controllable parameters on this page are: feedback diffusion, delay level master, and
delay feedback master.
11
LFO Edit Page
To enter the LFO Edit page click the Edit button to display the edit page buttons, then click the
LFO button. A page similar to this will appear:
1. Click
LFO
Each parameter is described in the “Parameters” section starting on page 24.
This page allows for control of four LFOs. The LFO waveform and rate can be set on this page.
There is a graphical display for each LFO providing a real-time visual of the LFO, based on how
the LFO waveform and rate parameters have been set.
12
Voice Edit Pages
The Random Delay plug-in has multiple Voice Edit pages. To enter one of the Voice Edit pages
click the Edit button to display the edit page buttons, then click the Voice button for the voice
in which you would like to edit. A page similar to this will appear:
Output/Feedback
Buttons
Output/Feedback
Section
1. Click one of the
Voice buttons
Each parameter is described in the “Parameters” section starting on page 24.
Each Voice Edit page contains the same parameters, but controls a different voice.
The Output/Feedback section allows you to edit the output and feedback parameters for each
voice. The Output and Feedback buttons allow you to toggle between these two sections.
Therefore, these Feedback and Output section parameters are independently controlled. Here
you can control the output and feedback level, polarity, pan and filtering for each voice.
13
Presets
The PCM Native plug-ins come with a large complement of Factory Presets. These presets are
grouped in categories that make it easier for you to find the sound you need. Most presets also
come with several variants that may save you a lot of editing time.
Loading a Preset
The preset category is chosen from the drop-down menu in the upper-left portion of the edit
window. When you select a category, the preset menu is updated to show availability of the new
presets within the selected category. An initial preset will be loaded from the category. It will be
the first preset in the list unless you have previously visited the category. In that case, it will be
the last preset you loaded from that category.
Click here
to select
a category
14
Click here
to select
a preset
Storing and Managing Presets
When you load a Lexicon® plug-in, the overall appearance may be something like this:
You will notice that the Lexicon plug-in (with the gold border) is embedded within a larger
window provided by the DAW. Appearance will differ from host to host (this example is from
Logic®). Oftentimes, the DAW itself provides the ability to save presets. The presets saved by
the DAW can only be used with the DAW that saved them. If you work with multiple DAWs, this
would be a problem. However, Lexicon® solves this problem with the use of Portable Presets.
15
Portable Presets
When you store presets with the Lexicon Store button (shown below), your presets are available
to all DAWs on your machine. With only a little effort, you can also share them with other
machines, even when going between Mac and PC.
If you’ve made some edits you’d like to save as a User Preset, press the Store button on the
upper portion of the plug-in editor. You’ll see a screen that looks like this:
1. Click Store
2. Click to
edit name
3. Click Store
to save
The upper field contains the list of User Presets that have already been created for this
algorithm. Presets appear in alphabetical order. Click the name field to edit the name of the
preset. Once done, click the Store button.
The lower field contains the name of the preset that was loaded before you began editing.
You can easily click in this field and change the name to anything you like. Once you have the
appropriate name, click the Store button and the preset will be saved. If you decide not to save
the preset, pressing the Cancel button will return you to the editor without saving the preset.
16
If you select one of the existing presets in the library, you can replace or delete that preset.
1. Click on a preset
2. Preset name
appears here
3. Click to replace, or
Click to delete
Where are presets stored?
On the Mac, User Presets are stored in:
”Home”/Library/Application Support/Lexicon/Native/User Presets/”AlgorithmName”
(“Home” is the name of the account you’re logged in under. “AlgorithmName” is the name of the plug-in.)
On Windows Vista/Seven, User Presets are stored in:
Users/”Username”/AppData/Roaming/Lexicon PCM Native/
UserPresets/”AlgorithmName”
(“Username” is the name of the account you’re logged in under. “AlgorithmName” is the name of the plug-in.)
On Windows XP, User Presets are stored in:
Documents and Settings/”Username”/Application Data/Lexicon PCM Native/User
Presets/”AlgorithmName”
(“Username” is the name of the account you’re logged in under. “AlgorithmName” is the name of the plug-in.)
Note: The AppData and Application Data folders are Windows system folders and are hidden
by default. Windows must be configured to “show hidden files and folders” to view these
folders.
17
Getting the most out of your computer
The PCM Native plug-ins are written to be efficient, and most computers will run more copies
than you may need. But if you find yourself needing to squeeze a little bit more out of your
CPU, you can take the following simple steps:
• Turn off the active realtime display. The active display window can represent your effect
in real time in several ways. However, this display consumes some of your computer’s
processing power. If you click until you reach the static display, your computer will have
more CPU power available.
• Close the plug-in editor. Unless you’re actively controlling your mix in realtime, you don’t
need the editor after you’ve made the appropriate settings. All those knobs, faders and
displays require processing power. You can always reopen the editor if you need to edit.
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19
The
Heritage
Lexicon® occupies a unique position as a leading innovator in both
professional and consumer audio industries. Since the release of
the first digital delay, Lexicon has stood at the forefront of digital
audio with a reputation as a manufacturer of exceptional audio
and home theater products and an inventor of new technologies.
Years of research, development, and learning allow us to continue
expanding the boundaries of the listening experience.
Our professional products are prominent in the creation of
worldwide music, television, and film productions. These products
have won numerous awards, including an Emmy® and numerous
TEC awards, including a TEC Hall of Fame award for the Lexicon
Delta T-101, the world’s first digital delay. Lexicon processors have
been embraced as the standard in professional signal processing
since the introduction of the 480L Digital Effects Processor, which
has retained tremendous popularity for the past 22 years. It has since
been replaced as the standard in professional signal processing
by the 960L Multi-Channel Digital Effects System and the PCM96
Series Reverb/Effects Processors, which have themselves garnered
an impressive following of producers, artists, and engineers.
Growing demand for proprietary Lexicon technologies has led to
its appearance in numerous applications, with dramatic results.
Our processing is relied upon to enhance the sound of prestigious
live halls and venues.
Knowingly or unknowingly, you experience Lexicon products and
technologies on a daily basis. Chances are that Lexicon processing
was involved in the television program you watch at home, the
film you see at the cinema, or the song you listen to on the radio.
From the initial tracks to your listening room or automobile,
Lexicon is part of the process that brings these recordings to life.
Our commitment to the audio professional and content delivery
ensures an unbroken chain between the artist and the audience.
Now hear this…
The Algorithm
Random Delay
The delays available in the Random Delay algorithm are especially useful for:
• Multitap Tape Loops
Feedback can be used to recirculate delays. Appropriate use of highpass and lowpass
filters emulates the bandpass effects of multi-generational tape loops (hiss not included).
Feedback diffusion allows emulation of azimuth misalignment, a hallmark of the sound.
• Early Reflection Modeling
Although different in scope from Lexicon
used to place early reflections in stereo or surround fields.
• Modulated Delays
Delay times may be modulated by signal level, LFO or random values.
Random Delays have the same diffusion controls as Dual Delays, but build upon the Dual Delay
algorithm by adding additional LFO control and a second delay parameter (or “Wander”). The
Wander parameter provides up to one second of additional delay time for each voice. Voices
can be assigned to either randomize, or not randomize.
The Random Delay algorithm has 4 total delay voices (2 delay voices per input channel). Each
voice has independently adjustable delay time of up to 9.5 seconds (plus an additional 1
second of “Wander” delay), selectable LFO and independent output and feedback control.
Each of the delay voice’s output and feedback paths include an independently selectable filter,
adjustable filter frequency, filter bandwidth, filter shelf, polarity, level and pan control.
®
Ambience algorithms, Random Delays can be
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The Parameters
The PCM Native plug-ins contain presets covering a wide range of needs, but you can refine
and customize any preset by adjusting its parameters. Parameters are the building blocks within
each preset that determine how it sounds and behaves.
Each PCM Native plug-in contains a set of parameters, and a variety of those parameters are
combined to create a preset.
Following are all the algorithm parameters you can edit in the PCM Native Random Delay Plugin. Note that sometimes parameter names are abbreviated when they appear onscreen, and
they may have prefixes indicating what channel they control (for example, the Feedback Level
parameter for voice 1 may appear as “L1 FbkLvl”).
Delay Master
Mix
Mix is the proportion of wet (processed) signal to dry (unprocessed) signal.
Diffusion
Input diffusion is the first part of processing for any signal entering a delay. It can be described
as a smearing or softening of the signal and is typically used to lessen the impact of strong
transients.
Feedback Diffusion
Feedback Diffusion is similar to Input Diffusion, except that it is applied to a delayed signal that
is being added back into the input.
Delay Level Master
Controls all delays in the algorithm. Each voice has its nominal gain value adjusted by this
percentage.
Delay Time Master
Controls all delays in the algorithm. Each voice has its nominal delay time adjusted by this
percentage.
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Delay Feedback Master
Controls all delays in the algorithm. Each voice has its nominal feedback gain adjusted by this
percentage.
LFO Control
LFO Waveform
Sets the shape of the wave the LFO will follow.
LFO Rate
Sets the speed of an LFO in Hz.
Voice Parameters
Delay Time
Delay time defines the time offset of a delay voice. This parameter can be adjusted in one of
two ways, they are:
• Absolute: Adjusts the delay time in seconds/milliseconds.
• Tempo: Adjusts the delay time in fractions of tempo (quarter note, eighth note, etc.). This
tempo is synced to the DAW’s session tempo.
LFO Select
This parameter determines which of the available LFOs may be used to control a voice. The
voice may use the LFO output or the inverted LFO output.
Wander
This parameter determines the amount of additional delay that the LFO process can add to a
voice’s offset.
Delay Level
This parameter adjusts the output level of the delay line within each voice.
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Feedback Level
This parameter determines the feedback level for a particular voice. It is controlled
independently of the voice’s output level.
Output Pan
Routes the post-filter delay voice across the left-right soundstage.
Feedback Pan
This parameter controls the left-right soundstage of the feedback portion of the delay line
signal.
Output Filter Type
This parameter allows you to assign a filter on the output of a delay voice. There are 6
selections available, they are: 1 Pole Lopass, 1 Pole Hipass, 2 Pole Lopass, 2 Pole Hipass,
Bandpass, and Notch.
Output Frequency
This parameter lets you set the cutoff frequency of the output filter. The audible effect of this is
determined by the Output Filter Type parameter.
Output Bandwidth
When Bandpass or Notch have been selected, this parameter allows you to set the bandwidth
of an output filter. Bandwidth is specified in octaves or fractions thereof.
Output Shelf
This parameter affects all output filter types. It allows a certain amount of unfiltered audio to be
combined with the filtered audio. This effectively lowers the effect of the filter. Another way of
looking at it is that it lessens the normal filter slope of 12 dB per octave. Unlike the traditional
biquad filter, the shelf is effective for all filter forms.
Feedback Filter Type
This parameter allows you to assign a filter on the feedback portion of the signal within a delay
voice. There are 6 selections available: 1 Pole Lopass, 1 Pole Hipass, 2 Pole Lopass, 2 Pole
Hipass, Bandpass, and Notch.
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Feedback Frequency
This parameter lets you set the cutoff frequency of the feedback filter. The audible effect of this
is determined by the Feedback Filter Type parameter.
Feedback Bandwidth
When Bandpass or Notch have been selected, this parameter allows you to set the bandwidth
of a feedback filter. Bandwidth is specified in octaves or fractions thereof.
Feedback Shelf
This parameter affects all feedback filter types. It allows a certain amount of unfiltered audio to
be combined with the filtered audio. This effectively lowers the effect of the filter. Another way
of looking at it is that it lessens the normal filter slope of 12 dB per octave. Unlike the traditional
biquad filter, the shelf is effective for all filter forms.
Lexicon Plug-Ins & Upgrades
Available Lexicon Plug-Ins
Please visit www.lexiconpro.com for the latest information on available Lexicon plug-ins.
Upgrading
Please visit www.lexiconpro.com for the latest information on upgrading to the PCM Native
Effects Bundle or PCM Total Bundle.
27
Harman
8760 South Sandy Parkway, Sandy, Utah 84070, U.S.A.
Phone: 801.568.7660 | Fax: 801.568.7662
Questions or comments? Visit us at www.lexiconpro.com
©2012 Harman. All rights reserved.
Lexicon is a registered trademark of Harman.
All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
All features and specifications are subject to change.
PCM Random Delay Manual v0.1
www.lexiconpro.com
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