MX400 User Guide
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Section Title IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY Manufacturer’s Name: Manufacturer’s Address: Lexicon 8760 S. Sandy Parkway Sandy, Utah 84070, USA declares that the product: Product name: MX400 and MX400XL Note: Product name may be suffixed by the letters-EU. Product option: None conforms to the following Product Specifications: Safety: IEC 60065 (7th ed.
Warranty Warranty This warranty is valid only for the original purchaser and only in the United States. 1. The warranty registration card that accompanies this product must be mailed within 30 days after purchase date to validate this warranty. Proof-of-purchase is considered to be the burden of the consumer. 2. Lexicon Professional warrants this product, when bought and used solely within the U.S., to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service. 3.
MX400 Table of Contents Introduction.........................................................................1 INcluded Items........................................................................1 Quick start.............................................................................2 Standard Parallel Connection................................................................................ 2 Powering the Unit..............................................................................................
Table of Contents Selecting and Loading Programs (Dual Stereo Configuration) ......................... 12 Storing/Copying Programs.................................................................................... 12 Editing a Program.................................................................................................. 13 Changing an Effect................................................................................................. 14 Changing Knob Assignments...............................
Introduction MX400 Introduction Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the MX400 Dual Stereo/Surround Reverb Processor! The MX400 provides you with the legendary Lexicon reverbs and effects powered by four processors, for a wide variety of configurations and blends, all in a single rack unit. Use the MX400 live or in the studio, connect and control it via your PC or Mac, or use it as a hardware plug-in.
Quick Start Quick Start Ideally, you should read this entire manual before using the MX400. But, if you just can’t wait to get started, this section explains how to set up a simple parallel connection (using the MX400 with a mixer) and select a program. Standard Parallel Connection 1. Connect the mixer’s Post Fader Aux Send outputs to the MX400’s Left and Right (Front) inputs. 2.
Quick Start MX400 Select and Load a Program Turn the Program/Load knob to choose a program. The Program Number Display flashes the number of the program to be loaded. Press the knob to load the program. Program/Load knob 88 Program Number Display Note that the MX400 comes with 99 Factory programs and 99 User programs. Factory and User LED's to the left of the Program Number Display window indicate whether the displayed program is a Factory or User program.
The Front Panel The Front Panel 1 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 14 15 88 2 8 11 12 13 1. Gain LEDs Each pair of Gain LEDs indicate input signal strength of each of the MX400’s input pairs. Range is from -24dB, -12dB, -6dB, and 0dB. 2. Input Knobs A & B Each Input Knob controls input gain of one stereo input pair. 3. Main Display The Main Display features six LEDs and an LCD. The LEDs indicate which Configuration the MX400 is currently using, when the S/PDIF I/O has sync lock, and USB connectivity.
The Front Panel MX400 10. System Accesses the System global setup menus. 11. Bypass Used to bypass or mute the currently selected program. 12. User and Factory LEDs Indicate whether the selected program is User or Factory. 13. Program Number Display Displays the number of the selected program. 14. Program / Load Selects factory and user programs. Pressing this knob loads the program manually if program Auto Load is disabled. 15. Power Switch Turns the MX400 on and off.
The Rear Panel The Rear Panel 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1. Power Jack Attach the power cord here. 2. USB Port Provides communication with a computer for use with MX-EditTM Editor/Librarian software and MX400 plug-in window using a standard USB cable. When the MX400 is connected to a computer via USB, the blue USB LED next to the main display will light. 3.
The Rear Panel MX400 6. Balanced Analog Line Output Pairs Dual RF-filtered 1/4" balanced/unbalanced TRS or balanced XLR line outputs are servo-balanced, so no signal loss is incurred when using unbalanced connections (1/4" inputs only). If only a single plug is connected to the Left output, both Left and Right signals can be summed to mono by selecting Mono Left for analog output A or B in the System Menu. Pairs are grouped and labeled as A - Front (Stereo) and B - Rear. 7.
About the MX400 About the MX400 The MX400 is an extremely versatile effects processor; in fact it can operate like three different processors. When using the MX400, it is recommended that you decide what type of processor you need it to operate as (Surround, Stereo, or Dual Stereo processor), make the proper cable connections, and select the Configuration that coincides with your setup.
Connecting the MX400 MX400 Connection Diagram: Surround In/Out Return 1 2 3 4 Send 1 2 3 4 Stereo Configuration Connections Stereo Mode configures the MX400 as a single stereo input/output processor utilizing input/output pair A only (analog and S/PDIF). Input/output pair B is disabled when the Stereo configuration is selected. S/PDIF output A mirrors analog output pair A but input pair A can only be analog or digital (selectable in the MX400’s System menu).
The MX400 and Digital I/O For sources that will run through Program A (this is the program shown in the top half of the Program Display which uses Effect 1 and Effect 2), connect to the A Left/Right (Front) input and output pair. Sources running through Program B (this is the program shown in the bottom half of the Program Display which uses Effect 3 and Effect 4), connect to the B Left/Right (Rear) input and output pair.
The MX400 and Digital I/O MX400 stream, and it is necessary to change the clock source from the MX400’s internal clock to Digital. Furthermore, the MX400 only receives external clock sync on the S/PDIF A input. This means when using both Digital inputs (A and B), the devices that are connected must be synced to a common clock source to work properly with the MX400.
Using the MX400 Using the MX400 Selecting and Loading Programs (Surround, Stereo Configurations) 1. Choose a program by rotating the Program/Load knob. The selected program number flashes in the Program Display until loaded. The name of the program also appears in the MX400’s Main Display. The Factory or User LED next to the Program Display lights to indicate whether a Factory or User program is selected. 2. Press the Program/Load knob to load the program.
Using the MX400 MX400 3. When naming is complete, press the Store button again. Turn the Page/Select or Program/Load knob to select the new user program memory location to store to. 4. Press the Store button again to complete the store procedure. Editing a Program Once a program has been loaded, you may find you want to make adjustments to it for your particular application. Editing of programs is done using the Page/Select and three Edit Knobs (A, B, and C) to the right of the Main Display.
Using the MX400 2. Turn Edit Knob A, B, or C Edit to modify a parameter setting. When finished, store the changes to the program if you would like them to be recalled. From the Program Edit Menus 1. While on the Program Screen, turn the Page/Select knob to highlight the effect you want to edit. 2. Press the Page/Select knob. This will enter the Program Edit menus. 3. Once in the Program Edit menu, there can be two effects to edit, Effect 1 and Effect 2.
MX400 Using the MX400 When finished, store the changes to the program if you would like them to be recalled. Changing Knob Assignments The three parameters that appear for editing from the Program Screen in Surround and Stereo Configuration programs are user selectable. From the factory, these parameters were selected in each program by their importance to the effect. If you would like to access other parameters for each effect from the Program screen, you can select these in the Knobs Assign menu.
Using the MX400 Stereo and Dual Stereo Configurations 1. Dual Mono 2. Cascade L Effect 1/3 L R Effect 2/4 R L R Effect 1/3 3. Parallel L R L R Effect 2/4 4. Mono Split L Effect 1/3 Effect 2/4 R L Effect 1/3 R Effect 2/4 L R 5. Stereo L R Effect 1/3 L R 1. Dual Mono This routing option sends the Left and Right input signals through Effect 1/3 and Effect 2/4 respectively. Each signal is then routed to its respective output, completely independent from the other. 2.
Using the MX400 MX400 Surround Configuration 1. Stereo In/Surround Out (Front) L R Surround Reverb L (Front) R L (Rear) R 2. Surround In/Out L (Front) R L (Rear) R Surround Reverb L (Front) R L (Rear) R 1. Stereo In/ Surround Out This routing option takes a stereo source connected to the Left 1 and Right 1 (Front) inputs, processes them through the Surround reverb, and sends it to all four outputs. Note: Only a single mix control for the Left/Right front outputs is available with this routing.
Effects Descriptions Tempo Button The Tempo button is used for setting the tempo parameter in delay effects. In some cases there may be two delays set up in a program using two effects. The Tempo button will flash at the rate of the delay which is highlighted in the Main Display. To set the tempo of the second delay, turn the Page/Select knob until the second delay is highlighted in the Main Display. The Tempo button can now set the delay time for this delay.
MX400 Effects Descriptions Reverbs Reverberation (or “reverb” for short) is the complex effect created by the way we perceive sound in an enclosed space. When sound waves encounter an object or boundary, they don’t just stop. Some of the sound is absorbed by the object, but most of the sound is reflected or is diffused. In an enclosed space, reverb is dependent on many features of that space, including the size, shape and the type of materials that line the walls.
Effects Descriptions control. The surround in/surround out routing is for use with a true 4-channel input source and both front and rear output pairs each have their own wet/dry mix control for precise control of dry audio and reverb adjustments in the surround field. Plate Reverbs - Stereo Small plate, Large plate, Vocal plate, Drum plate A Plate reverb is a large, thin sheet of metal suspended upright under tension on springs.
MX400 Effects Descriptions Studio Reverb - Stereo Much like Room reverb, Studio produces an excellent simulation of smaller, well-controlled acoustic spaces, characteristic of the main performance areas in recording studios. Studio is also useful with dialog and voiceover applications as well as individual instrument and electric guitar tracks. Arena Reverb - Stereo Arena reverb emulates a huge physical space such as an indoor sports venue or stadium.
Effects Descriptions up more slowly and sustains for the time set by Spread. With Shape in the middle, the build-up and sustain of the reverberation envelope emulates a large concert hall (assuming that Spread is at least halfway up, and that Size is 30 meters or larger). Low Spread settings result in a rapid onset of reverberation at the beginning of the envelope, with little or no sustain. Higher settings spread out both the buildup and sustain.
Effects Descriptions MX400 Boing This is a unique parameter to the Spring reverb, designed to increase or decrease the amount of spring rattle that is a physical characteristic of spring tank reverbs. Delays Delays repeat a sound a short time after it first occurs. Delay becomes echo when the output is fed back into the input (feedback). This turns a single repeat into a series of repeats, each a little softer than the last. Studio Delay - Stereo The Studio Delay features up to 2.
Effects Descriptions 2-Tap Delay - Stereo The 2-Tap Delay is probably best described as an adjustable pong delay where each tap can be individually set in relation to the delay time. The 2 taps are a calculated percentage of the actual delay time from 1-100% (for example, if the delay time is 500ms and Tap 1 is set to 50% and Tap 2 is set to 100%, Tap 1 time would be 250ms and Tap 2 time would be 500ms).
Effects Descriptions MX400 Smear This parameter controls the amount of “smear,” or signal degradation and frequency loss. Particularly evident in the Tape Delay, the higher the setting, the more each delay repeat loses intelligibility compared to the original signal. Tap 1 & 2 The Tap parameters provide independent control to the two delay taps in the 2-Tap Delay. Each tap can be set to a percentage of the delay tempo, creating interesting rhythmic delay lines not available in the other delays.
Effects Descriptions Because the resulting output is less than the original signal, a third control, Makeup Gain compensates for this loss of level, but with less dynamic range, or the difference between the softest and loudest parts of the signal. Note: The De-Esser and Compressor effects are Mono In Dual Stereo configuration programs. dbx Dynamics Controls Ratio Determines the amount of compression, from 1:1 (no effect) to Infinity:1 (complete limiting).
MX400 Effects Descriptions Release Release allows adjustment of the release time constant, determining how quickly the compressor responds to decreasing input level. This should normally be set long. Short release times may cause an effect similar to “pumping” in an analog compressor. Knee In Hard Knee mode, the threshold of compression is defined as that point above which the output level no longer changes on a 1:1 basis with changes in the input level. See Figure 1.
Effects Descriptions Tremolo/Pan - Stereo (Wet Only) Tremolo and Panner create rhythmic changes in signal amplitude. Tremolo affects both channel’s amplitude simultaneously, while the Panner affects the amplitude of each channel in an alternating manner. Rotary - Mono In/Stereo Out (Wet Only) Rotary speaker cabinets were designed to provide a majestic vibrato/choir effect for electronic theater and church organs.
MX400 Effects Descriptions Depth Scales the intensity of the effect. This control affects the output of the LFO only. It has no effect on the outputs of the individual waveforms. Voices Controls the number of additional Chorus voices. Regen Controls the amount of modulated signal being fed back into the input, creating feedback. Higher amounts add more resonance to the signal. Diffusion Creates a time-smoothing effect similar to diffusion in reverb.
MX400 System Menus Shift 1 & 2 Determines the amount of pitch shift or detune shift from the original signal source. Works best with individual notes. Delay 1 & 2 Sets the delay time before the pitch shift or detune effect is heard in the Pitch Shift and Detune effects. Feedback 1 & 2 Adjusts how much of the shifted signal is sent back through the delay line in Pitch Shift and Detune for creating cascading arpeggio type effects.
MX400 MX400 System Menus Input Source A The MX400 has both analog and digital inputs that can be connected to. Depending on which inputs you will be using, you need to select between analog or digital sources. The MX400 offers three different input sources to select from: Analog Mono L, Analog Stereo, and Digital. Input Source A refers to whether you will be using analog A - Front (Stereo) inputs or digital input A.
MX400 System Menus Analog Output B Analog Out B is identical to Analog Out A description but refers to analog Output Pair B only. Use Knob B to select between Mono Left and Stereo B - Rear outputs. Output Level The MX400 outputs can be optimized to run with equipment requiring different output levels. High end audio systems run at +4dBu levels while many inexpensive system levels run at -10dBV levels.
MX400 MX400 System Menus MIDI Channel A The MX400 is equipped with two MIDI receive channels, Channel A and Channel B. MIDI channel A is the channel used by all MX400 Configurations: Surround, Stereo, and Dual Stereo. Any program change or CC messages sent to the MX400 on MIDI Channel A will be processed by the active program. Channels can be set from 1-16, All channels, or Off. Use Knob A to change MIDI Channel A settings. Note: In Dual Stereo, there are always two programs active.
MX400 System Menus MIDI CC Receive The MIDI CC receive option lets you enable or disable the MX400 from receiving MIDI CC messages. When MIDI Program Receive is set to off, it filters all MIDI CC messages so that the MX400 will not respond them in any configuration (Surround, Stereo, or Dual Stereo). MIDI program change messages are still received even when this option is disabled. Use Knob B to change this option.
MX400 The MX-Edit Editor/Librarian - Windows® and Mac® 2. Press and hold the Store button until the white progress bar has completely disappeared. This will complete the restore procedure and the MX400 will be returned to its factory state. The MX-EditTM Editor/Librarian - Windows® and Mac® The included MX-Edit Editor/Librarian software lets you create, edit, compare, save and load reverb and effects programs for use with your MX400 on your Windows or Mac computer.
The MX-EditTM Editor/Librarian - Windows® and Mac® Installing the MX-Edit Editor/Librarian - Mac Minimum System Requirements - Mac Before installing the MX-Edit Editor/Librarian software, make sure that your computer meets the following minimum requirements: OSX 10.4 or higher To install the MX-Edit, VST™ and Audio Units software for Macintosh® computers, insert the provided disc into the CD-ROM drive and double-click on the disc icon when it appears. Double-click on the MX400.dmg.
MX400 The MX-EditTM Editor/Librarian - Windows® and Mac® Double-click a program name to open it in the editor. The program settings are reflected in the Parameter knobs and buttons in the Program Editor window. The selected program is now loaded in your MX400. Any changes made in the MX-Edit Program Editor window will also occur simultaneously on the MX400 hardware. The MX-EditTM Library The MX-Edit Library contains the Factory and User programs that are currently loaded in your MX400.
The MX-EditTM Editor/Librarian - Windows® and Mac® that program number in the Library window. • To open a program that has been saved to your computer (but doesn’t appear in the MX-Edit Library), click File and select Open Program. By default, the Open dialog looks in the My Documents folder (or the last folder that a program was opened from). Double-click the program to load it. • To open a program with the currently active settings from the MX400, select Open Current Program in the Device menu.
MX400 The MX-EditTM Editor/Librarian - Windows® and Mac® Reverb/Effect Selection Buttons To change a reverb or effect in Processor 1 or Processor 2, left click on the Reverb/ Effect Select button in Effect 1 or Effect 2 control area. A list of the MX400’s reverbs and effects appears, with a check mark next to the currently selected reverb or effect. Highlight an item in the list and left click to select and load it.
The MX-EditTM Editor/Librarian - Windows® and Mac® Tempo If one of the MX400’s delays is selected, the Tempo button in that processor becomes active, and begins to flash at the Tempo rate. The tempo value is shown in milliseconds (ms), and a musical note appears next to the displayed Delay Time. When the Delay Time parameter is adjusted, exact divisions of time in milliseconds relative to the flashing Tempo rate will cause a note value to be displayed next to the time, e.g. 16th note, dotted-8th note, etc.
MX400 The MX-EditTM Editor/Librarian - Windows® and Mac® – anything you can do with a standard document or file. These files should, however, only be opened by MX-Edit Editor/Librarian software to prevent corruption. Storing a Program To store a program into one of the User program locations in the MX-Edit Library (and the corresponding location in the MX400’s physical memory), open the program you wish to store. With the Program Editor window active, click Device, then Store Program.
Using the MX400 as a Hardware Plug-In Using the MX400 as a Hardware Plug-In The MX400 comes with VST™ and Audio Units software which allows you to use the MX400 as a Hardware Plug-In.
MX400 Using the MX400 as a Hardware Plug-In For lower latencies and the best audio performance, it is recommended that you connect the MX400 to your computer’s audio I/O device using the S/PDIF Inputs and outputs. If your I/O device does not have a S/PDIF connection, or if it already connected to another device, you may use the analog connections from your computer’s I/O device to the 1/4” analog inputs and outputs on the MX400. Important: The MX400 accepts digital audio at 44.1kHz and 48kHz sample rates.
Using the MX400 as a Hardware Plug-In through the Main Mix Bus, just as you would any audio or plug-in effect. Using the MX400 Plug-In Window In your DAW, open the Lexicon MX400 plug-in. You’ll see an instance of the Program Editor window. You can use the MX400 plug-in software just as you would any other plug-in: Session Recall, automation – everything behaves just as any other VSTTM or Audio Unit plug-in.
MX400 midi implementation chart 45
MIDI CC Map - 46 Dual Stereo effects
MX400 MIDI CC map - routing 5 dual stereo effects, stereo effects 47
MIDI CC map- 48 routing 5 dual stereo effects, stereo effects
MX400 MIDI CC map - Surround hall Effects 49
Programs - 50 Dual Stereo
MX400 Programs - Stereo 51
Programs - 52 Surround
MX400 Specifications Analog Audio Inputs Connectors four ¼" TRS balanced or unbalanced Impedance 50k Ohms bal., 25k Ohms unbal. Input Level +4 dBu nominal, +24 dBu maximum A/D Conversion 24-bit, 48kHz or 44.1kHz, 128 x oversampling Analog Audio Outputs Connectors four ¼" TRS balanced or unbalanced Impedance 2k Ohms bal., 1k Ohms unbal. Output Level +4 dBu or –10 dBV nominal (software adjustable), 24 dBu maximum D/A Conversion 24-bit, 48kHz or 44.
Harman Music Group 8760 South Sandy Parkway | Sandy, Utah 84070 U.S.A. Copyright 2006 Lexicon Phone: (801)-568-7660 | Fax: (801)-568-7662 MX400 Questions or comments? Email us at: customer@lexiconpro.
