Lexicon PCM 96 User manual

Surround
Professional Audio Equipment

WARRANTY
This warranty is valid only for the original purchaser and only in the United States. If outside the United States
please contact the local Lexicon®distributor.
1. Please register your product online at lexiconpro.com. Proof-of-purchase is considered to be the responsibility of
the consumer. A copy of the original purchase receipt must be provided for any warranty service.
2. Lexicon Professional warrants this product, when purchased new from an authorized U.S. Lexicon Professional
dealer and used solely within the U.S., to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use
and service. This warranty is valid to the original purchaser only and is non-transferable.
3. Lexicon Professional’s liability under this warranty is limited to repairing or, at our discretion, replacing defective
materials that show evidence of defect, provided the product is returned to Lexicon Professional WITH RETURN
AUTHORIZATION from the factory, where all parts and labor will be covered up to a period of 1 year. A Return
Authorization Number must first be obtained from Lexicon Professional. The company shall not be liable for any
consequential damage as a result of the product’s use in any circuit or assembly.
4. Lexicon Professional reserves the right to make changes in design or make additions to or improvements upon this
product without incurring any obligation to install the same additions or improvements on products previously
manufactured.
5. The foregoing is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied, and Lexicon Professional neither assumes nor
authorizes any person to assume on its behalf any obligation or liability in connection with the sale of this product.
In no event shall Lexicon Professional or its dealers be liable for special or consequential damages or from any
delay in the performance of this warranty due to causes beyond their control.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT & SERVICE
If you require technical support, contact Lexicon Professional Technical Support. Be prepared to accurately describe
the problem. Know the serial number of your device – this is printed on a sticker attached to the chassis.
Before you return a product to the factory for service, we recommend you refer to this manual. Make sure you
have correctly followed installation steps and operating procedures. For further technical assistance or service, please
contact our Technical Support Department at [phone] or visit lexiconpro.com. If you need to return a
product to the factory for service, you MUST first contact Technical Support to obtain a Return Authorization
Number.
NO RETURNED PRODUCTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE FACTORY WITHOUT A RETURN
AUTHORIZATION NUMBER.
Please refer to the Warranty information, which extends to the first end-user. After expiration of the warranty, a
reasonable charge will be made for parts, labor, and packing if you choose to use the factory service facility. In all
cases, you are responsible for transportation charges to the factory. If the product is still under warranty, Lexicon
Professional will pay the return shipping.
Use the original packing material if it is available. Mark the package with the name of the shipper and with these
words in red: DELICATE INSTRUMENT, FRAGILE! Insure the package properly. Ship prepaid, not collect. Do
not ship parcel post.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1
THE FRONT PANEL �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������2
THE REAR PANEL - DIGITAL MODEL �����������������������������������������������������������������4
THE REAR PANEL - DIGITAL AND ANALOG MODEL ������������������������������������������5
USING THE PCM96 SURROUND ���������������������������������������������������������������������6
Powering Up the PCM96 Surround.........................................................6
The Preset Screen .....................................................................................6
Selecting Your Audio Source and Clock Source........................................7
Loading a Preset .......................................................................................7
Changing Categories ................................................................................7
System Presets and Machine Presets .........................................................8
The Configuration Icon ...........................................................................9
Editing a Preset ......................................................................................10
Storing a Preset.......................................................................................11
Initializing/Formatting a Compact Flash Card .......................................12
Creating a New System Preset ................................................................12
DSP CONFIGURATIONS���������������������������������������������������������������������������������13
Preset Availability Within the Various Surround Configurations ............13
Signal Distribution Inside the Algorithm ...............................................13
Single Stereo (Mono In).........................................................................14
Single Stereo...........................................................................................14
Dual Stereo (Mono In)...........................................................................14
Dual Stereo ............................................................................................14
Cascade Stereo........................................................................................15
Dual Mono ............................................................................................15
Quad Mono ...........................................................................................15
Cascade Mono........................................................................................15
Dual Mono + Single Stereo ....................................................................15
Cascade Mono To Stereo........................................................................15
Single Two In Four Out .........................................................................15
Single Four In Four Out ........................................................................16
Single Two In Five Out ..........................................................................16
Single Five In Five Out ..........................................................................16
Single Six In Six Out..............................................................................16
NETWORKING����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������17
Overview of TCP/IP Basics ....................................................................17
Connecting the Computer Directly to the PCM96 Surround................18
Setup of a Simple Isolated Ethernet Network Using DHCP .................18
Virtual Private Networks (VPN) ............................................................19
Network Considerations and Limitations...............................................19
Network Troubleshooting.......................................................................19
SYSTEM MENU ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������21
Audio Setup ...........................................................................................21
Machine Config .....................................................................................22
MIDI Control........................................................................................22
Tempo Control.......................................................................................23

Card Config ...........................................................................................23
Network Config .....................................................................................23
HiQnet Config.......................................................................................23
Restore Factory Defaults.........................................................................23
MACHINE MENU�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������24
Soft Row Setup ......................................................................................24
I/O Settings............................................................................................24
Various Parameters .................................................................................24
USING MIDI �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������24
Setup Definitions ...................................................................................25
Preset Loading........................................................................................25
How to Assign a Base Channel to the PCM96 Surround.......................25
Channel Map (how channels map to machines).....................................26
Bank Dump ...........................................................................................26
Reverse Bank Dump (Bank “Load”).......................................................26
Continuous Controllers..........................................................................26
Soft Row Parameter/MIDI CC Map......................................................27
Bank/Preset Map ....................................................................................27
MIDI SysEx Implementation .................................................................28
THE ALGORITHMS�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������30
Chamber (Surround, Stereo and Mono).................................................30
Random Delay (Surround, Stereo and Mono)........................................30
Hall (Surround, Stereo and Mono).........................................................31
Random Hall (Surround, Stereo and Mono) ..........................................32
Plate (Surround, Stereo and Mono)........................................................32
Dual Delay (Surround, Stereo and Mono) .............................................32
Resonant Chords (Surround, Stereo and Mono) ....................................33
Chorus/Flange (Surround, Stereo and Mono) ........................................34
Concert Hall (Surround, Stereo and Mono)...........................................34
Room (Surround, Stereo and Mono)......................................................34
Pitch Shift - Multivoice ..........................................................................34
Pitch Shift - Standard VSO ....................................................................35
Pitch Shift - Multi Mono VSO ..............................................................35
Pitch Shift - Post VSO ...........................................................................35
Signal Generator ...................................................................................35
THE PARAMETERS �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������36
ANALOG DB25 CABLE DIAGRAMS ���������������������������������������������������������������44
DIGITAL DB25 CABLE DIAGRAM ��������������������������������������������������������������������45
SPECIFICATIONS �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������46
MIDI IMPLEMENTATION CHART ���������������������������������������������������������������������49

1
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the PCM96 Surround
Reverb/Multi Effects Processor! Building on the success of the PCM96, the
new PCM96 Surround offers more presets, more configuration options, and
more inputs and outputs. The PCM96 Surround gives you industry standard
reverbs and effects, with tremendous flexibility.
The PCM96 Surround is available with either 6 channels of XLR/AES
inputs and outputs, or 2 DB25 6-channel analog I/O and 1 DB25 6-chan-
nel digital I/O. Both versions also feature MIDI, Wordclock, and Ethernet.

2
THE FRONT PANEL
FLASH BUSY
SELECT
TAP/TEMPO
LOAD
BACK
MACHINE STORE
COMPARE
123456
1 2
131211
987654
3
10
1. Gain LEDs
Each row of Gain LEDs indicates input signal strength of each of the
PCM96 Surround’s inputs. If the Audio Source is set to Analog (in the
Audio Setup menu), they show analog levels. If Audio Source is set to
Digital, they show digital levels. Range is from -18dB, -12dB, -6dB, -3dB,
and 0dB.
2. MACHINE Button
The PCM96 Surround can be configured as a single system or as 1-4
“machines”, each of which can run its own preset. The Machine button
cycles the selected preset through its system and machine configurations.
3. SELECT Knob
Turn the Select knob to scroll through presets and menu options. Press the
Select knob to select the current preset or menu option. Once you’ve selected
a menu option, you can turn the Select knob to adjust the menu option’s
value (Press the Back button to accept the change.)
4. A, B, and C Knobs
These knobs adjust parameters shown in the Display. Turn Knob A to adjust
the parameter in the top row, Knob B to adjust the parameter in the second
row, and Knob C to adjust the parameter in the third row. Press Knob A to
access additional pages of parameters when in the Soft Row. Press Knob C
to view the current preset’s Algorithm, Bank number, Program number, and
MIDI channel. These knob also have additional context-sensitive functions
when pressed.
5. TAP/TEMPO Button
Press two or more times to set tempo for delays and modulated effects. Look
for presets with (T) in the name for effects that react to tempo.
6. STORE Button
Press to store a preset. When pressed, a menu appears in the Display where
you can enter a new name for the preset.
7. Compact Flash Card Slot
Insert Compact Flash card here.
8. FLASH BUSY LED
This LED lights when the Compact Flash card is being read or written to.
Do not remove the Compact Flash card when this LED is lit.

3
9. Power Button
Press to turn the PCM96 Surround on or off.
10. Display
This high resolution, high contrast, and high viewing angle OLED (Organic
LED) display shows menu and box configuration and status information.
11. BACK
Pressing this button moves you up one level in the menu tree. Note that
when a System preset is loaded, this button takes you to the System Mode
Category Selection menu. When a Machine preset is loaded, the Back but-
ton takes you to the Machine Mode Category Selection menu.
12. LOAD
Press this button to load the selected preset. You can also press the Select
knob to load a preset.
13. COMPARE
This button is used to compare an edited preset against its unedited self.
When a preset is loaded, this button’s LED is off. As soon as the preset is
edited in any fashion, the LED lights. If the button is pressed, the edited
state is temporarily stored and the preset is reloaded from the file system.
During this period of time, editing is disallowed and the button LED blinks
rapidly. When the Compare button is pressed a second time, the edited state
is restored, editing is allowed again, and the LED is illuminated.

4
THE REAR PANEL - DIGITAL MODEL
OUT 5-6 OUT 3-4 OUT 1-2 IN 5-6 IN 3-4 IN 1-2
1 2
5
43
1. POWER JACK
Standard 3-pin IEC power connector. 100-240V, 50-60Hz automatic
switching to correct voltage range.
2. ETHERNET INPUTS
These RJ-45 connections are used to network PCM96 Surround devices and
control them via Ethernet.
3. MIDI IN
Receives MIDI information from other MIDI equipment such as master
keyboard controllers, MIDI foot controllers, sequencers and synthesizers.
MIDI THRU
Passes any MIDI data received without change.
MIDI OUT
Transmits MIDI data to other equipment.
4. AES/EBU In/Out
AES/EBU format digital connectors conform to AES professional standards.
5. WORD CLOCK INPUT
This connection allows the PCM96 Surround to lock to a master system
clock. It is not terminated. For best results we recommend using “T” con-
nectors when setting up a BNC Word Clock network and terminating the
end of of this network with a 75 ohm BNC terminator.

5
THE REAR PANEL - DIGITAL AND ANALOG
MODEL
ANALOG I/O
1 3
6
54
2
1. POWER JACK
Standard 3-pin IEC power connector. 100-240V, 50-60Hz automatic
switching to correct voltage range.
2. DB25 6-CHANNEL DIGITAL AES I/O
This D25 connector carries six analog inputs and outputs.
3. ETHERNET INPUTS
These RJ-45 connections are used to network PCM96 Surround devices and
control them via Ethernet.
4. MIDI IN
Receives MIDI information from other MIDI equipment such as master
keyboard controllers, MIDI foot controllers, sequencers and synthesizers.
MIDI THRU
Passes any MIDI data received without change.
MIDI OUT
Transmits MIDI data to other equipment.
5. DB25 6-CHANNEL ANALOG IN/OUT
These D25 connectors each carry six analog inputs and outputs.
6. WORD CLOCK INPUT
This connection allows the PCM96 Surround to lock to a master system
clock. It is not terminated. For best results we recommend using “T” con-
nectors when setting up a BNC Word Clock network and terminating the
end of of this network with a 75 ohm BNC terminator.

6
USING THE PCM96 SURROUND
POWERING UP THE PCM96 SURROUND
1. Plug in the power cord.
2. Press the Power button.
3. The Lexicon®logo appears, and remains until the boot process is com-
plete. Next, the Preset screen appears, showing the currently loaded pre-
set.
THE PRESET SCREEN
The Preset screen is the starting point for many of the instructions in this
manual, so it’s a good idea to know how to get to the Preset screen. In most
cases, pressing the Back button one or more times will take you back to the
Preset screen. If you press the Back button while viewing the Preset screen,
you’ll arrive at the Machine or System Category Selection screen. In this
case, just turn the Select knob to select a category (the current category is
marked with an asterisk), and press the Select knob to load it. You will then
be taken to the Preset screen.
The Preset screen shows the current preset and configuration. Note that the
Preset screen has two “views”: System view (for System Presets) and Machine
view (for Machine Presets). For more information see “System Presets and
Machine Presets” on page 8.
SYSTEM VIEW
1:Single Stereo Config
(System View)
48
Current Preset Clock Sync icon
Configuration Icon
Clock Rate
MACHINE VIEW
0:Large Hall
1:PreDelay :20ms
2:ReverbTime :2.79s
3:RvbOutFreq :6500.0Hz
48
Current Preset
Configuration Icon
Soft Row Parameters
Clock Sync icon
Clock Rate

7
SELECTING YOUR AUDIO SOURCE AND CLOCK SOURCE
1. Press the Machine button until the words “System View” appear in the
Display.
1:ConcertHall->Flange
(System View)
96
1:Single Stereo Config
(System View)
48
2. Press the Select knob. The System Menu appears.
System Menu Version 1.0
+Audio Setup
+Machine Config
+MIDI Control
48
3. With Audio Setup highlighted, press the Select knob. The Audio Setup
menu appears.
|:Audio Setup
Audio Source: ANALOG A
Clock Source: INTERNAL B
Clock Rate: 48KHz (Lock) C
48
4. Turn Knob A to select your audio source (Analog or AES).
5. Turn Knob B to select your wordclock source (Internal, AES, or BNC).
6. Press the Back button twice to save your changes and return to the
Preset screen.
LOADING A PRESET
1. From the Preset screen, turn the Select knob to scroll through the avail-
able presets in the current category. (Presets are arranged in categories
within the PCM96 Surround; see Changing Categories below for more
information.) The preset name blinks after you turn the Select knob,
indicating that you are in preset selection mode.
2. Press the Select knob to load the preset you’ve selected. The display
briefly reads Loading Preset, and the preset name appears. It is no longer
blinking.
CHANGING CATEGORIES
Presets are grouped into categories in the PCM96 Surround. Each category
has its own set of presets. When you turn the Select knob while viewing a
preset, you only see presets available in the current category.
System Presets and Machine Presets each have their own set of catego-
ries. System Preset categories are based on DSP configurations (see “DSP
Configurations” on page 13), and Machine Preset categories are based on
algorithms (see “The Algorithms” on page 30).

8
System Presets and Machine Presets also have User and Card categories,
where you can access user-edited presets. Presets in the User category are
stored on the PCM96 Surround, and presets in the Card category are stored
on a Compact Flash card.
To select a different category
1. From the Preset screen, press the Back button. The Category Selection
screen appears. Note that there are different Category Selection screens
for System Presets and Machine Presets:
Category Selection Screen - System Presets
Preset Category Selection
Default Configurations *
Combined Mono Reverbs
Combined Mono Effects
96
Category Selection Screen - Machine Presets
Preset Category Selection
Halls (Small) *
Halls (Medium)
Halls (Large)
96
2. Turn the Select knob to scroll through the available categories. (An aster-
isk appears next to the currently selected category.)
3. Press the Select knob to load the highlighted category. A flashing preset
name appears (if it is not the currently selected preset).
4. Select a preset with the Select knob, and press the Select knob to load it.
SYSTEM PRESETS AND MACHINE PRESETS
The PCM96 Surround features a single powerful processor, which can be
used as up to four virtual machines. For example, you could send the left
input signal through a mono reverb in one virtual machine and send the
right input signal through a mono delay in another virtual machine. You
could then send both signals through a chorus effect on a third virtual
machine. You could then save this configuration as a System Preset. It’s a
preset that includes a system of virtual machines.
System Presets can be extremely complex and are generally tailored especially
for the mix you’re working on. Lexicon®has provided a number of these
presets, just to give you an idea about what you might do. Who knows? You
might like them just the way they are. Feel free to make modified versions
of the factory presets, or create your own from scratch. The possibilities are
nearly endless, so have fun.
When a preset only includes a single virtual machine, it’s called a Machine
Preset.
Note that pressing the Back button or the Select knob have different results

9
depending on what kind of preset is loaded. The following diagram shows
what happens when you press the Select knob, Back button, and Machine
button in both System View and Machine View.
Preset Category
Selection View
(System)
Preset Screen
(System)
System Menu
Preset Category
Selection View
(Machine)
Preset Screen
(Machines 1-4)
Machine Menu
Press Machine
Button
Press Machine
Button
Press
Back
Press
Select
Press
Back
Press
Select
Press
Back
Press
Select
Press
Back
Press
Select
THE CONFIGURATION ICON
The Configuration icon appears at the upper right corner of the Display. It
tells you if a System Preset or a Machine Preset is loaded.
When a System Preset is loaded, a border appears around the Configuration
icon and the words System View appear in the Display, below the preset’s
name.
1:ConcertHall->Flange
System View
-Press Machine Btn To View Engines
1:ConcertHall->Flange
(System View)
48
Configuration Icon
(System Preset)
48
When a Machine Preset is loaded, the selected machine is highlighted in the
Configuration icon, and three of the loaded preset’s parameters appear at the
bottom of the Display.

10
0:Med Hall
1:PreDelay :14ms
2:MidRT :1.59s
3:RvbOutFreq :4750.0Hz
0:Med Hall
1:PreDelay :14ms
2:ReverbTime :1.59s
3:RvbOutFreq :4750.0Hz
48
Configuration Icon
(Machine Preset)
Press the Machine button repeatedly to cycle through the virtual machines in
a System Preset, and eventually back to the System Preset.
EDITING A PRESET
To edit a System Preset, you must edit the virtual machines within it. Press
the Machine button to cycle through the virtual machines within a System
Preset.
Each virtual machine contains a set of parameters that you can edit and
adjust. When a virtual machine is selected, three of its parameters appear at
the bottom of the Display. Adjust the first parameter with Knob A, the sec-
ond parameter with Knob B, and the third parameter with Knob C. To see
the next set of parameters you can adjust, press Knob A.
0:Med Hall
1:PreDelay :14ms
2:MidRT :1.59s
3:RvbOutFreq :4750.0Hz
48
Soft Row Parameters
Each virtual machine has 8 parameters you can adjust this way. All presets
have more than 8 parameters, but only 8 can be edited via the A, B, and C
knobs in this fashion. You can choose which parameters are in the list by
using the Soft Row Setup menu located in the Machine menu (see “Machine
Menu” on page 24 for more information).

11
STORING A PRESET
Once you’ve edited a preset, you can store it on the PCM96 Surround (in
the User category) or on a Compact Flash card (in the Card category).
Note: When you first insert a Compact Flash card, you may receive
the message “Card Needs Initializing.” See “Initializing/Formatting a
Compact Flash Card” on page 12 for instructions on how to initial-
ize a Compact Flash card.
1. From the Preset screen, press the Store button. The Save As screen
appears.
Select Knob -> Change Position
ʻAʼ Knob -> Change Letter
Save As: Single Stereo Config
2. Turn the Select knob to select a letter to change.
3. Turn Knob A to change the selected letter.
Press Knob A to toggle between uppercase, lowercase, special characters
and numbers.
Press Knob B to enter a space.
Press Knob C to backspace.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you’ve changed all the letters you want to
change.
5. Press the Select knob to continue. If a Flash card is inserted, the
Location menu appears. (If no Flash card is inserted, skip to step 8.)
User
Card
6. Turn the Select knob to select a location. “User” is the PCM96
Surround built-in memory; “Flash” is the inserted Compact Flash card
(if one is present).
7. Press the Select knob to continue. The numbered list appears.
0:- Empty -
1:- Empty -
2:- Empty -
3:- Empty -
4:- Empty -
8. Turn the Select knob to select a slot in the numbered list. The preset’s
name automatically appears in the selected slot.
9. Press the Select knob to save the preset to the selected slot. “Storing
Preset” appears briefly in the Display and you are returned to the Preset
screen.

12
INITIALIZING/FORMATTING A COMPACT FLASH CARD
To initialize or format a Compact Flash card:
1. Press the Back button until the Preset screen appears.
2. Press the Machine button until System View is displayed.
3. Press the Select knob to enter the System Menu.
4. Turn the Select knob until Card Config is highlighted.
5. Press the Select knob to access the Compact Flash Menu.
6. Press Knob B to Format the card OR press Knob C to initialize the card.
CREATING A NEW SYSTEM PRESET
One way to create a new System Preset is to edit an existing System Preset
and save it to the User or Card category. Another way is to start from
scratch, as described below.
1. With any System Preset loaded, press the Select knob. The System menu
appears.
2. Highlight Machine Config with the Select knob, and press the Select
knob. The available DSP configurations appear.
3. Turn the Select knob to highlight a configuration and press the Select
knob to choose it. You return to the Preset Screen. The preset’s name
indicates the configuration you just selected (for example, if you selected
the Cascade Stereo configuration, the preset’s name is Cascade Stereo
Config).
4. Press the Machine button to select a Machine Preset within your System
Preset.
5. Press the Back button to access the Preset Category menu.
6. Turn the Select knob to highlight a category and press the Select knob to
choose it. A flashing Machine Preset name appears.
7. Turn the Select knob to choose a Machine Preset and press the Select
knob to load it.
8. Press the Machine Button to choose the next Machine Preset (if there is
one) and repeat steps 5 through 7.
9. Repeat step 8 for each virtual machine in your System Preset.
10. Press the Machine Button until your System Preset is selected.
11. Store the System Preset. For more information on storing presets, see
“Storing a Preset” on page 11.

13
DSP CONFIGURATIONS
The PCM96 Surround processor can be divided in up to four virtual
machines, each of which can run its own algorithm. This lets you route sig-
nals from each input through a variety of algorithm combinations.
The PCM96 Surround can use up to six physical inputs and six physical
outputs at a time; configurations for the physical inputs and outputs are
described below.
When using the PCM96 Surround in one of its surround modes, it is critical
to know how audio is routed to the algorithm. This applies both to the way
IO connects with the outside world and the way the signals are distributed
within the algorithm.
The inputs and outputs relate to the following cables:
Analog AES
Stereo Machine 1 Left Cable 1 Cable 1 (L)
Stereo Machine 1 Right Cable 2 Cable 1 (R)
Stereo Machine 2 Left Cable 3 Cable 2 (L)
Stereo Machine 2 Right Cable 4 Cable 2 (R)
Or
Analog AES
Multichannel Left Cable 1 Cable 1 (L)
Multichannel Right Cable 2 Cable 1 (R)
Multichannel Left Surround Cable 3 Cable 2 (L)
Multichannel Right Surround Cable 4 Cable 2 (R)
Multichannel Center Cable 5 Cable 3 (L)
Multichannel LFE Cable 6 Cable 3 (R)
PRESET AVAILABILITY WITHIN THE VARIOUS SURROUND
CONFIGURATIONS
In almost all cases, a surround preset is usable in any surround configuration,
whether four or five-channel, 2-in or multi-in. Parameters which are not
available in a given configuration (for example center levels in a four-channel
config) are hidden. Factory presets have been written in such a way as to
work satisfactorily in all configurations. When creating user presets, it’s rec-
ommended that the preset be auditioned in all configurations.
SIGNAL DISTRIBUTION INSIDE THE ALGORITHM
There are two versions of the 4-channel machine: 2-in/4-out and 4-in/4-out.
By the same token, there are two versions of the 5-channel machine: 2-in/5-
out and 5-in/5-out.

14
When dealing with true surround source material, the choice of configu-
ration is simple--choose the 4-in or 5-in version. The algorithms are all
designed to treat the inputs uniquely. If the algorithm is a reverberator or
room, then each input will propagate into the space from the direction of its
virtual source. If the algorithm is a delay or effect, each input will be treated
by itself, and then possibly propagated into shared feedback paths.
But when dealing with stereo source material (the more typical case), some
thought must be given to the choice of configuration. The 4-in or 5-in con-
figuration may still be used of course, and the source material will be more
obviously placed in the front of the virtual space. In the case of a delay or
effects algorithm, not all voices will be activated. When the 2-in/multi-out
configuration is chosen, the input signals are also propagated to the surround
inputs (post level, post pan). This will sound different. A reverb may sound
more full. It will still be surround of course, but will not maintain the same
frontward localization. Delay and effects algorithms will now have all voices
activated and may be considerably more complex. There may be a small dif-
ference in gain for the same presets in the 2-in or multi-in configuration.
There’s no right or wrong in this choice. It’s up to the user which of these
configurations to use. But it is important to know how the sound will
change based on this choice.
All the DSP configurations are described below.
SINGLE STEREO (MONO IN)
A mono signal is split into a stereo signal.
SINGLE STEREO
The left and right inputs are sent through a single virtual
machine.
DUAL STEREO (MONO IN)
The left signal travels through one virtual machine, and
the right signal travels through a separate second virtual
machine.
DUAL STEREO
Two stereo signals are processed independently by two vir-
tual machines.

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CASCADE STEREO
The left and right signals are processed together in one
virtual machine, and the resulting signal is sent to a second
virtual machine, where they are again processed together.
DUAL MONO
The left signal travels through one virtual machine, and
the right signal travels through a separate second virtual
machine.
QUAD MONO
Four mono signals are processed independently by four vir-
tual machines.
CASCADE MONO
The left signal is sent through two virtual machines in
sequence, while the right signal is sent through two addi-
tional virtual machines in sequence. The left and right sig-
nals are processed independent from each other.
DUAL MONO + SINGLE STEREO
Two mono signals are processed independently by two vir-
tual machines, while a stereo signal is processed by a third
virtual machine.
CASCADE MONO TO STEREO
The left and right signals are processed independently in
two separate virtual machines, and their resulting signals
are processed together in a third virtual machine. The final
result is output as stereo.
SINGLE TWO IN FOUR OUT
Two signals are processed by one virtual machine, and out-
put as four signals.

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SINGLE FOUR IN FOUR OUT
Four signals are processed by one virtual machine, and out-
put as four signals.
SINGLE TWO IN FIVE OUT
Two signals are processed by one virtual machine, and out-
put as five signals.
SINGLE FIVE IN FIVE OUT
Five signals are processed by one virtual machine, and out-
put as five signals.
SINGLE SIX IN SIX OUT
Six signals are processed by one virtual machine, and out-
put as six signals.