Lexicon ALEX - User manual

The Alex Digital Effects Processor and Reflex
Dynamic MIDI®Reverberator put Lexicon’s leg-
endary digital reverb and effects processing into
two remarkably affordable packages. Both are full
rack devices with a multi-character LED display,
and full remote control of program change and
bypass via standard footswitches. In addition,
Reflex features Lexicon’s incredible Dynamic
MIDI®control. Alex and Reflex have 16 phe-
nomenal presets, 3 adjustable parameters (giving
you over 4,000 effects combinations), plus another
16 user registers (128 in Reflex) for storing your
own unique sounds. Like our classic LXP family
of processors, Alex and Reflex have stereo in and
out 1⁄4 in jacks., and can create real stereo effects,
such as panned echoes, even from a mono source.
The Effects
Alex and Reflex offer 16 presets which cover a
wide range of musically useful effects. Among
these presets are a wide range of fantastic reverbs
including: halls, rooms, plates, gates, and inverse
room. Both feature rich multi-voice chorusing,
flanging, straight echoes, and stereo multi-tap
delays. In addition, Reflex offers a unique res-
onator algorithm, and its reverb algorithms fea-
ture a randomizer to reduce coloration and
improve the character of long reverb tails, plus
early reflection effects.
Editing and customizing effects is a breeze.
Three adjustable parameters are available for
each preset. These are labeled decay, delay and fx
lvl. To edit the effects, simply press the parameter
button to indicate which one you wish to change,
and turn the Value knob until you’ve found the
setting that works best for you.
Reflex incorporates a special Advanced
Programming mode, which provides editing
capabilities for additional parameters within the
Reflex effects – all from the front panel. A para-
meter chart is included with Reflex to make edit-
ing simple and straightforward. This allows you
to access the deeper portions of the algorithm,
and tailor the sounds to your specific needs. You
can also edit Reflex effects with an external MIDI
device, such as the Lexicon MRC (MIDI Remote
Controller). Reflex is compatible with existing
LXP-1 MIDI editing systems like Mark of the
Unicorn’s Unisyn™and TB Systems’ Soft MC™.
We’ve given you plenty of user registers for
storing your customized sounds – 16 in Alex and
128 in Reflex. These registers can be arranged in
any order you like, so you can arrange your effects
sequentially to match your set list.
Remote Control
Having all of these great sounds at such a low
price is wonderful. But you also need to be able to
access the sounds quickly and easily to make a
processor useful on stage. So with Alex and
Reflex, we decided to make the remote control as
simple as could be.
Using standard footswitches, you can bypass
the unit for those moments when you want to
Alex Digital Effects Processor
Reflex Dynamic MIDI®Reverberator

play dry. You can also use a footswitch to send a
program change, allowing you to step through
your effects.
Furthermore, you can create register chains-
groups of registers which loop around to match a
set list or song sections. This kind of customiza-
tion is essential for making Alex, or Reflex, your
own personal effects processor.
With Reflex, the control possibilities
increase dramatically, thanks to the addition of
Dynamic MIDI. Using external controllers, such
as a standard MIDI footpedal or the Lexicon
MRC, you can easily access all of the functional-
ity within Reflex. Delay tempos can be slaved to
MIDI, and we’ve also included MIDI Bulk Data
Dumps for extended flexibility and convenience.
Lexicon’s Dynamic MIDI provides dramatic
control over effects parameters from any MIDI
controller, such as mod wheels, sliders, etc. Up to
four MIDI patches can be created per effect,
allowing you to breathe life into your effects.
Dynamic MIDI allows exceptionally expressive
performance and control over your effects.
Something For
Everyone
Because of their remarkable sound quality, Alex
and Reflex have something to offer virtually
everyone, from guitar players, to keyboardists, to
vocalists, or to small studios who have to do all of
the above – and then some.
Many of the presets have been optimized for
certain instruments or sounds, but feel free to
experiment. Great things can happen when you
take an alternative route, and with Alex and
Reflex you can be assured that you have the flex-
ibility to create something new and different.
Check out Alex and Reflex today. When
you hear the difference that Lexicon processing
makes, you’ll settle for nothing less than the best.
Effects Algorithms
Hall – Lexicon’s famous hall reverb, used to cre-
ate spaces as large as a concert hall, or as small as
Alex
•7 Algorithms
•16 Preset Effects
•16 User Register
Locations
•3Adjustable
Parameters
per Effect
•Stereo In/Out
•Register Chaining
•Footswitch Control
Reflex
•8 Algorithms (inc.
enhanced Concert
Hall algorithm)
•112 Preset Effects
(16 presets, plus 96
more in registers
33–128)
•128 User Register
Locations
•Up to 10 Adjustable
Parameters per
Effect
•Stereo In/Out
•Register Chaining
•Footswitch Control
•Full Dynamic
MIDI®
Implementation
Continued on rear—
Feature Comparison

Audio Inputs (2) Level:
–30dBu minimum
Impedance: Stereo/50kΩunbalanced
mono/25kΩunbalanced
Audio Outputs (2) Level:
–2dBu nominal; +8dBu maximum
Impedance: 75Ωunbalanced
Footswitch Tip/Ring/Sleeve phone jack for
bypass and register step
MIDI Connectors (Reflex only) 5-pin DIN connectors for MIDI
IN and MIDI OUT or THRU
(selectable via internal jumper)
Frequency Response Wet:
20Hz to 15kHz, +1, –3dB
Dry: 20Hz to 20kHz, ±0.5dB
THD plus Noise Wet:
<0.05% @1kHz
Dry: <0.025% @1kHz
Dynamic Range
85dB typical
20Hz to 20kHz bandwidth
Conversion
16-bit linear PCM encoding;
31.25kHz sampling rate
Power Requirements 9VAC, 1A wall transformer
provided
Dimensions 19.0” W x 1.75”H x4.0” D
(483 x 45 x 102mm)
Weight 2 lbs, 11 oz (1.22 kg)
Environment
Operating Temperature: 32˚ to 104˚ F (0˚ to 40˚ C)
Relative Humidity: 95%, non-condensing
SPECIFICATIONS*
HEARDINALLTHERIGHTPLACES
*All specifications apply to both Alex and Reflex unless otherwise indicated, and are subject to change without notice. All products indicated by a trademark or registration symbol
are trademarked and/or registered by their respective manufacturers. Studio Photo: Tom Gatlin; Courtesy of Recording Arts, Nashville,TN.
0497
©1994,1997 Lexicon
an intimate club. Exclusive Randomizer feature (Reflex
only) reduces coloration and enhances long reverb tails,
with dual early reflections for added realism.
Inverse – Similar to gated reverb, except that the
reverberation envelope is sharply tilted to provide a long
rising attack, followed by a sharp cutoff. Gate Provides a
very dense field with a sudden cutoff, rather than the
smoothly decaying envelope normally associated with
reverberation.
Plate – All of the sonic traits of a metal plate. The pre-
sets provide classic plate effects for drums and other percus-
sive instruments, as well as for a variety of broadband audio
sources.
Flanger – A stereo flange that can be used to create
different effects from left and right outputs. Individual
delays of as much as 1 second, with separate feedback con-
trols are provided, as well as rate and shape controls for the
flange (“feedback” and “shape” available on Reflex only).
Chorus – 6-voice stereo chorus with both chorusing
and delay effects. Lets you create single recirculating echo
effects and slap echoes, or make use of longer delays (1.5
seconds). In Reflex, delay times can be driven by MIDI.
Single-Tap – A recirculating echo to 1.5 seconds.
Multi-Taps – A 4-tap bouncing delay with the bounce
going back and forth between the left and right outputs.
Reflex allows delay times to be driven by MIDI.
Resonator (Reflex only) – Simulates the acoustic
effects of multi-stringed instruments. A series of resonators
tuned to a chromatic scale is provided, with controls for
tuning and damping.
Alex Rear Panel Connections
Reflex Rear Panel Connections
3 Oak Park, Bedford, MA 01730-1441 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [email protected] Web: www.lexicon.com