Lexicon MP-100 User manual

U s e r G u i d e
MP-100
Reverb & Effects Card
for the Core2 Audio System

Lexicon Part # 070-13820
Copyright 1999, Lexicon Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Lexicon Inc.
3 Oak Park
Bedford MA 01730-1441
Telephone [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.lexicon.com
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materials for signs of damage. Report any damage to the carrier at once; report equipment malfunction to your dealer.
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This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct
the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help

Table of Contents
Using the MP-100
Basic Operation.................................................... 1
Inserting MP-100 within an MMIO Application ..2
Routing an Audio Channel through the
MP-100 Using Aux Sends and Returns •
Selecting MP-100 and Making Settings •
Naming Effects • Saving Effects • Loading
Effects • Editing Effects
Using MP-100 within an MMIO Application.......5
Routing an Audio Channel through the
MP-100 • Making Settings for the MP-100
The Interface ........................................................7
Loading Effects ................................................. 8
Editing Effects ................................................... 9
Tempo Functions ............................................ 10
Bypass ............................................................ 10
Saving Effects ................................................. 11
Beyond the Basics .............................................12
Routing a Plug-In ............................................ 12
Automating the MP-100 .................................. 15
MP-100 Programs and Parameters
About the MP-100 Programs.............................. 17
Bank: Plate......................................................... 18
Bank: Gate ......................................................... 19
Bank: Hall........................................................... 20
Bank: Chamber .................................................. 21
Bank: Ambience ................................................. 22
Bank: Room .......................................................23
Bank: Tremolo.................................................... 24
Bank: Rotary ...................................................... 25
Bank: Chorus ..................................................... 26
Bank: Flange ...................................................... 27
Bank: Pitch ......................................................... 28
Bank: Detune ..................................................... 29
Bank: Delay, Echo..............................................30
About the Dual Programs ................................... 32
Bank: Flange-Delay............................................ 34
Bank: Pitch-Delay............................................... 35
Bank: Chorus-Delay ........................................... 36
Bank: Delay-Reverb ........................................... 37
Bank: Flange-Reverb ......................................... 38
Bank: Pitch-Reverb ............................................ 39
Bank: Chorus-Reverb......................................... 40
Bank: Special FX................................................ 41

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Using the MP-100MP-100 User Guide
Using the MP-100
Basic Operation
The MP-100 combines the quality and power of Lexicon reverb and effects on dedicated hardware
with the ease and elegance of a software plug-in interface. Unlike software-based plug-ins, the MP-
100 provides outstanding sonic quality without burdening your computer’s performance.
If you are installing the MP-100 into an existing Core2 system, please refer to the Read Me file
accompanyingyoursoftware,thehardwareinstallationinstructionsandthesectionoftheCore2User
Guide describing the procedure for updating drivers.
DifferentproceduresareusedtoaccesstheMP-100interfaceinASIOandMMIOapplications.These
are described separately in the following sections, followed by detailed descriptions of the MP-100
controls and features.
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Using the MP-100
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Inserting MP-100 within an ASIO Application
ThefollowingproceduredetailsthestepstoopenaMP-100plug-ininanASIO-capableprogramsuch
as Cubase VST or Opcode Vision DSP. This procedure will vary depending on your application.
Routing an Audio Channel through the MP-100 Using Aux Sends and
Returns
1. In the Audio menu, select System.
2. Set Monitoring to Tape Type and press the ASIO Control Panel button.
3. OntheLexiconControlPanelCore2tab,makesuretheAuxSend andAuxReturnareenabled.
If they are not, enable them, then restart Cubase.
4. In the Cubase Audio menu, select Inputs. Enable the Aux Return input. Make note of the
corresponding Cubase input (e.g. In 3 L&R), as you will need it later.
5. In the Cubase Audio menu, select Master and enable the Aux Send Output bus. Make note of
the corresponding Cubase output bus number or name, as you will need it later.
6. On the Lexicon Control Panel, go to the Effects tab and set the routing for MP-100 as follows:
FromAuxSend L (VST) and AuxSendR(VST)ToAuxReturnL(VST) and Aux Return R(VST).
7. In the Cubase Audio menu, select Monitor.
8. Onanunusedstereotrack,selecttheAuxReturninputcorrespondingtotheinputselectedinStep
3. Enable that input. (The button should be yellow.)
9. Click on the FX button on the audio channel where you want effects. This will open the selected
Channel Settings window.
10. Clickonthepop-upmenubelowtheEffectSendknob,andselecttheoutputbusnumberorname
noted in Step 4.
11. Make sure the Dry button is off. (This deactivates all four effect sends for the channel.)
12. Click On for each effect send you want to activate, and turn the corresponding Send Level knob
to a moderate value.
13. If you want the signal to be sent to the effects before the faders, click on the Pre button for the
send.

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Using the MP-100MP-100 User Guide
14. With Pre-fader effect sends, the amount of effect for the channel is not affected by the volume
fader.With Post-fader effect sends(Pre button not pressed),the amount of effectis proportional
to the channel volume, and will change with the volume fader movements.
The next step is to select programs and set the parameters for the effect processors. As you will
probably need to adjust the send levels while doing this, leave the FX window open.
Selecting MP-100 and Making Settings
Effect types and programs are selected in the Effects window:
1. Pull down the Audio menu and select Effects. This window resembles an effects rack, with
stacked processors.
2. Pull down the pop-up menu in the processor’s upper right corner and select MP-100 to activate
an MP-100 Rack within VST. Click on the Power button.
3. Use the Send Level knob in the FX window to control the amount of effect for the audio channel.
4. Click the Edit button to activate the MP-100 interface. See The Interface later in this chapter for
details on the MP-100 controls.
5. UsetheAuxSend knob assigned to the MP-100 to set theinputleveltotheMP-100.Highvalues
may cause clipping (distortion) in the MP-100.
NOTE: As the Cubase VST Rack Xpander was designed specifically for software plug-ins, some of
itscontrols are not designed to work withthe MP-100 – most notably, the Input Level and Bus Select
Buttons. MP-100 Input Level is controlled by the Aux Send knob in the channels monitor section.
MP-100 bus selection is performed on the Reverb page of the Lexicon Studio Control Panel.

Using the MP-100
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Naming Effects
1. ClickontheProgramnameinthetopcenteroftheeffectprocessordisplaytoopenanamedialog.
2. Type in a new name.
3. On the keyboard, press Return.
Saving Effects
Save your edited effects in the File pop-up menu to the right, under the Effect Type pop-up.
1. To save the current Program, select Save Effect.
2. To save all Programs of the same Effect Type, select Save Bank.
3. In the file dialog that appears, select a name and location for the file. (You might want to create
a special folder for your MP-100 effects.)
4. Click Save.
Loading Effects
Load effects from disk into the MP-100 as follows:
1. Pull down the File menu.
2. To load a single Program, select Load Effect.
3. To load a complete Program Bank, select Load Bank.
4. In the file dialog that appears, find and click on the file you want to load.
Effect settings are saved with your Song. If you want to use your edited effects in other Songs, you
can save and load them separately.
Editing Effects
You can create your own programs or edit any of the programs with the editor. To open the MP-100
interface, click the Edit button on the MP-100 Rack Xpander. Skip the following section on MMIO
applications, and read about the MP-100 features and controls under The Interface.

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Using the MP-100MP-100 User Guide
Using MP-100 within an MMIO Application
Routing an Audio Channel through the MP-100
Like traditional effects devices, the MP-100 can be used in two ways: as auxiliary effects or as line
effects.
Mosteffectsprocessorsare used as auxilliaryeffects .Onatypical console, this is achievedbyusing
theauxsendandreturnstosendspecificchannelstotheeffectsdevices,thenbacktotheboardwhere
the end result is mixed with the dry outputs of the board. Typically, the Mix ratio is kept at 100% wet,
sincethesignalismixedwiththeboardoutputs.Mostofthemulti-channelapplicationsavailabletoday
(such as Cubase VST, Logic Audio, Cakewalk Pro Audio) simulate this functionality with virtual aux
sends and returns.
Effects devices can also be used as line effects by placing them in series with the signal chain.
Steinberg WaveLab is capable of doing this through its VST plug-in architecture, which does not
require additional routing. MMIO programs that do not support VST plug-ins must route audio to the
MP-100, where it is mixed into the entire signal. Typically, the Mix ratio for reverb in this situation
should be set at 50%, to have a mixture of direct and reverberated signal.
Routing MMIO audio to and from the MP-100 is done in the Effects tab of LexPanel.exe.
To route audio:
1. BootLexPanel.exebydouble-clickingontheLexiconStudioiconatthebottomrightcornerofyour
task bar.
2. Click the Effects tab to view all MMIO routing and control options for the MP-100.
3. Click Monitor to make all routing selections available.
4. UsingtheToandFrompulldownmenufortheMP-100,routeyouraudioaccordingtowhichMMIO
channel and interface outputs you would like to use.

Using the MP-100
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The LexPanel with the MP-100 Interface
Making Settings for the MP-100
TheMMIOprogramsfortheMP-100arevirtuallyidenticaltothoseavailablewhenusingMP-100with
ASIO applications such as Cubase VST. The only differences are in the Mix values. As most MMIO
applications will use the MP-100 as a line effect, the Mix values have been saved at 50% wet. If you
areusinganMMIOprogramthatsupportsVSTplug-ins(suchasSteinbergWaveLaborEmagicLogic
Audio), remember to change the Mix values in the programs you are using to 100% wet.

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Using the MP-100MP-100 User Guide
?Press to activate on-screen
help messages for all controls. Adjust Knob Turn this
knob to change the high-
lighted parameter value.
BankPressthearrowedbuttonto
scroll to another program Bank.
Clickinthedisplayareatodisplay
alistofallofthe MP-100Banks.
INC/DECAllowsfinetuningoftheselected
parameter by incrementing/decrementing
the value by single units.
Parameters Click on any displayed
parameter to highlight it. Adjustments
to the selected parameter can be
made by scrolling in the display area,
byturningthefront panel knob,orwith
the INC and DEC controls.
Program Press the arrowed button to
scroll to another Program. Click in the
display area to display a list of all of the
MP-100 Programs.
Store Press to name and
store User programs.
XDeletes displayed
User program. BYP Engages Bypass.
(LED on).
TAP LED will light when the
selectedprogramhastempo
controlled parameters. Tap
twice in rhythm to set the
tempo.
The Interface
The MP-100 interface provides a straightforward control surface for access to all programs and
parameters. Each of the controls is briefly described in the following illustration.

Using the MP-100
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➔ ➔
Click and drag on the right side of the MP-100
panel to display the extended view.
Ifyouhavealargemonitor,noteyoucanexpandtheinterfacetoalargersizebyclickinganddragging
on the right side of the panel.
Loading Effects
The MP-100 comes with 240 factory programs organized into Banks, and a User Bank where you
can store edited versions of the factory programs. Click on the Bank display to view a list of all of the
available Banks. Use the scroll bar to view more of the list.

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Using the MP-100MP-100 User Guide
ClickontheProgramdisplaytoviewalloftheprogramsavailablewithintheselectedBank.Programs
are automatically loaded when selected.
Editing Effects
Wheneveranewprogramisloaded,threeorfoureditparameterswillappearinthemaindisplayarea
of the interface: Mix, Effects Level (Effects Balance in the Dual programs) and a parameter unique
to the selected program (Decay Time in our illustration). These parameters will always appear in the
same order for any selected program. Click on any displayed parameter to highlight it and select it
for editing. Select another parameter by clicking on it or by using the left and right keyboard arrowed
keys to select it.
Change the value of the selected parameter with the displayed knob,with the INC and DEC buttons,
by clicking and dragging the cursor to the desired value, or by using the keyboard up and down
arrowed keys.
Use the knob to quickly change the
value of the selected parameter over
its entire range.
Use the Incremement/Decrement
buttons to fine tune parameter settings.
Click on a parameter
toselectitforediting.

Using the MP-100
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When a tempo-based program is selected,
tapinatempo, orselectthetempo parameter
and set it in BPM with the knob.
Tempo Functions
The MP-100 Tap Tempo feature allows you to set the delay times and modulation rates of tempo-
basedprogramstothebeatofthemusic.Wheneveratempo-basedprogramisselected,aTAPbutton
willappearontheinterface,andtheadjustableparameterwillappearintherightmostpositiononthe
main edit display. A light on the displayed TAP button will flash at the selected tempo rate.
To change the tempo, you can adjust the displayed parameter in BPM, or tap in a tempo by clicking
twice on the Tap button in time with the music — the MP-100 will figure out the time for you.
Your new tempo will be saved and recalled as part of the program when you store it.
Bypass
PressingtheBypassbutton(attherightedgeoftheinterface)willcausetheMP-100topassonlydry,
unprocessed audio.

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Using the MP-100MP-100 User Guide
Press the disk icon to
store a program. Press Xto delete any
selected User program.
Saving Effects
To save any program, click on the disk symbol next to the Program display. A dialog naming box will
appear with a default name consisting of the Bank and Program (separated by a comma). You can
use this name, or type in a name of your own choosing.
When you have finished entering the name, click OK. The new program will be stored in the first
available space in the User Bank.
NOTE:ProgramsintheUserBankcanbeoverwritten.Ifyoutrytosaveaprogramwithanamewhich
hasalreadybeen assigned to a User program, an alertdialogwillappeartomakesurethatyouwant
to replace the older program with the one you are saving.
Press the Xbutton, next to the Store button to delete any currently selected User program.

Using the MP-100
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Beyond the Basics
Routing a Plug-In
AdefaultroutingissetinyourLexiconStudiosystem,toallowyoutouseyourMP-100asanauxiliary
effect, monitoring the audio through the analog outputs on your audio interface as soon as it is
installed.Thisdefaultroutingconfigurationcanbeeasilychangedforyourparticularstudiosetupwith
the following procedure.
The Effects tab on the LexPanel allows you to route a stereo pair through any of the connectors of
your audio interface.
To assign a source to any of the input channels in your MP-100:
1. Make sure the Monitor button is enabled.
2. Click the left mouse button on the down-arrow of an input selector to open a menu displaying all
Sources available for routing to the MP-100.
3. Use the scrollbar to view additional Source selections.
4. Click on a source to route it as an input source. The input selector will display your selection.
NOTE: Input sources can only be be routed one at a time.
To assign a destination to any of the output channels in your MP-100:
1. Click the left mouse button on the down-arrow of an output selector to open a menu of available
destinations.
2. Use the scrollbar to view additional destination selections.
3. Click on an output to designate it as an output destination. The output selector will display your
selection.
NOTE:OnlyresourcesthathavebeenenabledintheCore2tabareavailableassources/destinations.

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Using the MP-100MP-100 User Guide
The diagram below is a flow chart of a routing example. Notice that PC-90 receives its input from
Cubase VST via the VST_Aux_Send_1L and VST_Aux_Send_1R sources. These sources route
any audio assigned to that bus into the MP-100.
AsAnalog_Out_L and Analog_Out_R are selected asdestinations,MP-100 audio issummedwith
the outputs of Cubase VST, which are also routed to the analog outputs. This allows monitoring of
MP-100 reverb and all audio from VST through the same outputs of the interface.
Core2
VST_Aux_Send_1L
VST_Aux_Send_1R
VST_Analog_L
VST_Analog_R Analog_Out_L Analog_Out_R D/A 1 D/A 2
MP-100
Core2
Outputs
Wave
or
ASIO
Inputs
Aux Send Sum
Cascade with Input
Core2
Inputs
A/D 1
A/D 2
Wave or
ASIO Inputs
A/D 1
A/D 2
MP-100
Core2
Outputs
D/A 1
D/A 2
Wave or
ASIO Outputs
D/A 1
D/A 2
MP-100
Cascade with Output

Using the MP-100
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The reverb routing matrix is flexible, and can provide a wide array of configurations. The previous
configuration would not be ideal if, for example, you were mixing audio simultaneously from a digital
tapedeckandyourcomputertoadigitalmixer,andwantedtosendyourreverbintoyourdigitalmixer
on independent channels. In this case, you can easily reroute your destinations to other channels,
such as TOSLINKs 1 & 2 simply by changing the output destinations on the Control Panel.
Aux Send
Aux Send 2
1
Wave or
ASIO Sources
Aux Return
Aux Return
L
R
MP-100
Aux Send/Aux Return

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Using the MP-100MP-100 User Guide
Automating the MP-100
The MP-100 Digital Reverberator can be completely automated within any control software that
supportsautomation. Refertotheuser guideforyourparticularsoftwarepackageforsupportoffered
for this functionality. The following section describes MP-100 automation within Cubase VST.
To write enable the channel that the MP-100 is assigned to, open the Cubase VST Mixer window
and click the Write button.
Changes made to MP-100 parameters will be recorded to an Audio Mix Part. Any changes (even
those made while the transport is in Stop) are recorded, as long as the Write button is enabled.
If you check the Arrange window when playback is stopped, you will note that a special Mixer Track
called Audiomix has been created. This Track contains one long Part named Audiomix, in which all
yourMonitormixer actions are stored.Don’tworryabout the length ofthisPart — it willautomatically
be lengthened if you record past its end.
Please note that there is only one Audiomix Part/Track, created the first time you use the Write
function in your Arrangement. The next time you use the Write function, information is added to the
existing Part.
To stop writing automation events, click the Write button a second time, or close the Mixer window.
All changes to this track and its plug-ins will cease to record.
To play back automation in your mix:
1. Check that the Audiomix Track or Part is not muted.
2. Activateautomated playbackby clickingon the Readbuttonintheupper left corneroftheMonitor
window. Ifyouwant to watch and listentoyour recorded mixer actions, forexample, whileyou’re
recording fader movements for another mixer channel, you can activate Read and Write
simultaneously.
Begin playback as usual. The monitor faders and controls will move automatically, following your
recorded actions. You will also hear your plug-in automation events playing back with your audio.

Using the MP-100
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MP-100 Programs and ParametersMP-100 User Guide
MP-100 Programs and Parameters
About the MP-100 Programs
The 240 programs in the MP-100 are designed to provide a full palette of high caliber ambience,
reverb,delay,pitchshiftandothereffects.EachprogramgivesyoucontroloverMixLevel,EffectLevel
(orEffectBalanceintheDualprograms)aswellasaspecialparametercustomizedforeachindividual
program.Inmanycasesthisparametercontrolsseveraleffect parameterssimultaneouslytoprovide
simplecontrolofacomplicatededitingprocess.InmanyChamberandRoomprograms,forexample,
a"liveness"parameteraltersthecharacterofthespacebychanging decay, EQ and early reflections
all at the same time.
ThefollowingsectionprovidesageneraldescriptionofeachMP-100Bankalongwithtablesthatdetail
alloftheprogramsavailableineachBank.Thesedetailsincludethefunctionofthecustomparameter
and the Tap button (for variations that use tempo-controlled rate or delay times).
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