Karaoke Forums

I have a Yamaha MG82CX and I have fun with the reverb on it but...

I think I want to buy a new toy and I've been trying to figure out the Lexicon MX effects units. My knowledge base is pretty limited on these things and I've tried to read up on them but what I've seen so far leaves me with more questions than answers.

What is the advantage of the XLR connections over the TRS connections? Aren't they both balanced? If I buy a 300, should I use the TRS or the XLR connections? Does it matter?

Is there an actual karaoke use for the extra 2 in 2 out of the 400 over the 300?

I *think* I have the connections figured out with the insert cables and the effects send jack. I did see a message here that there are a couple ways to return the effects to the mixer.

Am I correct in assuming that the reverb effects are identical between the 200, 300 and 400 except the surround hall? The Lexicon website doesn't mention any differences at all. The list is the same.

The audio inputs on the 200 have different impedences (20k Ohms balanced,10k Ohms unbalanced) versus the 300 and 400 (50k Ohms bal.,25k Ohms unbal.). Not sure what effect this has?

I guess I should add that I'm not married to my mixer and would consider an upgrade at some point if it turns out that I need one.

Sorry if these questions have been covered previously. I know this subject has been covered over and over but I couldn't find my answers using the forum search.

TRS and XLR are both balanced connections. Since your Aux Sends are TRS, I'd recommend using the TRS inputs rather than a funky adapter to go from TRS to XLR.



I have a Digitech Studio Quad in the recording studio and still haven't found a good use for all four inputs/outputs. I tried setting up to separate effects engines to try and make it like having 2 outboard units, but ran into two issues. One, rarely is the signal to the unit in stereo in the first place, and two trying to adjust the parameters of the effects engines gets way more cumbersome than just using two separate units.



The best way to send to the effects unit is using an pre-fader Aux (or EFX) send and just a straight TRS cable. Route from the Aux (EFX) send jack to the mono input on the effects unit. For the stereo signal coming back you can either route it to a stereo channel on the board or through the stereo EFX returns. Most prefer to use the stereo channel if possible because it provides grater capability for gain structure, EQ and easier level control (using a fader instead of a rotary knob).



Roughly the same yes, slightly different DSP's I believe but the algorithms are pretty close to the same.



In general terms, a higher impedance will reject more noise (hum, hiss, etc).



Based on what you've told us so far I see no reason you need to get a different mixer. As far as the effects units you're looking at, my recommendation would be the 300. The 200 is a budget model and can be kind of a pain, especially as you become more skilled. The 300 has the LCD display which allows you to adjust effects parameters with accuracy (like you can dial in reverbs of 2.2 and 2.8 ms rather than having to guess with a knob). It's also got better DSP's and is just a more solid unit. For the small price difference its worth it. The 400 is a pretty big price jump and I'm not sure you'd ever find opportunity to use the additional features it offers. Quality wise it isn't that much above the 300.
Sorry if these questions have been covered previously. I know this subject has been covered over and over but I couldn't find my answers using the forum search.[/quote]

_________________
DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

[quote="letitrip @ Tue Dec 28, 2010 4:40 pm
Based on what you've told us so far I see no reason you need to get a different mixer. As far as the effects units you're looking at, my recommendation would be the 300. [/quote]

Thank you very much for the reply. Here's a coupon for you. Just print this and take it with you on your next singing out excursion:

Mr. KJ Host:

The holder of this certificate has shown himself to be a gentleman of the highest order and shall be entitled to one extra turn in your singing rotation.

This offer is valid only at participating karaoke bars.

Whoops, just noticed one typo in my post above, I said to use a pre-fader aux send, that should have read post-fader aux send (which is what the EFX sends are as well). You want your effects sends to be Post Fade so the effects level is proportionate to the mix level of that channel.

_________________
DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

I've looked over the MX400 manual and now I wonder if there is a use for the extra 2 in 2 out. It seems that the extras could be connected to the microphone insert jack on the mixer. Then a different program could be run on those:

Example:

Running the MX400 in dual stereo mode:

Mixer microphone insert jack to A on MX400 with A program set to 5 (De-Esser - Compressor)

Effects send connected to B on MX400 and B program set to 8 (Choral Hall) or some other Dual Stereo program.

They never give you enough information in these manuals...

That's what I was talking about when I said I tried to use the Studio Quad like I had two outboard units. I had the routing setup for input 1 -> outputs 1&2 and Input 3 -> ouputs 3&4. I ran a reverb engin on input 1 and a simple chorus on input 3. It does work however it's a major pain in the rear to get it going and once it is, any adjustment to the parameters is a major pain in the butt. I found it was just much easier, especially in a live environment, to have 2 outboard units. In the recording environment, where time is much less of a concern, I could see using it that way (probably why it's called the Studio Quad, but I digress), however I've never used it that way for any legitimate purpose.

_________________
DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

I only read this original question, not any answers so bare with me. Make sure to ask Jian cause I sent him a MX200 or 300 a few years ago. He might have found a use for it with Karaoke and can help

Can't go wrong with more IO and effects. I am near evangelical when it comes to touting the goodness of the EMU 1820 and 1616 sound cards.

After reading the manual some more and trying to parse what little information there is about the dual processors, I'm not so sure that it will run two separate programs. The signal paths used for the dual stereo programs seem to use both processors for one program but it's unclear.

Like I said, they never give you enough information in these manuals. Or I don't have enough knowledge to read between the lines. Probably some combination of both.

I also wonder what the future holds for Lexicon. Supposedly, when Harman bought the company, many of their engineers left and started Briscati Design.