Lexicon MPX 100 Dual Channel Processor

Good control exept for the 'tap' button that controls delay rate ect. You must either remember how fast you taped it last or hope it can learn the beat from a sound going thru it.

Great, a condenser mic and this can do wonders for your voice.

No problems

Good for folk/rock/wierd vocals. Also good for guitar, great sound

Dead simple, as long as you can refer to the manual or memorise which patches you like. There's very limited choice but the choices tend to be useful rather than not. Pure turning of knobs, a no brainer.

Here's where it gets interesting. Nobody mentioned the S/PDIF output? The thing is, this is some very good chips coupled with some _very_ cheap analog parts in a little case for really cheap. The potential is amazing but you almost have to mod it, and it's a bitch to mod: all wave soldered parts. The input and output caps are awful and undersized, and this causes a lot of the complaints about 'tanky' sound: they're eating all the bass authority which gives rooms a convincing size and weight, and they sound cheap. I replaced these parts with big .39 polypropylene film caps and the sound became _much_ bigger and better.

Once you get past that stage (or if you don't care anyhow, or can't do difficult gear mods yourself) it also must be mentioned that this unit is potentially _the_ hot external A/D converter for an engineer on a budget. You can mod it, and the external wall wart power supply makes it possible to put some heavy RF chokes on the power supply cable to further sweeten it and clean it up, and the input gain is potentially really high- like 'mic preamp' high, at full crank. All you have to do is hit the bypass switch ('why a bypass?' This is why) and you patch the A/D converters straight through to the S/PDIF out. You then run that to your computer or recording device (direct, or with a cheap RCA/optical converter) and bam: instant dedicated outboard A/D converter for insanely cheap if you've ever priced those out. Even stock it's gotta outperform just about any soundcard stuck in the noisy environs of a PC- especially if you are running an optical cable to avoid the PC's noisy ground.

That said- I do like the reverbs, and especially the 'tape' delay effect. I can see why a lot of people disliked the tone of the thing- I had to fix it with mods, after all- but inherently this _is_ a great sounding unit hobbled with really really cheap parts. I give it an 8, stock, and think it's an easy 10 if you can upgrade the coupling caps.

Haven't had any problems- nothing to report. I haven't worked with enough Lexicons to really render an opinion.

I do like the company, both for making great reverbs and because I read a Usenet thread in which someone was asking about the S/PDIF- and it turned out the Lexicon people had designed it from the start intending to get 20-bit outboard dedicated A/D converters into people's hands! They built it with the intention that some people would use it just as a converter. I think that's very cool. I also think I've kinda obliterated any warranty I might have had, so it's a bit of a moot point for me...

I think I held off on this for a while, not wanting to reveal how awesome this unit is for the price (especially if you are very good with modding circuits). Then I realised, most people won't be doing that, and anyway there are others helpfully saying 'nah it sucks!' and keeping the price down, so I figured I'd chime in. I only found out about the A/D converter trick today- I'd pored over this thread when deciding to buy it and nobody'd mentioned that use. I can say this: I have rarely been so _delighted_ as when I realised that, not only did I have an outboard A/D converter already (I'm getting ADAT/edit and wanted something to mix ADAT down to that wasn't an ADAT converter), but it was the Lexicon that I'd taken apart, spruced up, and which I've been deliriously happy with the sound of ever since. Sort of discovering wonderful unexpected talents in something you were already completely happy with, and that you trusted a lot. So my overall rating is 'yeah!' but if you are a techie geek and comfortable modding tricky circuits (not _that_ many of us) then this unit is a 'Freaking YEAAAAHH!' because it's a _moddable_ dedicated 20-bit A/D converter as well as a neat reverb (and of course you could use it as the converter and sweeten things with a bit of reverb, which would give the digital output 24 bits of information to send to your PC)

So add me to the 'yay Lexicon!' crowd. I admit it ships with some cheap parts- but the _guts_ of it are solid, and the price can be _so_ good. As I speak there are a bunch on eBay not getting any bids at starting prices of $100. You could add an $80 RCA/optical adapter (overkill) and that would _still_ be a terrific price on a 20 bit outboard A/D, never mind reverbs. It's like the old VW Bug: it's not a Ferrari or a Rolls-Royce, but you can end up loving it possibly more for what it is and how unassuming the price was...

Email withheld because I'm afraid of getting mobbed by people who want their 100s modded! O_O

Very easy.

Sounds are good BUT - and this is a huge problem for me - it adds a noticeable delay to the signal. I bought it as an effects box for my electronic drums. When I first got it I loved the sounds but something felt wrong to me. I kept noticing I'd start slowing down and felt sluggish. Also, when I had the wet/dry set all the way to dry something sounded weird.

Turns out there's a tiny delay in the signal path. This causes two problems. The first is phase cancellation when I use this with my mixer's effects send and blend it with the unaffected signal. The second is that the delay screws up my timing. Now you wouldn't really notice this second problem unless you were a drummer monitoring yourself through it. Play a roll through it and it just feels wrong. For guitar, keys, or singing the delay isn't noticeable.
And I don't really hear it when I use the sequencing in my vdrum module and add MPX-100 effects in later. So the delay may not ultimately matter to you with respect to the timing.

But the phase cancellation is a bigger problem. Unfortunately, even when there are no effects - ie, fully dry, the delay is still present. That's where I really noticed the phase cancellations around the snare drum range. When set to Wet, it's not that big of a problem because the effect sound hides such subtle detail.

So as a main effects for my drum rig, this box is useless. I still use it but not with my effects send. I just plug it in between a microphone or keyboard and my mixer. That way the phase problem doesn't surface.

BTW, I also have a midiverb 4 and have connected it in exactly the same ways. There's no noticeable delay or phase problem so it's not my setup. (a few other people noticed it too on their own setups)

seems well made. Should last forever (unfortunately)

Hmm. I tried contacting them regarding this problem but never got anywhere.

I'll say one positive thing about it. I love the infinite delay and reverb settings. And the pitch shifts are fun to use although perhaps not as musical as they could be.

But for me, this ain't the device and for the time being I'm stuck with using my Midiverb as my primary delay.

I bought that when one friend said that now we have pro-effect with amateur-price. I have liked this because easy to use. First set input and output, then mix for wet(connected for mixer). Then only set type of effect and memory number and let's dance. Storing is also easy and tap-tempo gives an opportunities to make fast chances. Only thing I miss comparing to my old reverb is some kind of ledtable. Input, output, help for editing etc.. And of course common problem: is this on or off???

I use all kind of reverbs: room, hall, spring, ambient, gate for vocal, backvocal and guitars. I use five different reverbs in vocal and I'm happy for quality of them. Sound is clear and pre-delayreverbs doesn't slap too hard. Only thing I don't like is unpossible to edit some parametres. Sometimes it would be nice have strong start in reverb and light end. Just one special type, but I haven't find it jet...(this is not murmuring but reality in this price)

Many times when I have chanced sound, newone disappear somewhere. No reverb! Don't like.

Never done

We play finnish traditional dancemusic, guitarmusic like Shadows and some 60's like Beatles and CCR. I like MPX100, but as audiofreek(<-- don't know how to spell) I always want more. I will buy new reverb in future, but if I want better it have to be lot of more expensive. Next I will connect MPX100 in my computer and that might be key for my problems. Maybe?

Very easy to use (however I haven't attempted MIDI functions - really no need). The "Tap" rate is great - dialing in milliseconds is not my idea of a good time - especially for live work. The Manual is good, with subtle hints what the different effects can do & how they've been used.

Like most of these things, it's easy to make them sound terrible. A LOT of reverb settings sound like barf; however, if you're willing to experiment a bit you can find some quite nice settings (I guess that would make a case for using the MIDI functions - once you FIND a decent reverb or two the settings could be saved as the default, instead of having to remember "on setting #5 put the knobs at 10 and 2 o'clock". The echoes are really nice with the tap rate feature. The combination FX (like Echo + Reverb (or Chorus)) are real handy - one FX unit for 2 FX. My kids LOVE the Pitch Shift (this baby spans serious octaves!) - great for Halloween fun! I haven't used the unit for "fussy" studio work, so it's always been plenty quiet for my mostly "live" applications.

Unfortunately, it went flakey a few months into ownership until it finally went brain dead. Lexicon support was great & turn around time very short. Unfortunately again, the unit started its flakey tricks right away (it wouldn't always "boot up" - but after 2, 3, or 12 tries it would power up and work right - for a pretty good while - then lock up.) It screwed me at 2 gigs (fortunately I had alternatives) - so it logged some serious dust collecting duty. I'm sending it back for non-warranty repair because when it worked it was a really nice unit and it's cheaper than buying another one.

The people in customer support are top-notch! They really DO return phone calls. As for my repair not lasting - hey, intermittent faults are a real bear. Had I been timely in beefing about it (I let it collect dust over a year) they would have made good - no problem. I've got no complaints.

I use(d) this unit mainly for live work - everything from Country to Metal to Blues to Classic and all points in between and always found the MPX100 able to sweeten, enhance, open or in some noticeable way contribute to the material. Obviously no one likes showing up at a gig with a dead FX unit or having to coax the the back to life several times during the night, but from other reviews I gather this is NOT the norm. Other gripes: I hate wall warts, which this thing uses; Other than that, it's a great unti for the money.

Pretty easy to use. Not too many knobs!

OK. Here's the complaint. I checked the reviews here and sound quality looked alright. I have an earlier PCM 60 that's kinda hissy so I thought I'd step into something newer. Very quiet! But wait a minute. I use reverb in a studio for vocals or drums, usually a plate setting, not for the occasional trick special flange delay wild echo gimmic thing........ and I have to say it's really lousy reverb. So clangy on a drum kit. totally boosts the frequency the kick is in in a totally unnatural fashion. I would say it's not as hissy as a nanoverb but just as fake sounding. The PCM 60 when added makes it sound like a kit is in a real room, & this one sounds like it's in a transistor radio. I hate to say it about a Lexicon product but if you're recording think twice about this thing. (If you really want some natural high end reverb put an aux send to a speaker in your bathroom and move a mike around. Oh my. After that even the PCM sounds like a box and now the MPX is for sale.......) Frustrating that so many others have reviewed this unit and loved the sound. How about that. I guess we're all different.

Never had Lexicon stuff fail.

Never needed it.

Been playing 30 years and recording for 20. Co-owned a 2" Studio for awhile & now use a Mackie board (very clean.. little or no coloring) and DA-38s. The verb on the MPX couldn't hang with the fidelity.

It's pretty easy to use in concept, however the print next to the preset knobs is very small and difficult to read, especially in a low light situation. There is no LCD display as mentioned in the previous reviews. Despite the relative ease of use, I find it difficult to get usuable sound quality from this unit. There's just not enough control over the requisite parameters to really tailor the sound.

I've used this with an Evans AE200 amp, and a Trace Elliot Bonneville C50, and a Howard Roberts Fusion III guitar. I find the reverbs on this unit to be totally unacceptable. They tend to sound very tanky and unnatural. I've had this unit for about a year and 1/2 now and I've yet to find an effective use for it. The range of presets are really not very usable and the control over the presets is very limited. I have an old Alesis Midiverb II whose reverbs sound much more natural than the Lexicon's. I've been playing for 35 years and have owned a lot of gear in that time, so I'm not a newbie with this stuff. I also know another player who uses the MPX100 in his rig, and he suffers from the same tankiness that I find in the unit. It's really a rather annoying sound in my opinion.

Seems well built, never had any problems with it.

Haven't dealt with them at all.

I primarily play jazz, and this unit just doesn't provide a natural reverb sound, it just muddies up an already pristine sound. I wouldn't buy it again, I would definitely look around for a better sounding unit. There's nothing I love about it, and I hate the small printing on the front and the need to access the manual to find out what the presets are under each category. Come to think of it, I pretty much hate the unit. I bought it mail order based on the glowing reviews I read here in Harmony Central. Gotta say, I don't agree with them at all. I've tried finding a use for it over the last year and 1/2 and I've decided it's pretty much a waste of good money.

Very,very easy to use,indeed....the layout makes sense,and the manual is very neat and informative.A little short on editing,though,but what can you expect at this price,it's a rel bargain...

I'm using it as an external reverb & fx unit for my analogue synths,and also,to replace poor reverbs from more modern synths samplers and modules...It's by far,the best sounding reverb under $600 ! OK...It's not 480L or 300L (which I also own),but the difference between this little guy,and MPX-1,and even PCM-80 is minimal.This unit really kicks ass...It's not absolutley quiet,but It's pretty clean sounding,especially reverbs and delays.And effects are all very warm-sounding,particullary reverbs,again...

NO PROBLEMOS,as with the other Lexicon gear I own,or owned

professional,and friendly people....

I'm doing a lot of house,techno,and other dancey stuff.These are all big and comercial projects,and I can't afford to have a bad sound in my productions,the MPX perfectly fits the bill for instrument processing,but I wouldn't dare to put the lead vox thru it,becouse I have some more serious gear for that task (eventide dsp 4500,Lex 300L,Yamaha Rev5,TC 2290 etc.),but if you use it as a second or third processor,it does the job,perfectly!In comparison with other similary priced units,I find this one has no match.It oozes quality,right from the start...reverbs are very good,indeed,and in comparison with Alesis Quadraverb 2,for example,it sound much more polished and the overall sound quality is better.Thumbs up for this one,Lexicon...

nice sound right from the start when i plugged it in...the nice thing about this piece of gear is there's no on or off switch! editing patches are reasonable, only 16 though which is not enough. The manual is very user friendly.

I hooked it up to my drum machine and started tweakin delays and reverbs up the wazooo. It gets clipping if you boost the level too high but it sounds fine in halfway area. The sound of the effects are great...especially the ambience, reverb!

Reliability was a factor when ever i buy anything and so far this has been a kick ass investment reliability wise. Ive used it at many shows and its all talk but more show!

As long as i live i will only buy lexicon effects they are the best to own...theyre all that and a bag of chips

Fairly easy to use. I have recently bought a didgtech studio-200 along with this, if your are looking for a low-priced effects processor, read this review. The lexicon manual is well done and thought out being spiral bound and all, the digtech is not. Having only a few nobs on the lexicon is actually, in my humble opinion, a blessing. Not many musicians want to spend hours "dialing in" the perfect sound, we would rather spend our time playing. The "Adjust" knob does that, it changes a couple of parameters at once, so you can dial in a sound faster. The sound out of the box is subtle,(which most reverbs should be!) but very good. The digitech is more varied in its sounds but most are not near as good.

I am running a semi-pro studio and needed more effects units. I run it through my effects sends and get good results. The unit seems quiet, BUT if you take it out of the loop, there is a subtle difference. Most of the effects sound sweet to the ear, subtle but tasty. The digitech s-200 effects are more outrageous, with the ability to get out of hand(annoying). I do wish the lexicon had an input meter instead of just a line & clipping light. The digitech has a meter. AND.. & this is big AND, it will take some time to get used to the fact that the lexicon does not a LED display like the digitech. I'm sure this lowers the price a bunch, but do not dismay, the unit produces good sounds and can be fairly quickly accessed. Just because the LED is not there calling out to you, assuring you that patch #145 titled"my stupid ass song" is there, this unit kicks much butt over the digitech.

Very dependable. Never burped once. Sure i'd depend on it, because it likes me. SAme with the digitech

Been searching for a company that picks up the phone with a person, not a machine. Still looking....

I record almost anything decent. I LOVE THE TAP TEMPO BUTTON!!!! great job lexicon. nice layout too, easy to dial in sounds. LED would of been nice, but it probably would have knocked the price up some. Digitech has a nice LED, Hmm... not much else.