Lexicon MPX-1 Multi-effects

as you can expect with lots of parameters and one knob- horrible but i think as most multis.. Model 200 had the Last real usable Front-
This Unit is for Presets not for tweakin the Sound individualy for any Situation...

i Bought it for Reverb because of the numeorus reviews here all telling its so great...

FORGET IT!!!! even a Lxp1 sounds better. after hours of editing some
semi-realistic small- room stuff comes out wich is not possible with a lxp1...so maby for decent use in a mix it might be useful but units like dynacord drp`s or stuff also do this jobs as good...i hoped it would sound less clinical than m roland srv 330 but in fact it sounds at least that clinical... if people say- here you can have the real reat, warm, lush lexicon reverb they maby never listend to bigger old lexicons...

I would say: Here you can pay a GREAT BIG LEXICON PRICE FOR A BORING
CHARACTERLESS MIDRANGE MULTIEFFECT YOU CAN HAVE FOR PENUTS WITHOUT THE BLUE LABEL!

Feels cheap but just standart- could also say behringer or tc...

Just dont know what reason for somebody should buy this- they are greater lex`s (lxp1 lxp15)for small money on the market and exept of worse sounding this stuff offers nothing new...maby in rental buisness for live application or so?

I used the MPX 1 during 2 gigs. And now i have bought it form my friend. My sound is more alive. I use to own a G-Major but the lexicon is better. It is not difficult to edit your patches.

My setup is : Rivera TBR 1, Lexicon MPX 1, 2x Bag End S12B speakercabs
custom made Booster and Compressor pedals by Ra-jazz and a Claim Field 4 guitar (German made). I only use the Reverb, some Chorus and the Delay. This processor is realy good. My sound has come more alive.

Yeah there is a steep learning curve, yada,yada yada,,,,,,
The pay off is there if you spend the time.
Keep the manual handy.

Verb: Not a 480 or PCM! However, the pulsating chorusy verbs are truly beautiful and inspiring. Way beyond an Alex-Reflex.

EQ: so-so. The filters are a little cold and digi-sounding. What do you expect from a digital EQ? A Neve? A Moog? That being said, the fact that it even has eq/ filters makes the overall unit extremely strong

Pitch shifting is above average. With a foot pedal, makes a great Whammy Pedal. Tracks great!

Chorus is great, magical!
The flange/phase is typical digital style and have no analog mojo.

Mod: A very useful weapon in the arsenal.

Delay: Above average

Mix them all together= Nice!

You can get some incredible pad/washy/textural sounds. And epic solo texures.

With guitar: Gives your overall sound a bit of a "Digital Sheen" which is not analog, but still warm in a digi kind of way. Ala 80's Lukather-Landau, etc.
You cant get rid of it because this thing converts your guitar signal to 18/20 bit digital EVEN IN BYPASS!

It's somewhat fragile but typical rack gear. no more no less.

I would suggest a back up if you have $$$

They were good to me. Helpful, sincere.

VERY inspiring sound.
Inspiration is VERY valuable.
Complicated user interface
The delay between changing programs is real.
18/20bit constant D/A-A/D conversion is a bummer.

For studio it's great.
For live; On a mixer on a bus send (for vocals for instance) it makes a great verb/delay multi processer.
Can even automate stuff via midi. Great bang for buck value.


For guitar it has some it has some issue's and would require some work arounds. For instance you could use it with a Robert Keely True Bypass Looper and make it a true bypass pedal. You could use it in an efx loop on an amp and blend the digital signal with your natural (analog) tone. This would be fine with verb but this pedal has some cool sounds that require the blend to be balanced in the box. By blending dry signal, you would lose/water down some very cool presets. Also its a bit tricky using with stomp boxes. I think the guitar version of this pedal might solve some of these issues. I dont have that unit so I dont know.

Certainly not the easiest piece of gear I ever used, but not nearly as hard to as other people make it out to be. I bought it on ebay with no manual and spent a good hour learning my way around it. Once you learn how its all setup, its not that bad at all but the TC fx units interface is far more user friendly in my opinion.

Sounds very good. I pretty much only used it for the reverbs. The tweaking parameters on this are pretty detailed. It can be a lot for someone unfamiliar with all of the parameters of reverb but offers a lot of control for someone who is. I was using this for live sound and had considerably more success using this for a vocal reverb over a drum verb. I'm sure had I spent more time trying, I could have came up with a killer drum verb. Honestly though, I compared this to the TC m-one xl which is almost 1/2 the price and I like the TC better. Both units have great verbs, but I was able to dial in a drum verb way easier with the TC, and the TC scores more points over the lexicon because of the independent dual fx engine allowing the user to use to separate fx returning on two different channels. Not the case with the lexicon which ended up being the reason why I sold the unit and bought a TC m2000, which at the same price, I'm expecting to be better than the mpx1 given how good the m-one xl was at almost 1/2 the price. The mpx1 does have far more tweaking parameters than the m-one xl, but the TC m2000, at the same price has more parameters and independent fx routing.

I used it for 2 weeks before I sold it for a TC, but in those two weeks in worked fine and sounded great with no problems. I think I would need to own one for longer before I have a valid opinion on the subject however.

I did once email a question to lexicon regarding a different product, they did respond but not nearly as timely or friendly as the customer support for TC electronics.

I used this for live sound for a couple weeks and it worked great. The reason I sold it is because the TC electronic units sound just as good if not better at a fraction of the price, and are far more user friendly. Not to mention the fact they offer dual engine routing of independent fx, which ended up being the deal breaker for me when it came to choosing TC over lexicon. Nonetheless, this unit sounds great but if you ask me, anyone going for an fx unit in the mid range level will get more for their money buying a TC unit. I said the same thing in my review of the TC m-one xl. Lexicon really shines with their really high end studio verbs which have been the standard for decades. But TC offers far more product at a great value for anything entry level or midrange. Which is why I would advise anyone considering this unit to save a few hundred and buy a TC m-one xl and get very comparable reverbs (if not better) and more routing options. Or the TC M2000 with better verbs and more routing options at the same price. Then again, some people just prefer the sound of a lexicon verb over a TC verb and there's something to be said for that. But not only to I like TC verbs better, they give you more for your money.

Maybe the first Lexicon I ever had and for this reason I don't turn to understand how I use in perfect way. I have not the user manual in italian (my language) and i don't speak a good english.

Really good. Reverb are more less really however digital. Usefool the LFO parameters; delay really good and tap tempo are important for this machine.
I have a Fender prosonic head, a 2x12 cab and tube line mixer -Advance The Missing link- I use a Fender custom '60, blade Durango deluxe, greg Bennet RL2. In front I use a radial tonebone classic and Advance overcatdrive yellow.
For a guitarrist use is important a line mixer because even if the MPX1 has a good converter (AD/DA 24Bit) you loose the real signal and the "boom" of your amp.

no opinion

ZERO.
I've ask an italian user manual and The lexicon support can not help me!!!!! For example the TC-electronic get the user manual of the product in their website in all languages. Why the lexicon don't do this?
The strange thing is wich can not will never be available.....crazy?

I have a Fender prosonic head, a 2x12 cab (V30/Modern lead G12M70), tube line mixer -Advance The Missing link- and a sinth Roland GR30. I use a Fender stratocaster custom '60, blade Durango deluxe, greg Bennet RL2. In front I use a radial tonebone classic and Advance overcatdrive yellow.

I play guitar for 15 years.
I've ever used the digital rack effect: Roland GP100 (fantastic!), eventide H3000, G-force, G-major (bleah!), Intellipitch (great!), intellifex, ZOOM 3030 ecc.
I play a psichedelic noisy music. Is like a last King Crimson kind of music. I play often the sinth guitar, and lexicon mpx1 effect, swap with this great. I love the spacial reverb you can get with this. I have find a good parameters for a vintage spring reverb, but You have to use a line mixer if not it not work well!

If you can read? You can learn this piece of gear over night, but spend time with her, this is not plug and play, yes they have presets. However, if you want to use it correctly learn it live it, try sone presets then work off that. I have version 1.10, the manual is nicely laid out, a must read tho!! Thats why they make manual's read it keep it near by until you master here once that occurs you are off to lushness and forever!! I would give it a ten but hey it takes some work thats for sure ;-) But the outcome well worth it!!!

Unless you have the PCM models this is the best, many usable patches. I use with my guitar rig which consists of 5150III to Palmer PDI-03 to mixer. Yep I use a mixer on my rig and run my effects parallel, I dont like the typical boring in series chain!! There is zero noise with my unit, all reverbs are beautiful and lush, detune, Delays awesome, chorus all 10+ for that thicken up stereo tone, evh anyone lol.

What can you say its a Lexicon!!! Built to last never have had a problem with mine, I have two actually just in case but never had to use her only in studio!! And Yes I would gig with a backuo, but as stated never had a problem!!!

E mailed for info, got same day response, Now thats the icing on the cake customer service, hey these cats have got there act together,not like ummm Eventide, Sorry those guys well I wont go there its like dealing with Kurzweil some kind of geek cult or something? Lexicons people very down to earth and there to help you, thats what business is all about!!!Ask them and you shall receive!!

I play fusion jazz, and metal, rock and roll, blues all of it!! I have been playing 20 years, my gear is Peavey/Marhsall 100 watt heads, VST Headbone Amp Selector, Fur. Power supply, Palmer PDI-03 EventideH3000 maxed,MPX1 Lexy,Podtxt Live,Dunlop Wah pedal, George L's god love them,5 musicman axes, homemade evh strat, homemade ebmm, all di marzios and seymour duncans, Tone Zoners Air Nortons, strats i use di marzios paf pro ;-) and of course mackie 12 channel mixer to a seperate peavey power amp pV900 to push two marshall 4/12 1960 A cabs! Life is good ;-)Dont let the price fool you on these lexicons MPX1 get them on ebay all day long buy one learn it and you will be in love!!!

I initially was worried about purchaseing this unit as the prior reviews put a bit of a scare in you about use..I am a Guitar player and have used analog effects as well as rack gear for years..If you can read , it is easy!!! Get comfortable with it and explore the unit...the more you use it the easier it is,..simply that!!! It is a PRO unit used by soo many recording artists..

Absolutely great sounds!!! Far better than most of the competition..The only other units I would consider are the TC electronics stuff(which I do own also).
Strictly a Multieffects unit with excellent reverbs!!!
I play through Mesa amps, Musicman LUKE guitars,Fender strats, and a Guild custom shop acoustic electric. Too many other guitars to mention...

GREAT!!!

Spoke directly with them prior to purchase!!!Excellent !!

I am a session Guitarist, so my stlyes range from Rock to Jazz, Blues to Fusion. Classically trained. I strongly dislike country (and will leave it at that!!)I can achieve amazing sounds for covers when live and superior studio sounds as needed...It is a very simple user ready gift to making your pallate of tone increase....I dont understand the prior reviews as some of these guys had difficulty programing/navigating the MPX-1..? Read the Manual!!!This is a PRO unit, very musical in many ways without compromising the dry tone of your preamps..

You really got to read the book for this one! Manual could be written in a more 'non techi' way, us guitarists want an instant fix! Was version 1.0 rom, upgraded to V1.1 so it now has different effects and recognises the R1 controler.

Amazing effects! No noise, not too much tone sucked away, nothing too over the top (after the ROM upgrade!). Used with twin marshall DSL100s and an Ibanez JS1200.

Seem solid, 7 years old now!

USA Lexicon were a good help. E-mail contact only.

Metal....

Setting up this unit is bit of a steep learning curve. It's a shame the manual doesn't have examples to get one up and going. You have to read almost every chapter in the manual to fully understand this unit, but the reward is a very good sounding multi fx. The manual is decent written, but as stated above, lacks some examples. At first you seem to strugle thru menu's and submenu's, but bit by bit it gets easier. You do have to take some time to take the hurdles of learning.

I have a unit with firmware version 1.10

I use this unit mainly for mixing in my studio, and bypass the convertors by using the SPDIF. It takes some time to get good results of the unit, but overall the fx's are nice and usable

The MPX-1 is patched with a Roland VS-2480CD recorder.

The sounds from the reverb is a real Lexicon sound due to the Lexichip, and I like it!!!

Nothing sounds bad, some are more usefull than other fx's

As far as the debate goes about bitdepth - a good 20 bit system sounds better then a pourly made 24 bit system - keep that in mind. This is a real Lexicon - not a cheap toy for beginning musicians or studio owners. I us it in my homestudio, and it is better than many fx units I heard in my life!!!

I never gig with the Lexicon; it is only used in my homestudio. If I go on stage, I don't need it - I'm a bassplayer......

Then again, it never failed during studiouse for hours and hours.

Never dealt with them yet.

As said before, it's used for every kind of music in my studio. I wanted to have the touch of Lexicon in my studio, and therefore I bought it. It doesn't dissapoint me for that, only the programming is a bit daunting at first.

Playing around for a while with this unit makes it better to understand - and I'm still in the learning curve.

I think if I needed a reverb in the future, I'll guess I buy myself a PCM series Lexicon, but maybe also a MPX-1 again.

Not a Plug ad Play Multi Fx! you have to lose I lot of time to get the sound you want! INCREDIBLE latency on CHANCING PATCHES! does anybody knows how to eliminate it?? please let me know !!(rauldelmoral@hotmail.com)

The sounding is perfect, so real sensation in Reverbs and delays, I love it! Now I'm using a JTM Marshall amp and the combination is great!bu for instance you can't put some simultaneous effects like SHIFTER stereo and DELAY stereo!bad thing!
Very silence unit!

I want to use it on gigs(guitar playing)can I eliminate the 0-1 second latency when change patches??????
I think is most useful in the studio...

I play rock and it rocks! I've been playing from 1996 I listen a lot of gear, and I insist that it is a good MULTI FX but with I few inconveniences!

THe presets are incredible -- with no tweaking at all, the unit is incredibly versatile, plenty of signature lexicon sounds. However, if you can wade through the manual and figure out how to edit patches, you're either a computer programmer, or you have way more time on your hands than I do. The R1 footcontroller is a must with this unit. So -- although you can get great sounds straight from the box, assuming the idea is to be able to easily tweak and fine tune your sounds, forget it. This will take considerable time before getting comfortable with this unit.

I'm using a Mesa Boogie Triaxis / Simul 290. Pendulum SPS-1 acoustic instrument preamp, PRS custom 22, Moonstone Deluxe Eclipse, Olson Acoustic, Guild Artist Award. It's quiet -- most of the effects are to die for.

Completely UNUSABLE on the gig. I tried a few times -- failed every time. Freezes quite often, every hour. Cheap feel, not at all roadworthy -- fragile even in a shock-mount rack. If you have a studio to keep it in, fine. Don't use this on a gig. You'll be playing dry.

Although the unit was bought new and immediately failed (on the very first gig), and although Lexicon had admitted that the problem was a batch of bad chips that had slipped through their fingers, THEY REFUSED to send a new unit, saying they would repair the defective one. Even though the music store stood behind me on this, they refused.

They were good about returning calls -- some of the techs were freindly nad helpful -- some were snotty, arrogant because i do not have a degree in electronics.

Eventually, they returned the unit. It still had similar problems. i now have a TC Electronic G-Force which I'm completely happy with, in all respects. Especially reliability. I had such respect for Lexicon, and wish I could use their gear because of the incredible sound quality -- but it fails every time, and was never properly repaired.

I play all styles -- I'm a pro, Berklee grad, MM., teach guitar at two respected universities, performed with many top flight acts, many theatre gigs, reknown symphony orchestras, rock, jazz, blah, blah, etc.,etc. I do admit, i'm a player, not so much into midi, programming, etc., but far too experienced for anyone to say any of this was my fault. If I had problems with the manual, with reliability, with service, with Lexicon's return policy -- you might, too.

Horrible. I have to pull out the manual everytime I want to add delay to a patch. the works I have ever used in 25+ years as a working musician. Just horrible. To my way of thinking, this could not be more confusing. And I've had 2 for over 5 years.

I will never buy another product from them.

I use the unit between my preamp (RealTube II) and power amp (Carvin Tube 100)

Over all I am happy with the sound.

I've used the rig for 5 years. It has never failed on me.

RTFM. It's all in there. that is the first response I got from them. It took me 6 months to finally contact them again, and this time I got something written in English (my native laguage).

Sounds great. I can just never figure out how to tweek it, so I usually use the presets.

Customer support: 2 times I've contacted them and once gotten the answer to my problem.

I would have been happier with something from Digitech, Roland, or any number of other manufacturers products I have used and don't need to spen an hour with a poorly written, poorly organised, and basically worthless manual.

Ok so you must be of scientific mind to understand the logic (and manual) behind the interface of this unit; but once you have transformed yourself to said 'robot', everyhting becomes clear (your children have become old and you STILL have a few quirks).

But all you need to do is play a little...then if you can get just THE GIST of what this machine can do (by trial/error), you will quickly realize you have purchased the most amazing effects processor!! (for the money, 'cause obviously the Lexicon PCM series is TOPS)

EVERYTHING this machine does is incredible...too bad it can't tweak the sounds for you. I sold mine only because the buyer gave me $750 and I know I can find one for much less pretty easily. It won't be long before my rig can sound sooo good again. For live use, studio use (unless you got a PCM), JUST TO RECORD YOUR DOG "DO NOT" SETTLE FOR LESS THAN THE MPX-1!!! (And I promise I don't work for them, I was truly sad when I saw it leave my apartment)

I suggest that for any electronic equipment you cherish, you... A) Not toss it across a concrete floor; B) Not plug it up between your power amp and speakers; C) Not let you dog/cat/roommate pee on it.

I had mine for 4 years. This machine will last forever in a rack with normal use.

Just call and they answer.

I cannot think of a better processor anywhere near its price range, especially in the used market (I baught mine new, put will find another used one shortly). I will try ti get the R1 foot-controller, but I know I'll have to change all the switches (the reason they discontinued the floorboard). Better for studio anyway unless you need the BEST reverbs live.

Bought this on ebay, took me about one day to listen to all factory presets, change parameteres to my liking, do the MIDI mapping for my Behringer FCB1010, etc. I am not a computer specialist, just able to read a manual while doing my thing. This thing is great, logical menus, etc. Some features in the manual, like the patches could have been explained a little better, with examples, which would have been a 10. Due to the manual its a 8.

I am using a marshall JMP-1 preamp, Furman power conditioner, Behringer Virtualizer Pro, the MPX1 with a Behringer FCB1010 Foot Controller. Guitar is a Fender Stratocaster.
Unit is extremely quite. Effects all sound great. Get all sounds I need, like Steve Lukather, David Gilmour, etc.

Just bought it, so can't tell.

Never dealt with them

I play all kinds of music, mainly classic rock. Play for 25 years. Would buy it again immediately if stolen.

This is my second review of this product and I believe that my previous rating for this category was at one. Now some time has passed and I would say that it is still difficult to use, though I am understanding how to edit and such. I have went back over key parts of the manual, but find that I am having better results by going head first into unit itself. I am actual drawing up a map on how to maneuver my way through the mpx-1 on engineering paper as opposed to the manual's guide. Basicly, for me anyway, it takes memorizing the layout and since I'm finishing my last symester in construction management my time is limited final projects (I'd rather play guitar when I have the time).

Its sound is wonderful, full, transparent, and big. I paid $395 used, but in excellent condition. For that price and along with its abilities, nothing can touch this thing. The factory presets are great and I just can't get enough of the Callwaiting and Telephone presets. The blues sounds that come out of my speakers w/those two settings are so sweet! And... I'm not even good at playing the blues, except when I have either of those two settings. I can just feel it (Me Mojo). I could keep going on about the presets, but I won't.

If it were stolen I would replace it, unless I tried and liked the new Boss GT-8. Then again I couldn't find one of those used yet, so the price would be more.

Built-in patches should suffice, but when you want to edit ...

You will definitely have to read the manual. Lexicon should really provide editing software (I think they have old, unmaintained software somewhere). You quickly realize this when you want to re-order routing, especially if you have stereo routing and want to change the effect from which the right channel connects to.

Great sound quality even in analog mode. I now only use the S/PDIF interfaces as an external effect in Cubase SX3. You must really listen to the patches in a mix instead of, say, a solo vocal track. For example, the "Chamber" patch seems to have too long a tail in a solo track but works great in a mix if you punch in the right amount and eq the return a little.

Back when emagic also made Logic for Windows, I used Logic Platinum 4.7 on Windows 98 and it had an awesome reverb - platinumverb - which I missed when I moved to Cubase. I can now get the same sound from the MPX1.

It is the only reverb I use now; no plug-ins. I would gig with this if I already didn't with a Yamaha SPX2000.

N/A; I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

I play whatever style is required in my studio. So far, the MPX1 suits my needs.

If it were stolen or lost, I would definitely get another MPX1 or maybe even one of the PCM models.

It does have one flaw. I have a MOTU2408mkII and a MOTU308. When I switch sync sources in the 308, the MPX1 does not automatically re-sync; you have to press a button. A little annoyance but not a show-stopper.

This thing is monstrous and absurd. Though I have not read the manual in its entirety, I have read the high points and spent a great deal of time pushing buttons(While pushing the buttons on this thing I was trying to get a feel for parameters of the software programed in this thing). I feel like I'm trying to crack a code in some top-secret computer. No, I got it! Its like trying to look into one of those secret 3D pictures, where if you look into it just the right way you can see beyond the initial image. And who knows how long you'll have to stare into it either? Before you know it, your going cross-eye.

I should be playing the guitar, not the processor.

I have had other processors, none of which sounded rearly a good, but did program much easier.

Out of the box this thing rocks. Great sounds come from the factor presets, but I can't help but feel like there is so much more that it can do. The reverb, delays, echos, etc. are all top notch. Lots of head room and transparent sound. No noise, I cannot complain.

I haven't had it long enough to know.

I haven't called them yet, but if I don't figure this thing out soon I might have to.

I play hard rock, not so hard rock, blues, violin solos (I try at least), country twang, and jazz. This unit has gotcha covered. I really like the Call Waiting (blues), AeroFreezeAB (with & without some dist, Zappa's air sculpting solos), Broken Speakr w/ Dist. (Very Vai, Attitude Song), Bla Bla Bla, and Bla Bla Bla.

If anyone can help me with programing, please drop me a line.

Now, I keep seeing written reviews about how this sucks to program. Here's a hint! SPEND 15 MINUTES OF YOUR DAY TO READ THE MANUAL AND ACTUALLY LEARN HOW!! After you know what you're doing, it's easy and efficient to edit, change, and program your effects the way you want them. Also, the editing is very detailed so you can produce the exact delay, or whatever effect, you want, the way you want.

The effects are mint! You get amazing sounds from all types of effects. I use it with the R1, and it sounds fine!

Never had any major problems!

Now, let's see. I emailed customer support once with a quick question, and I must say that was the best customer support ever. They answered my question, and gave me detailed alternatives too. VERY HELPFUL!

Easy enough if you use the presets, but this is a engineers unit. It took me 3 days to engineer "My sound" for vocals and guitar through this unit. That said no-one has "my sound" If you want control; then, you have to understand everything.

Perfection

perfect

My presets where always wrong- I emailed to the company- they told me that I had software version 2. they emailed me the pdf file for those presets. they knew there business

get this if you like being a techy and inventing new stereo effect. Live and for recording----Perfect sound and powerful

First off, I?m a studio-based producer, not a guitarist. I mostly do sample-based music, from hiphop to Autechre-esque electronica. I?ve had this unit for over a year. At first, I was VERY confused by the operating system. It took me a while to figure everything out, and somtimes it still takes me a couple of random button presses to get where I want in a menu. I actually read some bits of the (good) manual, as opposed to the manuals of my Midiverb IV and boss VF-1. On the other hand the reverbs on these units sounds like a fart in a tin can compared to the lexicon. If you learn how to work this unit, it REALY pays of. I can now do pretty much anything I want with it, which is great. Arpeggiated pitch-shifter, under full midi control, through a modwheel-controlled filter, into stereo delay and reverb? No problem. Try that on your midiverb. That said, learning curve IS steep, and you have to be prepared to spend some time with it. It's actually pretty easy when you know how...

I gave this a ten, because I can honestly say I know of no other unit that comes close at this (secondhand) price. TC?s M-one would probably be the nearest competitor, but isn?t nearly as flexible. Same goes for Lexicon?s own MPX500/550. I have no experience with TC?s M2000/M3000.
Reverbs are obviously great; you?d have to pay a hell of a lot more to better this. Choruses are lush, Phasers go from smooth to piercing. But mainly, on this unit the total is greater than the sum of it?s parts. The way all effects can be combined, and midi-controlled if desired, is what makes it special. I do use ?plain vanilla? reverbs, delays and choruses, but the fun really starts when I get into creative sound design. For this sort of thing, the next step up would probably be TC?s Fireworx, which is slightly out of my budget at the moment. A step down, the Boss VF1, which I also own, does a lot of nice sound-design tricks, but is horrible for reverbs.

The MPX1 does not have a vocoder, amp modeller, compressor or distortion. I have other units that specialize in these things, so I don?t mind. (alright, there is an overdrive, and with a little work you can make a compressor, but it?s hardly worth mentioning). If you?re looking for these FX, get some seperate boxes and some analogue stuff. If you just want plain vanilla reverbs and choruses, it's only a little better than an MPX550. See the MPX-1 as a MULTI-FX; you can get it for just the reverbs, but total is greater than the sum of it?s parts.

Noise is NOT an issue if set up correctly which, IMHO, is a breeze.

Seems good, got it s/h, never had any problems, very decent construction throughout.

Never needed them.

A great unit, especially at the price it goes for now. It is however, a little complicated to operate. This doesn?t bother me much anymore, but it did when I first got it. I?m sure it could be simpler, but with a display this size, and this many options (a LOT of options!), it?s hard to see how.

Again, I'm no guitar player, I use it mainly as a flexible multi-fx, and it's my main reverb (also own an MPX100 which is nice and quick). The really wild stuff in my studio gets handled by analogue filters (sherman, akai, Macbeth), Boss VF1, Line 6 echopro, and stomp boxes. I patch everything into everything and resample stuff a lot.

Lost or stolen: I'd get it again, or if the insurance company really comes through maybe get a TC Fireworx. And an MPX on the side.

Anything you wish it had?
Bigger display. Knobs. More crazy stuff like the fireworx.

Anything else you'd like to share?
Yes: get it ONLY if you're prepared to put in a little work. It's great value as a main reverb unit, but even better as a Multi-FX unit.

This is the second unit and an add on/update to my prior post of the MPX1, that I couldn't get to program. This second unit was programmable however it was noisy and it too was returned. The first one had programming problems but was dead quiet, this second one got noisy with the output volume set at the 1/2 point on the pot.

This second unit was programmable however it was noisy and it too was returned. The first one had programming problems but was dead quiet with both the input and output set at max, this second one got noisy with the output volume set at the 1/2 point on the pot.

I've had two units and both had hardware problems. "Zero for Two"

N/A

With the unit being noisy, I didn't have it long enough to try out. Obviously I will not be buying a Lexicon again.

Very confusing Programming Interface. I was unable to program this unit. Any parameter that I changed had no affect on the signal. I went through the book several times. I'm an electronics/computer tech and also worked as a programmer so I'm not a beginner in this area. I sent it back after 4 days of disgust trying to program it to work with my guitar.

Sound Qality is very good, and should be for a unit of this type. There is no noise or distortion of any kind. This unit was bought to be used with an Evans SE-200 steel guitar amp and a Pedal Steel Guitar. Because it would have been used with a Pedal Steel Guitar, the effects would have to be modified.

Not Applicable, I didn't have it long enough to comment on.

No Comment, I didn't have it long enough.

Because of the poor programming interface and the fact it didn't work (or at least this particular unit didn't) Overall I would rate it Poor. I also own a Peavey Transtube Fex Preamp/Effects Processor and have had other units that will program (although the Transtube Fex tends to be a little noisy and the noise gate must be used).

very old interface.
not user friendly at all.
you get lost in menu and sub menu and then other sub menu
A Nightmare, the worse I own/tried
and THERE IS A 1-2 SECONDS DROP WHEN CHANGING PRESET...
Forget using that tool if you need to change quickly the preset.

Beautifull transparent sounding reverb, superb on vocal.
chorus is great too, delay as well, lots of filter and cool stuff.
so bad it drop sound when you change the preset !
I was hopping to use it for my guitar, but it's impossible...
so I now use it for vocal and am really happy with it.

It failed me one time in 3 years. (a cap in the power section)

it tooks two times for they to fix the problem.
first time I got it back, they put A wrong value for the cap
and it burned again. second time was the good one.

interface is Nightmare...
sound is a dream...
If I can live with the interface, I can't give an excellent mark, due to the drop sound problem when changing preset. they are other product way better now IMO like the TC M-ONE or TC G-Major which are not that expensive regarding to what you get.
buy that unit if you need a very good reverb/delay an that's it.

Just a comment, after reading all the reviews, I couldn't help but notice everyone who complained about this unit, tend to be guitar players, who were comparing it to a bunch of stomp boxes in a row.
Many of my guitar friends tell me they like even like noise, grit, and other sonic by-products. For you guys I suggest you go buy a Boss se-70, this will replace all your Boss stomp boxes, and if you let the noise gate open .. it will add some nasty dirt, crunch, distortion, and flange that you are missing.

Now for the acoustic, new age, pop, and ballad types. You will love this unit, and are the ones who typical rave on and on about the legendary lexicon sound. This will add swirl, lushness, ambiance, sweetness, and yada, yada. And you guys will actually appreciate its 18/20 bit quiteness. As for all the double talk about not pulling enough DBs, please forgive those metal head guitar players who have been playing too close to their tower speakers.

I have a Boss se-70, and a lexicon, and let me tell you don't want to confuse the two. I wouldn't try and serve the Queen tea in a beer glass, ... just like it's important one uses the right gear for the proper job.

This unit is not straightforward to use. I found it very intimidating to begin with, but persverance pays off. This is a great sounding unit. Lexicon have tried to give the user as much control as possible, but this has led to endless navigation through menus, though the main stuff is only a couple of button pushes away.

I bought this unit for the reverbs and I am not disappointed. I use it in my project studio all the time for mixing down Compared to a PCM 70 (the only high end reverb I've tried) this thing has so many parameters and choices. In terms of sound quality there's not much in it. The reverbs do sound fantastic. I've also used some of the other effects, all to good effect. I have not had to do any serious tweaking on this thing - the presets are good and can easily be fine tuned. For the price, this gets a high rating.

Had it over a year and still going strong.

Not needed.

For a mid - price multi effects unit you could do a hell of a lot worse. This machine will keep you in busines, so many presets so little time..........

Ok, first, my review is from the point of view of a guitar player. I wanted a rack-mounted, midi-compatible unit that would handle all of my effects needs. I hate stomp boxes, and after reading several reviews I opted for the Lexicon. I have no interest in being a technical guru or studio engineering God in order to make my effects unit work, however...

This is the pits. The MPX-1 might have the most beautiful textures of any multi-effects processor, but I can't get at them. Editing patches is like trying to figure out how to launch the space shuttle.

And no, I'm not a dumbass. For those interested, I'm actually a professional computer programmer (and have, in the past, wored on communication satellite systems, and nuclear missiles). Part of my job is to build applications that are intuitive to users who don't have a clue. My company spends a lot of time (more time than most) researching user-interface design and making sure our products are usable by complete computer novices.

The guys at Lexicon obviously didn't do any of this kind of work, because this unit is as non-intuitive as they come. I don't think you could make the editing process any more complicated. Not only is the process complicated, and non-intuitive, but dialing-in the sound you are looking for can take WEEKS. Not minutes, not hours, not even days.. but WEEKS of tweeking. You literally need to be a complete expert on the unit in order to get the full benefit from it.

I feel pretty confident reading the other reviews here that this unit has some great sounds, and I'd love to be able to get them out of my unit, but the fact is this: I'm a guitar player, not a studio tech. I don't want to have to spend WEEKS to get the sound I'm looking for, and I shouldn't need to be an expert technician to be able to get the sounds I want. I mean, Lexicon includes the schematics for the signal routes in their manual. Why do I need to have the same level of intimate knowledge with this unit as the people who made it?

This is just bad design. A person shouldn't need to know *how* the code to a computer program operates in order to use the program for its intended purpose. Likewise, I shouldn't need to know every single freaking detail of this unit, down to the wire, in order to turn some knobs and get some tones...

My Setup:
Mesa Boogie Traixis Pre-amp
Mesa Boogie Simuclass 2:90 power amp
Rocktron Hush II-C Noise Gate
Rocktron MidiMate footpedal
Alesis Microverb IV
Lexicon MPX-1
Ibanez Guitars
DiMarzio Pickups

My system is as quiet as I've ever heard for a tube-amp setup. I've been amazed. Unless I'm playing outside in a loud venu, the noise gate doesn't get used because it's completely unnecessary. If I could get some nice textures from the Lexicon, I'd be in heaven. Since I can't, I don't think it's fair to rate this catagory.

Who knows? I can't get what I want from it, so I always go back to my Alesis, which doesn't color my sound, but isn't very fleixible or programmable.

Never called them - no rating

I play mostly progressive rock. I use effects to create textures, like a keyboard player uses different sounds to emphasize a particular mood or emotion. I try and do the same with effects. I wish I could give a A+ for this unit. But the difficulty in programming it just doesn't make it worth my time. I want to sit down with an effects unit and play, and create textures. With the Lexicon, I sit down and create frustration.

This gear was NOT intended to be the easiest to do editing. Lexicon tried to give the users a decent amount of control over it, but not as hard as other high end stuff. Whenever you get a gear, it is always a good idea to go through the manual once trying to get the general idea of what the gear can do. Then play with it, and whenever you wonder how you can do what you want to do, go back to the manual. Otherwise, it would be such a waste of money and time. It is when you finally feel pretty much comfortable using/editing it that you get the most of it, and can really decide whether the gear was really for you or not. To be fair, I don?t think editing this is that messy, obviously they tried to be logical when they wrote this program. But ?logic? depends on the person. That?s another reason why it is important to read the manual first and try to get the basic picture of it.

I have Yamaha MU90 sound module, which has 5 effect blocks including reverb. This is not a high end stuff, let alone an effect box. This is just ?by now already cheap? ?sound? module for desk top music. But I was very impressed with the effect quality of it, especially reverb. ?Early Reflection?(This is like ?Ambient? in Lex I guess.) ?Small Room? ?Chamber? ?Plate? and ?Hall? all sounded good to me, with a very smooth tail and everthing, right? So I was thinking, ?man! if this cheap, not even an effect box, can do such a good job, a dedicated effect box, especially if that?s a Lexicon, it?s got to be so good.? So maybe I was expecting a ?magic? out of it, probably. So my initial reaction was not that big. But after a while, I realized that it did not produce any noise at all, if I can hear some hiss noise, they are coming from either my Mackie or POD, (I have been testing the presets with my guitar in ?serial? connection.)
but that?s when I turn the volume up so meaninglessly high, which one would never have to do anyway. So it?s dead quiet, very good resolution, clean sound. Those who think it?s noisy, be careful with ?Balanced/Unbalanced? switch button, and clip. Once it reaches its clip point, suddenly the sound becomes distorted. The presets are just for ?Showing off? what it can do, and they are for everybody, all type of music. So don?t complain if they suck when you are only interested in, say, ?Death metal? and looking for a particular good effect. They are a good starting point and good indicator what sounds you can produce out of it. Just one concern. Depending on the preset, there is some latency, there is a slight gap between the time I play and the time I hear the sound, which makes it a little hard to play. I am not really sure if there were created that way or it depends on how many effects I use at a time. Well but the bottom line is its sound quality is pretty good and definitely better than using software reverbs I have tried. (Logic, Sound Forge, Wave etc. Too much CPU usage!)

Haven?t used it for a long time myself but looks pretty good. Definitely more ?heavy duty? gear than just a toy(of course). I am more worried about its software than the hardware. Hope it won?t crash or anything.

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Overall, it?s a pretty good, decent gear you can expect from a mid range priced gear. ( but I geuss $700 new is kind of expensive for this, isn?t it ? when you can get pretty comparable boxes from others, like Yamaha or Roland etc.) Just because there are so many parameters available doesn?t mean you ALWAYS HAVE TO use them all. I like to have many parameters, so that I know there are there when I need it. In that sense, MPX1 is good. Balanced I/O and gold plated SF/DIF make this a lot more attractive. I am thrilled to explore more and find out more goodies on it later.

OK. The panel has a learning curve to master in terms of shaping all of the paramters. The left right arrow buttons the rotary knob, and the sublevels simply take time to master. It is not strictly intuitive. I think the engineers did the best they could with this type of interface, but, it is hard to treat the parameters for all the different effects this unit supports in the same manner. That being said, if you take the time to learn the interface, you have almost total control over each effect and where it sits in the chain. There are limitations on how many of different types of effects can be combined, but, it does come with 2 dsp chips, so its really not that much of a constraint imho.

The reverbs are not at the level of their higher end unit, but they are pretty damn good, and infinitely tweakable. I don't use phasers and flangers much, so I can't really compare, but the pitch shifting and EQ is great, and the modulation effects are also pretty good. All in all, if you take the time to shape the effects to your tastes, it is hard to be unhappy.