Lexicon PCM 42 help?

[glpg80]

really like what i hear with lexicon PCM 42 delays - i like them better than the 2290 to be honest

problem is, the price is hard to argue when you only get a max of 2.4 seconds of decay. it takes 2 of them to really get the full effect and thats borderline crazy to me with the $700+ price each they run

my question is, does a lexicon unit exist with a tap tempo and more delay options for your money - that still compares to 42 type delays without all of the added vocal pitch/added effects that i wont use?

sound quality is of concern here - no MX series.

i was looking at a PCM 81 multi-effects processor but its invested money with alot of features that i wouldnt really use, since lexicon pushes their reverbs

 

[hunter]

You can always use the PSP42 plugin, sounds awesome, though you need a computer to run it

 

[glpg80]

interesting, ill look into that. not sure if running my laptop computer all the time would be wise with a moving rig though.

anyone else have any ideas or lexicon pieces to check out?

i do know that some of the MX series do have 24 bit in/out sampling so if someone has played one and can vouch for the sound quality i would be willing to investigate. if money was no problem i would just own 2 or 3 42's and call it a day.

i do know that after some more research there were a few 41 models without the LCD screens, but when pushed hard i have heard they dont sound the same as the 42's - much darker in character.

for the price though it would be hard to beat. anyone have any experience there?

 

[MrDan666]

Check out the Roland SDE-3000, it's extremely similar to the PCM-41/42 tonewise and i you can store presets on it. I think it also has tap tempo too

 

[phil b]

I've had a LXP 1, 5, 15, PCM 41, 42, 70, and 80. I also had the Roland SDE 1000 and 3000. Only units I kept were the 42 and the 70, which are still in my rig. The only thing that is a bit of downfall is that its not programmable, so its a bit limited in a guitar rig. The other units sound close, but there is something about the 42 unit itself that adds that little bit of "something" that makes it stand out from the other units. Thats what I liked about the Lex delays as apposed to the 2290, which is transparent. Other thing is its not true stereo so forget about different delay times for a stereo rig. From a price standpoint the cost for two 42's would still be cheaper than what some guys are asking for their 2290's. I honestly dont think you'll dig the MX series. The SDE 3000 was a good delay also, but it didnt have the same sound as the 42.

 

[stephen sawall]

I believe the future is in having a computer and the right hardware. The only thing that well really be other wise well be the analog stuff. Why more is not done in the world of analog controlled by digital I do not know.

I really feel the whole industry should very much be looking at the future of your phone being your whole digital rig and having the right hardware for it. I would look into your computer at this point and skip the rest. It is getting closer all the time. That is where I am at. This is the direction I am heading now.

 

[phil b]

I believe the future is in having a computer and the right hardware. The only thing that well really be other wise well be the analog stuff. Why more is not done in the world of analog controlled by digital I do not know.

I really feel the whole industry should very much be looking at the future of your phone being your whole digital rig and having the right hardware for it. I would look into your computer at this point and skip the rest. It is getting closer all the time. That is where I am at. This is the direction I am heading now.

Or an AxeFx.....

 

[glpg80]

I've had a LXP 1, 5, 15, PCM 41, 42, 70, and 80. I also had the Roland SDE 1000 and 3000. Only units I kept were the 42 and the 70, which are still in my rig. The only thing that is a bit of downfall is that its not programmable, so its a bit limited in a guitar rig. The other units sound close, but there is something about the 42 unit itself that adds that little bit of "something" that makes it stand out from the other units. Thats what I liked about the Lex delays as apposed to the 2290, which is transparent. Other thing is its not true stereo so forget about different delay times for a stereo rig. From a price standpoint the cost for two 42's would still be cheaper than what some guys are asking for their 2290's. I honestly dont think you'll dig the MX series. The SDE 3000 was a good delay also, but it didnt have the same sound as the 42.

not true stereo? ouch, thats another negative. no tap tempo, not true stereo. not programmable.

so you would need an already existing L and R signal and 1 unit minimum on each side to even simulate stereo L and R. but with 2.4 seconds of decay maximum, you would need two for left and two for right to get the right effect.

jesus christ

at this point i dont have a choice - definately cant make myself spend that kind of money with none of the features im looking for. its a great delay, but limited and are too expensive to run a dual mono simulating stereo.

what about a roland 3000 vs a D-two?

 

[glpg80]

I believe the future is in having a computer and the right hardware. The only thing that well really be other wise well be the analog stuff. Why more is not done in the world of analog controlled by digital I do not know.

I really feel the whole industry should very much be looking at the future of your phone being your whole digital rig and having the right hardware for it. I would look into your computer at this point and skip the rest. It is getting closer all the time. That is where I am at. This is the direction I am heading now.

Or an AxeFx.....

 

[OldSkoolNJ]

Yeh dam no wonder rack systems were so dam huge in the 80's

 

[glpg80]

I believe the future is in having a computer and the right hardware. The only thing that well really be other wise well be the analog stuff. Why more is not done in the world of analog controlled by digital I do not know.

I really feel the whole industry should very much be looking at the future of your phone being your whole digital rig and having the right hardware for it. I would look into your computer at this point and skip the rest. It is getting closer all the time. That is where I am at. This is the direction I am heading now.

this is nice and all, but i hate computer screen tweaking on the fly. thats annoying as all hell. and also, i cant be carrying a laptop with gigs. i can see it being the first thing being busted.

i do see what you mean steve. alot of what we use today are using processors simillar to the same architechture that computers are using if not identical.

 

[stephen sawall]

I believe the future is in having a computer and the right hardware. The only thing that well really be other wise well be the analog stuff. Why more is not done in the world of analog controlled by digital I do not know.

I really feel the whole industry should very much be looking at the future of your phone being your whole digital rig and having the right hardware for it. I would look into your computer at this point and skip the rest. It is getting closer all the time. That is where I am at. This is the direction I am heading now.

Or an AxeFx.....

Does he have a software version available ? I have no interest till then. Personally I feel the simulations are getting better all the time. In some ways they are better than analog. But in most respects I feel they still have a long way to go.

 

[stephen sawall]

I believe the future is in having a computer and the right hardware. The only thing that well really be other wise well be the analog stuff. Why more is not done in the world of analog controlled by digital I do not know.

I really feel the whole industry should very much be looking at the future of your phone being your whole digital rig and having the right hardware for it. I would look into your computer at this point and skip the rest. It is getting closer all the time. That is where I am at. This is the direction I am heading now.

this is nice and all, but i hate computer screen tweaking on the fly. thats annoying as all hell. and also, i cant be carrying a laptop with gigs. i can see it being the first thing being busted.

i do see what you mean steve. alot of what we use today are using processors simillar to the same architechture that computers are using if not identical.

This is why I have several computers .... one set up for home and a few lap tops. One of the lap tops does not even fold any more. Just beat to hell. That is the one I am on right now. I think they do have rack mount computers. If not it would be very easy to make one as road ready as any piece of rack gear.

 

[phil b]

I believe the future is in having a computer and the right hardware. The only thing that well really be other wise well be the analog stuff. Why more is not done in the world of analog controlled by digital I do not know.

I really feel the whole industry should very much be looking at the future of your phone being your whole digital rig and having the right hardware for it. I would look into your computer at this point and skip the rest. It is getting closer all the time. That is where I am at. This is the direction I am heading now.

this is nice and all, but i hate computer screen tweaking on the fly. thats annoying as all hell. and also, i cant be carrying a laptop with gigs. i can see it being the first thing being busted.

i do see what you mean steve. alot of what we use today are using processors simillar to the same architechture that computers are using if not identical.

This is why I have several computers .... one set up for home and a few lap tops. One of the lap tops does not even fold any more. Just beat to hell. That is the one I am on right now. I think they do have rack mount computers. If not it would be very easy to make one as road ready as any piece of rack gear.

To be honest, I wouldnt take out any PC to rely on my live rig tone. Sound reinforcement would be fine but not for a guitar rig. Right in the middle of a solo I can see the PC rebooting and i'm dead in the water. Plus, there are just certain sounds that come from different units that havent been able to be duplicated via software. Like you can have 5 delays set up and they will all have their characteristic to them. Thats why some guys like a 2290 and some a PCM42. They are both highly regarded delay units but they sound a bit different from each other. I am old skool but also completely open to fresh ideas and new technology. When the day comes that I can exactly reproduce my live guitar rig in a PC, I will be the first in line!

 

[stephen sawall]

I believe the future is in having a computer and the right hardware. The only thing that well really be other wise well be the analog stuff. Why more is not done in the world of analog controlled by digital I do not know.

I really feel the whole industry should very much be looking at the future of your phone being your whole digital rig and having the right hardware for it. I would look into your computer at this point and skip the rest. It is getting closer all the time. That is where I am at. This is the direction I am heading now.

this is nice and all, but i hate computer screen tweaking on the fly. thats annoying as all hell. and also, i cant be carrying a laptop with gigs. i can see it being the first thing being busted.

i do see what you mean steve. alot of what we use today are using processors simillar to the same architechture that computers are using if not identical.

This is why I have several computers .... one set up for home and a few lap tops. One of the lap tops does not even fold any more. Just beat to hell. That is the one I am on right now. I think they do have rack mount computers. If not it would be very easy to make one as road ready as any piece of rack gear.

To be honest, I wouldnt take out any PC to rely on my live rig tone. Sound reinforcement would be fine but not for a guitar rig. Right in the middle of a solo I can see the PC rebooting and i'm dead in the water. Plus, there are just certain sounds that come from different units that havent been able to be duplicated via software. Like you can have 5 delays set up and they will all have their characteristic to them. Thats why some guys like a 2290 and some a PCM42. They are both highly regarded delay units but they sound a bit different from each other. I am old skool but also completely open to fresh ideas and new technology. When the day comes that I can exactly reproduce my live guitar rig in a PC, I will be the first in line!

I have owned or used all the well known rack stuff. I only have a few digital pieces now. These days I use only a wa and a phase(vibe) for about everything I do. It has been almost two years since I have plugged into anything digital at all with a guitar.
I have noticed some pretty well know Jazz people use there lap top as there rig.
I guess for me I wish the digital stuff would catch up. I have a feeling things well change a lot there in the next few years. You are right .... it's just not there yet. I well not be spending any more of my money on the old digital stuff, been there .... no reason to go back at this time for me.

 

[OldSkoolNJ]

I don't know I think that is going to end up being a generation type thing to come in and embrace that, compared to previous generations that are used to turning knobs and certain sound qualities...

 

[supersonic]

I sold a PCM81 and bought a T-Rex delay pedal. For a guitar rig application I prefer the T-Rex easily.

 

[hunter]

I believe the future is in having a computer and the right hardware. The only thing that well really be other wise well be the analog stuff. Why more is not done in the world of analog controlled by digital I do not know.

I really feel the whole industry should very much be looking at the future of your phone being your whole digital rig and having the right hardware for it. I would look into your computer at this point and skip the rest. It is getting closer all the time. That is where I am at. This is the direction I am heading now.

this is nice and all, but i hate computer screen tweaking on the fly. thats annoying as all hell. and also, i cant be carrying a laptop with gigs. i can see it being the first thing being busted.

i do see what you mean steve. alot of what we use today are using processors simillar to the same architechture that computers are using if not identical.

This is why I have several computers .... one set up for home and a few lap tops. One of the lap tops does not even fold any more. Just beat to hell. That is the one I am on right now. I think they do have rack mount computers. If not it would be very easy to make one as road ready as any piece of rack gear.

To be honest, I wouldnt take out any PC to rely on my live rig tone. Sound reinforcement would be fine but not for a guitar rig. Right in the middle of a solo I can see the PC rebooting and i'm dead in the water. Plus, there are just certain sounds that come from different units that havent been able to be duplicated via software. Like you can have 5 delays set up and they will all have their characteristic to them. Thats why some guys like a 2290 and some a PCM42. They are both highly regarded delay units but they sound a bit different from each other. I am old skool but also completely open to fresh ideas and new technology. When the day comes that I can exactly reproduce my live guitar rig in a PC, I will be the first in line!

Well I have used laptops live when I did electronics music like 10 years back, but not with guitar.

However, I have to say I use my MacBook A LOT and it has never, I mean NEVER crashed in the past 3 years. I would have no issue using it with some effects given that I'd have top notch and fast AD/DA available.