Lexicon MX500, Owner'S Manual

Page: 18 / 68

The MX500 and FireWire
TM
I/O
12
The mX500 and fIreWIre
Tm
I/o
The real strength of the MX500 is its capability to seamlessly integrate with music
created in your computer recording system. The FireWire
TM ports provide digital audio
connections between the MX500 and your VST and Audio Units compatible recording
software, allowing you to add reverb and effects processing without any analog-to-digi-
tal signal conversions. The MX500 accepts 16-bit and 24-bit audio at 44.1kHz, 48kHz,
88.2kHz and 96kHz sample rates using FireWire.
Instructions for using the MX500 with recording software (as a Hardware Plug-in) can
be found on page 39.
Plug-In mode
When you use the MX500 as a hardware plug-in within your computer recoding applica-
tion via FireWire, some System menu options become locked out and display the message
"Plugin Mode ". This only happens when the MX500 plug-in is opened and running
within your recording software. When you close the MX500 in in your project, the locked
System menu options become unlocked, and return to their previous settings.
The mX500 and s/PdIf I/o
The MX500 is equipped with two S/PDIF inputs and outputs (S/PDIF A and B). Each
S/PDIF pair is the digital equivalent of analog input/output pairs A and B. As long as
the MX500 is not in Plug-in mode (see page 12), the S/PDIF outputs always mirror
their analog output counterparts. This allows you to plug in an analog input source
and have it be output as a digital stream.
Note:
When the MX500 is in Plug-in mode, all inputs and outputs are disabled
(except the 1/4" analog outputs and the FireWire TM ports), and some System Menu
options are locked out. For more information about Plug-in mode, see page 12.
The MX500 has three options for input sources which are configurable in the System
Menu:
Analog Mono Left
,
Analog Stereo
and
Digital
. (Press the
System
button to access the System Menu; turn the
Page/Select
knob to scroll up and down
the menu.)
Each input pair (A and B) can have different audio sources selected depending on your
needs. While in the System Menu, use
Knobs A
,
B
, and
C
to change values. As with
all equipment that receives digital audio streams, when setting either Input Source A or
B to Digital, the MX500 can no longer use its own internal clock source for the audio
stream, and it is necessary to change the clock source from the MX500’s internal clock
to Digital.