Lexicon 20/20 AD is a professional analogue to digital converter designed to provide flexible high resolution conversion for studio and mastering environments. The Lexicon 20/20 AD can be configured as a two channel 20 bit converter or as a four channel 18 bit converter, allowing it to adapt to different production workflows while maintaining high audio performance. Its architecture is centred around precision conversion combined with extensive digital domain processing, giving engineers both transparency and creative control at the point of capture.
At the core of Lexicon 20/20 AD are twin on board digital signal processors that handle 20 bit to 16 bit compression, DC removal, and selectable dithering. Four dither types plus an off setting are provided, enabling correct optimisation when recording to lower bit depth media. The digital compressor is designed not only as a safety mechanism against clipping, but also as a creative tool. It offers 195 soft compression curves and 13 time constants, making it suitable for tasks such as gentle overload protection, dynamic range management, and non linear transfer functions that emulate tape saturation or analogue compression behaviour.
Lexicon 20/20 AD front panel controls are clearly organised into three functional sections covering conversion, compression, and synchronisation and output formatting. Input level control, peak hold, attenuation, channel linking, emphasis, display options, and sample rate selection are all directly accessible. The compressor section provides gain, threshold, release, and mode controls, allowing detailed shaping of how the digital compression interacts with incoming signals. Visual feedback is provided through comprehensive front panel indicators for input level, threshold activity, dither selection, format selection, sample rate, and sync status.
The unit provides four analogue input channels. In two channel mode, only channels one and two are active, and the dynamic range of the converter is extended, making this mode ideal when maximum resolution is required. Four channel mode allows simultaneous conversion of four sources, with a slight reduction in dynamic range that still remains suitable for high quality multichannel recording. This flexible routing makes Lexicon 20/20 AD practical for stereo mastering, multichannel recording, and backup or parallel capture applications.
Clocking options include internal operation at 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz, as well as external synchronisation via AES or Word Clock across a wide lock range. Digital audio outputs are provided in duplicate sets, each offering AES on XLR, S/PDIF on RCA, and optical output. All digital outputs are active at all times, allowing the Lexicon 20/20 AD to feed multiple recorders or devices simultaneously, or to act as a digital distribution and synchronisation source within a larger system. Additional features such as a digital sinewave generator and a time aligned tone burst generator support system calibration, testing, and multichannel alignment during post production.
Features
- Configurable two channel 20 bit or four channel 18 bit analogue to digital conversion
- Twin digital signal processors for compression, dithering, and DC removal
- Digital compressor with extensive curve and time constant options
- Multiple dither types for optimisation when recording to 16 bit media
- Four analogue input channels with extended dynamic range in two channel mode
- Internal and external clock synchronisation options
- Simultaneous AES, S/PDIF, and optical digital outputs
- Digital sinewave generator and alignment tone burst functions
- Front panel control and metering for conversion, compression, and sync status