Released in 1993, the Lexicon Alex Digital Effects Processor was developed to make Lexicon digital reverberation and effects processing available at a considerably lower price than the company’s LXP and professional studio systems. Its streamlined 1U rackmount design replaced complex menus and extensive programming with a direct control system intended for project studios, musicians and live performers.
The Lexicon Alex Digital Effects Processor contains 16 permanent factory presets covering halls, rooms, plates, gated and reverse-style reverberation, chorus, flanging, echo and multitap delay. The reverb programmes comprise Large Hall, String Hall, Recital Hall, Chamber, Guitar Room, Tiled Room, Inverse, Gate, Gold Plate, Vocal Plate, Brass Plate and Percussion Plate. These are followed by Chorus, Flange, Echo and Delays programmes. Only one effect programme operates at a time.
Each preset provides three adjustable parameters selected using the front-panel Parameter button. The available controls are labelled Decay, Delay and FX Level, although their precise functions change according to the selected effect. Reverb programmes provide control over decay time, pre-delay and effect level, while the chorus, echo and delay programmes use the controls for delay, recirculation and effect level. The flange programme provides adjustment of its modulation characteristics and effect level.
Parameter values are adjusted through 16 predetermined steps rather than continuously variable numerical settings. Reverb decay times extend from approximately 0.15 to 8.9 seconds, depending upon the programme, with pre-delay values up to 245ms. The chorus and echo programmes provide delay times from 24ms to 1,500ms with recirculation reaching 93%, while the four-tap delay covers delay settings from 1.7ms to 505ms. Effect level can be adjusted from -28dB to 0dB or switched off.
Alongside the 16 permanent presets, the Lexicon Alex Digital Effects Processor provides 16 user registers for storing edited effects. The factory presets cannot be erased or overwritten, allowing their original settings to be recalled at any time. The Store/Clear control saves an edited programme to a selected register or removes a register from the recall sequence. An edited preset can also be compared with its original version before being stored.
The register system was designed to support both studio and live use. A dual footswitch can control bypass and step sequentially through the user registers. Cleared registers are skipped, allowing selected effects to be arranged into a customised register chain without requiring MIDI control. The Lexicon Alex Digital Effects Processor does not include MIDI connections or remote parameter automation.
Audio levels are governed by dedicated Input, Mix and Output controls. The Mix control adjusts the balance between processed and unprocessed signals, allowing the unit to be used directly with an instrument or connected to a mixing console’s auxiliary send and return system.
The Lexicon Alex Digital Effects Processor accepts stereo or mono input signals through unbalanced 6.35mm connectors. Stereo inputs are combined internally for processing, with the effect then presented across the stereo outputs. The right input and output connectors provide the mono connection path. A separate 6.35mm TRS socket accommodates the dual bypass and register-step footswitch.
Digital processing uses 16-bit linear PCM conversion at a sampling rate of 31.25kHz. The processed signal path has a frequency response extending to 15kHz and a typical dynamic range of 85dB. The dry signal path retains a wider 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response. Power is supplied by an external 9V AC adaptor.
Features
- 16 permanent factory effect presets
- 16 user registers for storing edited programmes
- Hall, room, chamber and plate reverberation programmes
- Inverse and gated reverberation effects
- Six-voice stereo chorus with echo
- Stereo flange, echo and four-tap delay effects
- Three adjustable parameters for every programme
- Preset comparison, storage and register-clearing functions
- Footswitch control of bypass and register stepping
- Dedicated Input, Mix and Output level controls