Lexicon Signature 284 Stereo Recording Amplifier

Having always been interested in comments about this unit over the years from fellow owners, I think sometimes I’m one of the few consistent users of it, or at least who have found its best applications. I’ve had mine since 1998. The difference for me, perhaps, is I never looked it at as anything other than a direct recording device. A couple times when in a live band I ran it into the board and it went into the PA, but otherwise have used the recording outs exclusively going into my DAW.

I think some of the reservations expressed of the 284 stem from hooking it into cabs. I don’t think this is the best function vis a vis the design of it. I use it in a 4CM arrangement with a tc electronic G-Major 2, but have also used other effects unit similarly. There are two tones I’m after: 1) a clean, stereo tone suitable for arpeggiated notes, where I use none of its distortion capabilities, and 2) a high gain, singing lead tone, where I have various booster/distortion pedals before the input. I think the amp takes the boost from these pedals well, and it even works for distorted chords where you may not be looking for a “chug” effect, but more like an progressive rock articulated tone.

I adjust the master and individual (stereo) volumes together to adjust my output levels and usually don’t use the preamps internal boost, which is activated by pulling out the main volume knob. But you can do that for more sustain if you want, but I feel it dirties up the tone too much. There can be quite a bit of gain if you want it. I like to roll off a bit of the high end on my leads when mixing.

Because it’s a tube amp, it gets great harmonics and responds to attack very well. I also think certain effects should only be heard in stereo, and really like that capability of the 284. So…no losses from microphones and another preamp stage, silent recording if you need it, and a thick, very tube-y distortion. The 284 has remained my primary source for recording solos.