PCM NATIVE REVERB BUNDLE OWNER’S MANUAL
The Lexicon® Legacy continues...
...with the PCM Native Reverb Bundle For over 40 years Lexicon® has been recognized as the golden standard of digital reverb and effects processing and has continuously introduced leading edge technology for the audio industry. Lexicon has again rocked the audio industry with a complete collection of the finest reverb plug-ins available.
Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the PCM Native Reverb Plug-in Bundle, an artful blend of seven celebrated Lexicon® reverb plug-ins. With decades of legacy products to pull from, the PCM Native Reverb Bundle includes the finest collection of Factory Presets available. Designed to bring the highest level of sonic quality and function to all of your audio applications, the PCM Native Reverb Bundle will take center stage in your DAW.
Table of Contents Installation................................................ 1 Install the Plug-in Bundle........................ 1 iLok License............................................. 1 First Look - The User Interface................. 2 Preset Category.................................. 3 Preset Selector................................... 3 Realtime Display................................. 3 EQ Window........................................ 3 Level Meters.......................................
Tempo Mode Presets................................ 21 The Algorithms......................................... 24 Chamber.................................................. 25 Hall.......................................................... 27 Random Hall............................................ 29 Plate........................................................ 31 Vintage Plate........................................... 33 Concert Hall............................................ 35 Room........................
Installation Install the Plug-in Bundle Insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive. The Installer should start automatically. If the Installer doesn’t start automatically, you can start it manually by opening the appropriate file on the CD: Mac®: Windows®: PCM Native Reverb Plug-in.mpkg setup.exe Once the Installer is open, follow the on-screen instructions to install the software you wish to use.
First Look - The User Interface When the plug-in is instantiated, you will see a window that looks something like this: Preset Category Realtime Display Algorithm Name Preset Selector EQ Window Level Meters Help Button Fader Area Control Buttons 2
Algorithm Name Displays the name of the currently selected algorithm. Preset Category Presets for the algorithm are grouped into categories to make them easier to find. For example, the Hall algorithm is broken into Small Halls, Medium Halls and so on. Clicking in this area will show the list of categories. Selecting a category will load the presets for that category in the Preset Selector. Preset Selector Displays the list of presets within the selected category.
The Realtime Display The realtime display window allows you to visualize the reverberation in three ways. While your ears will always be the primary tool in choosing and adjusting presets, the displays provide a direct way to see what’s going on. Click anywhere in the realtime display window to change the view.
Off This mode shows only the algorithm name. It is the default view for the plug-in and requires the least amount of CPU cycles. Multiband This display shows the reverb in five frequency bands, with the lowest frequency in the rear. The image moves from right to left as it ages. Frequency This display shows the reverb as a more traditional RTA image, with lower frequencies on the left. Impulse This display shows the signal as a single impulse response, The image moves to the left as it ages.
The EQ Window This window provides control of the output equalization: Graphic Display Early/Late Selectors EQ Type Selector Level Control 6 EQ Parameters
Graphic Display Shows the EQ in a graphic form. The active section (Early or Late) is in the forefront. Early/Late Selectors These buttons select which EQ section is currently being edited. ‘Early’ includes reflections, direct echo outputs and room patterns. ‘Late’ includes the reverb tail. EQ Type Selector Allows any of six types of EQ to be applied to the active section.
The Fader Area The fader area may be populated by up to nine faders. This illustration shows what may be found for each fader. Parameter Name Parameter Value Modifier Button Fader Parameter Name Shows the parameter being adjusted. Parameter Value Shows the current value of the parameter. This field may be directly edited. Modifier Button This button only appears for certain types of parameters. It controls aspects of the parameter.
The Control Buttons These buttons let you access all of a preset’s parameters, manage presets, and compare changes you’ve made to the original settings. Edit The Edit button makes the Navigation buttons visible. These buttons allow all of the algorithm’s parameters to be edited. See page 10 for more detailed information. Compare The Compare button temporarily restores the plug-in to the selected preset. It gives you a chance to see what was changed. While in compare mode, the plug-in is not editable.
Edit Navigation and Full Edit Mode When the “Edit” button is clicked, an additional row of buttons appear along the lower right portion of the plug-in. The names and number of buttons vary among algorithms. Clicking one of the buttons will bring up an edit page holding parameters related to the button name. Those parameters may be edited until the desired sound is achieved.
The Soft Row When the plug-in is first instantiated, a number of parameters appear. This page of parameters is called the “Soft Row”. These parameters were chosen as being the most useful parameter for a particular preset. In most cases, we’ve tried to make a consistent set of choices, but many presets call for different parameters. For most people, the soft row is all that’s needed. Customizing the Soft Row The Soft Row assignments are part of the preset.
Input and Mix Clicking the Input Mix button reveals a straightforward group of parameters, all of which are described in the “Parameters” section starting on page 38. The Predelay parameter includes an Absolute/Tempo button. In Absolute Mode, a delay is shown in milliseconds. In Tempo Mode, a rhythmic value is shown and the delay time responds to changes in the tempo using this plugin. If tempo slows down, delays get longer. Absolute/ Tempo Button 1. Click Edit 2.
Reverb The Reverb button opens a selection of parameters that are pertinent to the selected algorithm. Each parameter is described in the “Parameters” section starting on page 38. This edit page also includes an Infinite button (which lets the reverb echoes continue endlessly) and a Damping button, which controls the high frequency damping of the signal during the reverb tail. It may be considered analogous to air absorption. Damping Button Infinite Button 1. Click Edit 2.
Reflections and Echoes There are two types of delay voices in the Lexicon® plug-ins: Reflections are simple delay voices leading from one of the input channels to one of the output channels. Their delay time may be modified, as well as the output level and polarity. Echoes are similar to reflections but they have an additional control that allows them to feed a delayed signal back into the input. Both types of voices pass through the input diffusors. Absolute/Tempo Switch Master Time Control 1.
Room Control Most of the Room algorithm’s parameters are self-explanatory, and you can find their descriptions starting on page 38. Here are a few parameters unique to this algorithm: Bass Boost Room Scale Early Predelay Bass Xover Reverb Predelay Select room impulse category Select impulse Normal/Reverse impulse Click Room Predelay You will notice that there are two predelay parameters: • Early Predelay Is an overall predelay that delays all of the signal.
! NOTE: Though the term “impulse” is used in this manual, these algorithms are NOT convolution reverbs! Room Scale Is used to change the size of a room impulse. Bass Xover Controls the frequency of a filter that is applied to the room impulse. It works in conjunction with Bass Boost. Bass Boost Can boost or cut the signal below the Bass Xover value. On the right side of the fader field, you will see a pair of drop-down menus and a button.
Factory Presets Each plug-in comes with a large complement of Factory Presets. These presets are grouped in categories (Medium Halls, Large Halls, etc) that make it easier for you to find the sound you need. Most presets also come with several variants that may save you a lot of editing time. For example, most of the reverb presets have dark, light, bandpass and notch variants. These variants share the same basic characteristics, but are EQ’ed differently.
Storing and Managing Presets When you load a Lexicon® plug-in, the overall appearance may be something like this: You will notice that the Lexicon plug-in (with the gold border) is embedded within a larger window provided by the DAW. Appearance will differ from host to host (this example is from Logic®). Oftentimes, the DAW itself provides the ability to save presets. The presets saved by the DAW can only be used with the DAW that saved them. If you work with multiple DAWs, this could be a problem.
Portable Presets Lexicon® has provided a solution by providing portable User Presets. When you store presets with the Lexicon “Store” button (shown below), your presets are available to all DAWs on your machine. With only a little effort, you can also share them with other machines, even when going between Mac and PC. If you’ve made some edits you’d like to save as a plug-in, press the “Store” button on the lower left corner of the plug-in editor. You’ll see a screen that looks like this: 1.
If you select one of the existing presets in the library, you can replace or delete that preset. 1. Click on a preset 2. Preset name appears here 3. Click to replace, or Click to delete Where are presets stored? On the Mac, User Presets are stored in: /Home/Library/Application Support/LexiconPro/Native/User Presets/AlgorithmName Home is the name of the account you’re logged in under. AlgorithmName is the name of the plug-in.
Getting the most out of your computer These plug-ins are written to be efficient, and most computers will run more copies than you may need. But if you find yourself needing to squeeze a little bit more out of your CPU, you can take the following simple steps: • Turn off the active realtime display. The active display window can represent your effect in real time in several ways. However, this display consumes some of your computer’s processing power.
The Heritage
Lexicon® occupies a unique position as a leading innovator in both professional and consumer audio industries. Since the release of the first digital delay, Lexicon has stood at the forefront of digital audio with a reputation as a manufacturer of exceptional professional audio and home theater products and an inventor of new technologies. Years of research, development, and learning allow us to continue expanding the boundaries of the listening experience.
The Algorithms You’ve just received a package with seven plug-ins, each one controlling a different algorithm. Why would you choose one over another? Experience will eventually give you a feeling, but in the meantime a little description won’t hurt.
Chamber The echo chamber was the original high-end reverberator. It was a small-to medium-sized space with highly reflective and irregularly-shaped walls. Inside this space would be a microphone or two and a speaker or two. The input signal was sent to the speakers and picked up by the microphones. With careful design and setup, a highly satisfying reverb could be generated. There are still a number of first-rate echo chambers in operation around the world.
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Hall The highly acclaimed Lexicon® Hall, Concert Hall, and Random Hall reverb algorithms have regularly been used by live sound and recording engineers because of their exceptional ability to reproduce the musical ambience of large, wide, panoramically wonderful spaces. A hall is the principal venue for classical ensembles, but has proven to be useful for all types of music. A hall is comparatively large, with wall-to-wall distances that are typically several tens of meters.
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Random Hall The highly acclaimed Lexicon® Hall, Concert Hall, and Random Hall reverb algorithms have regularly been used by live sound and recording engineers because of their exceptional ability to reproduce the musical ambience of large, wide, panoramically wonderful spaces. Random Hall is similar to Hall, with gradual build-up, well suited to complex sounds like orchestral music.
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Plate A Plate reverb is a large, thin sheet of metal suspended upright under tension on springs. Transducers attached to the plate transmit a signal that makes the plate vibrate, causing sounds to appear to be occurring in a large, open space. The Plate plug-in mimics the sound of plate reverberators, with high initial diffusion and a relatively bright, colored sound. For this reason, they are good choices for percussion.
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Vintage Plate This version of the Plate algorithm has the new equalization touches from the PCM96 plate, but also has characteristics of older plate implementations. It “speaks” differently, with different input diffusion and it also has an additional pair of echo voices. A Plate reverb is a large, thin sheet of metal suspended upright under tension on springs. Transducers attached to the plate transmit a signal that makes the plate vibrate, causing sounds to appear to be occurring in a large, open space.
Concert Hall The highly acclaimed Lexicon® Hall, Concert Hall, and Random Hall reverb algorithms have regularly been used by live sound and recording engineers because of their exceptional ability to reproduce the musical ambience of large, wide, panoramically wonderful spaces. This reverb is an updated version of one of Lexicon’s oldest algorithms. It was an essential part of many of the mixes of the late seventies and eighties.
Room The Room algorithm was introduced in the PCM96 and is one of the most flexible algorithms we’ve ever invented. Reflection patterns can be easily selected, scaled and equalized all while simultaneously passing audio, and the room size can be instantly changed or reversed. It is similar to other Lexicon® reverbs in that it is used to create the illusion of space. However it differs in important ways. A room is comprised of a selectable early impulse taken from actual room measurements.
The Parameters The seven plug-in reverbs contain hundreds of presets, covering just about every possible need. But you can refine and customize any preset by adjusting its parameters. Parameters are the building blocks within each preset that determine how it sounds and behaves. Each algorithm contains a set of parameters, and a variety of those parameters are combined to create a preset. Below are all the algorithm parameters you can edit in the PCM Native Plug-ins.
Bass XOV (Bass Crossover) The Bass XOV parameter is closely tied to the BassRT parameter. It represents the frequency below which BassRT has an effect. Note that there are two of these parameters in the Room algorithm. One is tied to BassRT, the other is found in the Pattern settings menu and affects the BassBoost. Category (Room) This parameter lets you select a specific category from which a room response may be chosen. Changes here have a direct effect on the Pattern Selector parameter.
Diffusion Input diffusion is the first part of processing for any signal entering a reverb or delay. It can be described as a smearing or softening of the signal and is typically used to lessen the impact of strong transients. Bass Crossover (Bass XOver) (Room) This parameter is closely tied to the Early Bass Boost parameter. It represents the frequency below which early bass boost has an effect.
Frequency This parameter lets you set the cutoff frequency of the multimode filter. The audible effect of this is determined by the Type parameter. Front Early Level This parameter acts as a master control for any early signals going to the output channels. Early signals include echoes, reflections, and the room reflection patterns. Infinite This parameter captures the reverb tail as an infinite loop. This may be useful in music, where a note or chord can be extended.
Predelay This is used to add a small amount of delay to a signal before it enters the reverberator. This is used to create a little separation between the wet and dry signals, in turn creating greater clarity in the mix. This delay can also be toggled into Tempo Mode, causing the delay value to be related to the tempo of the music. Reflection Parameters • Rfl Delay Controls the delay time of a reflection. This can be toggled to Tempo Mode, in which case its delay time will be related to tempo.
Reverb Wander This parameter (also known as just Wander), along with Reverb Spin, is used to control the reverb randomizer. It controls the maximum size of randomizer steps, and is expressed in a time value (typically milliseconds). RT Hi Cut This parameter, also known as Hicut or RTHC is a low-pass filter in the recirculating part of the reverb. It represents a frequency above which the tail dies away more quickly.
Shape and Spread The Shape parameter is closely tied to the Spread parameter. Shape controls how energy is injected into the reverberator. A low value means that sound enters the reverb at the beginning of the spread window. A high value means that most sound moves into the reverb at the end of the spread window. A value somewhere in the middle means that sound enters the reverb evenly across the spread window. Tip: Shape will not have this effect if spread is at its minimum value.
Shelf This parameter effects all filter types. The shelf specifies the audio level below which the filter has no effect. For example, let’s imagine we’re using a one-pole lowpass with shelf set at -12 dB. The lowpass filter affects only the strongest 12 dB of the signal. Below the shelf, the signal is unfiltered. This is easy to understand by viewing the EQ window. Size (Reverb Size) Size corresponds roughly to the length of the longest wall of a rectangular room.
Tail Width This parameter is present in all stereo reverbs and rooms. The reverb tail (all components of the reverb except for early reflections, etc.) is passed through a simple 2x2 matrix. This provides an encoding of the tail that dramatically changes its spatial characteristics. The tail can be changed to feel narrower (even down to mono) or wider than normal stereo. There are values for the parameter to encode the tail in such a way that it decodes into surround channels.
Impulses Overall Decay trend Tap Slope = 0 Positive Tap Slope Negative Tap Slope It can also be used to create inverse and gated effects. In this case, Reverb Time should be at 0. Spread should be fairly high. Shape should be fairly high. Size should be fairly high. TapSlope should be in the range of (5 to 10). Play with spread, shape and size to vary the effect.
www.lexiconpro.com Harman 8760 South Sandy Parkway, Sandy, Utah 84070, U.S.A. Phone: 801.568.7660 | Fax: 801.568.7662 Questions or comments? Visit us at www.lexiconpro.com ©2011 Harman. All rights reserved. Lexicon is a registered trademark of Harman. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. All features and specifications are subject to change. Printed in the U.S.A.
