Lexicon PCM81 Effects Processor >>> Discontinued July 2009

LEXICON PCM81 Details ^top

The PCM 81 Digital Effects Processor has everything that made the PCM 80 the top choice among studio effects processors – and more. More effects, more algorithms, longer delay, and full AES/EBU I/O. Each effect has an uncompromised stereo reverb with several voices of additional effects. A full complement of Pitch Shifters provides doubling, quadruple-tracking, chorus, and pitch correction within a range of up to three octaves (up or down) - in one cent increments, as well as unique special effects. 300 presets give you instant access to pitch, reverb, ambience, sophisticated modulators, over 21 seconds of delay time, and dynamic spatialization effects for 2-channel or surround applications.

The PCM 81 features two digital signal processors: Lexicon's proprietary Lexichip™, to run the reverbs, and a second DSP engine to handle the other effects. With 24-bit internal processing, a true stereo signal path, balanced analog I/O, full AES/EBU and S/PDIF digital I/O, the ability to mix analog and digital inputs together, and extensive modulation capabilities, the PCM 81 offers an enormous range of studio quality effects.

Pitch FX and Vocal Fix algorithms and presets (available for the PCM 80 on PC cards) are built into the PCM 81. Adding Lexicon's Dual FX algorithm card and preset cards for the PCM 80 (which all work with the 81) increases the number of algorithms to over 40 and the number of presets to nearly 800.

Features at a Glance

• All of the features of the PCM 80 PLUS built-in PITCH and Vocal FIX
• AES/EBU and S/PDIF I/O
• 17 Algorithms: 4-Voice, 6-Voice and Pitch
• 300 Preset programs; 50 User
• Dynamic spatialization effects for 2-channel or surround applications

Standard Features

• Studio-standard reverbs and effects, including all of the algorithms from
  the legendary PCM-70.
• A single Adjust knob is automaticall y attached to all applicable
  parameters in each factory tailored preset. This allows fast and powerful
  modification of each preset in real time without ever going into the Edit
  mode.
• Optional PC (PCMCIA) Cards for both new algorithm programs and user
  presets
• Pro and Go Modes: Go mode gives you access to as many as ten
  hand-picked parameters for any particular preset. Pro Mode allows full access to an Edit Matrix of as many as a hundred parameters.
• Balanced Analog I/O - XLR and 1/4" inputs and outputs.
• Digital Inputs & Outputs (S/PDIF)
• 300 Presets and 50 User Registers are internal and standard
• 24 Bit Internal Processing
• Multiple DSP Architecture
• PCMCIA Card Slot for software updates and program storage
• Over 21 seconds of delay time.
• Unique Tempo Modes including Tap-Tempo and MIDI clock control
• Dynamic Spatialization: 3-D effects processing (compatible with Surround
  Sound systems)
• A Library of over 700 carefully crafted factory programs with resident
  and PC-card software.

The PCM 81 Stunning Effects
The PCM 81 takes where the PCM 80 left off, and adds AES/EBU Digital I/O, includes algorithms and presets from the Pitch FX and Vocal Fix Cards, and adds 24-bit converters for even higher quality audio.
The PCM 81 maintains Lexicon's highest standards for sonic clarity, and its extraordinary processing power yields the finest effects available in its price class, plus outstanding reverberation.

The Interface
Considerable effort went into providing you with processors that are as comfortable to operate as they are a joy to hear. At the top operating level, you simply load the desired program: we have assigned an immediately-useful parameter to the Adjust knob. For example, if you load the preset 4-Voice Concert Hall, the Adjust knob controls the reverb decay time.

The next level was designed for professionals who want to further customize programs, but do not have the time to wade through the myriad of controls which we offer. In this mode, as many as ten of the most logical parameters in a given effect are easily accessible for customization.

For the sound designer, there is a further mode which allows access to the full editing matrix in the PCM 80. This mode features a user-assignable soft row, where you can store your own favorite parameters, as well as the full editing matrix. It is in this mode that the user can access the extensive modulation capabilities of the PCM 80.

Dynamic Patching
When we introduced the PCM 70, one of its many exciting new features was our invention of Dynamic MIDI®, which ushered in a whole new approach to controlling effects. With the PCM 81 and PCM 91, we've taken that concept to a whole new level – to give you unprecedented control over your effects. From modulating sounds, to altering the attack and decay characteristics of the sound, to producing unusual and ethereal spaces, Dynamic Patching gives these processors a truly unique set of capabilities.

Dynamic Patching makes it possible to go way beyond simple modulation effects. In the PCM 81, for example, you can create modulation sweeps which move in time with the music, or wildly changing effects with a life of their own. You have the power to make your effects come alive as a vital part of your work.

The Dynamic Patching matrix maps data from any of 143 possible control sources to any effect parameter. These sources include 126 different MIDI controllers, and external sources such as footswitches and footpedals. Internal controllers include Tempo (both internal Tap and external MIDI clock), LFOs (Sine, Cosine, Square, Triangle, Pulse, Sawtooth), Time Switches, Latch, AR Generator, and Left & Right Envelope Followers. Up to ten patches can be created per effect.

The PCM 81 is particularly suited to make use of Dynamic Patching, thanks to the way we allow you to control effects parameters. In a conventional patch scaling configuration, you have a Maximum and Minimum value, and you can modulate between them. In the Dynamic Patching matrix, you can set up to eight points (see diagram), allowing very complex and mind-altering modulation paths.

Tempo Control
In recent Lexicon processors, we have implemented powerful tap-tempo control over delay lines. The PCM 81 and PCM 81 offer not only a tap tempo control, but also offer several rhythmic variations on the tap.
In the PCM 81 and PCM 91, the tempo can also be 'dialed-in' – you can set the tempo in beats-per-minute. Both units allow you to generate MIDI clock from your tap, as well as receive MIDI tempo from an external sequencer or drum machine. One other unique feature unique to the PCM 81 and PCM 91 is the ability to have the tempo control LFO speeds and Time Switch controls. Thus all of your modulations can be synchronized with your music.
Furthermore, you can set independent rhythmic values per parameter within the same program. Tempos can be read as both Rhythmic value and Absolute Time value.
For long-delay aficionados, the PCM 81's maximum delay time is 21 seconds.

Dynamic Spatialization
Another radical new concept in the PCM 81 and PCM 91 is their dynamic spatialization effects. Two independent spatial processors allow you to place effects virtually anywhere between your loudspeakers – or even beyond them. Most significantly, they allow you to locate the effects dynamicall y, thus creating different spaces that change along with the music.
For example, when playing sustained chords through Steered Rear, the PCM 81 automaticall y steers the reverb around you (into full rear in surround sound) when the input audio decays past the threshold.
PC Card Slot

The PCM 81 and PCM 91 carry on Lexicon's tradition of products that will stand the test of time. Both units include an industry-standard PC Card (formerly PCMCIA) slot. RAM cards can be used to store your own programs, while Lexicon is issuing a continuing series of effects cards which include new algorithms and capabilities. There is also a series of cards featuring unique programs from the industry's top sound designers, including effects aimed specificall y at film sound, music recording, live and broadcast applications. We're confident that the PCM 81 and PCM 91 will remain a part of your effects rack for a very long time.

The Sounds: Redefining Effects
Within the PCM 81 is a comprehensive blend of sounds, from beautiful and lush to completely wild effects. The PCM 81 offers 200 presets for a wide range of applications from musical uses, both performance and recording, (for example Prime Blue, Env Notches, RotoWood, and a range of tempo-based delay programs) to effects designed specificall y for sound effects and video post production (such as Into Tunnel or Superball) or even dance remixing (AdjustToFreeze, V-Eliminate). And, for fans of classic Lexicon sounds, we have also included updated versions of many of the great effects from the legendary PCM 70, like Tiled Room and Concert Hall.

The PCM 81 features all-new specially-designed algorithms to create the effects, grouped into two general classes: 4-Voice and 6-Voice.

The 4-Voice algorithms, Concert Hall, Plate, Chamber, Inverse and Infinite, each combine a specific type of reverb with a 4-voice stereo 'effect toolbox', call ed the Reverb Shell. This provides 'post processing' for the reverb. For example, it is possible to take an inverse reverb and assign a modulated delay to detune it (we call it Ghost Flange).

The 6-Voice algorithms, Glide>Hall, Chorus+Reverb, Multiband+Reverb, Res 1>Plate and Res 2>Plate, each combine a specific type of reverb with a specialized 6-voice stereo effect. In these algorithms you can combine, for example, the shimmer of a multi-voice chorus with a lush reverb tail (as in our Wet Chorus).

Most significantly, the PCM 81 has been designed to offer these extensive effects possibilities without compromise. The new hardware platform in the PCM 81 ensures that you'll always enjoy Lexicon quality reverb and effects.

Lexicon's unique dual-DSP platform enables the PCM 81 to create the most flexible effects combined with superb reverberation, while the PCM 91 offers reverberation programs that rival Lexicon's top-end 481L and 300L. Together, the PCM 81 and PCM 91 are unsurpassed an essential combination for studio and musician alike.

The PCM 81 includes algorithms and presets from the PCM 80 Picth FX and Vocal Fix Cards, to even further expand your sonic arsenal.