How do I connect Lexicon M200 to Mixwizard 3?

[mikehende]

Hey guys, I got my son's Allen and Heath Mixwizard 3 this morning but can anyone tell me the best way to connect the Input and Output from the Lexicon to the Mixwiz 3 please?

https://i.postimg.cc/9fhhwY01/mixwiz.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/4d2qP6fD/Screen-Sh ... -16-AM.png

[Sam Spoons]

It depends what fx you are going to use, if it's delay/reverb based fx then he usual method would be to use a mono, pre-fade aux send to the Lexicon's mono input and return the outputs to either a stereo return or two channels. But I suspect your needs may be different and the other method would be to use two insert leads to patch the Lexicon into the main bus inserts (under the 'LL' in Allen in your pic). That way everything that passes through the mixer to your amps and speakers will pass through the Lexicon on the way.

Try both and see which gets the job done for you.

[CS70]

Hey guys, I got my son's Allen and Heath Mixwizard 3 this morning but can anyone tell me the best way to connect the Input and Output from the Lexicon to the Mixwiz 3 please?

https://i.postimg.cc/9fhhwY01/mixwiz.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/4d2qP6fD/Screen-Sh ... -16-AM.png

The "insert" socket you see is on the mixer is TRS and carries the send on one channel and the return on the other. To process a single mono channel, you use a Y TRS-to-2-TS jack, where the TRS goes in the mixer's socket and the TS cables go in the L (mono) in and out of the Lexi respectively.

To process a stereo source - i.e one which has two channels (say the mains out channel, for which the mixer has insert sockets as well, marked L and R on the left; or simply two mono channels carrying L and R of the stereo source) you do the same, but with two cables, pluggin the Y cable for the left channel into the L in and L out of the Lexi, and the Y cable for the right channel in the R in and R out.

As of the manual "The channel insert is post-HPF, pre-EQ and operates at 0dBu. The LR mix insert is pre-fader."

[mikehende]

Ok guys, appreciate the help and please bear with me as I am new to mixing boards. I am trying to soak in all of this unfamiliar terminology.

Since I have only one stack of speakers bass, mid and highs on a tri-amp config and have been running only my DJ Mixer's R Output into the EQ, I have connected the M jack of the Mixwiz to the EQ and the PC's OUT to Line 1 and 2, all is fine with the sound and power.

I have to say that yes the Mixwiz's sound is a little better right now than the DJ Xone23 mixer, might get even better after my bud comes on the w/e to optimize the entire system.

Now to the main deal, getting my Lexicon and Pioneer Reverb SR303 to work effectively on the Mixwiz.

So I connected the Aux and Line IN on Channel 1 on the mixwiz to the OUT L and R on the Lexicon and the INPUT on the Lexicon L and R to the Insert L and R on the mixwiz. Now I can hardly hear any music. I have the Lexicon's Input knob at Unity and even if I turn it all the way up still the issue. I have the Mix Knob set fully to Wet.

What am I doing wrong please? Also, please note I am using mono 1/4" unbalanced adapters on RCA'S for now but this wasn't an issue when the fx units was connected to the Xone 23.

[Sam Spoons]

As CS70 says the insert is a dual purpose socket, it needs a special lead and has both an output and an input in there. Plugging into the inserts without both send and return connected will break the signal which is why you aren't hearing anything. If you want to use the fx as send fx use post-fader* aux sends to feed the inputs of the fx units and return the fx to stereo returns or channels.

* sorry, minor brain f@rt in my previous post when I said 'pre-fade' send

[mikehende]

Alright, let me see if I can understand what you've just written plus what CS70 has written.

[Sam Spoons]

Some reading about mixing desk basics would probably help you https://www.dawsons.co.uk/blog/the-mixer-and-its-feature

A thought has just occurred to me, you only use a single speaker stack so your rig is mono. How are you getting your source material (laptop?) into the desk, if you don't convert it to mono in some way you could be only hearing one side of the stereo signal?

[mikehende]

The laptop's headphone OUT [3.5mm] to the Line IN on channel 1 and 2.

So I set the Direct OUT 1 and 2 to the Pioneer IN and it''s OUT back to ST2 and it's working now. in a little while will try the ST 1 for the Lexicon, will report back.

[Sam Spoons]

Using the direct outs will probably (certainly?) mean you aren't using the channel faders and using a stereo channel to return the signal will mean you are only getting left or right depending which main output you are sending to your speakers. What it the Pioneer doing?

[Hugh Robjohns]

A thought has just occurred to me, you only use a single speaker stack so your rig is mono. How are you getting your source material (laptop?) into the desk, if you don't convert it to mono in some way you could be only hearing one side of the stereo signal?

Sam, he said he's using the mixer's dedicated Mono output to feed his stack's active crossover/EQ.

[Sam Spoons]

But he says "and have been running only my DJ Mixer's R Output into the EQ" so I'm struggling to understand exactly how MikeHende has everything wired.

[mikehende]

The Pioneer is working but I will need the bud to work on the entire system hopefully on this coming Sunday if he should have the time. I am just trying to do some experimenting myself meantime and familiarize myself with the unit.

The more I work with the machine the better it sounds, right now it does make a BIG difference from the Xone 23 in terms of output performance and quality.

[Hugh Robjohns]

The more I work with the machine the better it sounds, right now it does make a BIG difference from the Xone 23 in terms of output performance and quality.

Bizarre!

Perhaps your X23 was broken... or you're noticing the benefits of balanced connections and the associated removal of ground loop noises...

But from a tech specs point of view, there really is nothing between them.

[mikehende]

But he says "and have been running only my DJ Mixer's R Output into the EQ" so I'm struggling to understand exactly how MikeHende has everything wired.

This might explain what I have done in a better way guys.



So Mixwiz Master OUT to EQ In, EQ OUT to Rane IN, that's pretty much it.

[CS70]

Alright, let me see if I can understand what you've just written plus what CS70 has written.

No worries, this jargon is confusing at start.

A TRS (Tip, Ring and Sleeve) cable is a regular cable, but it can carry two independent signals.

It's called a "stereo" cable, because a stereo signal is made, by definition, by a mono signal for the left sound and another mono signal for the right sound, transported together; for example the "mains out" from the mixer - that goes to the speaker - is a stereo signal So a TRS cable is a compact way capable of transporting around a stereo signal.

The signal that leaves the mixer and goes to the speakers is stereo (because you have two speakers, one on the left and one on the right)

A TS (Tip, Sleeve) cable instead is a cable carrying one signal only. It's called "mono" because, well, it carries only one signal. A regular microphone signal is for example a mono signal (unless of course you are using a stereo microphone ).

A signal path that can transport a signal is called "channel" - because the signal flows in it. A channel is made by a sequence of devices connected one after the other. There are stereo channels and mono channels, and a mixer usually allows you to combine a certain number of both - your mixer has 16 mono channels available. Each of them has a preamp, an insert point, an equalizer, a gain control, a fader etc..

(note that "channel" is sometimes used for the two mono components of a stereo signal, like in "left and right channel" - it's not confusing because it's usually quite clear what one's talking about).

The "insert point" is a socket which accepts a TRS (stereo) cable.. and uses its capability to carry two signals in a clever way: the (say) "left" side of the cable is used to send a signal to a mono input of a processor , while the other side is used to return the processed signal. So basically a stereo cable is used to carry a mono signal to the processor and back.

In order to do so you need a cable that uses a TRS jack on the mixer side, but splits into two TS (mono) jacks on the others ide, so you can place one in the input of the processor (to send the mono signal to be processed), and one in the output (to get the mono processed signal back).

Since this cable starts with one and bifurcates in two, it's called a Y cable.

Now your Lexicon is a stereo effect box: it's capable to process two mono signals at the same time. To do so, it has two mono Left and Right inptus and produces two mono Left and Right outputs. Two monos = stereo. As a note, Lexicon could have chosen to use a single TRS socket like the mixer does, but there are reasons for which effects usually don't - mostly ease of chaining mono and stereo effects.

It can also be used in mono (i.e. to process only one signal) by leaving the R input and output empty, with nothing coming in (and therefore nothing coming out). In this case it will notice that there's nothing on the R input and it will adjust how it works accordingly.

So it depends on what you want to do. Do you want to process a single mono signal ? You will need only one Y cable (TRS to two TS) , from the channel mixer insert point to the Left side of the Lexicon.

Do you want to process a stereo signal (for example, the entire stereo mix before it reaches the speakers)? Then you will need two Y cables: one for the Left, on for the Right.

[Sam Spoons]

In that pic you say you are sending the R output to the Rane EQ/Xover, it would be better if you sent to it from the Mono (bottom) output* as that is a mix of the right and left channels.

* As Hugh suggested.

[mikehende]

Ok thx.

[mikehende]

Alright, let me see if I can understand what you've just written plus what CS70 has written.

No worries, this jargon is confusing at start.

So it depends on what you want to do. Do you want to process a single mono signal ? You will need only one Y cable (TRS to two TS) , from the channel mixer insert point to the Left side of the Lexicon.

Do you want to process a stereo signal (for example, the entire stereo mix before it reaches the speakers)? Then you will need two Y cables: one for the Left, on for the Right.

Wow, thanks for taking the time and effort to give me this tutorial!

Yes, process a single mono signal since I am using only one stack of speakers.

I think I am going to have issues still with these 2 outboard fx units. I don't wish to frustrate you guys with this aspect, might be better if I wait until I can get my bud who does sound system installation over here but meantime I can at least try to see if I can get the units working.

So the current issue as I now seeing is the ST2 knob is working like a wet/dry mix knob and when I apply reverb it is decreasing the music's Audio level. This is an argument/discussion I had with my bud before. The way I had the fx connected on the Xone 23 was I ran the PC directly into the Pioneer Reverb's IN and then back out to the Line IN.

With that method applying the reverb was not decreasing the playing music's audio level as it is now with the ST2 control. I don't know if now with the ST2 knob acting like a wet/dry mix if that is the only way outboard fx units work with mixing boards?

[CS70]

Alright, let me see if I can understand what you've just written plus what CS70 has written.

No worries, this jargon is confusing at start.

So it depends on what you want to do. Do you want to process a single mono signal ? You will need only one Y cable (TRS to two TS) , from the channel mixer insert point to the Left side of the Lexicon.

Do you want to process a stereo signal (for example, the entire stereo mix before it reaches the speakers)? Then you will need two Y cables: one for the Left, on for the Right.

Wow, thanks for taking the time and effort to give me this tutorial!

Yes, process a single mono signal since I am using only one stack of speakers.

I think I am going to have issues still with these 2 outboard fx units. I don't wish to frustrate you guys with this aspect, might be better if I wait until I can get my bud who does sound system installation over here but meantime I can at least try to see if I can get the units working.

So the current issue as I now seeing is the ST2 knob is working like a wet/dry mix knob and when I apply reverb it is decreasing the music's Audio level. This is an argument/discussion I had with my bud before. The way I had the fx connected on the Xone 23 was I ran the PC directly into the Pioneer Reverb's IN and then back out to the Line IN.

With that method applying the reverb was not decreasing the playing music's audio level as it is now with the ST2 control. I don't know if now with the ST2 knob acting like a wet/dry mix if that is the only way outboard fx units work with mixing boards?

Yeah if you use an insert, the path will literaally go trhu the Lexi all the time.

Basically <source> --> mixer --> lexicon in --> lexicon out --> mixer --> main out

So the mix control will literally control the amount of wet/dry signal - reducing the dry when you increase the wet.

If you want to simply *add* the reverb without changing the dry level, it's simple:

you have to send the source on an aux (you do that by turning up a knob on the mixer channel where you have your source ), have the lexicon as an insert on the aux (with its mix knob all the way to WET) and then use the AUX fader to increase the reverb

Code: Select all

<source> -------> channel ---> main out 
         --aux--> reverb all wet --> main out 

[mikehende]

If you want to simply *add* the reverb without changing the dry level, it's simple:

you have to send the source on an aux (you do that by turning up a knob on the mixer channel where you have your source ), have the lexicon as an insert on the aux (with its mix knob all the way to WET) and then use the AUX fader to increase the reverb

Code: Select all

<source> -------> channel ---> main out 
         --aux--> reverb all wet --> main out 

Well, thanks a lot but sorry unfortunately it's not all that clear to me so let me try to clarify in slo-mo please and let's use the Pioneer Reverb which has a basic dual RCA Input and Output.

So I connect the PC's Out [dual RCA] to a Line IN then Aux1SEND to the Pioneer's IN L and R with a Y cable. Then the Pioneer's OUT goes to??? Since as you know I am having trouble with the mixing board's workings, if you can guide me in this format then it will be easier for me to get it done? Sorry for the trouble.

[James Perrett]

So I connect the PC's Out [dual RCA] to a Line IN then Aux1SEND to the Pioneer's IN L and R with a Y cable. Then the Pioneer's OUT goes to??? Since as you know I am having trouble with the mixing board's workings, if you can guide me in this format then it will be easier for me to get it done? Sorry for the trouble.

Yes that sounds right - and I think you had the output of the Pioneer going to the ST2 input? As far as I can see it might be better in the ST1 input but another alternative is to return it to a pair of the normal inputs - usually the right most channels (15 and 16 in your case). Returning effects to normal input channels gives you maximum versatility so that you can then change the sound of the effects with eq and start doing strange things like feeding one effect back to itself or out to another effect.

[mikehende]

Thanks, will try out your instructions in the morning and report back.

To clarify, when you say "normal input" you mean the Line Input?

Also, assuming I should get the Pioneer to work as advised, any idea how to connect the lexicon to get the same from the Lexicon please?

[mikehende]

Yes that sounds right - and I think you had the output of the Pioneer going to the ST2 input? As far as I can see it might be better in the ST1 input but another alternative is to return it to a pair of the normal inputs - usually the right most channels (15 and 16 in your case). Returning effects to normal input channels gives you maximum versatility so that you can then change the sound of the effects with eq and start doing strange things like feeding one effect back to itself or out to another effect.

Works exactly as you said! Got both units now working with the sliders on 13 and 14, 15 and 16. Will do some more equalizing tomorrow and report back, thanks a million guys!

[Arpangel]

I’ve got the 14-4–2, two of my effects come back on ST1/2, which can be routed to the stereo channels if needed, trouble with this is it’s OK if you’re using those effects on sources that don’t use those stereo channels, because if you route the FX to a source that does use them, you end up with a feedback loop, and two sources end up sharing the same EQ as well, not ideal, I always use stereo 1/2 routed to the main mix if I know I’m going to be using a stereo instrument channel.
A way around this is to use one of the A/B outs, to send an alternative mix to a new effect, that comes back on a normal input channel, but you need groups to select from to do this.

[CS70]

Yes that sounds right - and I think you had the output of the Pioneer going to the ST2 input? As far as I can see it might be better in the ST1 input but another alternative is to return it to a pair of the normal inputs - usually the right most channels (15 and 16 in your case). Returning effects to normal input channels gives you maximum versatility so that you can then change the sound of the effects with eq and start doing strange things like feeding one effect back to itself or out to another effect.

Works exactly as you said! Got both units now working with the sliders on 13 and 14, 15 and 16. Will do some more equalizing tomorrow and report back, thanks a million guys!

Sorry forgot to reply but glad James did and that you're sorted.