Lexicon vs. Megaverb/Classic verb ?

[ISedlacek]

I have Lexicon PCM-91. I wonder how it would compare to TC Powercore Megaverb and Classic verb. Comparable ? Similar level of reverb quality ? Since PCM-91 does not work in 96kHz , I am thinking of a good substitute. Waves IR is CPU vampire and I feel that PCM -91 sounds a way better than Waves. I however have never heard Mega and Classic verbs (many people praise them a lot).

[nlc201]

Does it really matter that it doesen't work at 96 kHz? That is a classic unit even if used analog. Are you unhappy with it's sound? I've used the TC Megaverb and it's not even in the same hemisphere as the Lexicon quality wise. If you have a system where it is not feasible to use this unit in an analog mode or you simply need a lot of instances of reverb I can understand, but seriously man...... not even close. I will say that I've not heard the classic verb so I cannot comment on that. But to my ears, the 91 still beats out most algorithms on the TC 6000 hardware unit which is pretty much their top of the line (although that unit kicks some serious booty). I've not heard a plugin reverb yet that can touch the higher end Lexicons. But, that's just my ears and my opinion. I'll trade you the Megaverb for the 91 if you want


Good luck!

[C.Lambrechts]

Originally posted by nlc201
But to my ears, the 91 still beats out most algorithms on the TC 6000 hardware unit which is pretty much their top of the line (although that unit kicks some serious booty)

wow, guess you realy like that 91 then.

I liked my 91 back when I had one ... kinda regret selling it, even though I ended up using just one particullar preset. Some vocal reverb / tap delay preset. So damn handy and allways sounded good on quick demo's.

[buickwilson]

what's great about audio and art. everyone has their favs..

for me I prefer the TC6000 much more over the PCM91... more versital, and cleaner sounding..

I don't use plugin verbs, but will use the TC works chorus...

[ISedlacek]

Originally posted by nlc201
Does it really matter that it doesen't work at 96 kHz? That is a classic unit even if used analog. Are you unhappy with it's sound? I've used the TC Megaverb and it's not even in the same hemisphere as the Lexicon quality wise.

No, I am happy with PCM-.91. Sometimes I feel that some reverb plugin sounds really good, but when I return to PCM, this illusion disappears very quickly ...
96kHz would be nice (I work in it all the time now). I have some problems with analog inserts, since there is always some ground hum coming.
So after recording everything in 96 kHz, I transport all the tracks to 44,1 session (using Voxengo SRC) and mix it there. Still retaining the advantage of higher sound quality of 96 kHz

I never heard TC reverb, but I absolutely don´t care how "realistic" the reverb is. I need nice, lush musical sound. And from what I heard, this is a domain of Lexicon ...

I actually compared directly Waves IR 1 (reverb units samples) with Lexicon 91, Lexicon was always the clear winner ... Much more sophisticated, professional sound.

[C.Lambrechts]

Originally posted by ISedlacek
I have some problems with analog inserts, since there is always some ground hum coming.

tutt tutt tutt tutt

ground loop ? bad wiring ? parasites on the AC net ?


tutt tutt tutt tutt

[blackcatdigi]

Originally posted by nlc201
That is a classic unit even if used analog. Are you unhappy with it's sound?

Always shocking how differently we hear things...

Don't know if I'd classify the 90/91 as "classic..."

Ranks as my least favorite Lex box.

I used a 90 (pretty much the same thing?) for several years. After some debate, we pulled it outta the rack and off to E-bay it went. To be honest I just never found anything in it I really liked. Didn't suck, just never blew my skirt up on anything. PIA GUI. For the last year or so, the only thing I ever used it for was the PCM60 emulation setting for a drum verb. (Now that is funny!) Lest you think I don't care for Lex, I LOVE the 70/300/480 stuff, really like the 60 and of course, the 41/42/93/95 delay units. Hell, I actually prefer the Lexiverb plug to the 90!, and even the MPX1 was more useful, day to day...

So, out the door went the 90 and MPX1 (replaced by KSP8).

[Bernd G]

I.,
I have both the CLassic and the Mega Reverb, running on a Powercore. We also have a Lexicon 480, 224, 90, an old AKG 68K and a BX20. I have also heard the System 6000, the M5000 and the Lexicon 300. I can tell you that none of the plugins do the job for me. Sometimes I find Reverb One (shitidesign) and the Platinum Reverb in LOGIC useful. Generally, when using the Classic and/or MegaReverb I get better results when I process (freeze) tracks with reverb and then add them as soundfiles to the preexisting (unprocessed) tracks. Perhaps a jitter/timing and or resolution issue? The IR reverb in SEQUOIA I use quite a bit for postproduction, more than any of the other reverb plugins. For some reason the reverb always sounds better in post processing as opposed to real-time. But the truth is that in most cases I prefer the larger Lexicons in direct comparisons. It really is all about the algorithms, and less about the actual hardware implementation. I suppose David Griesinger really does know his stuff. And yes, I do work in 96 K most of the time, yet run the Lexicon analog in/out through some auxes. No problem here, except that it is time consuming because it has to be done in real-time. For classical music when time and money permits I usually retrack things in various halls. Expensive, but worth it.
Cheers

P.S.: For your groundloop problems I would recommend looking into getting a balanced powersupply. Dropped 7dB in noisefloor in our room!

[Geert van den Berg]

If the Lex91 works for you just keep it. I would try to sort out that hum problem and stay working at 96kHz. Might be cheaper and better sounding.

I like the 91 too!

[Boogle]

I think I understand what ya sayin blackcatdigi. Both my 91 & 81 are in danger of finding new homes unless they start to 'excite'.

I expected something beautiful from them, not just 'bread and butter'.