Lexicon PCM 96 Plugin option vs hardware usage

[Shimona]

I just got a Lexicon PCM 96 and it has the ability to be used as a plugin in my DAW, so I was wondering if anyone has any opinions on whether there is a difference in sound using it this way as apposed to using the unit itself as a aux send on a console. Besides the subtle effect the console may have on the sound, is digital just digital regardless for this unit, or have any of you done a comparison and found a difference?
thanks,
Lee

[KRStudio]

I read a review and the guy could not tell any difference in tone but did like the extra pair of send/return he got from using it as a plug.

[Shimona]

Sweet, thanks for the response!

[World Studios]

I can hear a slight difference in tone. Might have to do with latency compensation not working 100% right, but it does sound better over aes, but the plugin functionality is to die for, so I run it over fw getting twice the power.

[Jonathan Starr]

PCM96 runs huge latency numbers on f/w. Took Lex a long time to get it fairly stable, but it still seems to affect stuff.

Wish there was an upgrade path to the PCM96 surround AES.

[flute player]

Why to use a plugin version when you have the hardware unit.
I would suggest them to make some top noch IR samples of this unit.
Acousticas did a great deal with the M7.
Might be the best cooperation for the job over there to fix it for them.

Greetz,

Paul

[drBill]

I'm using mine with analog i/o's and am happy as a clam.

[elambo]

Originally Posted by flute player

Why to use a plugin version when you have the hardware unit.

The plugin is only acting as a controller - the hardware is processing the algorithms in every mode.

[elambo]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Starr

PCM96 runs huge latency numbers on f/w. Took Lex a long time to get it fairly stable, but it still seems to affect stuff.

Huge latency? I can play into it live and I'm not picking up a lot of latency. On playback it's compensated for.

What stuff is it affecting?

[Michael Carnes]

Hey guys,
Just so you'll know, we've got a new version out with beta testers right now. Stability is much improved--now works with PT8 and Digital Performer. Latency is a bit lower, too. Shouldn't be long...

[Jonathan Starr]

Great news, NS. Mahalo.

[Rickard]

PC version in the works yet?

Dean

[drBill]

Originally Posted by Rickard

PC version in the works yet?

Dean

Not going to happen according to everything they have said. It's been publicly stated many times.

[leebridges]

Originally Posted by Nobody Special

Hey guys,
Just so you'll know, we've got a new version out with beta testers right now. Stability is much improved--now works with PT8 and Digital Performer. Latency is a bit lower, too. Shouldn't be long...

i've been using the plug and streaming in PT8 for a while now. should i not be?

[lematrix]

Originally Posted by Nobody Special

Hey guys,
Just so you'll know, we've got a new version out with beta testers right now. Stability is much improved--now works with PT8 and Digital Performer. Latency is a bit lower, too. Shouldn't be long...

Did Lexicon "fixed" the problem/bug that you can only control 1 StereoEngine via Ethernet/FW when you are using the Plugin only as the controller with AES or Analog In Outs ?

Thanks, Mathias ;-)

[Michael Carnes]

Originally Posted by leebridges

i've been using the plug and streaming in PT8 for a while now. should i not be?

Please continue working by all means. We've had some customers who haven't had great results with PT8. Even if things have been working well for you, you should notice a bit less latency with the newer code. But since you're doing OK, you might want to wait until we release it.

[Michael Carnes]

Originally Posted by lematrix

Did Lexicon "fixed" the problem/bug that you can only control 1 StereoEngine via Ethernet/FW when you are using the Plugin only as the controller with AES or Analog In Outs ?

Thanks, Mathias ;-)

Mathias, that's really more an I/O matter than anything else. In order to drive two stereo machines from control-only mode, you'd need to use both Analog and AES inputs simultaneously. In our early tests we observed that this format caused more jitter in the signal and lowered the specs. It wasn't terrible, but we judged it to be below the performance we wanted.

NS

[lematrix]

Originally Posted by Nobody Special

Mathias, that's really more an I/O matter than anything else. In order to drive two stereo machines from control-only mode, you'd need to use both Analog and AES inputs simultaneously. In our early tests we observed that this format caused more jitter in the signal and lowered the specs. It wasn't terrible, but we judged it to be below the performance we wanted.

NS

Ok.....Thank you

what i want is to connect the PCM via AES EBU and use 2 x Mono In - Stereo Out, controlled with the Plug. Like a normal LARC Remote for the the Lexicons. Is there no way to do that ?

Greetings from Berlin, MAthias

[elambo]

Originally Posted by leebridges

i've been using the plug and streaming in PT8 for a while now. should i not be?

Same here. Seems fine with PT8. Maybe I'm lucky.

[DeBasement]

Originally Posted by Nobody Special

Hey guys,
Just so you'll know, we've got a new version out with beta testers right now. Stability is much improved--now works with PT8 and Digital Performer. Latency is a bit lower, too. Shouldn't be long...

Very cool - look forward to the update.

I hope this will perhaps come with some new presets? It'd be great to see some more creative patches to play with, instead of the plain vanilla "small/medium/large hall/room/plate" we have now. Sure, I tweak'em all I can and explore plenty. But some expert or 'classic' patches would always be welcome!

[Michael Carnes]

Originally Posted by DeBasement

I hope this will perhaps come with some new presets? It'd be great to see some more creative patches to play with, instead of the plain vanilla "small/medium/large hall/room/plate" we have now. Sure, I tweak'em all I can and explore plenty. But some expert or 'classic' patches would always be welcome!

No new presets with this one. We're focused on improving the streaming. But watch this space a few months down the road.

[DeBasement]

Originally Posted by Nobody Special

No new presets with this one. We're focused on improving the streaming. But watch this space a few months down the road.

Fair enough - thanks. Can't say I disagree with your priorities! (Mind you, streaming's been working pretty solidly for me on my Mac Pro/Logic 8.02 setup.... at least it WAS until I switched to Leopard the other day.)

[MarkyGoldstein]

I ordered a PCM 96, and the main reason behind by buy decision: quality DAW integration, total recall, CPU load and Mac bus bandwidth relaxation (spreading the traffic)... and the warm sound, compared to other more transparent stuff I have. Commercial sound too. I hope it will fulfill all this.

I also have UAD-2, Powercore, and I will get more analog gear to relax my computer and mix hybrid using my summing box.

[Rickard]

"PC version in the works yet?"

Dean

Originally Posted by drBill

Not going to happen according to everything they have said. It's been publicly stated many times.

That doesn't mean it is written in stone. This can change especially if there is a larger call. So I am to continuing that call. I am sure there are many others.

Dean

[drBill]

Originally Posted by Rickard

I am sure there are many others.

Dean

There ARE many others, but NS has made it crystal clear if you read the threads.

[elambo]

Originally Posted by drBill

There ARE many others, but NS has made it crystal clear if you read the threads.

Nothing is crystal clear, unless you work for Lexicon AND can predict the future of their development initiative. NS may have said that there are no plans. Plans can change.

No reason people shouldn't shout about their interest. That IS how many companies come to realize just how much (or little) demand the public has for a product.

[drBill]

Originally Posted by elambo

Nothing is crystal clear, unless you work for Lexicon AND can predict the future of their development initiative. NS may have said that there are no plans. Plans can change.

No reason people shouldn't shout about their interest. That IS how many companies come to realize just how much (or little) demand the public has for a product.

Agreed. Just passing along info.

[hernanperez2000]

Originally Posted by Rickard

"PC version in the works yet?"



That doesn't mean it is written in stone. This can change especially if there is a larger call. So I am to continuing that call. I am sure there are many others.

Dean

i agree. Lexicon please. pc drivers.

cheers, hernan.