The presets are organised into 5 Banks of 50 and are functionally grouped for different applications. Be sure to experiment with all 250 presets to get a feel for the full range of Lexicon PCM 90 capabilities.
A program sorting function allows you to tag programs with KeyWords and display only programs which have been tagged. (Press Program Banks or Register Banks repeatedly to step through all available banks and then to the KeyWord display.) The default KeyWord selection, A to Z, allows you to view all of the presets in alphabetical order.
Others allow you to view, for example, only Acoustic or Spatial effects. Each preset has already been assigned from 1 to 4 KeyWords – you can easily change these assignments in Edit mode. The selection of the KeyWord you want to use for sorting is accessed in Control mode.
Each preset in the Lexicon PCM 90 has one or more of its parameters patched to the front panel ADJUST knob, giving you instant control over the primary aspect of the effect – without going into Edit mode.
As many as four additional Custom Controls can be created for any effect, allowing you to tailor presets for specific applications. We’ve created some interesting Custom Controls in the presets and assigned them descriptive names. You can change both the parameter assignments and the names in Edit mode.
The Lexicon PCM 90 uses 5 stereo algorithms to create different types of reverb effects. Each algorithm includes an uncompromised stereo reverb effect with selected “tools” for ambience, post-processing, compression/expansion, as well as modulation and patching parameters which are common to each algorithm.
The Lexicon PCM 90 gives you a unique set of tempo controls. Tempos can be tapped in with the front panel Tap button (or an assigned controller) or “dialed-in”, in BPM (beats per minute) on the display. The Lexicon PCM 90 also lets you generate MIDI clock from your tempo, as well as receive MIDI tempo from an external sequencer or drum machine.
In the Lexicon PCM 90, tempo can control LFO speeds and Time Switch controls, as well as all delay parameters, ensuring that all of your modulations are in tempo with your music. You can even set independent rhythmic values for different parameters within a single program.
Tempo can be set and displayed in either rhythmic value or time values. Many presets have delay times assigned to Tap tempo. Try loading some of these and pressing Tap twice in rhythm to change tempo.
An enormous range of editing control is provided for each algorithm, with parameters organised in an edit matrix. In addition to providing this powerful sound design capability, the Lexicon PCM 90 also allows you to customise these controls for your day-to-day editing needs, or to use a subset of controls specially designed for each preset.
The Lexicon PCM 90 has two levels of Edit Mode control called Go mode and Pro mode. In Go mode, the most useful parameters within an effect are grouped for instant access via the front panel Edit button. Parameters can even be grouped for control by a single master control. These master parameters, called Custom Controls, can be labelled with names that describe their function. Each preset has a specially selected set of Go mode parameters which let you make value changes to the effect without losing the character of the sound.
Pro mode gives you access to the full parameter editing matrix for the algorithm of any loaded effect when you press Edit. In this mode, you can access a complete set of Modulation and Patching parameters, create your own ADJUST knob patch, create Custom Controls, and assign your own Go mode parameters.
A unique Patching and Modulation system provides unprecedented control over your effects, with a versatile set of internal modulators: two LFOs, AR Envelope, Envelope Follower, Latch and Time Switches, MIDI Delay and Sample and Hold.
These allow you to create modulation sweeps which move in time with music, or animated effects. You can create as many as 10 patches per effect, each with as many as 8 pivot points. You can patch multiple parameters to a single controller, or patch multiple sources to a single destination.
For all of the Lexicon PCM 90’s programming power and flexibility, you’ll find the Lexicon PCM 90 simple to use. The large, 2-line fluorescent display is easy to see from any angle whether the surroundings are bright or dark. Separate SELECT and ADJUST knobs make program loading and editing quick and easy. We’ve even designed in a special Info mode – press and hold any button to find out what its function is, or to get status information such as the name of the running effect, current tempo rate, etc.
To get the most out of the Lexicon PCM 90, we suggest that you invest the time to explore this manual. We think you’ll agree that the time spent investigating will reward you with enjoyment of its full capabilities
