Lexicon MC-1 manual

Owner's Manual MC-1 Digital Controller[...]

Lexicon Part #070-13278 Rev 1 Printed in the United States of America Save these instructions for later use. Follow all instructions and warnings marked on the unit. Always use with the correct line voltage. Refer to the manufacturer's operating instructions for power requirements. Be advised that different operating voltages may require the u[...]

Dansk Vigtig information om sikkerhed Gem denne vejledning til senere brug. Følg alle anvisninger og advarsler på apparatet. Apparatet skal altid tilsluttes den korrekte spænding. Der henvises til brugsanvisningen, der indeholder specifikationer for strømforsyning. Der gøres opmærksom på, at ved varierende driftsspændinger kan det blive nø[...]

Dieses Dreieck auf Ihrem Apparat bedeutet daß wichtige Betriebs- und Wartungsanweisungen in der mitgelieferten Dokumentation zu finden sind. Dieses Dreieck auf Ihrem Apparat warnt Sie vor nicht-isolierter, gefährlicher Spannung im Gehäuse ... stark genug um eine Berührungsgefahr darzustellen. Deutsch Wichtige Sicherheitsanweisungen Heben Sie si[...]

Introduction 1 Installation Controls and Indicators ..................................................... 1 The Front Panel ................................................................ 1 The Rear Panel ................................................................. 2 The Remote Control .........................................................[...]

Introduction The MC-1 can be thought of as four units in one. At its heart is a reference-quality 8-channel music and film digital audio computer capable of creating or recreating a limitless amount of listening environ- ments. This digital audio computer is mated to an 8-channel, 24-bit Digital-to-Analog converter that rivals the most exotic and c[...]

Lexicon soundtracks as well as Surround EX for those recorded in the Dolby Digital and DTS discrete formats. These enhancements ensure that film soundtracks, which are typically mixed for the acoustics of large theaters, sound as the filmmakers intended when played back in the relatively small environment of a home theater. Using the Documentation [...]

Effect An effect is a configuration that determines how the MC-1 will process an input signal. The MC-1 contains 24 effects: Panorama, Nightclub, Concert Hall, Church, Cathedral, Party, 2-Channel, Music Surround, Music Logic, Logic 7, TV Matrix, Pro Logic, THX Cinema, Mono Logic, 5.1 2-Channel, 5.1 Music, 5.1 Logic 7, Dolby Digital, THX 5.1, DTS 2-[...]

1 MC-1 Digital Controller Installation 1 Controls and Indicators The Front Panel 1. POWER Alternately puts the MC-1 into and out of standby. Turn- ing the MC-1 off with this but- ton (or with the remote) deac- tivates the unit while leaving power to the signal process- ing circuitry to keep it at opti- mum operating temperature. Turning the MC-1 on[...]

Lexicon 2 Installation The Rear Panel CAUTION: Never make or break any connections to the MC-1 with the rear-panel power ON. Make sure any associated amplifiers are turned off before turning this master power switch on or off. 1 AUDIO INPUTS 8 stereo analog audio inputs switched with corresponding video inputs and fed to the Monitor outputs. Inputs[...]

3 MC-1 Digital Controller Installation The Remote Control Shift MC-1 EFFECTS Record Zone 2 FP FP OSD OSD OFF ON DONE SELECT Mute Light V O L F X 2 CH Party TV M Music VCR DVD VDisc TV AUX CD Tuner Tape 5 8 6 10 11 4 3 7 9 2 1 1 ON, FP and OSD ON turns the MC-1 on and selects the input last used with main and Zone 2 volume levels set to the levels c[...]

Lexicon 4 Installation Shift MC-1 EFFECTS Record Zone 2 FP FP OSD OSD OFF ON DONE SELECT Mute Light V O L F X 2 CH Party TV M Music VCR DVD VDisc TV AUX CD Tuner Tape PGM trigger ON PGM trigger OFF Menu background ON Front/Back fader adjust 5dB-step master volume adjust Full mute ON/OFF Tilt adjust Loudness ON Loudness OFF CHURCH CATHEDRAL MONO LOG[...]

5 MC-1 Digital Controller Installation Shift MC-1 EFFECTS Record Zone 2 FP FP OSD OSD OFF ON DONE SELECT Mute Light V O L F X 2 CH Party TV M Music VCR DVD VDisc TV AUX CD Tuner Tape Zone 2 outputs ON Zone 2 outputs OFF Display STATUS menu (Press DONE to exit) Zone 2 volume adjust Zone 2 mute ON/OFF Zone 2 L/R Balance adjust Select input for Record[...]

Lexicon 6 Installation Connection Location Considerations The MC-1 is a highly specialized signal processing computer and requires special care during installation to ensure optimum perfor- mance. The MC-1 may be installed on a shelf or in a standard 19" equipment rack, using an optional rack-mount kit available from Lexicon dealers. Observe t[...]

7 MC-1 Digital Controller Installation Wiring Considerations Audio/Video Cables There is debate over the audible effects of different types of intercon- nects. Good engineering practices have minimized the effect that cables might have on the inputs and outputs of the MC-1 — but feel free to evaluate different interconnects in your system. Be con[...]

Lexicon 8 Installation AUDIO EXPANSION PORTS L R L R AB C L R L R L R SUBWOOFER TAPE TUNER CD AUX TV V-DISC DVD VCR AUDIO INPUT TRIGGERS GND S PGM PWR IR IN TRIGGERS PGM GND PWR C LISTED AUDIO EQUIPMENT 7D77 E172268 MAIN OUTPUTS REAR SIDE CENTER FRONT 12 3 S/PDIF INTPUTS S/PDIF OUT RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE NE PAS[...]

9 MC-1 Digital Controller Installation Video Connections The MC-1 has eight composite and S-Video inputs. Connection to an S- Video input will override the composite signal connected via the RCA- type connector. Note that an S-Video input will be output on both the composite and S-Video outputs. Composite input signals will not be output as S-Video[...]

Lexicon 10 Installation NOTE: Whenever playback of a 24/96 disc is desired, press 2-CH while holding down the Shift button on the remote control. If you are using SMALL loudspeakers, these inputs will send a full frequency response signal to the outputs, completely bypassing the internal crossovers. Do not use this input with Dolby Digital or DTS s[...]

11 MC-1 Digital Controller S ystem Configuration 2 Restore Factory Defaults Although the MC-1 memory is cleared before it leaves the factory, it is good practice to restore the factory defaults with the following procedure before system configuration. Turn the MC-1 OFF with the remote control. Turn the unit back ON and immediately press and hold th[...]

Lexicon 12 System Configuration 20 100 1k 10k (Hz) (dB) 9.0000 7.0000 5.0000 3.0000 1.0000 -1.000 -3.000 -5.000 -7.000 -9.000 20k Tilt The Tilt parameter can be thought of as a straight line that pivots on a fulcrum at 1kHz to correct the overall tonal balance of source material. The range is -3.0dB to +3.0dB, referenced to the Treble level. This c[...]

13 MC-1 Digital Controller S ystem Configuration DISPLAY ADJUST MENU ON-SCREEN DISPLAY FRONT PANEL DISPLAY To adjust brightness, use SELECT to highlight BRIGHTNESS, and ▲ or ▼ to set display brightness for the room's lighting conditions. Press DONE twice to return to the main menu. Display Adjustment Depending on the location of the MC-1 i[...]

Lexicon 14 System Configuration Video Input Selection and the On-Screen Display When using the Video Monitor output with the On-Screen Dis- play, the MC-1 automatically puts up a blue or grey background when no video signal is present. Occasionally, an incoming video signal may be so weak that it is recognized as essentially no sig- nal, triggering[...]

15 MC-1 Digital Controller S ystem Configuration Input Configuration The MC-1 has eight inputs, each of which can be associated with any of the eight video and eight digital audio inputs. Selecting Input Configu- ration from the Setup menu displays a sub-menu which lists these inputs and allows you to select them individually for adjustment. Each i[...]

Lexicon 16 System Configuration The input level meters are displayed when you select the GAIN parameter for an active input which has been selected in the Setup menu. Input Level Meters When GAIN is selected, two on-screen horizontal bar meters display peak incoming signal level. The highest peak level is shown in dB in a separate text line, and as[...]

17 MC-1 Digital Controller S ystem Configuration The MC-1 can also be set up to automatically switch to an appropriate effect whenever PCM, AC-3 or DTS encoded material is detected at the input. This allows one input to be used for different formats. For example, in the factory default state, the V-DISC input will automatically load the appropriate[...]

Lexicon 18 System Configuration * As the MC-1 is in AUTOMATIC mode, there may be a brief burst of noise before normal playback begins. The MC-1 V-DISC input is selected. A movie encoded in Dolby Surround is put in the laser disc player and starts to play. The LDD-1 recognizes that the movie is not AC-3 encoded, and automatically routes the laser di[...]

19 MC-1 Digital Controller S ystem Configuration PCM Only If PCM ONLY is selected as the FX FORMAT for a given input, only PCM effects in the MC-1 can be used. When the MC-1 receives a signal which is not PCM encoded, it will mute and display "NO PCM AUDIO." In the previous example, if PCM ONLY had been selected, rather than AUTOMATIC, th[...]

Lexicon 20 System Configuration NOTE: S-Video input signals will be output on both the composite and S- Video jacks. However, if you are only connecting to the monitor via the S- Video output, composite video input sources will not be displayed. Audio In This option in the INPUT CONFIG menu determines which audio input connector on the MC-1 rear pa[...]

21 MC-1 Digital Controller S ystem Configuration Record/Zone 2 The MC-1 is designed to be the control center of any system. As such, there are separate outputs for easy integration of external recording devices as well as an additional “zone” in multi-room installations. The Record and Zone 2 outputs on the MC-1 are wired in parallel so that th[...]

Lexicon 22 System Configuration LED and redirects the current main zone input to the Record/Zone 2 outputs. From Standby, turns the unit on, selects the last used Zone 2 input, turns Zone 2 volume on to the value selected in the OUTPUT LEVELS menu and engages full mute in the main zone. OFF Turns off the Zone 2 outputs, and the associated front pan[...]

23 MC-1 Digital Controller S ystem Configuration Front L/R Select LARGE for full-range front speakers to deliver full frequency response to the front left and right outputs. Selecting SMALL activates a 12dB per octave highpass filter and automatically routes low fre- quency information to the subwoofer output. Choices of 40, 80 and 120 Hz are avail[...]

Lexicon 24 System Configuration Center Systems that utilize a full-range center speaker should select LARGE to direct center information to the center output with a full frequency response. Select SMALL for installations where the center speaker is smaller than the left and right front speakers. This will automatically engage the Bass Split feature[...]

25 MC-1 Digital Controller S ystem Configuration 10 100 50 20 1k 500 200 dBr Hz +1.000 0.0 -1.000 -2.000 -3.000 -4.000 -5.000 -6.000 -7.000 -8.000 -9.000 -10.00 -11.00 -12.00 -13.00 -14.00 -15.00 -16.00 -17.00 -18.00 Subwoofer Frequency Response The low pass filter attenuates high frequencies at 24dB per octave. The values given are for the 6dB poi[...]

Lexicon 26 System Configuration Select INTERNAL NOISE TEST or EXTERNAL NOISE TEST from the Output Levels menu. The INTERNAL NOISE TEST disables any EQ functions, centers the Balance and Fader controls, and sets the system volume to +00dB. The test signal circles the room according to the speaker configuration you have defined in the Speaker Configu[...]

27 MC-1 Digital Controller S ystem Configuration The MC-1 provides a Subwoofer Peak Limiter that prevents the subwoofer signal level from exceeding a preset value. The limit is factory preset to a level of +15dB. This setting can be changed within the limiter’s operating range of -5dB to +35dB, with -5dB providing maximum limiting. To turn off th[...]

Lexicon 28 System Configuration Setting Listener Position The Listener Position menu is used for setting the surround and center delays and calibrating the Panorama effect. SETUP MENU INPUT CONFIG SPEAKER CONFIG OUTPUT LEVELS LISTENER POSITION LOCK SETTINGS SPEAKER DISTANCE A/V SYNC DLY CALIBRATE PANORAMA L/R BALANCE ZONE 2 BALANCE based on speaker[...]

29 MC-1 Digital Controller S ystem Configuration Once you have entered the distance to the nearest speaker, the MC-1 will automatically calculate the maximum allowable distance. The display will show all of the speakers, each with a default distance setting equal to your nearest speaker. Use SELECT and ▲ and ▼ to highlight and enter actual dist[...]

Lexicon 30 System Configuration When calibrating right, if your left ear is in the silent band, the speaker angle is correct. If the two silent bands are too close, lower the Speaker Angle; if they are too far apart, raise the Speaker Angle. NOISE SILENCE { Move your head from side to side to find the position where the noise is full left, and the [...]

31 MC-1 Digital Controller S ystem Configuration L/R Balance This control allows you to adjust the left/right balance of the front, side and rear main outputs. This control can also be accessed on the remote by pressing and holding the Shift button and using DONE to move to the left, and SELECT to move to the right. Zone 2 Balance This control allo[...]

Lexicon 32 System Configuration Customization After you have calibrated and customized the MC-1, there are two additional steps recommended to safeguard the settings. First, docu- ment your adjustments using the worksheet at the end of this manual. Second, consider locking the settings so that they cannot be inadvert- ently changed. The last item i[...]

33 MC-1 Digital Controller S ystem Configuration Using MC-1 Effects When EFFECT ADJUST is selected from the Main menu, the on-screen display shows a list of parameters specific to the current effect, as well as the current value of each parameter. (The front panel display shows one parameter at a time). Use the ▲ and ▼ buttons to move through t[...]

Lexicon 34 System Configuration Restoring the original parameter values of an Effect The RESTORE PARAMETERS function allows you restore the cur- rently selected Effect to its factory preset state. When you select this function, you will be prompted to reconsider erasing your changes. — If you don’t want to erase your versions, press DONE to exi[...]

35 MC-1 Digital Controller PCM Effects and Parameters The PCM Effects are compatible with two-channel input signals (analog or digital). Panorama Panorama extracts the natural ambience from recorded music and moves it outward from the speakers, producing greater width and depth of image and a feeling of enhanced spaciousness. This mode adds no addi[...]

36 Lexicon PCM Effects and Parameters Church The Church Effect uses a reverberation algorithm, which differs from ambience in that it does not simulate the reflections of specific halls, but emphasizes rich, smooth reverberant decay in small and medium spaces. It works well for simulating a space with a long reverberation time relative to its size,[...]

37 MC-1 Digital Controller PCM Effects and Parameters Party The Party effect allows unprocessed stereo signals to be played over all speakers for background music or for maximum acoustical output of the system. Parameter Initial Value Range CENTER LEVEL 15 0-15 SIDE LEVEL +00dB OFF, -30dB to +05dB REAR LEVEL +00dB OFF, -30dB to +05dB SUBWOOFER LVL [...]

38 Lexicon PCM Effects and Parameters Music Logic Music Logic is a surround effect developed specifically for music listening. It makes full use of additional loudspeakers placed at the center, sides and rear of the room and provides a slight amount of steering for the front channels. Parameter Initial Value Range CENTER LEVEL 16 0-30 VOCAL ENHANCE[...]

39 MC-1 Digital Controller PCM Effects and Parameters TV Matrix The TV Matrix effect provides surround effects for television viewing of monaural, stereo, and stereo synthesized programs. Parameter Initial Value Range AUTO AZIMUTH ON ON/OFF VOCAL ENHANCE +3.0dB 0.0dB, +3.0dB, +6.0dB FRONT STEERING MUSIC OFF, MUSIC, FILM RE-EQUALIZER OFF ON/OFF SOUN[...]

40 Lexicon PCM Effects and Parameters PCM Effect Parameters 5 SPEAKER ENHANCE simulates 7 speaker playback through a 5 speaker system, providing a heightened sense of spaciousness and envelopment without extra speakers. This enhancement is most notice- able if the surround speakers are positionned directly to the side of the listening position, or [...]

41 MC-1 Digital Controller PCM Effects and Parameters speakers are used for bass enhancement, the effectiveness is improved with speakers capable of reproducing reproducing low frequencies (LARGE). Using speakers that are not capable of producing low frequencies (<80Hz) may cause damage to them. BASS RT (low frequency reverberation time) depends[...]

42 Lexicon PCM Effects and Parameters LOW FREQ WIDTH allows you to apply low-frequency spatial correc- tion to the signal. Positive values of LOW FREQ Width indicate that the difference signal (L-R) has additional energy below 500Hz, while the sum (L+R) has correspondingly less. Negative settings of LOW FREQ WIDTH can compensate for recordings with[...]

43 MC-1 Digital Controller PCM Effects and Parameters ROLLOFF mimics the absorption of the air in the hall and, typically, should begin with a low frequency to simulate large spaces. SIDE LEVEL controls the volume level of the side speakers. Although we have selected a default value, the correct setting will vary with each recording, the room, and [...]

44 Lexicon PCM Effects and Parameters SURROUND ROLLOFF allows the high frequencies of the surround channels to be attenuated with the same detection circuitry as that described for the Soundstage control. The attenuation is quite attractive on many music and broadcast sources which were not mixed for surround. When a surround source is detected, th[...]

45 MC-1 Digital Controller AC-3 Effects and Parameters AC-3 Effects are compatible with Dolby Digital input signals. Any AC-3- capable software and/or source components should be labeled with a badge, similar to the one on the MC-1 front panel. AC-3 Status Display In the AC-3 effects, an AC-3 Status Display is available in the parameter menu with t[...]

46 Lexicon AC-3 Effects and Parameters Parameter Initial Value Range AC-3 STATUS (display only — not user adjustable) COMPRESSION OFF AUTO, ON, OFF RE-EQUALIZER OFF ON, OFF BASS ENHANCE OFF ON, OFF REAR DLY OFFSET 5ms 0-20ms SIDE LEVEL +00dB OFF, -30dB to +05dB REAR LEVEL +00dB OFF, -30dB to +05dB LFE MIX LEVEL +0.0dB -10.0dB to +0.0dB SUBWOOFER [...]

47 MC-1 Digital Controller AC-3 Effects and Parameters 5.1 Logic 7 5.1 Logic 7 combines all the features of Dolby Digital AC-3 with enhancements by Lexicon and LucasFilm. This effect uses Logic 7 matrix technology to enhance the steering between the side speakers and the rear speakers, so sounds intended to come from behind the listener actually do[...]

48 Lexicon AC-3 Effects and Parameters AC-3 Effect Parameters AC-3 STATUS displays the current status of incoming AC-3 data. The displayed items are not user adjustable. BASS ENHANCE derives stereo bass to provide low frequencies that are noticeably less localizable and more spacious in the playback room. Note that results will vary depending on ro[...]

49 MC-1 Digital Controller AC-3 Effects and Parameters LFE MIX LEVEL allows separate level attenuation of the LFE channel, which is ultimately mixed to the subwoofer output. As the bass from as many as five other channels is added to the LFE, it can significantly raise subwoofer output levels — and create the risk of damage to a system. Careful a[...]

50 Lexicon AC-3 Effects and Parameters VOCAL ENHANCE boosts dialog in the center channel. By targeting specific frequencies, it can boost only dialog, without raising the entire center channel level (which would alter the output balance achieved during calibration).[...]

51 MC-1 Digital Controller DTS Effects and Parameters Parameter Initial Value Range CENTER MIX 16 0-30 SURROUND MIX +2dB -5 to +5dB CENTER DLY SAMPLES +0 -127 to +127 MASTER LEVEL +5dB -5dB to +5dB LFE MIX LEVEL +0.0dB -20.0dB to +0.0dB SUBWOOFER LVL +00dB OFF, -30dB to +05dB CUSTOM DTS Effects are compatible with DTS Digital Surround input signals[...]

52 Lexicon DTS Effects and Parameters DTS Logic 7 DTS Logic 7 combines all the features of DTS Digital with enhance- ments by Lexicon and LucasFilm. This effect uses Logic 7 matrix technology to enhance the steering between the side speakers and the rear speakers, so sounds intended to come from behind the listener actually do come from behind. Thi[...]

53 MC-1 Digital Controller DTS Effects and Parameters Parameter Initial Value Range SURROUND EX ON ON, OFF RE-EQUALIZER ON ON, OFF LFE MIX LEVEL +0.0dB -20.0dB to 0.0dB SUBWOOFER LVL +00dB OFF, -30dB to +05dB CUSTOM DTS THX (Including Surround EX) This Effect provides THX 5.1 AND Surround EX enhancements for film soundtracks recorded in the DTS for[...]

54 Lexicon DTS Effects and Parameters RE-EQUALIZER equalizes the left, center, and right channel outputs to match the overall frequency balance of the original recording. Without this re-equalization, many films and some television programs will sound too bright. REAR DELAY OFFSET is an additional delay added to the rear channels when listening to [...]

55 MC-1 Digital Controller Troubleshooting If you encounter a problem, please review the items in the following checklist. Also be sure to thoroughly check all other connected compo- nents such as speakers, receiver/amplifier/preamp, VCR, TV, CD player, etc. Problem Possible Cause and Solution Power does not come on Check line cord to ensure good c[...]

56 Lexicon Troubleshooting Problem Possible Cause and Solution No Video Make sure that video cables (particularly S-Video cables) are fully inserted and that the appropriate connector is assigned to the VIDEO IN parameter in the Input Configuration menu. Hum Finding and eliminating audio hum in a complex installation can be a very frustrating task.[...]

57 MC-1 Digital Controller Troubleshooting Routine Maintenance Other than occasional replacement of the batteries in the remote control, the MC-1 requires minimal maintenance. Use a soft, lint-free cloth slightly dampened with warm water to clean the exterior surfaces of the unit. Do not use alcohol, benzene or acetone-based cleaners or any strong [...]

59 MC-1 Digital Controller Specifications Inputs: Audio: 8 stereo (RCA) pairs Video: 8 composite (RCA), 8 S-video Digital: 8: 5 coaxial (RCA), 3 optical (TosLink), conforms to IEC-958, S/PDIF standards; 3 Expansion Ports for 96kHz, 24-bit PCM digital audio Outputs: Audio: 8 main (RCA): Left, Center, Right, L&R Sides, L&R Rears, Subwoofer 3 [...]

Installation Worksheet Model/Serial #________/____________ Installed by________________________________Phone____________________Date______________ OSD Position: ■ bottom ■ center ■ top Status: ■ always on ■ 2 sec. time out ■ always off Calibrate Panorama Speaker Listener Angle _______ ° Listener Position ____________ Inputs VCR Gain __[...]