Lexicon DC-2 manual

Owner's Manual DC-2 Digital Controller[...]

Lexicon Part #070-13227 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[...]

Contents DC-2 Digital Controller Introduction 1 Installation Controls and Indicators ..................................................... 1 The Front Panel ........................................................... 1 The Rear Panel ............................................................ 2 The Remote Control ..................................[...]

Lexicon Using DC-2 Effects .......................................................... 33 Restoring the original parameter values of an Effect Naming your custom Effect • Restoring the original Effect Name • Listening to only the DC-2 Effect Front/Back Fader 3 PCM Effects and Parameters Panorama ..................................................[...]

Introduction The DC-2 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 environments. This digital audio computer is mated to an 8-channel, 24-bit Digital-to-Analog con- verter that rivals the most exotic and [...]

Lexicon Using the Documentation Because the DC-2 is designed to be customized for your system and your listening space, the information required for installation is extensive. The Owner's Manual is designed to assist you in installing, calibrating and operating the DC-2. It should be used in conjunction with the remote control when configuring[...]

Effect An effect is a configuration that determines how the DC-2 will process an input signal. The DC-2 can contain as many as 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, [...]

1 DC-2 Digital Controller Installation 1 Controls and Indicators The Front Panel 1. ON/OFF ON/OFF alternately puts the DC-2 into and out of standby. Turning the DC-2 off with this button (or with the remote) deactivates the unit while leaving power to the signal processing circuitry to keep it at optimum operating tem- perature. Turning the DC-2 on[...]

Lexicon 2 Installation The Rear Panel CAUTION: Never make or break any connections to the DC-2 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 Eight stereo analog audio in- puts are switched with corre- sponding video inputs and fed to the Monitor out[...]

3 DC-2 Digital Controller Installation The Remote Control Shift Digital Controller 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 DC-2 on and selects the input last used with main and Zone 2 volume levels set t[...]

Lexicon 4 Installation Alternate Remote Control Functions Using the Shift and Record/Zone 2 buttons Shift Digital Controller 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 vo[...]

5 DC-2 Digital Controller Installation Shift Digital Controller 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 in[...]

Lexicon 6 Installation Connection Location Considerations The DC-2 is a highly specialized signal processing computer and requires special care during installation to ensure optimum performance. The DC-2 may be installed on a shelf or in a standard 19" equipment rack, using an optional rack-mount kit available from Lexicon dealers. Observe the[...]

7 DC-2 Digital Controller Installation Wiring Considerations There is debate over the audible effects of different types of interconnects. Good engineering practices have minimized the effect that cables might have on the inputs and outputs of the DC-2 — but feel free to evaluate different interconnects in your system. Be conscious, however, of t[...]

Lexicon 8 Installation Input sources should be connected directly to the DC-2 inputs. Since TAPE, TUNER and CD are audio only, the video output will default to the video signal from VCR. This allows TV or other video source viewing while different audio is playing, but can be changed in the INPUT CONFIG menu. Connect your main stereo amplifier to t[...]

9 DC-2 Digital Controller Installation The DC-2 has five 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. You can assign any [...]

11 DC-2 Digital Controller System Configuration 2 System Configuration Restore Factory Defaults Although the DC-2 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 DC-2 OFF with the remote control. Turn the unit back ON and immediate[...]

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 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 contro[...]

13 DC-2 Digital Controller System Configuration DISPLAY ADJUST MENU ON-SCREEN DISPLAY FRONT PANEL DISPLAY Display Adjustment To adjust contrast, use SELECT to highlight CONTRAST ADJUSTMENT, and ▲ or ▼ to set the contrast of the display to its maximum as seen from your listening position. Press DONE twice to return to the main menu. Depending on[...]

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 DC-2 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 DC-2 Digital Controller System Configuration INPUT CONFIG V-DISC GAIN NAME PCM FX AC-3 FX DTS FX FX FORMAT AUDIO IN VIDEO IN REC/ZONE2 TRIGGER ▲▼ Adjust with or OFF V-DISC LOGIC 7 5.1 LOGIC 7 DTS LOGIC 7 AUTOMATIC COAX-2 V-DISC ANALOG ENABLE AUTO On/Off or MANUAL -18 to +12dB RESTORE DEFAULT or EDIT NAME USE LAST EFFECT or any PCM Effect USE[...]

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. 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 an arrow in the th[...]

17 DC-2 Digital Controller System Configuration The DC-2 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 DC-2 is in AUTOMATIC mode, there may be a brief burst of noise before normal playback begins. The DC-2 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 DC-2 Digital Controller System Configuration PCM Only NOTE: PCM ONLY is automati- cally selected for an input when- ever ANALOG is selected as the AUDIO IN setting, as AC-3 and DTS effects are incompat- ible with analog inputs. If PCM ONLY is selected as the FX FORMAT for a given input, only PCM effects in the DC-2 can be used. When the DC-2 rec[...]

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. V ideo In This option in the INPUT CONFIG menu determines which audio input connector on the DC-2 rear pan[...]

21 DC-2 Digital Controller System Configuration Record/Zone 2 The DC-2 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 DC-2 are wired in parallel so that the[...]

Lexicon 22 System Configuration 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 panel LEDs. OSD (ON) Displays a STATUS menu for the current input. Press Done to exit. VOL ▲ and ▼ Displays, then adjusts the current Zone 2 volume le[...]

23 DC-2 Digital Controller System Configuration Speaker Configuration Select LARGE for full-range front speakers to deliver full frequency re- sponse to the front left and right outputs. Selecting SMALL activates a 12dB per octave highpass filter and automatically routes low frequency informa- tion to the subwoofer output. Choices of 40, 80 and 120[...]

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

25 DC-2 Digital Controller System 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 fre- quencies at 24dB per octave. The values given are for the 6dB po[...]

Lexicon 26 System Configuration Note on External Noise Calibration Select INTERNAL NOISE TEST or EXTERNAL NOISE TEST from the Output Levels menu. The INTERNAL NOISE TEST automatically disconnects all audio and video inputs, disables any EQ functions, centers the Balance controls, and sets the system volume to +00dB. The test signal circles the room[...]

27 DC-2 Digital Controller System Configuration Subwoofer Peak Limiter The DC-2 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 li[...]

Lexicon 28 System Configuration Speaker Distance The Listener Position menu is used for setting the surround and center delays and calibrating the Panorama effect. Setting Listener Position SETUP MENU INPUT CONFIG SPEAKER CONFIG OUTPUT LEVELS LISTENER POSITION LOCK SETTINGS Mute Level Power On Volume Zone 2 Power On Volume This menu allows you to s[...]

29 DC-2 Digital Controller System Configuration Once you have entered the distance to the nearest speaker, the DC-2 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 dista[...]

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 DC-2 Digital Controller System Configuration 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. This control allows you to adjust the left/ri[...]

Lexicon 32 System Configuration Customization After you have calibrated and customized the DC-2, there are two addi- tional steps recommended to safeguard the settings. First, document your adjustments using the table found at the end of this manual. Second, consider locking the settings so that they cannot be inadvertently changed. The last item i[...]

33 DC-2 Digital Controller System Configuration Using DC-2 Effects Customizing 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 ▼ button[...]

Lexicon 34 System Configuration The RESTORE PARAMETERS function allows you restore the currently 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 exit the menu. Pressing SELECT in response to the displaye[...]

35 DC-2 Digital Controller PCM Effects and Parameters 3 Panorama PCM Effects and Parameters Parameter Initial Value Range INPUT BALANCE (Centered) Full Left-Full Right CENTER LEVEL 4 0-15 REAR ROLLOFF 4.9kHz 453Hz-20.0kHz REAR DELAY 10ms 0-32ms SURROUND LEVEL 12 0-32 BASS CONTENT MONO STEREO, MONO, BINAURAL LOW FREQ WIDTH 0 -25 to +25 SUBWOOFER LVL[...]

36 Lexicon PCM Effects and Parameters 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, such a[...]

37 DC-2 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 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 +3.0dB +0.0[...]

39 DC-2 Digital Controller PCM Effects and Parameters 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 1/2 OFF, 1/2, FILM, MUSIC RE-EQUALIZER OFF ON/OFF SOUNDSTAGE [...]

40 Lexicon PCM Effects and 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 noticeable if the sur- round speakers are positionned directly to the side of the listening position, or if the listening posit[...]

41 DC-2 Digital Controller PCM Effects and Parameters Note that results will vary depending on room acoustics and the low frequency capacity of the surround speakers. As side and/or rear speakers are used for bass enhancement, the effectiveness is improved with speakers capable of reproducing reproducing low frequencies (LARGE). Using speakers that[...]

42 Lexicon PCM Effects and Parameters INPUT BALANCE allows you to compensate for the occasional source with audible channel imbalance. When selected, screen graphics indicate the relative left/right position. LIVENESS adjusts the amount of recirculation within the effect. Higher values mimic more reflective surfaces in the simulated space and incre[...]

43 DC-2 Digital Controller PCM Effects and Parameters REAR DELAY OFFSET is an additional delay added to the rear channels. This delay increases the apparent size of the listening space by increasing the rear delay time. Feel free to experiment to find the setting that works best. REAR LEVEL controls the volume level of the rear speakers. Although w[...]

44 Lexicon PCM Effects and Parameters component of the input to the effect is reduced while the stereo component is increased. If the input signal is pure monaural speech the reverb is almost entirely attenuated. SPEECH DETECT is a real benefit to some popular music (where spoken voice, such as rap, occurs along with the music), stereo television a[...]

45 DC-2 Digital Controller AC-3 Effects and Parameters 4 AC-3 Status Display AC-3 Effects and Parameters AC-3 Effects are compatible with Dolby Digital input signals. These effects, along with the PCM Effects described in Chapter 3, are included in the AC- 3 and DTS versions of the DC-2. Any AC-3-capable software and/or source components should be [...]

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 DC-2 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 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 [...]

48 Lexicon AC-3 Effects and 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 room acoustics and the lo[...]

49 DC-2 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 SURROUND MIX allows independent adjustment of the level of the sur- round channels. Many AC-3 encoded soundtracks sound better when down-mixed to two channels with the surround level increased by approxi- mately 2-3dB. VOCAL ENHANCE boosts dialog in the center channel. By targeting specific frequencies, it can[...]

51 DC-2 Digital Controller DTS Effects and Parameters 5 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 D[...]

52 Lexicon DTS Effects and Parameters DTS Logic 7 DTS Logic 7 combines all the features of DTS Digital 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 come from behind. This [...]

53 DC-2 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 +5dB CUSTOM This Effect provides THX 5.1 Cinema enhancements for film soundtracks recorded in the DTS format. This processing compensates for the a[...]

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 DC-2 Digital Controller Troubleshooting Troubleshooting 6 T roubleshooting If you encounter a problem, please review the items in the following checklist. Also be sure to thoroughly check all other connected components such as speakers, receiver/amplifier/preamp, VCR, TV, CD player, etc. Problem Possible Cause and Solution Power does not come on[...]

56 Lexicon Troubleshooting Problem Possible Cause and Solution Hum Finding and eliminating audio hum in a complex installation can be a very frustrating task. Often, the easiest way to identify the culprit(s) is to systematically eliminate devices from the audio chain. If Cable TV is connected to any component in the system, start by unplugging the[...]

57 DC-2 Digital Controller Troubleshooting Routine Maintenance Other than occasional replacement of the batteries in the remote control, the DC-2 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 DC-2 Digital Controller Specifications 7 Specifications S pecifications Inputs: Audio: 8 stereo (RCA) pairs Video: 5 composite (RCA), 5 S-video, Digital: 8: 5 coaxial (RCA), 3 optical (TosLink), conforms to IEC-958, S/PDIF standards Outputs: Audio: 8 outputs: Left, Center, Right, L&R Sides, L&R Rears, Subwoofer (RCA) Video: 2 composite ([...]

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 __[...]