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I have just purchased a second hand Laxicon Lxp-1 which is my first external processor. I have a soundcard with 8 ins & 8 outs (balanced).
The Lxp-1 is unbalanced. All inputs/outputs are jack leads

What is the difference in unbalanced & balanced and are there unbalanced/balanced leads, or does this just mean stereo or mono jack leads.

When I pass my guitar into one input on the Lxp-1 I then pass the signal from the two lex. outputs to two mono inputs on my soundcard and create a stereo audio track - no problems, levels seem fine. But when I send out a stereo track (Cubase) from two mono jack outputs on my sound card, process with reverb and back into a stereo track in Cubase the left channel gives a much higher value than the right. The right is not processing so much?

I hope I have explained this clearly enough?

Can any one explain these things as I am not sure if there is a problem with the unit.

Thanks

Comments

moonbaby Thu, 07/14/2005 - 08:36

A couple of questions. I happen to have the LXP-5, which is the same basic unit, but programmed with special effects (including some great 'verbs) more than reverbs. It is a great little box, but there are some quirks to it. Did you get the owners' manual with it?
A)When you get these level changes, are you using the same presets for the Cubase mix that you are for the guitar? I have noticed that some of the presets DO have a "stronger depth" in one side more than the other. It MIGHT be inherent in the preset.
B) I don't see where you specify what soundcard you're using, so I will ask you this:are these "balanced" ins/outs on 1/4" jacks, or are they on some sort of "breakout box" or "pigtails" with plugs on them? Sorry, but there is some confusion between what they call these connections in the UK versus what we call them in the States.
The reason I ask this is simply because of this:Unbalanced connections going from the LXP to the soundcard's balanced inputs
may be the cause. Check the polarity of the plugs going into the soundcard.A balanced 1/4" plug (or female jack) will have a TRS(tip-ring-sleeve) circuit (3 wires instead of 2-tip-sleeve). American audio gear manufacturers have been notorious for having balanced connections that are the opposite polarity from European and Japanese gear. The sleeve in both cases is the "ground", but you may need to play with the tip/ring connections to get this to work properly for you. You know how on stereo headphones you can pull the plug out of the jack "a notch" and you'll lose one side? Try that at the BALANCED connection to the sound card...see what happens. All I can tell you to do at this stage is to play with the connections a bit. And, yes, you may indeed have a problem with the LXP, but I kind of doubt it. I do believe that this is a polarity issue at the soundcard end....CHEERS!

anonymous Thu, 07/14/2005 - 09:14

Thanks for the help.

To answer your questions-

Soundcard - Edirol DA2496 with 19'' rack breakout box, TRS balanced inputs & outputs.

I have used the same presetd for mix & guitar

I think your correct about the balanced/unbalanced problem - I will have a play with the leads to see if I can work this out!

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