Lexicon MX300

The Lexicon MX300 is a stereo reverb and effects processor in a 1U rack chassis, made by Lexicon Pro. Lexicon describes it as a "Stereo Reverb/Effects Processor with USB Hardware Plug-In Capability", part of the MX line that also includes the MX200 and MX400, and the maker credits that line with changing the market: "Our revolutionary MX200 and MX400 changed everything."¹ The MX300 is discontinued, as are the MX200 and MX400.¹

For a player, the MX300 sits between a guitar amp rig or a studio's mixing desk and supplies reverb, delay and modulation effects from a single box. Lexicon promises "the rich, detailed texture that makes the Lexicon sound unique" alongside what the maker calls a full arsenal of voice and instrument-enhancing effects.¹

Effects and presets

MusicRadar's review lists the MX300's effect set as reverb, delay, chorus, phase, rotary, vibrato, pitch-shift, a dbx compressor and a de-esser. On the reverb side the reviewer writes that "From Plate Reverb to Arena, there's an avalanche of ambience to be had", and notes distinct delays with a tap-tempo button feature.²

Presets number 99, with room for another 99 user-devised settings.² Lexicon highlights a dedicated program select knob with a bright LED display for dialing up presets quickly.¹

Connections: audio, digital, MIDI and control

The MX300's rear panel carries balanced XLR/TRS analog audio inputs and outputs, which MusicRadar notes suit hum-negating cable runs between a stage rig and a desk.² Digital input and output are on RCA phono S/PDIF connectors, with no optical option.²

Control connections include MIDI In and Thru, which the reviewer says "further enhance control possibilities", and a footswitch jack socket for hands-free preset changes.²

USB hardware plug-in use in a DAW

The MX300's headline feature is its USB hardware plug-in mode. Lexicon states that all parameters of every reverb, delay and dynamic effect in the processor are available inside any PC VST or Macintosh AU compatible DAW program via USB.¹ In practice that means the unit behaves like a plug-in window in a recording session while the hardware itself does the processing, so the computer is not spending its own power on the reverb algorithms.

How it compares in the MX line

The MX line spans three units, and the differences are mostly about channel count and processing depth¹:

The MX400, the larger sibling, is described by Lexicon as the most Lexicon power ever offered in a super-affordable 1RU effects processor, and it adds built-in dbx compression and de-essing usable in tandem with reverb. Lexicon pitches it as "Perfect for band PAs, churches and clubs."⁴

Build, power and what reviewers made of it

MusicRadar's reviewer found the build reassuring: "Solid, metal construction with positive-feeling knobs and buttons inspire confidence."² Power comes from a C14 inlet mains connection, the kettle-lead style used on computers and amplifiers, so there is no wall-wart or trailing adapter to contend with.² The review lists the MX300 at just below £300 GBP at the time of writing.²

The reviewer's overall verdict was positive: "Slots into a studio or stage set-up seamlessly and gives very impressive results, especially for the money."²

One point of record worth noting for owners: Lexicon's product page lists the unit's firmware as version 2.3.1.¹

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