Clean to Mean Rack Tones 12/27/25

[mentoneman]

Sounds awesome. This reminds me of some of the cool tones I could get from my Meris Mercury 7. Problem was I don't have any know how when it comes to ambient stuff but some of the shimmers I could get were out of this world heavenly. I'd love to try the Mercury X but it's too rich for my blood just to have as a toy. I can't afford to keep anything that isn't strictly for business anymore unfortunately.

very recently had my eye on a used mercury 7 but after demoing it, i passed. for my tastes it didn’t check my boxes as much as the source audio ventris i played.

but the hotone verbera would likely be my next pick:



in my current pedal arsenal the reverbs in the H9 can certainly cover a ton of bases full of black hole/shimmer/pitch weirdness, and i have the hardwire reverb running its basic version of lexicon halls for a simpler on/off deal.
but honestly i prefer the sound of the stereo reverb in my old yamaha magic stomp II. problem is it’s a tone suck pedal when bypassed and needs a mini mixer or a stereo loop switcher to physically bypass it to be practical.

 

[Shask]

without having spent tons of time with the axe II,
i can say that it seems as though the sound of the effects i have demoed are of a very high quality and in the same conversation as the OGs.

where i seem to hear a difference is in the way the core dry tone is being affected and mixed internally with the processed signal. the vibe i’m hearing/feeling triggers my instinct of wanting to use a mixer to preserve the integrity of the source dry signal to cast away any doubts.

part of my homework besides cleaning up my wiring with mogami studio cables and attempting to run the proper XLR-1/4” adapters where possible will be installing/wiring a sliding pedal tray for the triavatar, atomic punk, rnc comp and power supply.
i will likely pull the H9 and spx 900 to make room for the H3k…a worthy swap if you ask me!

Yeah, I run my Axe II in a parallel loop with a Samson SM-10 because I dont like the way it changes the core feel running straight through it. I notice it seems to compress the sound some which changes the decay in the chugs.

I know when I was playing some of my units last night, I get a better sensation of stereo with the Axe Reverb vs some of the other units. They all sound good, but it is the difference between hearing the Reverb with the sound, vs the Reverb kind of surrounding the room more. I need more comparisons, but that is something I always notice with that particular unit. I am always trying to find something smaller to do the same thing, but it always brings me back in with the stereo spread it has.

 

[eero]

but the hotone verbera would likely be my next pick:

go for it, I have one, it's a fantastic pedal

 

[eero]

but honestly i prefer the sound of the stereo reverb in my old yamaha magic stomp II. problem is it’s a tone suck pedal when bypassed and needs a mini mixer or a stereo loop switcher to physically bypass it to be practical.

you can also clone your favorites reverbs with it, plus loading external IRs of reverbs from Lexicon, TC, Yamaha, Roland, etc...delays also

 

[eero]

check Michael Nielsen's review:

 

[Shask]

you can also clone your favorites reverbs with it, plus loading external IRs of reverbs from Lexicon, TC, Yamaha, Roland, etc...delays also

I like playing with convolution reverbs on the computer, so I imagine this is a fun pedal.

 

[eero]

I like playing with convolution reverbs on the computer, so I imagine this is a fun pedal.

yeah, me too...this was the reason why I bought it, and it was worth it

 

[eero]

The only limitation with this pedal is that the IRs can't copy modulations, even those included in the reverb algorithms or delay tails. But they can be added from the pedal.
Perhaps in the future someone will develop a technology that allows for modulations to be captured as well.
It never ends...

 

[Shask]

The only limitation with this pedal is that the IRs can't copy modulations, even those included in the reverb algorithms or delay tails. But they can be added from the pedal.
Perhaps in the future someone will develop a technology that allows for modulations to be captured as well.
It never ends...

I dont think any of the convolution stuff can copy the modulation since it is a static snapshot.

 

[mentoneman]

all i know is that folks have been pining for a lexi pcm quality verb/delay in a pedal for eons. the digitech polara and hardwire had their offerings but were not too close to pcm imo. chase bliss did that giant white pedal that seemed to capture more of the rack vibe, and strymon stuff sounds nice but now this hotone seems like it can get very close, and i’m particularly interested in what the 3rd party MS pack can do:

https://bighairyprofiles.com/products/the-rack-revival-ir-pack-reverb-and-delay-impulse-responses

 

[Anje]

Very nice! Mix pedal for adding dry or wet/ dry? If that board is a axcess,I had one.great board for sure

Thanks!
This is basically a w/d/w rig, the rack in this situation is for post-amp effects going to the HH power amp & the 2 park 2x12 open back columns.
Yes, the « MIX » labelled expression pedal is mainly for real time mix = level adjustments of the rack effects; it is driving the Switchblade, which allows to do real time control of any individual (or goup of) internal signal path(s), defining a min/max level range for each individual signal path being controlled, and this is all preset based.

For ex:
I have one of the Switchblade presets that about mirrors the traditional dual mixer layout of a CAE Bradshaw unit; the « mix » exp pedal allows me to control the mix = output level of some selected units, wherever they are in the signal path, without necessarily affecting the proper gain staging for effects put in series mix1->mix2, regardless of if the unit itself has midi or not AND whatever is the preset being selected on each unit.
In particular I have the PCM70 in "mix1" and the PCM81 in "mix2": I can control the overall Reverb level of the PCM70 going out & being heard, while still keeping the proper constant gain staging between the PCM70 going into the PCM81 for some special resonator / pad-like effects.
Being the PCM70 it has midi and was actually one of the first to implement real time CC, so one could say that I could drive the PCM70 output level directly with the exp pedal, but that would mean:
- the PCM70 output level change would always affect all signal paths post-PCM70 in the same way
- the real time CC exp pedal setup would always be the same for a given PCM70 preset = no way to have different ways of controlling the PCM70 for one given preset/sound selected on the PCM70; or I would have to duplicate presets/sounds in the PCM70 just to get different real time CC setups.
Then going to a different Switchblade preset = different overall mixer signal path scheme, I can control totally different things and/or the same units in totally different ways, even when using the same effect/preset on each unit, matching what that particular mixer scheme needs.

The "EXP" pedal is working exactly in the same way, but is usually used to control some particular effect input levels and/or some of their internal parameters (in this case controlling the given rack unit directly, not the switchblade) when using effects that are meant to be "played" in real time.
For ex bringing in / sustaining the pad-like effects of the PCM81 on specific parts.

Yes that's a good ol' Axess FX1 with the expander, fantastic controller.

 

[Little B]

Excellent layout there.i had the gl and a fx1.i was going to get the expander too.Was really interested in nxt version of switchblade as it had all the tiny tweaks all of us wanted in it.Had some great conversations with Ken.Seemed like a really nice guy.Felt aweful when I heard the news.
All of you guys here have some really cool stuff going on in the racks.Love it!!!

 

[mentoneman]

Thanks!
This is basically a w/d/w rig, the rack in this situation is for post-amp effects going to the HH power amp & the 2 park 2x12 open back columns.
Yes, the « MIX » labelled expression pedal is mainly for real time mix = level adjustments of the rack effects; it is driving the Switchblade, which allows to do real time control of any individual (or goup of) internal signal path(s), defining a min/max level range for each individual signal path being controlled, and this is all preset based.

For ex:
I have one of the Switchblade presets that about mirrors the traditional dual mixer layout of a CAE Bradshaw unit; the « mix » exp pedal allows me to control the mix = output level of some selected units, wherever they are in the signal path, without necessarily affecting the proper gain staging for effects put in series mix1->mix2, regardless of if the unit itself has midi or not AND whatever is the preset being selected on each unit.
In particular I have the PCM70 in "mix1" and the PCM81 in "mix2": I can control the overall Reverb level of the PCM70 going out & being heard, while still keeping the proper constant gain staging between the PCM70 going into the PCM81 for some special resonator / pad-like effects.
Being the PCM70 it has midi and was actually one of the first to implement real time CC, so one could say that I could drive the PCM70 output level directly with the exp pedal, but that would mean:
- the PCM70 output level change would always affect all signal paths post-PCM70 in the same way
- the real time CC exp pedal setup would always be the same for a given PCM70 preset = no way to have different ways of controlling the PCM70 for one given preset/sound selected on the PCM70; or I would have to duplicate presets/sounds in the PCM70 just to get different real time CC setups.
Then going to a different Switchblade preset = different overall mixer signal path scheme, I can control totally different things and/or the same units in totally different ways, even when using the same effect/preset on each unit, matching what that particular mixer scheme needs.

The "EXP" pedal is working exactly in the same way, but is usually used to control some particular effect input levels and/or some of their internal parameters (in this case controlling the given rack unit directly, not the switchblade) when using effects that are meant to be "played" in real time.
For ex bringing in / sustaining the pad-like effects of the PCM81 on specific parts.

Yes that's a good ol' Axess FX1 with the expander, fantastic controller.

DEEP.

….i lost you at “Thanks!”

just kidding — i get it and that’s a fine degree of control you’ve woven for yourself there sir!

 

[Anje]

Thanks again!
Yes agree @Little B ; such a sad news when Ken passed.
Proper full line level capability is the only thing missing on the GL to me. I’ve worked my way around it, but to be honest I only keep the Switchblade as this rack is more of a studio piece for « sound design » than a « plug and play » rig for band duty, where I value the capability to morph the signal path in whatever I may think of.

All my other rack effect guitar rigs are using the classic CAE dual mixer scheme, good enough for >90% of what I play and it does actually sound « better » when using those old rack units at their full line level & headroom capability.

 

[mentoneman]

switchblade-
wonder if anyone would ever pick up that ball again and run with it?

in other guitar news, just watched this and so amazed to see where this young lady’s gifts have taken her



i used to run sound for her very cool and talented dad Scott when his band played at our church. over time he started bringing along his daughter to sing and play gtr with the band. from the jump she could play and what a voice. once while she was geeking on her board i told her to give me the cool struggling new artiste pose and this is what she mustered

 

[Anje]

switchblade-
wonder if anyone would ever pick up that ball again and run with it?

I wondered the same thing; I'd be afraid of what a revised/upgraded true line level GL would have to be $$ wise those days though?

 

[shawn w]

So ya'll seem very versed in rack do's and don'ts. So I'm curious if the "lesser" Lexicon stuff is worth buying? I see the LPX/MPX/Alex/Reflex stuff all the time really cheap. Is it simply just not any better than current pedal/modeler stuff?
Thanks,
shawn

 

[mentoneman]

So ya'll seem very versed in rack do's and don'ts. So I'm curious if the "lesser" Lexicon stuff is worth buying? I see the LPX/MPX/Alex/Reflex stuff all the time really cheap. Is it simply just not any better than current pedal/modeler stuff?
Thanks,
shawn

MPX-1 dual DSP architecture
Analog Device ADSP-2115 16 bit 25 MHz (fx)
Lexichip 2 (verbs)

PCM80/81 dual DSP architecture
Motorola 56002 24 bit 40 to 80 MHz (fx)
Lexichip 2 (verbs)

if it’s good enough for Landau..

i was at both of these shosws—Wild West Guitars Jungle Lounge in Riverside



and Tone Merchants in Orange—and his tone was large.

one of the coolest Landau moments-

during a set at the baked potato, the Lexi Alex used as the house verb needed adjustment so mid song, Mike jumped up on the counter where the mixer sits, reached up to where the reverb is mounted towards the ceiling and tweaked it, jumped back down to the ground and checked the mixer, then continued playing without skipping a beat!

what folks may not know is at his baked potato performances he routinely sets up the band mics and mix during soundcheck because the house mixing board is immediately to his stage right. he also mixes the house during his sets.

back to rack,

i helped my friend with his mini live rig using an mpx-1 and compared to the tc HOF and Source Audio Collider he had on his board, no contest. rack wins.

italo did a very thoughtful deep dive into comparing the mpx-1 v pcms years ago which may be searchable,
but you may want to read and listen to some samples of the mpx-1 here

https://www.italodeangelis.com/it/eventide_and_other_stuff/lexicon-MPX-1.asp

 

[ChurchHill]

So ya'll seem very versed in rack do's and don'ts. So I'm curious if the "lesser" Lexicon stuff is worth buying? I see the LPX/MPX/Alex/Reflex stuff all the time really cheap. Is it simply just not any better than current pedal/modeler stuff?
Thanks,
shawn

I concur with mentoneman, the MPX-1 is a gem and underrated. Italo's examples do a great job showcasing what it can do. Its strength isn't just its processors, but how extensive its MIDI implementation is. With some programming, they can be extremely dynamic

Definitely search for some of Italo's old posts here. italoop was his username; not sure if he's still active here or not.

I'll also add that the older LXP-1, LXP-5, and LXP-15-II are very good, too. Not quite in the same league as the PCMs, but still full of character in a way that current pedals and modelers don't match. I think a big part of that is they quality of their AD/DA converters. Sometimes, the additional accuracy of newer converters ends up sounding colder. The idiosyncrasies of older converters add to their character and, while some modelers take that into consideration, I've never heard one that really captures that.

 

[shawn w]

Thanks for the response. I'll have to give one a swing.

Shawn