Lexicon (company)
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Audio technology |
| Predecessor | American Data Sciences |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Founder | Francis F. Lee, Chuck Bagnaschi |
| Fate | Acquired by Harman International Industries in 1993 |
| Headquarters | Waltham, Massachusetts , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Francis F. Lee (founder) |
| Products | Professional audio equipment, digital delay systems, reverb and effects units, hard disk recording systems, electroacoustic enhancement systems, home theater equipment |
| Owner | Harman International Industries |
| Parent | Harman International Industries |
| Website | www |
Lexicon is a U.S.-based manufacturer specializing in the design, production, and distribution of audio technology, operating as a division of Harman International Industries. Established in 1971, the company initially set up its headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts and maintained additional offices in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1993, Lexicon became part of Harman's portfolio.
The origins of Lexicon can be traced back to 1969 with the creation of American Data Sciences by MIT professor Dr. Francis F. Lee and engineer Chuck Bagnaschi. Their early work focused on digital audio technology applied to medical heart monitoring devices.
History
Francis F. Lee launched Lexicon in 1971, basing the company in Waltham, Massachusetts. The firm was subsequently acquired by Harman International in 1993.
Lexicon has earned recognition for engineering advanced multi-channel audio systems installed in luxury vehicles such as the Rolls-Royce Phantom, along with premium models like the Hyundai Equus and the Kia K900.
Digital delay systems
Lexicon is often recognized as a pioneer in the commercial digital delay market. Their initial offering was the well-known Gotham Delta T-101 delay unit launched in 1971, followed by the Delta T-102 in 1972, which was the first product to carry the Lexicon brand.
Reverb and effects
Frequently referred to as "the godfather of digital reverb," Lexicon was among the earliest companies to introduce digital reverb technology commercially. The company entered the reverb market in 1979 with the Model 224, one of the first digital reverberation devices available to professionals. That same year, they also released the Prime Time, a pioneering digital delay unit designed specifically for effects processing. In 1986, Lexicon unveiled the 480L, an advanced successor to the 224XL model.
To address the needs of live sound environments where the 224XL proved too bulky, Lexicon introduced the PCM series as a more compact and cost-effective alternative. The PCM-60 debuted in 1984, followed by the PCM-70 several years later, which incorporated multi-effects capabilities from the 224X and featured a digital display interface. In the late 1980s, Lexicon released the MRC, an early MIDI control surface that allowed remote operation of devices such as the PCM-70, LXP series processors, and other MIDI-compatible equipment. Notably, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour utilized a Lexicon PCM-70 during The Division Bell Tour in 1994 to create circular delay effects heard on tracks like "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" and "Time."
Throughout the 1990s, Lexicon expanded the PCM lineup with additions such as the PCM-80 reverb/multi-effects processor and PCM-90 digital reverb unit. In 1993, they introduced the NuVerb, one of the first DSP plug-in cards designed for NuBus Macintosh computers. This technology was later adapted into the Model 300 reverb/multi-effects unit released in 1997, which became another iconic product for Lexicon. The company continued developing mid-range models in the 2000s including the PCM-96 and PCM-96 Surround—standalone reverbs designed for seamless integration with digital audio workstations (DAWs).
From the consumer market perspective, Lexicon’s 1990s offerings included the LXP series—models such as LXP-1, LXP-5, LXP-15, and LXP-15II—followed by the budget-friendly MPX1. The early 2000s saw the introduction of an affordable reverb line called the MX series, with the Lexicon MX200 serving as its entry-level model.
Hard disk recording
Lexicon was among the early innovators in the hard disk recording industry, launching the Opus system in 1988. This platform offered 8 channels of disk input/output alongside a built-in 12-channel digital mixing console. Over subsequent years, Opus received enhancements incorporating EQ and console automation features. By the mid-1990s, the company introduced the Lexicon Studio and Core2 audio interfaces, distinguished by their ability to be expanded with a Lexicon reverb daughterboard accessible directly through the recording software.
Electroacoustic enhancement
In 1988, Lexicon created LARES, an electronic processing technology designed to customize acoustic environments within performance venues. The system employs microphones to capture sound, central processing units to execute time-varying anti-feedback, delay, and reverberation algorithms, and arrays of loudspeakers to reintroduce the enhanced audio into the space. In 1995, LARES Associates separated from Lexicon as an independent entity. Nonetheless, Lexicon continues to leverage its foundational LARES development by offering a simplified microprocessor controller called the MC-12, aimed at enhancing sound quality in both residential and professional listening environments. This solution is marketed under the name Lexicon LIVE.
Home theater equipment
Lexicon’s initial entry into home theater technology was marked by their surround processor model, the CP-1. This was succeeded by the CP-2, followed by the CP-3 and CP-3+. Notably, the CP-3 and CP-3+ were the first home theater devices from Lexicon to achieve THX certification.
With the advent of Dolby Digital, the CP series was phased out and replaced by the DC series, starting with the DC-1 in 1996 and then the DC-2. During this period, Lexicon introduced its groundbreaking surround sound algorithm known as Logic 7, which was acclaimed for producing an immersive soundfield from seven speakers using either stereo or 5.1 audio inputs.
Subsequently, Lexicon expanded its lineup by adding the MC-1, which became their flagship model alongside the DC-1 and DC-2 units.
A few years later, models such as the MC-12 and MC-12b were launched. The MC-12b mirrored all features of the MC-12 but included balanced outputs in addition to standard unbalanced connections. Shortly thereafter, Lexicon broadened its product range with lower-tier models like the MC-8 and MC-4, as well as producing a receiver named the RV-8.
As of August 2016, Lexicon’s flagship product is the MC-14. This model notably lacks room correction capabilities that were present in earlier versions like the MC-12.
Besides surround processors, Lexicon’s portfolio includes LX and CX multi-channel amplifiers for home theater use and the RT-20 DVD player. Their discontinued NT amplifier series were essentially rebadged units manufactured by Bryston.
Lexicon BD-30/THX Certification Dispute
In 2010, a review published on Audioholics.com disclosed that the internal components and chassis of Lexicon's BD-30 Blu-ray player (priced at $3500) were identical to those found in the Oppo BDP-83 (which retailed for $500). Performance evaluations in audiovisual testing also confirmed no modifications had been made that affected functionality.[1] Additionally, this model was awarded THX certification, marking it as the first Blu-ray player to receive such a distinction, despite reportedly not passing essential THX compliance tests. Following these revelations, references to its certification have largely been removed from the official THX website.[1]
References
External links
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