Lexicon I-Onix U42S

The Lexicon I Onix U42S is a audio interface that you can get online used for around 300 dollars like I did about 6 months after it first came out. The I-Onix has 4 input and 2 output USB 2.0 with a 44.1kHz to 96kHZ sample rates. The unit has a very unique and futuristic type of design. I have not really seen many interfaces that have this type of look to them and can still hold up on everything they say it can do.


UTILIZATION

The unit is very well built and gave us zero problems during the time we where using it. Its very lightweight and can be moved from one computer to the next very easily if you need it to be moved. There are a lot of reviews on this product that people always say there wasn’t enough usable gain. But for our needs we really didn’t have a problem with the gain when using one of our mid priced condenser microphones (cant really remember exactly which microphone we used at the time). The latency was very minimal and almost absent and undetectable it was so minimal. The drivers are very stable, I don’t ever remember Lexicon putting out a update while we where using it. If I remember correctly the Lexicon I-Onix worked great in Acid pro and in Cubase.


GETTING STARTED

Getting started was easy as long as you have some general knowledge on interfaces and how to sync them up with your DAW/Software functions. I have not used another interface that was similar to this one in style so that was a plus. I have used several interface that are similar in specs. So with style points , this one takes the cake.


OVERALL OPINION

The fact that the Lexicon I-Onix U42S was so easy to use and set up was the best part about it, we needed to get it running fast and it did just that. The bad part about this interface is I am not sure how it can hold up with certain microphones. Some microphones gave us a small hiss when using it, and we weren’t sure why. But this only happened with about 3 different microphones but besides that it worked great. I am happy with the choice to go with the I-Onix U42S. We have moved on many times since using it, but I will never forget it.

Sound card with four microphone inputs, phantom power.
Simple, understated and efficient.
Preamp quality (better than what sound cards of this type we have used)
Complete connectivity and suitable for home studio use "classic"

UTILIZATION

The big problem is not the hardware that seems perfect, but the software. No way so far (March 2010) to have stable drivers under Vista 64-bit.
The cpu (core 2 duo 2ghz) is responsible for more than 50% as soon as I plug the card (as against 5% without), which somewhat limits the use ...
I did manage to make high quality recordings in 4 simultaneous tracks (playing on the latency). But these drivers unfulfilled permanently prevent any serious use.
Patience? ...

GETTING STARTED

ras

OVERALL OPINION

I'm still hoping to see out a good driver and use the card that suits me perfectly. But the site and forum of lexicon are not very very dynamic. Remains as to the seriousness of the mark, although it has also acquired through the material in its software.

I do not give overall opinion can not yet judge. And hopes to publish my opinion quickly.

I bought it mainly for good converters output. I chose this card because of the reputation of the brand and its long experience in the digital domain. I also wanted something new, for converters design and capacity recently.

My favorite version 4 entries to those with 2 inputs because for a small price difference, I had many more features: 2 headphone outputs, two instrument inputs.

My config: Laptop Packard Bell three years old, Windows XP 32-bit, 2 GB RAM, 500 GB DDur

UTILIZATION

I use it with Reason.
It rolls, it bursts, it's slippery.

The only problems I encountered was actually plug-ins written in Synth Edit, and not at all the Lexicon so fresh in my config.

Excellent Standard mode latency (5-7 ms?), I did not need to try the faster modes.

I also had the opportunity to test the south entrance, there either are no problems.

I did a few takes micro with: I have the same vocal strength that Carla and Charlotte, although I am a man - a real one, and I found the input gain a little limited. However, I guess if I had the same fine voice as Celine or Lara, there would have been no problem. Adding correct since preamp also helped.

I also catch synth (an old Yamaha sampler for all plastic) and I was surprised by the high quality of care. For once, the hiss level was very very far, very very transparent sound, a real success.

I made these same samples with a synth H4n Zoom, and it was less well with the photo (no breath, less clearly).


GETTING STARTED

Hassle free installation, simple configuration architecture because the architecture of the card.

I wanted something simple that does not mess with ten thousand menus, sub-pages of mixes of inputs, routing, internal effects and other things that pollute the signal path. Reason is beefy enough to handle all that internally.

And this is where the beauty of the architecture of this card extremely simple: each input is directly connected to the converter, with a button analog gain, and that's it! Each entry is then available in Reason.

Analog monitoring is also: a large master volume knob and a button to balance the ratio between direct monitoring of inputs and feedback from computer. Impeccable and transparent.

And all this is so analog, that can be used as a mixer while the computer is off. Part converters and USB is completely independent of the analog operation of the card. I love it.

The digital part is reduced to a bare minimum, no DSP in the monitoring, not digital levels (while the signal is full scale continuous), etc. ... That may be something of a maniac, but here I prefer treatments that would happen in my back.


OVERALL OPINION

Compared to my previous card (a Terratec with 3 stereo outputs for 50 Euros ...), the difference is clear: bass, percussion, percussive, more air between all the instruments of a mix, in short, a its less plastic.

I've had six months now, and given the simplicity and quality, I am the happiest man in the home. And it has the highest quality we can expect a faithful companion: know to be forgotten.

What characteristics have motivated your choice?

The brand, the configuration

For what purpose?

Studio Me ...

What is your config (Motherboard / CPU / Ram / Disk ,...)?
MacBook Pro 2.66 Ghz i7 8Gb Ram, 500GB (7200 rpm)

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable?

Yes

They are often updated?

No

How many tracks do you manage to record / playback simultaneously?

15/20 plugins used by

What latency you get?
Still rather high ... is the weak point of the map (or rather the USB protocol ... no way to have an acceptable latency when using more VST / AU instrument plugin or heavy Waves ...

What software do you use most often?

Cockos REAPER .... for life! I love this software! (Even if it runs better on PC or Mac for now ...: /)
watch the video here .. (With a Dell Studio 1537 ... 420 euros at Carrefour ...)





GETTING STARTED

The installation is done it without problems?
No worries

Have you experienced any incompatibilities?
No

The general configuration is easy?

Easy!

The manual is clear and sufficient? ...

What is a manual?

OVERALL OPINION

What thing do you like most/least about it?

The design, plugin "Pantheon II" aesthetics.

What is your opinion about the value for the price?

Well now, a bit expensive at the time of my purchase (Thomann in Germany)

Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice? ...

Yes and no ... may be my choice it would be version 8 channel Firewire ... less "latency" surely.