Lexicon's Omega Desktop Studio Shipping

Front (Click for a close-up)	Rear (Click for a close-up)
Pantheon Reverb (Click for a close-up)

Lexicon Pro is now shipping their Omega Desktop Recording Studio, which was announced at the Fall AES show in New York.

Lexicon is taking a whole-system approach to desktop recording. Omega Studio is an integrated 24-bit computer recording system that includes the Omega 8x4x2 USB I/O mixer, ProTracks Plus 32-track recording software, Bias Deck SE and Pantheon Lexicon reverb plug-in.

Differentiating itself from standard computer I/O boxes which are typically based on a patch-bay paradigm, the Omega 8x4x2 USB I/O mixer is based on a mixer paradigm and includes input, output and mixing functions that support a variety of tracking/monitoring applications while requiring no additional mixing hardware.

The Omega I/O mixer provides 8 inputs which are assignable in pairs to any of 4 simultaneous record channels featuring high-resolution 24-bit analog to digital converters. Two of the inputs feature low-noise dbx mic-preamps with 48-volt phantom power and TRS insert points. Four TRS active balanced line inputs accept up to +22dBu signals to allow interfacing to either unbalanced or professional high-output level balanced equipment. Included is an S/PDIF input combined with an additional DAC for zero-latency, direct monitoring of the S/PDIF source to allow simultaneous tracking of analog and digital sources. A high-impedance instrument input is accessible on the front panel.

The Omega I/O mixer provides a peak indicator for each analog input as well as an assignable bargraph meter for signal level monitoring. By monitoring the signal at the A/D converters, it avoids the problems with software-only level monitoring that can miss clipping and ruin your track. The Omega I/O mixer also includes a fully opto-isolated MIDI input to ensure that there is no annoying ground loop hum or MIDI talk-through noise common with many I/O boxes and sound cards. MIDI output has rock-solid synchronization to USB frame rate to support applications requiring critical sync.

The included ProTracks Plus is a 32-track recording suite for Windows that includes all the modules you need to track, edit, process, sequence and mix your masterpiece. Not only does it include non-linear editing, plug-in support, and acidized looping features, it contains a full featured MIDI sequencer with event editing and automation features as well as soft synth support.

For the Mac users out there, the Omega also ships with BIAS Deck 3.5 SE recording software, which turns your Mac into a full-fledged recording studio. You can easily record up to 64 tracks, with full CD quality and then edit your work instantly, while always being able to revert to your original recordings.

Designed entirely by Lexicon engineers, the included Pantheon reverb plug-in offers 35 factory presets featuring 6 reverb types (hall, chamber, plate, room, ambience and custom) controlled by a user interface with 16 editable parameters.

Omega Studio has an estimated street price of $349.99 is now available.