Avoid it like the plague
Posted by bard119 from PA on Oct 9, 2009
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Active Musician
Reviewer's Play Style: Rock
Pros:
- Didn't fall apart yet
- Comes with 48v phantom power
Cons:
- Sound sometimes works, sometimes it doesn't. Restarting the application sometimes helps.
- When running multiple apps the sound quality gets heavily distorted and sounds like nails on a chalk board. I've had $5 sound cards that can function on multiple apps.
- 48v phantom power has a mid-high frequency hum that is more than slightly audible.
- Signal can't get loud enough. Mic is barely audible even at full volume. Tested on several mics.
- Support? What's support?
I've never had this many problems out of any single piece of hardware.
Not Compatible With 64-bit
Posted by Anonymous Musician from Massachusetts on Sep 18, 2009
Experience w/product: I have heard about it
Reviewer's Background: Recording Engineer
Reviewer's Play Style: Rock, Pop-Punk
This interface is absolutely horrible. On any 64-bit operating system, it will skip and skip and skip. Even if you have a 32 bit operating system, dont buy this product. If you decide to ever upgrade your copmuter, you will be forced to also upgrade your interface.
Great with Macs
Posted by gggg from Florida on Jun 14, 2009
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: active musician
Reviewer's Play Style: classic rock, blues, alternative
I've had my Lambda for several weeks now and its performance has been fantastic. I use Garageband and a Mac so the setup was a breeze. I don't use the included recording software (like I said, I use Garageband) so I cannot comment on its performance; but the Lambda is great for what it is, a simple recording interface. The only complaint I have is the lack of guitar inputs; there is only one. That being said, the quality of that one input is fantastic, I never have to turn the volume past 12 o clock. I highly recommend this product for Mac users.
Great Starter Interface
Posted by MirrorMatter from San Diego on Apr 20, 2009
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Hobbyist
Reviewer's Play Style: Rock
First, you have to understand that this is an entry level interface. Second, you need to understand that there is not the one cheap magical interface that works perfectly with every system. Do your homework and read reviews on other interfaces. The horror stories can get depressing. So when I saw this cheap unit last September by a solid name like Lexicon, my hopes were up. The first thing I did, and you should do, is make sure that it was designed to run with Windows Vista. The guy at the music store was knowledgeable enough to know that it only worked with 32 bit systems. We checked my computer. The next thing I did was to get a guarantee that if the system did not work, I could return the unit. This kind of device routinely comes with setup problems. Activating the Cubase LE by updating the drivers and setting the Lamda interface as the default interface took a phone call to tech support and about an hour of hassel. But this is what you need to expect; that's why you get the guarantee from the store about the return. Once set up, the Lambda performed as well as I could have hoped for an entry level unit. I knew about the weak preamps for the mics. Do your homework. If you don't hae a low impedence mic, you'll need to get one or run the mic through a mixer and line out to the interface. I line out through a mixer so I was not concerned. I understand the Lexicon Omega, which has AC power, does not have this problem. I do get some whining sometimes from the unit, but I think it is from the cables picking up interference. I unplug them and adjust them securely and that takes care of the issue. Now the good news. First, I experience no latency (yeah!). In my mind this is critical. Second, the Cubase LE comes with some solid entry level reverb, compression, gate effects, which can be combined till the cows come home and work great. I don't think the Cubase is super user friendly, but I have not worked with the other popular software to really compare. Bottom line, I can lay down multiple tracks without latency, effect them the way I want, mix down to wav or mp3, and their ready for itunes. Can you ask for more for your money? Get your system to work and then start making music. Good luck.
Not compatible with Windows Vista
Posted by StantheMan from Midwest on Mar 31, 2009
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Active Musician
Reviewer's Play Style: Anything but rap
Do not buy this unit if you are running Windows Vista 64 bit! The Lambda is completely useless without the correct drivers which Lexicon is unwilling to develop/release. I emailed customer support at Lexicon twice to see if they ever plan to release a compatible driver... Over two months have passed and I have gotten no response.
This experience leads me to two conclusions:
1. Lexicon does not care about their customers
2. Lexicon cares very little about the integrity of their products and will not create something as simple as a driver to facilitate one of their best selling products on newer computer technology.
I work part-time in a music store and will never recommend a Lexicon product to any one of my loyal customers based on this experience.