CXM1978 vs PCM70, PCM96 and Bricasti

In this video, I try to make the CXM sound like some of the most legendary high end reverb rack units. My other CXM video: • CXM 1978 - Overhyped o...
Checkout my Kemper Profiles: bighairyprofil...
Official Big Hairy Guitars DynIR pack for Two Notes:
store.two-note...
#CxM1978 #Bricasti #Lexicon

[@LeonTodd]

Watched this hoping I wouldn't want to drop $$ on the CXM, now I want a Bricasti.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Big Hairy Upsell

[@manuelbastian]

😂👌🏻

[@californiasurfpunkmetal6207]

Don’t we all...?

[@ryanheard]

These were exactly my thoughts.

[@Liam_Doherty_UK]

I just had to have one, the Bricasti that is. Did you get one in the end Mr Todd?

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

Hold on let me get my cellphone to make sure I'm hearing them at there best.

[@ianfurqueron5850]

LOL! I listened through my TV and home stereo... but I honestly don't think the fidelity is good enough to tell if there's much difference between them.

[@antonbriggs5680]

Make sure you set the quality to 480p for ultimate audio fidelity.

[@LDdrums20]

Hehehhe

[@fiddlefolk]

I would set up some bass traps for that thing🤣

[@dwftube]

I completely see why the Bricasti is king of the hill - esp. on orchestral. But I REALLY liked the warmth and fatness of the PCM70.

[@LordFingers1]

For that price the. Bricasti better OBLITERATE the competition. The CXM hangs with them, and for a pedal!! Whoa, that’s impressive!

[@jamiehiles1848]

Bricasti>PCM96>PCM70>CXM The Bricasti and PCM96 are on another level.

[@californiasurfpunkmetal6207]

For the CXM to even be in the same conversation with an M7 and PCM96 is flipping amazing. Great comparison...

[@0megalul309]

it has to be considering its price for a pedal lol. No other pedal is priced like rack gear unless its some vintage klon BS

[@konnektlive]

Oh my god that PCM96 sounds fkin' incredible! Cheerio! Bricasti and PCM96 for me!

[@coalfacechris1336]

Liked them all, the PCM96 the best.

[@joesantangelo1]

That Bricasti is GOD TIER, on drums. Holy hell.

[@wakjob961]

okay...that Bricasti thing is on another level.

[@PedigreeGuitars]

I am suprised how the PCM70 stands with these new units!!! I think in most of them I prefered it!

[@BigHairyGuitars]

A LOT of vibe from that old dog!

[@jamesmeeker6933]

PCM 70 is great. All of the PCMs are fabulous.

[@Cefshah]

All of these are definitely usable. Even so, I'm glad that I listened to these comparisons. I've always liked the Lexicon 'sound', but that Bricasti is as many say... very realistic! For me, I prefer the PCM-96!! For one thing, it's way real-enough... but has a type of liveliness that I have loved to hear on audio.

[@ShawnTubbs]

I'm very impressed with the CXM but that Bricasti? Yikes, that thing is in the business of truth!!! Great video Michael.

[@Stahlengelmusic]

Wow! Came for the CXM and now I know how a Bricasti M7 sounds

[@RDamps]

PCM70 for the money is still awesome

[@sigilwajin]

I think CXM1978 is a very good value for money against the other expensive effectors being compared here. Thank you for your nice video!🥰

[@Paolocampitelli]

i love so much the pcm70, it is magic

[@wackerburg]

That Bricasti really is the king of this comparison. Blown away!

[@theblowupdollsmusic]

Thank you for taking the time to put this great comparison together. I would've loved to of seen some type of plugin there just for comparison.

[@doraysmith]

That PCM96 is the winner here...

[@leftymike5625]

Pcm96 killed them all...🤘

[@flaviocatalanoguitar]

Bricasti Is to me the best hands down but I truly love some patches on PCM70, supe vibey! Excellent job as always indeed!

[@brownsfan7753]

Very nice comparison! The Bricasti is killer!

[@jordandangelo180]

I own a CXM and though the other rack units are absolutely fantastic, I think the CXM, being a pedal you can put on your board , is pretty amazing and I think it person it sounds incredible and has endless options you can dial in. The rack units obviously have a little more life to them but they also cost a lot more.

[@TSFAHTPS]

damn that 96 is cool as!

[@philippechanard4076]

Really helpful ! Gonna buy a PCM70 right away. Tanks

[@kenwhitejr6464]

Awesome job as always from a monster player! Rock on brother!🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@leolovetoparty]

Thank you so much for making this video. I own a PCM70 and would only swap it/upgrade it for the Bricasti, which to me (and to most) is the king of digital reverbs (and which I cannot afford). The CXM does sound very good and as a first foray into outboard/digital reverb is an excellent option, esp given the 2nd hand market for Lexicon and Bricasti. I was lucky with what I paid for my PCM70 and wouldn't swap it for a cxm. To my ears the 70 sounds richer than the 96, which (again) to *my* ears sounded a little bit "thin" and somewhat lacking in mojo compared to the 70. This video confirmed to me that I already own the best digi reverb that I can afford. Thanks again.

[@alanhaynes418]

The frequency response on the 70 is a bit more limited than on the later Lexicons. That is partly what gives it a 'warmer' sound, as well as the algos. I find that I can get pretty close by tailoring the reverb on my PCM91 and by using the dual cascaded reverb algo to thicken it up.

[@OwensDrumming]

They all sound great but the Bricasti sounds like magic. One of the best investments I’ve made in my studio… absolutely gorgeous box. It blends so well with the source and really makes you feel like you are in the room with the instrument. It works so flawlessly on anything you put it on. But be warned… once you buy one, you’re gonna instantly want a second one

[@0megalul309]

2 for stereo?

[@barneyrubble8255]

It is stereo, 2 for drum bus and vocal bus i think. @@0megalul309

[@tommyfoley]

Wish I could put some of my thoughts through the PCM96 so they’d become epic.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

haha

[@ondrejholiencin8555]

Hugely impressed by the PCM96. I wonder how far off it is from my PCM80? Great video as always!

[@PhilipJoyceMusician]

That bricasti just sounds phenomenal on everything. But on the orchestra the PCM96 was really damn close. The chase bliss is very impressive none the less. But my god. That bricasti 😍😍😍

[@markinthemix6055]

Ok.... l been missing ya. Keep the videos coming.

[@TheSavage1969]

If you ever find yourself owning this fine hardware gear and happen to be in a bind with empty pockets going to the dollar menu drive-thru....then sell what you will EXCEPT the Bricasti and guard it with your life. Carry on Grasshoppa....you have been served well.

[@pfrisch6030]

Thanks, As always Michael, you did a fantastic job. For me, it was Bricasti, PCM-96, PCM-70, CXM 1978. It was the drums and Orchestra that narrowed down the choice for me. I heard the most natural tail and more of the original signal with the Bricasti than anything else. It really wasn't that close either. the 96 was the closest. I think any of them would work in a guitar rig.

[@Peter_Stoops]

Well, its not bad!!! - Personally I dig the lexicon’s the most, they have the most personality, and of course the Bricasti is epic....but the CXM..... I can see how people would dig it!!!

[@italoop7850]

Not even close! Always get the real thing!

[@1210Jazz]

now I want an pcm 70

[@InstruMentalCase]

Amazing shootout -- I think the Bricasti was the overall winner but the PCM70 still has incredible vibe and warmth. The CXM almost matches it in standard mode!

[@josephestes7076]

I'd love to see this test with the Golden reverberator

[@michaelklein4582]

Me too! I am curious how the Reverberator sounds on vocals!

[@BPToneReview]

Bowers & Wilkins (England made) monitors and Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro headphones: The 78 is impressive and hung with each one of the big boys. It comes down to a matter of taste but I think you could include it in the line up if someone was in the hunt for a reverberator for the studio, its that good. My taste lean toward the 96, I like the verb trails and seemed to be most natural. I felt the Orchestra demo really help narrow down what I liked best. I would be happy with any of them.

[@riccovrea841]

Great Comparison video! I like them all, the difference give them each a special place that would sit in a mix. The rack gear had more depth and space to my ear.

[@RoyChartier]

PCM 70 hands down is the best reverb of all time.

[@BlackMan614]

I bought one a few years back for like $400. Sent it to Jim Williams for his mod... it is awesome.

[@chrischoir3594]

lol stop

[@headroomguitar]

The Bricasti is amazing. It creates a halo of space without mushing up the direct. The PCM70 kinda does the same but with much crunchier spaces. With the CXM1978, the "tiled room" on drums has a weirdly distorted kick drum. In some other instances I'd want to massage the tails a bit, EQ-wise and the pre-delay/transient bit of the reverb. The Bricasti and the PCM70 are pretty instantly "there". When time is a premium, they are worth their price tag, I guess.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

I agree with you. I think I'm kinda pushing the CXM out of it's comfort zone a little bit. It does a great great room for guitar, and then to me it really shines on more creative verbs.

[@headroomguitar]

@@BigHairyGuitars Yeah, with the low end compressing into distortion and that pretty transienty first reflection the CMX seems to be more geared towards working into a compressing amp. It is stacking up pretty well, though. Heck, even the PCM96 seems a bit hit and miss to me, whereas the PCM70 and the Bricasti are just doing their thing gracefully and it‘s just about picking flavors...

[@jordandangelo180]

@@headroomguitar definitely true and the room reverb on the CXM is outstanding. The trippy verbs are killer as well. Listen to Mike Herman’s play “ The End “ on the CXM. He really shows what it can do in a guitar arrangement in a trippy tune like the “ The End “

[@paulweber9945]

Anyhoo... I dug this video. One thing I think you didn't cover is just how EASY it is to come up with a sound on the CXM vs. any of those rack units (used in standalone mode, w/out external programmers or computer connections). Imitating any of the rack presets with the CXM take muuuuch less time than doing the opposite (been there, done that)

[@watsonunlimitedmusic]

All sound excellent, which is my real takeaway. The strings are the teller though - the Bricasti and the PCM96 definitely sound expensive on the orchestral material. But listen to that PCM70 ! Personally really love that instant vibe on the strings. CXM sounds excellent throughout too imho..

[@ivoleary6332]

Huge superior sound from Bricasti and Lexicon 96. However hands down for the best reverb pedal ever made out there.

[@joemarabella2145]

Which would be?

[@OwensDrumming]

They all sound great but the Bricasti sounds like magic. One of the best investments I’ve made in my studio… absolutely gorgeous box. It blends so well with the source and really makes you feel like you are in the room with the instrument. Be warned… once you buy one, you’re gonna instantly want a second one

[@chandeleerjet5637]

What do you mean by wanting a second one? Do you mean like so you can track multiple instruments through them at once or is it mono and you want a second one for stereo?

[@OwensDrumming]

@@chandeleerjet5637 i want another so i can use two of them when I’m mixing, set to different programs. Maybe one set to a hall and one set to a plate, of something like that

[@chandeleerjet5637]

@@OwensDrumming oh ok I can see how that would be useful with a high quality reverb.

[@christopherpederson1021]

Ideally you would want to run the CXM into the Bricasti. Also, the Bricasti is so lifelike, you can taste the sound. That PCM 96 sounds just so incredibly smooth.

[@JtSo-cb8hg]

to my ears, the PCM96 has the warmest, most organic sound

[@francisbalemansj635]

Amazing progams in Lexicon 😉

[@cliftonwright7081]

I literally had tiled room pulled up when I clicked on this video

[@buschovski1]

I have the CXM its nice. The Ventris pedal is pretty sweet. But I havent touched it in a while. CXM Its very fun to use with delay too. Nice choruses too

[@aristocaster]

The tails were better always in Bricasti and Lexicon PCM96, on the second sample, the bass drum was awful on CXM

[@christopherpederson1021]

Yea, it doesn’t handle drums very well. I have it. Synths though, totally different matter...

[@geoffreymerrifield5666]

The Drums starting at 5:03 really demonstrate the differences. Bricasti amazing, followed by Lexicon... Was really hoping the CXM 1978 would hold up there but I don't think it does. Will be holding on to my Lex pcm 92 even though I'm not overly attached to it. The quality and 4 channels make it too good to let go since I have no plans or budget for a Bricasti..

[@fiddlefolk]

The Bricasti stands alone and I can see why it is so expensive. The CXM for the price and pedal format competes fairly well. There is something in the high end that I don't find as pleasing . I have a PCM 70 version 2 and there is just something magical about it. I feel like the lack of bit depth is probably what helps these older units work so well especially with guitar and maybe with the newer CXM that higher fidelity is what I don't find appealing.. Like most things Lexicon, the PCM 96 sounded great as well.

[@Yupppi]

Weird. Almost every time PCM70 was the one where I went "wait what happened, what's that, sounds interesting, frequencies are in the right place for my taste". Well, at least it's cheaper than PCM96 or CXM.

[@dizmix]

PCM 96 is the standout... 🔥

[@asor8037]

For me it was that badass guitar lick, really smokin! The verbs were all nice, some a bit smoother. But who cares, the music comes first.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

YES! The guitar is my buddy Philip Sayce. Truly one of the best around!!! www.philipsayce.com/

[@andy80sdrums]

PCM70 is the best all-arounder given the price.

[@kesamek8537]

Lexicon PCMs still crushing it.

[@gioelevio1626]

Great video! Also I'd like to hear some of your thoughts on the new Neural DSP SLO-100 plugin:). I'm really digging some aspects of it, others a bit less, but I never actually played a real SLO, so it would be cool to hear what a real Soldano expert thinks.

[@nikolavuksan2029]

Honestly,... In order; PCM96, CXM1978, PCM70, Bricasti. The PCM 96 sounded more brilliant and 3D but the CXM1978 would more than suffice against the other 2. Had a great vibe the 78'. The PCM 70 is cool but for certain applications.

[@delta-9969]

Am I crazy for thinking the PCM70 sounds the best out of all of them?

[@andrewwhitehouse1878]

Michael your videos are fantastic! Really well done. I must admit I always feel like a reverb Philistine, I don’t get what people rave about with Bricasti etc.. yeah sure it sounds nice, but they all do 🤷🏻‍♂️and I could use work with any of them, even the plugins. I often wondered if I just couldn’t hear the difference, but after trying to listen blind to these shootouts, I just don’t think there’s as much of a quality difference as price indicates, and I often prefer the cheaper ones :-) or perhaps I just can’t hear it :-D

[@Cesiumswimsuit]

My two cents on this, they all do sound excellent but the Bricasti has such a natural quality that blends with the sound source…the others sound great and have their applications too but they all sound like an obvious effect. With the Bricasti to my ears, especially on drums in this vid or in a mix the transients sound like a natural room or hall. It “glues” to the sound source in a way the others don’t seem to. Just my opinion!

[@shakeyjonez]

That lil box has a lot of PCM 70 flavor.

[@Angellus502]

Damn they sound pretty close on my $2k cheap audiophile rig. CXM sounds a little harsh and middy/bright, Bricasti sounds natural, the 70 warm and old school (low fi?), the 96 a little mid scooped: My ears and playback rig. Bricasti >96>70>CXM

[@jamesgrant3343]

Really interesting, used the PCM live many, many times (usually with Yamaha SPX990 and TCElectronic D2). Used the Bricast in studio work as it’s absolutely fantastic. Usually in the box I prefer Liquisonics Seventh Heaven. What I need is a pedal-board reverb that doesn’t suck. I’m sorry to say that the Strymon pedals all have a very metallic high frequency and all sound like a bad reverb effect rather than natural reverb. I’m considering the Chase Bliss CWA1978 but am now a little disappointed that it doesn’t sound as good as the PCM70 - which is an ooold and approx the same price as the CWA1978. However, is it good enough?…. I wish it was better…

[@cmath8577]

In comparison to the other offerings, The CXM seemed to have almost too much chorusing in the tail in this particular hall setting. Can it be dialed back? You can hear the 224 vibe in that grainy tail. CXM "Tiled room " was close but seemed to needs some adjustment as with a drum loop, as the hits bring out an early reflection or slap going on that is not present in the PCM 70 TIled Room. Bricasti lives in it's own world.and is a natural wonder box as stated

[@berruccio]

PCM70 really shines on mono sources, the image really shrinks with stereo sources. This is very apparent with the orchestra. This is because the PCM70 is Mono In Stereo Out. I think this might also be the reason why it tends to sound "closer" than the others. BUT THAT VIBE is unmatched if you ask me... The Bricasti is more "hidden" than all the others, doing the job and being more transparent while still filling up the space. Sounds pretty awesome. It'd be my go to for an all around film-music mixing reverb OTB. I wasn't a big fan of the modulation on the cxm, was too pronounced and the tails sounded "chaotic" instead of "pretty". Would be cool for shoe-gazey type sounds though. It is a great sounding reverb but the transients (early reflections?) were a bit too harsh for me. Overall the 96 just seems like a 3 grand valhalla room verb, based on what we hear here. I'm not as familiar with it so this opinion might be flawed. Thank you for the video, really enjoyed listening!

[@BigHairyGuitars]

When I get a chance, I'll do a Valhalla vs PCM96 test.

[@galaxiesmerge_original]

The Bricasti is king of the hill but, if you want that 1970’s/1980’s reverb, then the CXM nails it for the old Lexicon 224 before the 480L came out. Think the synth sounds of early Vangelis and Jarre through the 224 …

[@officialpoa3171]

*THE CMX SEEMS TO SOUNDS FAR BETTER THAN THAT LEXICON UNITS AND THE BRICASTI! The tone stays truer and the over all scope and shape is just intense*

[@BigHairyGuitars]

it has a wonderful tone, rich and dramatic. It DOES has a little hint of a metallic character that is always in there though. I wish there was a "soften" control. But, none the less, it's fantastic

[@DidierBampiliMusicProduction]

Nice video 📹

[@danielspangler8358]

Listening via tracfone I vote Lexi 70 and 96.

[@vakula5500]

CXM!

[@романпаньшин-я5ц]

I think, Bricasti is the best for vocals and orcestra. But for guitar and drums pcm70 is the best of. PCM96 - good working reverb for all types, but, may be, a little bit spineless... I also haven't to say bad about CXM1978... Pretty good reverb)

[@scottgentile3830]

The Lexicon PCM-70 sounds different to the rest in terms of being thick and gritty rather than silky smooth. So if I was to choose two, it would be the PCM-70 plus another (probably the Bricasti).. I'm surprised how the Lexicon PCM96 hall sounds like a plate, pretty bad IMO.

[@tejeguitar]

Hey Michael. How is it going? Just wanted to ask you about the Lexicon PCM92. I have the oportunity to pick one used up for around 650$ (well, 650€, to be exact). And I could not find many info about it on the net... As it gets rapidly eclipsed by the surround brother, the PCM96. But, if I am not mistaken, it has the same algos as the PCM96, execept it has no surround functionalities. Thank you in advance and all the best, Michael!

[@yillars]

[@kevinkraemer1745]

Philip Sayce on guitars and vocals?😎

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Yep. Vocal and guitar 1

[@eyesintheskies]

The pcm70 knocked it on its ass in the first example. Think where this pedal really shines is in ease of use and parameter adjustment during playback

[@yansdgr]

Pcm70 all day !!

[@eureitz7490]

I feel like the 96 has some ducking going on the others don't...Bricasti WOW!

[@lastboxofsparklers]

I prefered cxm and pcm70 on most of the sounds. Bricasti sounds quite dull and boring in these clips.

[@FakeGlasses]

I heard/felt the biggest gap in terms of clear preference on the drums - the CXM did not sound nearly as good, the other samples it was much closer. The Bricasti was very impressive, but for $4k+ it oughta be, didn't feel it was so head and shoulders above the CXM and others on several other settings. I wonder how it stands up against Valhalla etc. and other VST's.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

I think you’re hearing things correctly. What the Bricasti is incredible at is being transparent and adding dimension and ambience. The Lexicon stuff is better at being heard and adding dimension. The Valhalla and other reverbs are great. But (don’t ask me why…I’ve been told why, but it only 1/2 makes sense), the hardware reverbs almost always sound deeper wider richer and more complex than software. BUT that doesn’t always matter in a mix. If you’re just adding a touch of verb on a few elements, plugins are perfect. The CXM excels at being interesting, long spacey verbs, super short verbs, and dynamically changing verbs.

[@GonzaCordovez]

it was close!...although on drums on the first setting was ugly...Lexicon kicked her ass!

[@chipco5150]

And the winner is....AMS rmx 16!

[@Buzzrocketmedia]

PCM 70 - Guitar - "TILED ROOM" = kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGXaaoN8Ys-DaLM CXM 1978 - Guitar - "TILED ROOM = kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGXaaoN8Ys-DaLM PCM 70 - Live Drums - "TILED ROOM" = kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGXaaoN8Ys-DaLM CXM 1978 - Live Drums - "TILED ROOM = kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGXaaoN8Ys-DaLM CXM 1978 - Orchestra - "LARGE HALL" = kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGXaaoN8Ys-DaLM Bricasti M7 - Orchestra - "LARGE HALL" = kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGXaaoN8Ys-DaLM PCM 96 - Orchestra - "LARGE HALL" = kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGXaaoN8Ys-DaLM PCM 70 - Orchestra - "LARGE HALL" = kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGXaaoN8Ys-DaLM

[@AdamGotheridge]

Great job with this one. The pedal is pretty incredible. Dig the 70 in general. My 90, which I loved, lost one side of the input and it just sounds completely not the same using it mono in stereo out. Stereo in and out on that thing is incredible. Know anyone who can fix those things? Thanks for that, and the video.

[@alanhaynes418]

Sounds like an input channel op-amp or A/D chip - pre the Lexichip 2 so it should be pretty repairable without too much expense.

[@AdamGotheridge]

@@alanhaynes418 Thanks, really appreciated and I'll look around.

[@mrnorbotron3308]

Shit, now I have to buy a Bricasti. That thing is unbelievable. Jezzz. I wish I haven't seen this video. :-(

[@blankmelon]

My thoughts: The CXM traded blows pretty well with the PCM70 for the most part, except on Tiled Room (adv 70). Bricasti sounded great everywhere, excelling at Halls for me. But the PCM96 sounded best of the bunch in the Large Hall. But honestly I think drums and vocals revealed differences the best. Guitar tracks the least, to my ears.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

Yes, but if I didn't include guitars, there'd be a bunch of angry people! hahah. To be honest, I use the PCM96 hall probably the most for my orchestral work. The PCM70 for fun stuff, and the Bricasti to either fix sounds, or as an alternate verb.

[@blankmelon]

@@BigHairyGuitars yeah if you didn’t include guitars, my comment simply would’ve been: Yo where’s the guitarz?! Very cool that you did this video. Had to go back and turn on the PCM80 tonight (with my guitar)

[@jordandangelo180]

CXM Hall used in a trippy tune sounds great - Mike Herman’s “ The End “ kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKK3f5-Xa7qib6s

[@christopherpederson1021]

The pcm does always manage to sound ridiculously larger than life in a great way. THe CXM sounds pretty much plastic compared to it

[@Doty6String]

I like that PCM 96 never heard of it before…..and of course the M7 is incredible. The pedal was the worst of the bunch imo.

[@studioa8068]

Did you ever hear any clipping on the CXM 1978 using line level? I been running a Distressor before it (in a guitar set up) and if I hear it clips the CXM. Wondering if you were using a +4db to -10db converter. Best wishes.

[@veronatragedy7016]

Can you do a video of the CXM with distorted lead tones????? NOBODY on the internet has done one, all they do is cleans :.(

[@veronatragedy7016]

NEVERMIND.... I left above comment before listening to video... I just assumed it was gonna be all cleans

[@FuzzFace]

Great video. Bricasti is ridiculous

[@nickmoore8798]

Completely unrelated, any plans to review the Jet City Custom 22?

[@cymbolic_space1832]

gotta say that CXM does sound amazing but really bungles up the kick drum on every patch, where the other units do not mess with it at all. whats with that?

[@MaxiMovier]

CXM on vocals is the best, i am dissapointed about bricasti in this test a lot

[@mmrseed]

Are you abandoning the trips down memory lane in the 80's guitar mags? Those are fun.

[@BigHairyGuitars]

No. They’ll be back

[@jamesmaxwell5415]

@@BigHairyGuitars Excellent! I enjoyed having coffee and going through the old magazines with you…Memories🙂

[@orlikjungen1]

1-pcm 70 2- no exist 3 -no exist