Push the INPUT I button on the front panel. Push the MONITOR SOURCE and TAPE PRE buttons. Turn the INPUT LEVEL knob all the way down (counterclockwise).
The CP-1 has its own volume and balance controls, which you will be using in place of the ones on your existing preamp or receiver. Set the gains in your main stereo channels for optimum dynamic range as follows.
For best performance, the CP-1 should always be driven to its full Input Level.
Turn on the CP-1. For the first two seconds the display should read: LEXICON CP-1, with a software version number and a copyright notice. For another two seconds there will be a configuration message, then a program name will appear. When the power-up routine is finished, aim the remote control at the unit and push the EFFECT MUTE button (bottom row, right). The message: EFFECTS OUTPUTS OFF will appear in the display for about 4 seconds and the EFFECT MUTE LED on the front panel will light.
Turn on your preamp, choose a signal source and play some loud music (a heavily compressed FM rock station or heavy-metal CD is ideal). Turn the preamp’s volume control up about three quarters of the way. Adjust the CP- 1’s INPUT LEVEL control until the red level-indicator LEDs at the right of the display blink occasionally, then reduce the INPUT LEVEL until only the green LEDs are lit.
If there are audible differences between the levels of the source you used for this calibration procedure and other sources, you may have to readjust the INPUT LEVEL to accommodate them. Where possible, try to use the output level controls on the various sources to equalize levels.
Push and hold the VOLUME DOWN button on the remote control until the bar graph on the display completely disappears and the display reads SYSTEM VOLUME -64 dB. Turn on the main stereo power amplifier, then hold the VOLUME UP button until the CP-1’s volume is at -05 dB. If the back-panel potentiometers are turned all the way down, as they should be, you will not hear any sound yet. If you hear loud sound as the CP-1’s volume advances, stop and reset all rear-panel gain potentiometers fully counterclockwise until they are completely off before proceeding.
With the CP-1’s remote volume at -05 dB, slowly advance the rear- panel potentiometer for the MAIN OUTPUTS until the sound is as loud as you will normally play the system. Do not touch the gain on your preamp or receiver after this adjustment. Use only the CP-1 volume control. (Make sure that this level is not high enough to cause speaker distortion or amplifier clipping.)