Here's a question that I touched on in the StudioLive Classic forum regarding using a Lexicon MX400 external F/X processor with my 16.0.2 but wanted to expand on its use with the RM16AI
Now I understand that I can use software plug-ins within something like Studio One to take the original analogue input (but sent via firewire) to S1 (or Logic maybe) running on a Mac connected to the RM via firewire so it effectively sends & returns digitally on the same channel with no analogue patching needed.
So far...so good I think.
But I am reading that the Lexicon MX400 in addition to being a hardware unit patched with cables can also be used as either a VST or AU plug-in within a DAW using USB so I was wondering whether this means that instead of doing the usual routing of PreSonus analogue in->aux out->MX400 analogue in->MX400 analogue out->PreSonus analogue in (phew) I could use the MX400 as a virtual plug-in within Studio One or Logic which would mean I could utilise only the one input channel on the RM16AI for a virtual effects loop.
Does this sound right or am I dreaming because this sounds fantastic to me using the RM without cable patching and using two channels instead of one for an external F/X unit.
Does it even make sense because I am confused writing it...
Thanks & kind regards,
-=Glyn=-

PreSonus StudioLive 16.0.2 Firmware 0.98f Build 219
PreSonus StudioLive RM16AI Firmware 1.0.7784
MacBook Pro 2.3GHz i7/16GB/1TB SSD/El Capitan 10.11.6
MacBook Air 1.7GHz i7/8GB/512GB SSD/El Capitan 10.11.6
Universal Control 1.7.3 (1.6.5742 Driver 4.2.0.39752)
Universal Control AI 1.5.0.36497
UC Surface 1.8
Studio One Professional 3.2.0.36707
Capture 2.2.0.36497
SL-Remote 1.5.5503
QMix 1.3.5508
QMix AI 1.2.29258
iPhone 6S iOS 9.3.4
iPad Air 2 iOS 9.3.4

I haven't used the MX400, so this is based on very limited research, but yes you should be able to do what you want. As far I can see the MX400 has a USB audio interface built in that works with the supplied VST plugin. The plug in doesn't do any processing, it just provides an interface to the hardware unit. So as far as the DAW is concerned it's a plugin, which means you can route stuff from the RM into the DAW, process it with the MX400 and send it back to the RM channel using Firewire or Dante. There will be some extra latency on this but as it's a reverb that probably doesn't matter. I'd expect about 6ms latency.

I was just trying to figure out the best way to connect my MX400 to the RM32 last weekend. I didn't realize it had the USB/VST plugin option. That would a great alternate compared to using 4 aux and 4 input channels. I might have to try it out! Too bad the VST plugin is only 32bit though.

Would be interested to hear how you find the MX400 vs. the internal F/X or any other F/X unit come to that.
Been thinking about this before I push the button on one myself and not sure it would work as audio is not passed along the USB as far as I can see.
USB looks to be control only and the plug-in to be a control interface to the MX400 so it might only be capable of passing audio via the analogue connections using the plug-in as the control interface in which case an analogue in/out pair would still have to be used.
It can pass audio through its pair of SP/DIF phono's but then of course as I understand it the RM SP/DIF is output only and full mix at that so no go there also.
Thwarted at every turn it would seem.
If only the RM had SP/DIF input in addition to SP/DIF output and they could be set to any mix bus/channel etc.
Thanks & kind regards,
-=Glyn=-

PreSonus StudioLive 16.0.2 Firmware 0.98f Build 219
PreSonus StudioLive RM16AI Firmware 1.0.7784
MacBook Pro 2.3GHz i7/16GB/1TB SSD/El Capitan 10.11.6
MacBook Air 1.7GHz i7/8GB/512GB SSD/El Capitan 10.11.6
Universal Control 1.7.3 (1.6.5742 Driver 4.2.0.39752)
Universal Control AI 1.5.0.36497
UC Surface 1.8
Studio One Professional 3.2.0.36707
Capture 2.2.0.36497
SL-Remote 1.5.5503
QMix 1.3.5508
QMix AI 1.2.29258
iPhone 6S iOS 9.3.4
iPad Air 2 iOS 9.3.4

You are correct, control only via USB (just googled it). Oh well.
I just bought the CS/RM combo a few weeks ago and I haven't played around with the internal effects much yet, so I can't comment on how the internal FX compare to the MX400. Sorry!
I'm using the aux channels to build something like stem sub-mixes for an 8 channel HearBack monitoring system and having only 2 reverb returns doesn't let me add isolated reverb to the 3 sub-mixes that I want (main vocals, back vocals, drums). If the RM could have a combination of 4 reverb OR delay channels instead of being fixed at 2 of each, it wouldn't be an issue (I'm not using the delays yet). Actually, if the stereo reverb could be split into 2 mono channels (like the MX400 can), that would be perfect. I'll have to look to see if that is possible, or send in a feature request.
Jason

You can't use the USB port on the RM itself. What you can do is connect up the mx400 to a PC running a daw, connect the RM to the PC with FireWire or Dante and then process the audio via the PC.
there's no analogue insert point on the RM but there is effectively a digital insert point with FireWire and Dante. It's what the big boy consoles do to send audio out to a waves soundgrid server, or some such. You can now do the same with an RM, a FireWire laptop and a Daw. Offers a tremendous wealth of extra processing, if you can handle a bit of latency. FireWire offers less latency than Dante virtual soundcard.