Syncing DP to Analog multitrack

Timeline · Post by **Timeline** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 12:48 pm

I think the start time of the tc is where you are missing it. I think I remember that an offset is required but it's old memory synapse firing in these comments.

Plus, I do remember I had to set the mtpav to tc and made sure it read the proper tc from the machine, then all was well.

sdfalk · Post by **sdfalk** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 1:09 pm

There is a fine balance here that you may have to try a few times to figure out the best level for your machines, but when using professional machines, -7db is a common level to record timecode at on digital tape while -3 db is good for analog tapes..
I think that's the case with LTC timecode anyway..maybe levels is the issue

kid · Post by **kid** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 1:47 pm

Well as far as level goes I've recorded it at -3VU and it appears to be a healthy signal.
Regarding TC offset or start time where is that set. When I striped TC onto the analog tape in clockworks its started at 00:00:00:00. When I roll tape and I change clockworks to LTC or LTCquicklock the numbers lock up in that window and start rolling.Should I be starting the stripe at 01:00:00:00? Does it matter where the play wiper is positioned in DP. I tried it ahead of the TC by like 10sec or so as well as behind it. DP just never start to roll.

sdfalk · Post by **sdfalk** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 1:51 pm

with ltc preroll she be about 10 seconds (if i remember correctly) but since
you appear to have tried that..sorry man..levels was the first thing to pop into my head.

pcm · Post by **pcm** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 7:27 pm

Don't forget that if you do not have a box to negotiate smpte into wordclock, you will have pops and clicks. You need a MTPAV, or similar. Without it, you are more or less dead in the water.

(The above assumes that you have AUDIO in your DP file. If it is MIDI only, then no problem of course.)

pcm · Post by **pcm** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 7:33 pm

sdfalk wrote:There is a fine balance here that you may have to try a few times to figure out the best level for your machines, but when using professional machines, -7db is a common level to record timecode at on digital tape while -3 db is good for analog tapes..
I think that's the case with LTC timecode anyway..maybe levels is the issue

-3dB will likely result in bleed into your adjacent track. -10dB is a far safer bet.

pcm · Post by **pcm** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 7:40 pm

kid wrote:Well as far as level goes I've recorded it at -3VU and it appears to be a healthy signal.
Regarding TC offset or start time where is that set. When I striped TC onto the analog tape in clockworks its started at 00:00:00:00. When I roll tape and I change clockworks to LTC or LTCquicklock the numbers lock up in that window and start rolling.Should I be starting the stripe at 01:00:00:00? Does it matter where the play wiper is positioned in DP. I tried it ahead of the TC by like 10sec or so as well as behind it. DP just never start to roll.

Timecode numbers can be striped at whatever start time you want. No, it doesn't matter where in the timeline DP is, it will locate automatically when DP receives sync. But the play button MUST be flashing or else it won't go into play even if it does receive sync. If you are seeing the numbers in Clockworks when the analog machine is running, then DP is the issue. Something is amiss in the config for receiving sync.

glea · Post by **glea** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 10:04 am

I've been archiving a load of stuff I have on reels. These songs had MIDI elements: drums and some keys. It seemed like it was time to do this, as I wanted to store the 8 track, and I don't have much faith that my old SR16 and floppies were gonna last too much longer. As it turned out, I had one corrupt file, so far. For the life of me, I can't find another disc that has this one, and there should be the original somewhere.

I don't use a MPTAV. I have an older SCSI model, which I just use as a MIDI patchbay. I just go the quick and dirty method, using the PCI SMPTE Set up. My Fostex reel has an auto locator, which does all the MIDI stuff for me. I can take the smpte out of that, and just plug it into a channel, via the SMPTE console. Set the Slave To External Sync to Sample Accurate. Set the start time to match the song start time. Arm play on DP and press go on the Fostex 5050. Bang, it works every time.

I actually had more trouble trying to remember how the SR16 works. If I could fine the book, it'd be easier. It's got some quirks now, so attempts to fix up the drums parts hasn't been so easy either.

With the tracks on the computer, I can return to them in the future if needed. It also seemed like I could record the MIDI out of the SR16 and map it to my SR12, or any other drum machine - hard or soft.

Does this help? I was surprised the first time I did this to see how easy it is. I've done the same with my G16..

glea · Post by **glea** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 8:56 pm

in the event you cared... a posting on the CareerRecords.com site about this very same issue, with photo... including absolutely no helpful technical information... http://www.careerrecords.com/news/news.html

kid · Post by **kid** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 4:36 am

Just to clarify some settings. When stripping what setting should clockworks be set to (Internal, MTC, LTC, LTCquicklock?) When receiving sync the only setting that seems to make the TC lock up is LTC or LTC quicklock. Additionally when receiving sync in DP what should my settings be set to (Receive sync MTC...?) What about the clock source setting as well? Keep on internal or switch to SMPTE? I gong to try and call Motu today.

magicd · Post by **magicd** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 7:25 am

Don't use the micro Express for sync. It doesn't have word clock and you'll get drift problems right away.

The HD192 can generate SMPTE. It can also lock to to incoming SMPTE and resolve it's own word clock to that sync.

Use the SMPTE Console software for the PCI card. Internal for stripe. LTC (not LTC QuickLock) for sync.

DP gets set to Sample Accurate for the sync source.

Shoot me an email with your phone number and I'll give you a ring if you need help setting it all up.

Magic Dave
magicd@motu.com

kid · Post by **kid** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 9:26 am

Dave I can't thank you enough. It worked perfectly. I was a little confused and was just about to shoot you an email but I figured it out. Awesome support man. Truly appreciate it.

magicd · Post by **magicd** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 10:47 am

kid wrote:Dave I can't thank you enough. It worked perfectly. I was a little confused and was just about to shoot you an email but I figured it out. Awesome support man. Truly appreciate it.

Happy New Year!

Dave