Sample Accurate Sync from DAW using MTP AV USB + 828 MKII FW

[Jez_Wright]

Hi all,

I recently bought a MTP AV USB and MTP II to allow for more flexible MIDI routing within my hardware setup. I've got them linked up via network cable, running in Clockworks on the latest build of Catalina, and as a standalone 16x16 MIDI patchbay routing MIDI from my MPC1000 it's absolutely flawless.

In terms of audio I multi-track 16 channels into Ableton via 2x 828s, but since I don't sync the DAW and the MPC, each recording has to be done in one take and any overdubs have to be lined up manually. I'm therefore looking for a solution that will allow me to use both the MPC and the DAW in tandem.

I've long pined after an ERM Multiclock, described by many as the saviour of all hybrid setups, but given it's also £450 I've turned my attention back to the MOTU gear sitting in my rack. 'Sample accurate MIDI clock' is a phrase that gets banded about a lot; from what I understand this is simply the process of converting an audio click into MIDI clock. While the ERM (and the significantly cheaper Expert Sleepers Usamo) both use a VST plugin to generate the audio click, is there any reason you couldn't just use Ableton's stock metronome to generate the click?

Moreover, the actual hardwired connection really is quite simple:

audio out (audio interface) -> audio in (sync box) -> MIDI out (sync box)

But how would I replicate this with a 828 MK2 FW and a MTP AV USB?

I've flicked through the manual and 'audio click to MIDI' through Pedal A on the MTP seems like the most sensible option but the other sync options (SMPTE, ADAT, Word Clock etc.) are really confusing me. Which is best for rock solid sync? Is the MTP's clock even up for the job, or should I cut my losses and invest in a sync box? And in terms of MMC (e.g. record in Ableton triggers play start on MPC), how is this transmitted from the DAW to the MPC? USB to MIDI? And are there any specific settings I need to enable in Clockworks?

Cheers!

[mikehalloran]

You will need to do some reading so that you understand just how sync and MIDI interact. You will be using the Mac's clock or the MTP's depending on which is chasing the other — which we don't know.

This is pretty easy but, until you familiarize with the basic terms and workflow, nothing will make sense.

Add to that, you are using Ableton which has its own terminology, no doubt.

Searchable .pdf files are your friend. Start with clock and go from there.