MOTUnation.com

Well, I am at a loss here...

Taken over abandoned studio. PT MIX24, G4, OSX. USD driving ADAT Bridge, Mytek, RME, 888/24, and two Liquid Channels. By the time the BNCs get to the Liquids they are out of juice and I am not enjoying solid word clock.

Looking around I find this MOTU MTP. Tried it as a clock and got superb results. Now I'd like to leave the USD out altogether. Easier said than done. (Oddly enough, out of the hundred and some-odd pieces of gear in the studio, the MOTU is the only gear that does not have manuals and drivers available on the internet.)

I need word clock and time code. I've been trying to get PT to chase the MTP for a couple of days now. I've been trying to get the MTP to chase PT for a couple of days now. No luck on either. I'm at wits end.

Has anyone ever been able to use the MTP/AV as a master clock for PT? After 4 or 5 days of searching on the internet, I have yet to find a single instance of this application. Lots of people using the MTP for MIDI interface with PT, but not as master clock/translator. (So why bother with an MTP, is my question.)

Oh... and PT is not recognizing the MTP as a MIDI input device. It's in the audio MIDI panel, but PT has isn't "hearing" it.

Anyway, thanks for any help. The word clock is sooo tight, I'd love to use this thing. But if it won't drive PT or do MIDI, there are many other options I'd use before this.

Alan

Hi Alan,

We use the MTP/AV's for sync here all the time (although we'll probably have to go up to SYNC HD's as we're going to need Tri-Level soon). While you are correct that the MTP doesn't have a manual online (that's MOTU's policy) the drivers and software most certainly are right here:

http:www.motu.com/download/

You'll need to create an account (free) to get at them. The drivers include the excellent Clockworks app which allows you to control the MTP from the computer. Some things to check.

1. If you are chasing External TC, then make sure the clock setting on the MTP is set to either LTC or Video/LTC if you are chasing video. If you just want the MTP to GENERATE code then choose internal.

2. In PT under the Peripherals under Synchronization, make sure the MTC Reader Port is set to "Any". Make sure in PT that you have unchecked the "Use USD" (I'm on v7 so it doesn't show up anymore, but I'm pretty sure that's what it's called).

3. Make sure PT is "online" (the clock icon next to the stop button in the transport is flashing blue).

That should do it... PT should now chase the MTP TC. If you're having trouble with EXTERNAL TC be aware that the MTP is VERY fussy about LTC level... too low and it won't sync. And also that the LTC in and outs on the back are REALLY fussy about cables. You should be seeing the TACH light on the MTP light up if you're getting good code.

Finally a neat trick if you don't want to go back and forth between PT and the MTP or Clockworks: The MTP will accept MMC from PT and you can use the transport controls of PT to locate, start and stop TC from the MTP.