How to use SMPTE?
Terry Sparks
I am trying to teach myself how to synchronize MIDI sequences to tape
for recording projects, and it's a totally new arena for me. I am
completely virginal when it comes to sync methods.
I am using Master Tracks Pro-4 for my software, and it does do SMPTE.
It's just that I don't klnow how to use it. My tape machine is a
Yamaha MT8X which allows "FSK Sync", whatever that means. The sync
jack on my tape machine is a standard RCA shielded jack.
In order to use SMPTE, do I need a tape machine that is capable, or is
it something that any tape machine can do? Is SMPTE data transmitted
over the MIDI cables, or do I need a separate sync interface that my
tape machine can understand?
I have not been able to figure out how in the heck to sync to tape,
and I really need to know how. Any and all help would be most
appreciated.
Is there a SMPTE or a sync-to-tape FAQ sheet that I can obtain
somewhere?
Thanks - Terry
Byron Jacquot
: Hello from Portland, Oregon...
: In order to use SMPTE, do I need a tape machine that is capable, or is
: it something that any tape machine can do? Is SMPTE data transmitted
: over the MIDI cables, or do I need a separate sync interface that my
: tape machine can understand?
The device you'll probably need is a SMPTE box to talk to your computer.
Most of the more expensive units (Opcode, Mark Of the Unicorn) will
generate MIDI time code (mtc) based on the smpte information they
recieve. There are also some smaller units and cards that sill do it,
and there might be a convertor box that works for it, too.
To prepare a tape for Synching, you'll want to stripe it with a timecode
signal. There are a coup[le of ways to do this, the first is to just put
the code on the tape from head to tail as one big stripe. You will
probably want to have it start at either 00 hours, 0 minutes,
0 seconds and 0 frames. A frame is a fraction of a second, and varies
depending on the work you're doing. for purely musical purposes, 30
frames/sec works well. For North American TV work, use 29.97, for
european TV, use 25, and for film, use 24. Most sync devices have some
way to generate new code to put on the tape.
The track you put the code on is very important, and so is its level.
Its best to put the code on the tape on one of the egde of the tape, at
about -5 db below headroom. The next track over is to remain unused,
because anything on it might either leak into the code, ruining it, or
the code might find its way onto the audio track. SMPTE is alternating
2.4kHz and 4.8Khz square waves, and is really unplesant to listen to. If
your machine is a 4 track, this leaves you with 2 tracks. The track with
code souuld then be patched to the sync box. If you have to run the
smpte many places, you cannot use a mult, or Y-cord. The impedance of the
signal is very important. I use an unused console strip, and use the
auxes to make copies of the SMPTE, and then turn up their levels, if needed.
To lock the tape machine sequencer, have the sequencer set to recieve
sync, and playback when it sees the code (probably MTC from your
interface). You might also want to enter an offset time, so that bar 0
of the sequence corresponds to the proper time on the tape. When you
press play on the tape, the code will reach the sequencer and it should
"chase" the tape. Good fresh code will useally get a lock within a
second or so, but old, deteriorated code can take a few tries. If your
software has a "ignore errors/dropouts" option, it helps to keep it on.
If you have any questions or comments, please Email me.
--
Hopein' Y'all had a happy P-Day!
Gary Lynch
>From: the...@unix.infoserve.net (Byron Jacquot)
>Subject: Re: How to use SMPTE?
>Date: 2 Aug 1995 06:52:40 GMT
>Terry Sparks (spa...@europa.com) wrote:
>: Hello from Portland, Oregon...
>: In order to use SMPTE, do I need a tape machine that is capable, or is
>: it something that any tape machine can do? Is SMPTE data transmitted
>: over the MIDI cables, or do I need a separate sync interface that my
>: tape machine can understand?
>The device you'll probably need is a SMPTE box to talk to your computer.
>Most of the more expensive units (Opcode, Mark Of the Unicorn) will
>generate MIDI time code (mtc) based on the smpte information they
>recieve. There are also some smaller units and cards that sill do it,
>and there might be a convertor box that works for it, too.
You don't need a SMPTE box to talk to the computer if you have a
soundcard or midi card that has an audio in. Just software that will
allow you to sync to SMPTE.
>code souuld then be patched to the sync box. If you have to run the
>smpte many places, you cannot use a mult, or Y-cord.
Untrue, I do it quite well actually. No one told me I couldn't beforehand :)
However, he is quite right, the level is extremely important and if
too much signal is lost in your cableing you've had it.
(I snipped parts) This is just stuff from my own experience
T.Isabel
You need a sync box like the JL Cooper PPs-100.There are other
models that work well also.It will stripe your tape and also
follow SMPTE.Stripe the tape from begining to end before you do
any recording.Set the seq. to start somewhere in the time code
stream.In other words don't start at 00:00:00:00 this does not
give the seq.time to sync.Where ever you start write it down on
the track sheet for the song.If you do a song on that same reel
of tape you will have to set the seq. to start somewhere later in
the time stream.
--
> "THE CRUISE SHIP GIG"
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> FIND out how much they PAY! Who to CONTACT.
For FREE REPORT send message to 7621...@compuserve.com
Timo Kuittinen
> >From: the...@unix.infoserve.net (Byron Jacquot)
> >Terry Sparks (spa...@europa.com) wrote:
>
> >: In order to use SMPTE, do I need a tape machine that is capable, or is
> >: it something that any tape machine can do? Is SMPTE data transmitted
> >: over the MIDI cables, or do I need a separate sync interface that my
> >: tape machine can understand?
>
> >The device you'll probably need is a SMPTE box to talk to your computer.
> >Most of the more expensive units (Opcode, Mark Of the Unicorn) will
> >generate MIDI time code (mtc) based on the smpte information they
> >recieve. There are also some smaller units and cards that sill do it,
> >and there might be a convertor box that works for it, too.
>
> You don't need a SMPTE box to talk to the computer if you have a
> soundcard or midi card that has an audio in. Just software that will
> allow you to sync to SMPTE.
Really? That's good news if it's true. Are you sure that a souncard
with an audio in (and MIDI) will be able to do SMPTE? I thought the
MIDI interface translates the audio signal (SMPTE/FSK) to some MIDI
time code to which the software (like sequencer) is then synced.
Unless by software you mean software in the soundcard that enables it
to do this interpretation. And I don't think there are too many souncards
around with this kind of software/OS(well, kind of, isn't it). If the
audio in/out would be enough, then why don't any of the soundcard com-
panies advertise SMPTE ability? I would, if I had such a card...
Could you give an example of a soundcard that can manage SMPTE?
t. Timo
=======
Gary Lynch
> Really? That's good news if it's true. Are you sure that a souncard
> with an audio in (and MIDI) will be able to do SMPTE? I thought the
> MIDI interface translates the audio signal (SMPTE/FSK) to some MIDI
> time code to which the software (like sequencer) is then synced.
> Unless by software you mean software in the soundcard that enables it
> to do this interpretation. And I don't think there are too many souncards
> around with this kind of software/OS(well, kind of, isn't it). If the
> audio in/out would be enough, then why don't any of the soundcard com-
> panies advertise SMPTE ability? I would, if I had such a card...
> Could you give an example of a soundcard that can manage SMPTE?
They do advertise it. I'm currently using a Music Quest MQX-32M card
and it has an RCA jack for SMPTE in and out so you can stripe a tape
and sync to the tape. The only reason I added a JLCooper dataMaster
is so I could add an Alesis ADAT to my current setup without losing
one track to SMPTE and losing my TASCAM 238s to the ADAT.
Because if your running with a striped tape as the master you can
only have ONE recorder in the loop. (unless the recorders are
linked themselves in some way)
M. J. Harrison
I have a Syncman sync box for sale that I don't need anymore.
Supports all SMPTE formats, as well as Song Position Pointer mode.
Also, MIDI merge in, and "jam" capability recovers from tape dropouts.
Includes manual.
$85 (C.O.D. shipping included) or best offer.
Send mail to mich...@ihgp.att.com
--
Mike Harrison
mich...@ihgp.att.com