MachineControl™ Version 2.
Copyright © 2006 Digidesign, a division of Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. This guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the express written consent of Digidesign. Digidesign, Avid, and Pro Tools are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. in the US and other countries. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
contents Chapter 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 MachineControl Version 2.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 MachineControl Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Remote Track Arming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Configuring Track Arming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Creating a Track Arming Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Arming Tracks Remotely for Layback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Chapter 6.
chapter 1 Introduction Digidesign MachineControl™ is special purpose software for Pro Tools HD that enables serial communication with Sony® 9-pin compatible synchronizers, and video or audio machines. Video captured in Pro Tools is intended only for use in Pro Tools. It has not been tested for import into other applications, and may not be of standard broadcast quality. Pro Tools should not be used for laying back picture to video masters.
System Requirements MachineControl requires the following: Digidesign-qualified Pro Tools|HD system, running on a Digidesign-qualified Windows or Macintosh computer. ◆ Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Requirements A SYNC I/O is required when running MachineControl 9-Pin Remote Deck Emulation mode, as it provides frame-accurate LTC. Compatibility Information However, Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation does not work via the serial ports on the SYNC I/O or via the DigiSerial ports on the Pro Tools HD card.
Conventions Used in This Guide This guide uses the following conventions to indicate menu choices and key commands: Convention Action File > Save Choose Save from the File menu Control+N Hold down the Control key and press the N key Control-click Hold down the Control key and click the mouse button Right-click (Windows) Click with the right mouse button The following symbols are used to highlight important information: User Tips are helpful hints for getting the most from your system.
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chapter 2 Installing MachineControl Before you Begin Cables Before you install MachineControl, make sure that you have already connected and verified operation of your Pro Tools system. MachineControl comes with the following cables and adapters, depending on your computer platform: If you are using a SYNC I/O, refer to its guide to make sure your equipment is installed and operating correctly.
Serial Deck Control Mode Serial Deck Control mode supports bi-directional communication between Pro Tools and a compatible external machine. With this feature you can: • Synchronize to serial time code • Arm tracks on the machine remotely • Control a transport from Pro Tools • Configure machine settings and options. Pro Tools|HD Systems With Pro Tools|HD systems, you can use a Serial to 9-pin connection or a 9-pin to 9-pin connection for Serial Deck Control mode.
To connect a deck to a Macintosh computer: 1 Connect a Keyspan USA28x USB serial adapter (not provided) to a USB port on the computer. 2 Connect the provided male mini DIN-8 serial Do not use the DigiSerial port on your HD Core card or the 9-pin ports on the SYNC I/O for Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode. The DigiSerial port should only be used for SYNC I/O connections, using a DigiSerial cable. to male 9-pin D-sub Deck Control cable to the end of the adapter. 3 Connect the end of the cable to the machine.
To install MachineControl (Macintosh): 6 Turn on Pro Tools audio interfaces. Wait at 1 Make sure you are logged in as an Administra- least fifteen seconds for your system hardware to initialize. tor for the account where you want to install MachineControl. For details on Administrator privileges in Mac OS X, refer to your Apple OS X documentation. 2 Insert the Pro Tools Installer CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive. Double-click “Install Pro Tools.
This key can hold over 100 licenses for all of your iLok-enabled software. Once an iLok is authorized for a given piece of software, you can use the iLok to authorize that software on any computer. The iLok USB Smart Key is not supplied with your plug-in or software option. You can use the one included with certain Pro Tools systems (such as Pro Tools|HDseries systems), or purchase one separately. If you purchased MachineControl online at the DigiStore (www.digidesign.
Authorizing MachineControl Using a License Card 5 Insert the GSM cutout into the iLok. Visually verify that the metal portion of the cutout makes contact with the iLok’s metal card reader. License Cards are specific to each plug-in or software option. You will receive the appropriate License Cards for the plug-ins or software options that you purchase. License Cards have a small punch-out plastic chip called a GSM cutout.
Removing MachineControl If you let a demo version of MachineControl expire, you should remove it from your system. Otherwise, each time you open Pro Tools you will be prompted with a message that it has expired. To remove MachineControl on Windows XP: 1 Click Start. 2 Click Control Panel. 3 Double-click Add or Remove Programs. 4 From the Currently installed programs list, se- lect Digidesign Pro Tools. 5 Click the Change/Remove button. 6 Choose the Modify button. 7 Click Next.
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chapter 3 MachineControl Communication Modes MachineControl supports two machine communication modes: Serial Deck Control and Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode. Cueing and Pre-Roll Serial Deck Control Mode Pro Tools Preference settings let you optimize MachineControl operation, including adjustable machine pre-roll, selectable edit and memory location chasing. With Serial Deck Control mode, you can use the Pro Tools Transport window to control a deck.
Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode With Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode (also called Remote 9-Pin mode), an external synchronizer can take control over Pro Tools transport and recording functions. Pro Tools responds to commands sent by the master 9-pin machine controller, but because Pro Tools is in Remote mode, many of the “front panel” commands are locked out.
chapter 4 Setting Up Machine Control Online and Offline Operation Transport Controls Pro Tools can remotely control, or be controlled by, any approved enabled external device. You can select a device by using the Transport Master selector in the Transport window. With MachineControl, the Pro Tools Transport window becomes a multi-function controller.
2 From the Transport pop-up menu, select Pro Tools, Machine, or Remote (or Remote/LTC). You can also press Control+backslash (\) to toggle between Pro Tools, the Machine, and Remote transport (or, on a Digidesign control surface, press EXT TRANS). Transport = Pro Tools In this mode, the controls in the Transport window are focused on Pro Tools playback and recording. ◆ When the transport is online, the machine slaves to Pro Tools, and the session locks to the machine’s time code.
Taking a Device Offline Online Display Information Use the Online pop-up menu in the Transport Master selector to take a Machine (or MIDI) device offline. Several display elements of the Edit and Transport windows provide machine status information during MachineControl use, as follows: To take a device offline: 1 Click the Transport Master selector. 2 Click on the Online pop-up menu and dese- lect the device (Machine or MIDI) by clicking on it.
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chapter 5 Serial Deck Control Mode (Configuration and Operation) Serial Deck Control mode is available whenever MachineControl is connected using the Serial Deck Control cable. For more information about connecting Pro Tools for Serial Deck Control mode, see Chapter 2, “Installing MachineControl.” When connected for Serial Deck Control mode, MachineControl enables all Pro Tools track arming, synchronization, and Transport features, as available on your system.
Setting Up a MachineControl Device for Deck Control This section covers the basic steps for setting up a MachineControl device for Serial Deck Control mode. To set up a MachineControl device: 1 In Pro Tools, choose Setup > Peripherals, and click the Synchronization tab. 2 Configure your synchronization peripheral (device) as necessary. If you are using a SYNC I/O, it is automatically detected and configured by Pro Tools. 3 Click the Machine Control tab in the Peripherals dialog.
9 If you are using a SYNC I/O with Pro Tools|HD, and if you have two machines connected to the two 9-pin Out ports on the SYNC I/O, repeat the above steps for the second machine. (See “Selecting Machines in Serial Deck Control Mode” on page 21 for more information.) Selecting Machines in Serial Deck Control Mode When using the Digidesign SYNC I/O with two machines connected to its 9-pin ports, use the Peripherals dialog to choose a deck to control.
Serial Time Code If you are using a Digidesign SYNC I/O connected to your DigiSerial port, and your machine has 9-pin time code reader capability, you can take advantage of serial time code to achieve faster lockup times. Serial time code can only be supplied by machines with built-in time code readers which can serialize the time code when MachineControl requests it. Most professional machines have such readers (such as Beta, DA-88, D2, Digi-Beta, and some 3/4-inch decks).
Preferences for Serial Deck Control Mode You can use the MachineControl page of the Preferences dialog to configure preferences for online recording and MachineControl chase options. Online Options and Machine Control preferences To set Serial Deck Control mode Machine Control options: Stop At Shuttle Speed Zero When enabled, Pro Tools sends a Stop command when shuttle speed equals zero.
Session Setup Window and MachineControl Clock Source Session displays and settings click to show/hide Time Code Offsets SYNC Setup click to show/hide Time Code settings Figure 1. Session Setup window The Session Setup window controls are organized into three sections. Session Information and Controls This section is always displayed at the top of the Session Setup window. Displays are provided for the session’s sample rate, bit depth, audio format, and Mac/PC compatibility status.
4 In the SYNC Setup section, set the appropriate Session Settings and MachineControl format for NTSC or PAL using the Frame Rate and Video Format selectors. Use the steps in this section to quickly configure the basic session settings for MachineControl. These include session settings (start time, frame rate, and video format), as well as synchronization settings for clock and positional reference.
Testing Basic Session Settings To check your session and MachineControl settings, place the machine in Local mode and manually start playback on the external machine. If Pro Tools is receiving time code, the current location will be shown in the Incoming Time display. Be sure to reset the machine to Remote mode when finished. Positive and negative offset values can be entered to offset Pro Tools time code display later or earlier, respectively.
4 If appropriate, cue the external time code Time Code Reader Offset The Time Code Reader Offset lets you set a “trigger offset” for incoming MIDI Time Code, in samples. (In previous versions of Pro Tools, this feature was called Sync Offset.) You can use Time Code Reader Offset to compensate for the latency of a MIDI sound module or other MIDI device chain. source to the appropriate location (this will be the location to which you want to align the current Pro Tools insertion point).
To set a relative frame position for a session (Feet+Frames): ■ Choose Setup > Current Feet+Frames Position, and enter a Feet+Frame position to correspond to the time code shown in the dialog. Fe Redefine Current Feet+Frame Position dialog Selecting Pro Tools or the Machine as the Transport Master In Serial Deck Control mode, the deck is always the time code master. However, the start of machine playback changes based on the Transport Master mode you are using.
online and a Play command is given, the machine plays from its current location, feeding time code to Pro Tools, which chases that incoming time code from the deck. When the Transport window is online, Pro Tools chases the time code coming from the machine. The Transport window controls the machine, and Pro Tools chases and locks to it. ◆ All record commands in this mode are directed to the deck only.
To automatically locate your deck to pre-roll into your current Timeline insertion time each time you play back: To fast forward and rewind in Search mode: 1 Select Transport = Machine in the Transport window. 1 Select Transport = Pro Tools in the Pro Tools Transport window. 2 Click Play in the Transport window or press 2 Put Pro Tools online. the Spacebar to begin machine playback, then press the Spacebar again to pause the machine (this is to ensure that the tape is laced).
Spotting to the Machine Configuring Track Arming To spot regions to the machine’s current location, use Pro Tools Spot mode and/or Auto Spot (if using VITC). Refer to the Pro Tools Reference Guide for information on using Spot and Auto Spot mode to spot regions to incoming SMPTE time code locations. Auto Spot mode uses incoming VITC for location information.
For maximum flexibility, use Track Arming Profiles to create, customize, and manage multiple machine descriptions (see “Creating a Track Arming Profile” on page 32). The Create Track Arming Profile dialog provides extensive control over Pro Tools track arming. You can customize arming, track naming, and mapping, and save configurations for different machines as Track Arming Profile files. These Profiles can be imported to quickly reconfigure Track Arming as needed for future projects.
To edit the name of a track arming button: Reassigning the Byte Value for a Track 1 In the Create Machine Track Arming Profile In a remote machine’s firmware, each record track on the machine has a unique hexadecimal byte code that tells the machine which track should be armed when an arm command is received from a remote master. The standard profile (the default setup) corresponds to the Sony P-2 protocol, but many decks have their own unique mapping of byte codes to track numbers for a particular deck.
Choosing a Record Protocol Choosing a Record Mode The Machine Track Arming window provides the following two choices for configuring the recording protocol of the target deck: The Machine Track Arming window provides two choices for Record mode: Insert Auto Edit This mode is a highly accurate way to ensure that the target deck will record only within the boundaries of an on-screen selection. (If your deck does not support Auto Edit, use Punch In/Punch Out, as explained below.
Rules for On-Screen Selections The Record Protocol buttons allow you to choose between the two different record protocol choices described above (Auto Edit and Punch In/Punch Out). Regardless of which choice is used, however, Pro Tools follows these rules for record selection: If there is an on-screen selection, recording will take place over the period of the selection and punch out at the end of the selection.
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chapter 6 Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode (Configuration and Operation) Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode makes Pro Tools operate as a virtual tape deck, supporting most standard Sony P2 9-pin commands. For a list of supported commands, see “9-Pin Commands” on page 42. By default, Pro Tools emulates a Sony BVW-75 model video deck. You can also configure Pro Tools to emulate other machines. For more information, see “Alternate Machine Types” on page 40.
7 If using Pro Tools as a remote time code slave, set the Delay After Play preference located in the Preferences dialog > Machine Control page. (See “Selecting Full Remote Modes or Remote/LTC Chase Mode” on page 38 for more information). 16 If you will be recording, select a Record mode by Right-clicking (Windows) or Control-clicking (Macintosh) the Record button in the Transport window. 17 Begin machine playback.
The time code master is defined by the machine controller. If Pro Tools is not the time code master, it needs additional time to behave as a proper remote machine as time code slave. This time is defined using the Delay Before Play setting: • When Delay After Play is set to zero, Pro Tools is set up to function properly as the time code master. When online, Pro Tools locates, then plays when it gets a play command. • When Delay After Play is set towards 30 frames, another machine is the time code master.
Alternate Machine Types By default, MachineControl lets Pro Tools emulate a Sony BVW-75. If you use a machine that follows a different 9-pin command set, you can configure Pro Tools for that machine’s description. To configure Pro Tools for an alternate machine: 1 Choose Setup > Peripherals, and click the Ma- chine Control tab. 2 In the 9-Pin Remote section, select a Machine ID. 3 Click Ok. Special settings have been created for specific machine controllers (such as the Soundmaster ION).
Optimizing Playback in Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode When using Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode, clicking Play may display multiple nudge and bump messages caused by Pro Tools attempting to achieve lock before the master device has stabilized. The Delay After Play Command preference lets you configure a short delay before Pro Tools attempts to lock with the master device. This allows the master device to stabilize before Pro Tools locks with it in order to avoid nudge and bump messages.
Track Arming in Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode In Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode, Pro Tools can be configured to either respond to, or ignore, track arming (record enabling) commands. Pro Tools communicates track record status back to the control machine.
appendix a Deck Control Key Commands Command Macintosh Windows Rewind Shift+< Shift+< Fast Forward Shift+> Shift+> Shuttle Backward Option+comma Start+comma Shuttle Forward Option+period Start+period Toggle Transport Master Command+\ Control+\ All Transport Buttons Off/Unthread Tape Command+period Control+period Search Mode Toggle (Play-Pause/Stop) Spacebar/Command+period Spacebar/Ctrl+period Cue to Selection Start Command+Left Arrow Control+Left Arrow Cue to Selection End Comm
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appendix b Troubleshooting Installation Problem: MachineControl options are not available in Pro Tools. Possible Solution: Make sure MachineControl is installed and authorized correctly (see Chapter 2, “Installing MachineControl.”) Machine Not Recognized Problem: The session was saved with MachineControl, but now opens without it being selected in the Transport window. When opening a session saved with MachineControl, a dialog warns that there were “problems initializing MachineControl.
Possible Solutions: ◆ Most controllable transports need to be placed in a “Remote” or “Ext” mode to allow them to be slaved to other devices. Verify that the device is in this mode. Refer to the documentation that came with your device for more information on Remote and Local modes. In the Transport window, check the status of the “Transport = Pro Tools” or “Transport = Machine” setting.
appendix c Machine IDs The following table lists the machine profiles supported in MachineControl by their Pro Tools hexadecimal ID. Machines, by ID number ID number Machine 0x2020 BVW-60 For special IDs to support 48-track arming, see “48 Track Profiles” on page 48.
Machines, by ID number Machines, by ID number 48 ID number Machine ID number Machine 0x0040 BVH-2800 0xA0A1 SoundMaster ATOM 0x0048 BVH-2830 0xD0E1 Pro Tools 0x0050 BVH-3000 0x20E0 HDW-500 0x0060 BVH-3100 0x20A0 SRW-5000 0x0150 BVH-3000 PS 0x0160 BVH-3100 PS 0x2041 PVW-2800 0x1211 ASC Virtual Recorder 0x1011 Fostex D-10 0xF027 Otari R-DAT 0x7001 PCM-7030 0x7001 TASCAM DA-88 0x7003 PCM-800 0x7000 PCM-7000 0xA088 AG-DS555 0xA084 AG-DS770 0x0001 AG-DS7750 0xF033
appendix d 9-Pin Cable Pinouts Serial Deck Control Mode Cable: D Sub 9-Pin Male to D Sub 9-Pin Female (Windows Only) 1 Appendix D: 9-Pin Cable Pinouts 49
MachineControl Master/Slave Adapter 50 MachineControl Guide
Serial Deck Control Cable: Mini DIN 8 Male to D Sub 9-Pin Male (Macintosh Only) Appendix D: 9-Pin Cable Pinouts 51
Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Cable: Mini DIN 8-Pin to D Sub 9-Pin Female (Macintosh Only) Shielding The outside shielding of the D-Sub 9-pin (female) should be wired to the outside shielding of the Mini DIN 8-pin (male).
index A F Activation Code 9 arming safe (ignore) 42 Assemble mode 34 authorization MachineControl 8 authorizing plug-ins 9, 10 auto detection 20 Auto Edit 34 and Remote mode 41 Auto Spot 16, 29, 31 Feet+Frames Time Scale 28 frame-edge and serial time code 22 C cables 1 wiring diagrams 51, 52 Chase LTC 39 chasing preferences 23 control track 34 Create Machine Track Arming Profile 32 cueing hi-speed mode 30 preferences 23 search mode 30 G Generate and serial time code 22 generic machine profiles 20 H h
M machine pre-roll 21 profiles 47 Transport Master 16, 28 Machine Chases Memory Location 23 Machine Cues Intelligently 23 Machine Follows Edit Insertion/Scrub 23 machine IDs 47 machine profiles 32 MachineControl authorizing 8 memory locations and machine chase 23 midnight boundary 35 N NTSC 25 O Online button in Transport 15, 29 toggling 15 On-Screen Selections 35 P PACE Anti-Piracy 8 PAL 25 plug-ins authorizing 9 preferences Delay before Locking to LTC 23 Machine Chases Memory Location 23 Machine Cues I
T technical support 3 time code quick signal test 26 redefine current 27 track 34 track arming 48-track IDs 48 and Remote mode 42 create machine profile 32 IDs 47 ignore 42 remapping tracks 33 track layout 20 tracks remapping 33 Transport Master 13 Transport Master 15, 29 machine 16, 28 Pro Tools 16, 28 Remote 16, 38, 39 Remote LTC 16, 39 selecting 15 toggling 16 transport master 28 Remote LTC 38 toggling 29 Trimmer when Transport = Machine 16, 29 U Use Serial Time Code for Positional Reference 22 V Video
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