MachineControl Version 2.
Legal Notices This guide is copyrighted ©2008 by Digidesign, a division of Avid Technology, Inc. (hereafter “Digidesign”), with all rights reserved. Under copyright laws, this guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the written consent of Digidesign.
contents Chapter 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 MachineControl Version 2.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 MachineControl Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 System Requirements and Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selecting Pro Tools or the Machine as the Transport Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Playback in Serial Deck Control Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Remote Track Arming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Configuring Track Arming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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 and Compatibility MachineControl requires the following: Digidesign-qualified Pro Tools|HD system, running on a Digidesign-qualified Windows or Mac computer. Compatibility Information Digidesign can only assure compatibility and provide support for hardware and software it has tested and approved. For a list of Digidesign-qualified computers, operating systems, hard drives, third-party devices, and all the latest compatibility information, visit the Digidesign website (www.digidesign.
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 Click with the right mouse button The names of Commands, Options, and Settings that appear on-screen are in a different font.
4 MachineControl Guide
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 Digidesign SYNC peripheral, 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 Mac 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 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. For Limited Serial Deck Control (Non-Linear Decks Only) Connect a standard 9-pin cable from one of the 9-pin Out ports on the SYNC peripheral to the 9-pin input of the machine.
To increase reliability in long cable runs in Remote mode: Authorizing MachineControl Follow the instructions as described above for setting up a Rosetta Stone convertor for a Tamura MachineControl is authorized using the iLok USB Smart Key (iLok), manufactured by PACE Anti-Piracy, Inc. To increase reliability in long cable runs in Serial Deck Control mode: 1 Connect the RS-232 cable from your com- puter’s COM port into the RS-232 side of the Rosetta Stone adapter.
To authorize MachineControl: 1 If you do not have an iLok.com account, visit www.iLok.com and sign up for an iLok.com account. 2 Transfer the license for MachineControl to your iLok.com account by doing the following: • Visit http://secure.digidesign.com/activation. • Enter your Activation Code (listed on your Activation Card) and your iLok.com User ID. Your iLok.com User ID is the name you create for your iLok.com account.
Starting Up Your System To ensure that the components of your Pro Tools system communicate properly with each other and your external machines, start them in a particular order. Start up your Pro Tools system in this order: 1 For systems with an expansion chassis, turn on the chassis. 2 Turn on any external hard drives. Wait ap- proximately ten seconds for them to come up to speed. 3 Turn on any external machines (VTR, ATR, synchronizer, and monitors).
chapter 3 MachineControl Communication Modes MachineControl supports two machine communication modes: Serial Deck Control mode and Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode. Serial Deck Control Mode With Serial Deck Control mode, you can use the Pro Tools Transport window to control an external deck. Cueing and Pre-Roll Pro Tools Preference settings let you optimize MachineControl operation, including adjustable machine pre-roll, selectable edit and memory location chasing.
Using a Paddle Device in Local Mode When using MachineControl in Local mode with or without an external synchronizer, you can use a supported third-party paddle device to issue the following Pro Tools track commands: • Input monitoring • Record Enable Track Arming In Remote Deck Emulation mode, you can arm Pro Tools tracks from an external machine. Features include remote control of individual record enables for up to 48 tracks, with selectable record protocol and mode.
chapter 4 Setting Up Machine Control Online and Offline Operation 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. The Online button in the Transport window indicates online status. It flashes while enabled and waiting for synchronization, and stays lit when lock is achieved.
Selecting a Transport Master To select a Transport Master: 1 Click the Transport Master selector to display the Transport pop-up menu. Transport = Machine In this mode, the controls in the Transport window are focused on the machine connected and enabled for Serial Deck Control mode. Record commands are sent to the machine only. When the transport is online, Pro Tools slaves to the machine. The Transport window controls the machine, and Pro Tools chases and locks to it.
Toggling the Online Status of a Device Online Display Information Use the Online pop-up menu in the Transport Master selector to toggle the online status of a Machine (or MMC) device. 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 select or deselect the device (Machine or MMC) by clicking on it.
Remote Mode In Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode, you put Pro Tools in Remote mode to enable Machine Control operation. When you put Pro Tools in Remote mode, it responds to commands sent by the master 9-Pin machine. Many Pro Tools commands, including transport controls, are inactive in the Transport window. When you take Pro Tools out of Remote mode, it operates in Local mode and ignores commands from the 9-pin machine controller.
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.
Configuring a MachineControl Device for Deck Control To set up a MachineControl device: 1 In Pro Tools, choose Setup > Peripherals, and click the Synchronization tab. 2 Configure your synchronization peripheral as necessary. If you are using a Digidesign SYNC peripheral, select Enable SYNC Peripheral. 3 Click the Machine Control tab in the Peripherals dialog. 4 In the 9-pin Machine Control (Deck Control) section, select Enable. 7 Set machine pre-roll for use when Transport = Pro Tools.
Selecting Machines in Serial Deck Control Mode When using a Digidesign SYNC peripheral with machines connected to each of its two 9-pin ports, or to serial ports on the computer, use the Peripherals dialog to choose which machine to control. To enable Serial Time Code: 1 Choose Setup > Session. 2 Choose Serial Time Code from the Positional Reference pop-up menu. To choose a machine for Serial Deck Control mode: 1 In Pro Tools, choose Setup > Peripherals, and click the Machine Control tab.
Preferences for Serial Deck Control Mode You can configure preferences for MachineControl playback and recording in Pro Tools. Playback Options Machine Control Section Machine Chases Memory Location When selected, navigating to a specific location in a session with a Memory Location causes a connected transport to chase to that location.
Recording Options Record Online at Time Code (or ADAT) Lock When selected, online recording begins as soon as Pro Tools receives and locks to incoming time code. Record Online at Insertion/Selection When selected, online recording begins at the edit cursor location. Recording continues until Pro Tools stops receiving time code. If you make a selection, Pro Tools records online for the length of the selection.
Session Setup Window and MachineControl Clock Source Session Format and settings Show/Hide button External Time Code Offsets SYNC Setup Sample offset Show/Hide button Pull Up/ Pull Down settings Time Code Settings Freewheel settings Figure 1. Session Setup window The Session Setup window has three sections. Format Displays session sample rate, bit depth, audio format, and incoming time code values.
Session Settings for MachineControl Clock Source, Clock and Positional Reference Settings Use the steps in this section to quickly configure the basic session settings for MachineControl. Confirm the following settings for each session. The Session Setup window provides selectors for the system Clock Source, as well as Clock Reference and Positional Reference. These settings must be configured based on the signal connections between Pro Tools, the SYNC peripheral, and external devices.
Testing Session Settings Sample Offset 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. This field lets you set an offset value for incoming time code (up to the equivalent of plus or minus one frame at the current session sample rate).
4 If appropriate, cue the external time code Time Code Settings The Time Code settings control time code generation, Freewheel, and session Pull Up and Pull Down options. source to the location where you want to align the current Pro Tools insertion point. Note the time code location, or copy it to the clipboard. 5 Choose Setup > Current Time Code Position. Configure these settings as appropriate for the current project and situation.
Create Machine Track Arming Profile The Create Machine Track Arming Profile command lets you create and save machine descriptions as Machine Profiles. Profiles are provided for an ever-increasing list of common machines, or you can customize profiles for specific situations and requirements. Options include the ability to emulate a different machine type, remap and rename audio tracks, and choose to include or exclude the video and time code tracks, when available.
To select a Transport Master: 1 In Pro Tools, click the Transport Master selec- tor to display the Transport Master pop-up menu. Playback in Serial Deck Control Mode To play or cue your machine independently of Pro Tools: 1 Select Transport = Machine in the Pro Tools Transport window. 2 Make sure Pro Tools is not online (the Online button in the Transport window is not flashing). Transport Master selector 3 Click any of the buttons in the Pro Tools Transport window to control your machine.
Machine Cueing MachineControl provides two Cue modes for remote machine operation: Search and Hi-speed. To fast forward and rewind in Hi-speed mode: 1 Select Transport = Machine in the Transport window. In Search mode, the tape remains laced during Fast Forward or Rewind. 2 To unlace the tape, click Stop in the Transport In Hi-speed mode, the tape is unlaced before fast-forward/rewind. The Transport window indicates the status of the tape as described below.
Remote Track Arming Pro Tools with MachineControl provides the ability to record-arm audio, video, or time code tracks on external decks, and rehearse an edit. On MachineControl-equipped systems, the Machine Track Arming command is available in the Pro Tools Window menu. The Machine Track Arming window lets you configure track arming during sessions using the settings appropriate for the current Track Arming Profile. (See “Identifying Your Machine” on page 29.
Choosing a Machine ID Creating a Track Arming Profile To recognize your machine: 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. You can also test track mapping, and remap tracks if needed.
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 To rehearse a layback: 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: 1 In Pro Tools, select the audio you want to re- 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.
Arming Tracks Remotely for Layback To arm tracks remotely for layback, you need to first configure Track Arming for your machine. To configure Track Arming: 1 Make sure your machine is properly con- nected and configured to slave to Pro Tools. 2 Open the Track Arming window. 3 Select a Record Protocol (Auto Edit or Punch In/Out). 4 Select a Record mode (Insert or Assemble).
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 40. 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 37.
8 Click OK to close the Peripherals dialog. 9 In the Transport window, click the Remote button to put Pro Tools in Remote mode. Selecting Full Remote Mode or Remote/LTC Chase Mode Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode lets a master device control Pro Tools track and transport arming. When Pro Tools is in Remote mode, Remote 9-pin Deck Emulation operates in Full Remote mode or in Remote/LTC Chase mode.
To set the time code master in Full Remote mode: 1 Choose Setup > Preferences, and click the Syn- chronization tab. 2 In the Remote Mode section, do one of the fol- lowing: • Set the Delay after Play Command preference to zero, to set Pro Tools to behave as the time code master. • Set the Delay after Play Command preference towards 30 frames, to set Pro Tools to behave as a time code slave device, by delaying playback until its time code can properly synchronize.
Preferences for Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode Pro Tools provides the following preference settings to configure Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode options. Remote Mode Section Ignore Track Arming Sets Pro Tools to ignore incoming track arming (record enable) commands. This is useful if you are using a master controller to arm tracks on other machines, but you do not want to arm tracks in Pro Tools.
Playback in Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode Recording in Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode Pro Tools plays back audio only when the received command requires audio playback at 1X speed in the forward direction. Reverse playback and varispeed playback are not supported in Pro Tools. MachineControl lets Pro Tools support Auto Edit (selection-based) and Punch-in/Punch-Out (QuickPunch) commands.
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.
chapter 7 Using a Paddle Device in Local Mode When using MachineControl in Local mode (with or without an external synchronizer), you can use a supported third-party paddle device to issue the following Pro Tools track commands: • Input monitoring • Record Enable • Record Safe • Solo • Solo Mute Using these features involve the following steps: 1 Connect the supported third-party paddle device to your system.
Allow Track Arm Commands in Local Mode Preference The Allow Track Arm Commands in Local Mode preference must be enabled in order to control Pro Tools with a paddle device in Local mode. To enable the Allow Track Arm Commands in Local Mode preference: 8 Choose the appropriate machine profile from the Machine Type pop-up menu. See Chapter 5, “Serial Deck Control Mode (Configuration and Operation)” for detailed information about configuring and using Serial Deck Control mode.
appendix a Deck Control Key Commands Command Mac 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 Command+Ri
44 MachineControl Guide
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 48 Machines, by ID number 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 (Mac Only) Appendix D: 9-Pin Cable Pinouts 51
Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Cable: Mini DIN 8-Pin to D Sub 9-Pin Female (Mac 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 I Allow Track Arm Commands in Local Mode option 42 arming safe (ignore) 40 Assemble mode 32 authorizing MachineControl 8, 9 Auto Edit 32, 39 Auto Spot 14, 26, 28 IDs (machine) 47 Ignore Track Arming option 38, 40 iLok USB Smart Key 8 Incoming Time 24 Insert mode 32 installing MachineControl 8 C cables included cables 1 wiring diagrams 51, 52 Chase LTC mode 37 configuring a paddle device 42 control track 32 Create Machine Track Arming Profile 30 cueing hi-speed mode 28 search mode 28 D Delay Af
P S paddle device 42 configuring ports for 42 connecting to a Pro Tools system 41 preferences Remote mode 38 pre-roll compensating 18 machine 18 setting for machine from Pro Tools 18 Pro Tools Transport Master 14, 26 Punch In Frame Offset 38 Punch In/Out 32 Punch Out Frame Offset 38 Sample Offset (Sync Offset) 24 search mode 28 Serial Deck Control mode 10 serial time code 19 servo lock 18 start time 23 Stop at Shuttle Speed Zero option 20 Sync Offset 24 system requirements 2 R record modes 32 Record Onl
www.digidesign.com DIGIDESIGN 2001 Junipero Serra Boulevard Daly City, CA 94014-3886 USA Tel: 650.731.6300 Fax: 650.731.6399 TECHNICAL SUPPORT (USA) Tel: 650.731.6100 Fax: 650.731.6375 PRODUCT INFORMATION (USA) Tel: 800.333.
