Specifications

Chapter 4: Using SYNC I/O 53
MTC Generation/Regeneration
MTC (MIDI Time Code) is a serial digital signal.
In many ways, you can think of it as an inaudi-
ble type of LTC that can be used by various MIDI
devices.
MTC is available from the SYNC I/O MTC Out
connector, which is a standard DIN-style 5-pin
female MIDI connector.
To use MTC, connect MTC Out to a MIDI In
connector of a device that can recognize and use
MTC. Typically, this would be a console, se-
quencer, synthesizer or sampler keyboard, a
drum machine or other device.
MTC Output and Idle Muting
MTC is normally output whenever LTC is out-
put. Whenever LTC output stops, SYNC I/O will
continue to output MTC in bursts of one frame
every 200 milliseconds. This allows any con-
nected MIDI-reading device to be continuously
updated as to the position of VITC or Bi-Phase
(either of which might be operating at slow or
still speeds). Thus, you can still use a connected
MIDI device for Auto-Spotting from VITC or Bi-
Phase.
Optionally, this constant output can be set to
mute when time code (LTC) is idle.
To mute idle-time MTC output:
From the front panel:
1 Press the Set, Up and Down switches to dis-
play Idle MTC (IdLE 7C).
2 Press Set to display the current state (On or
Off).
3 Press Up or Down to toggle the Idle MTC set-
ting.
4 Press Set.
From SYNC I/O Setup software utility
(Windows only):
1 Launch SYNC I/O Setup.
2 Deselect the Idle MTC Enabled option.
Generating a Window Burn
SYNC I/O offers time code character generation
(also known as window burn or dubbing). This
superimposes onto a video signal a small area
called a window dub (or window burn, or time
code window) that displays time code in
hours:minutes:seconds:frames
A window dub provides a visual cue to your lo-
cation in a project, and can be helpful when
spotting regions to video frames in Pro Tools, es-
pecially if your only time code reference from
tape is LTC (Auto-Spot requires VITC).
The SYNC I/O character generator obtains its
time code address from the chosen Positional
Reference.
Video image with window burn