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SYNCHRONIZATION 305
Synchronization examples
1. Synchronization using an external hardware sequencer. Samplitude is the master.
To synchronize Samplitude with an external hardware sequencer (drum computer,
Groovebox, etc.), you first have to select the type of synchronization. As these external
devices usually use the song's tempo or rhythm-dependent information, they are often
synchronized using MIDI clock. In this case, impulses are passed on from the master to the
slave. These control impulses are transmitted for each quarter note. Their number per
quarter is always identical. The tempo information is always clear, since the impulses do
not occur in absolute time units but are rhythm-dependent. This ensures the tempo
synchronization of the two units that are to be aligned. Of course, the same tempo (more
or less) should be set to both units from the beginning. The MIDI song position pointer is
another important MIDI clock synchronization tool which provides information on how may
control impulses have already been transmitted. You can therefore start at any position of
the sequencer. The same position for both synchronization units is guaranteed.
Note: The size of the MIDI song position pointer is limited to 1024 bars (4/4 beat). After
this, no further synchronization via MIDI clock is possible; connected slave devices simply
stop. In this case, connected slave devices remain still.
First, ensure that your external hardware sequencer supports synchronization via MIDI
clock as slave. Next, connect MIDI OUT of the master (MIDI OUT on the MIDI interface of
the computer running Samplitude) to the MIDI IN of the external hardware sequencer. Now,
set the hardware sequencer to "Slave" mode. Please refer to the instructions of the
respective device to set this.
You will now notice that the transport control and tempo setting of the hardware sequencer
are deactivated. It will now receive data from the master, i.e. from Samplitude. The device
receives this information from the master now (Samplitude).
Now, open the synchronization window in Samplitude and activate the “MIDI clock output
-> MC output active” option. Next, select the MIDI port that connected to the slave
device. Select the tempo you would like the external hardware sequencer to run at.
This does not necessarily have to be the tempo of your Samplitude VIP project, but in most
cases it is sensible, since the bars in the Samplitude arranger window will correspond with
the bars of the hardware sequencer. Now, if you press play in Samplitude, the external
device runs in sync with the tempo of your VIP project.
Note: Please also observe that the “Transport window only controls external devices”
option must be deactivated if the device that is to be controlled cannot process MIDI
machine control data (MMC), since the transport keys neither control Samplitude nor the
external sequencer.
2. MIDI clock synchronization using an external device. Samplitude is the slave.
In principle, it makes sense to choose a master within a group of devices with the most
stable timing. In most cases, this would be Samplitude. Of course, you can also set
Samplitude as slave, e.g. if the main parts of a production are prepared using an external