Instruction manual

CONTROL TRACK - The VCR refers to the Control Track on a videotape to determine

where each frame begins and ends.

BLACK - Before editing begins, Crystal Black must be recorded onto the Master

videotape. When watching the playback of a Blacked tape, all you’ll see is a black screen

on the video monitor. Different shots will be electronically joined together in sequence

by making Insert edits - one at a time - onto the Master videotape. In order for the

Edit/Record VCR to make an Insert edit, it needs Control Track for reference. Recording

Crystal Black onto the Master videotape provides the necessary Control Track.

If the editing system doesn’t have a Black generator, Control Track can be

recorded with the camcorder. Simply place the lens cap on the camera lens, and record

for about 5 minutes (or about 2 minutes longer than the song), on a new blank videotape.

Then, ask the Editor to transfer the Master audio (Audio Playback Machine) to the

Master videotape with an Audio-Only Insert Edit, using audio channels 1 and 2. Press

Play on the Audio Playback Machine after the edit begins.

SLATE - Optional. (This is different from the Slate that’s used when shooting.)

Electronic lettering that is recorded onto the Master videotape before the clip begins. The

lettering is created with a Character Generator, which is similar to typing on a computer.

The Slate identifies the band, song, length of the clip, Producer, Director, Editor, and the

edit date.

CREDITS - Optional. Electronic lettering created with the Character Generator. Credits

appear after the clip, and identify the people involved in the production, and the band

members.

CUTS-ONLY EDITING SYSTEM - Consists of a studio model Playback VCR, a studio

model Edit/Record VCR, an Edit Controller (which controls the functions of both

machines), and two color monitors. Some Edit/Record VCRs have a built-in Edit

Controller.

After Editing, the Master videotape should contain:

(A) 10 seconds of Black

(B) 10 seconds of the Slate (optional)

(D) The Music Video

(E) 3 seconds of Black

(F) Credits (optional)

(G) Black

In the previous example, the music video won’t begin until about 22 seconds into

to the Master videotape. This means that the audio transfer (via Audio-Only Insert Edit)

must begin no sooner than 22 seconds into the Master videotape. Each tape machine will

have its own color monitor. This means that you’ll be able to see the playback of each

Source tape, and what’s being recorded by the Edit/Record VCR. (Some smaller,

inexpensive systems may switch the VCR signals through one monitor, and some may