User manual

431
Synchronization
Proceed as follows:
1. Open the Preferences dialog (accessed from the File
menu under Windows or the Cubase menu on the Mac)
and select the Transport page.
2. Enter the desired frame rate under “User Definable
Framerate”.
Either type in the desired value directly or use the arrow buttons to in-
crease/decrease the value. You can enter any value between 2 and 200.
3. When you’re done, click OK to close the dialog and
save the settings.
The Frame Rate you specified will now be used in the Dis-
play Format pop-up.
Making connections
The following connections are required for external sync
via a synchronizer, including resolving of the audio card.
For details on audio card and synchronizer settings and
connections, see the manuals for these devices.
• Route the master clock signal (LTC, VITC, etc.) to an in-
put on the synchronizer.
• Connect the word clock output on the synchronizer to a
word clock input on the audio card.
• Connect the MIDI Timecode (MTC) output on the syn-
chronizer to the corresponding input on the computer.
• Set up the synchronizer and make sure the frame rate
settings are in accordance with the master clock.
A typical synchronization setup
Synchronization settings
In the following sections you will find a description of how
to set up your system for the different timecode sources:
Internal Timecode
In this mode, Cubase is the master. When working with
MMC (see “Machine Control” on page 436), the external
device gives the start and stop signals, but is synchro-
nized by Cubase.
Use the “MIDI Timecode Destinations” and “MIDI Clock
Destinations” sections to specify which devices should be
slaved to Cubase.
Synchronizing other Equipment to Cubase
You may have other MIDI devices that you want to syn-
chronize to Cubase. There are two types of synchroniza-
tion signals that Cubase can transmit: MIDI Clock and
MIDI Timecode.
Transmitting MIDI Clock
If you transmit MIDI Clock to a device supporting this type
of synchronization signal, the other device will follow Cu-
base’s tempo. The tempo setting in the other device is of no
relevance. Instead, it plays at the same tempo as Cubase. If
the device also reacts to Song Position Pointers (which
Cubase transmits) it will follow when you wind, rewind and
locate using the Cubase Transport panel.
Ö MIDI Clock transport commands include “Start”, “Stop”
and “Continue”. However, some MIDI equipment (e.g.
some drum machines) do not recognize the “Continue”
command. If this is the case with your equipment, activate
the option “Always Send Start Message” in the Project
Synchronization Setup dialog (MIDI Clock Destinations).
When this is activated, only the Start command is used.
• Activate “MIDI Clock Follows Project Position” if you
want the other device to follow when you loop, jump and
locate during playback.
When this is activated, the sent MIDI Clock signals will follow the se-
quencer time and tempo position at all times.
!
Please note that some external devices may not react
smoothly to these repositioning messages. Espe-
cially when working with some older devices, it may
take some time for them to synchronize accurately to
the project time.