5.0

236
Synchronization
• 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 AI is the master.
Use the “MIDI Timecode Destinations” and “MIDI Clock
Destinations” sections to specify which devices should be
slaved to Cubase AI.
Synchronizing other Equipment to Cubase AI
You may have other MIDI devices that you want to syn-
chronize to Cubase AI. There are two types of synchroni-
zation signals that Cubase AI 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 AI’s tempo. The tempo setting in the other device is
of no relevance. If the device also reacts to Song Position
Pointers (which Cubase AI transmits) it will follow when
you wind, rewind and locate using the Cubase AI Trans-
port 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.
Send MIDI Clock in Stop Mode
When the option “Send MIDI Clock in Stop Mode” in the
Project Synchronization Setup dialog (MIDI Clock Desti-
nations section) is activated, Cubase AI will send MIDI
Clock signals to the selected MIDI Clock destinations
even when Cubase AI is in Stop mode.
This is, for example, useful if you are working with a key-
board that has a built-in arpeggiator, the tempo of which
you are controlling via MIDI Clock messages. This way,
the arpeggiator will keep the right tempo even when Cu-
base AI is in Stop mode. You may also be able to use this
feature with some external drum machines, as it allows you
to play the drum patterns in the current sequencer tempo
even when Cubase AI is stopped.
• When this option is deactivated, Cubase AI will send
MIDI Clock signals to the selected MIDI Clock destina-
tions only during playback.
In this mode, you will not be able to use the above-mentioned arpeggia-
tor of your keyboard in Stop mode.
Ö Keep in mind that the MIDI Clock information always
refers to the tempo at the current project position.
Transmitting MIDI Timecode
If you transmit MIDI Timecode to a device supporting this
type of synchronization signal, the device will synchronize
time-wise to Cubase AI, that is, the time displays on Cu-
base AI’s Transport panel and on the other device will
agree. When you wind and locate Cubase AI and then ac-
tivate playback, the other device will follow from the same
position (if it has this capability and is set up for it!).
!
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.