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Synchronization
Putting the network online
After each computer’s name you will see whether it is on-
line or not. When a computer is online, it will receive trans-
port and timecode signals, and its sequencer application
can be started and stopped by remote control. If it is off-
line, it can only be started from its own keyboard – it is ef
-
fectively an independent machine, although it is still on the
network.
Ö Note that any computer can control any and all of the
others – VST System Link is a peer-to-peer network and
there is no absolute “master” computer.
To put all computers online, proceed as follows:
1. For all computers, activate the Online checkbox on the
VST System Link page.
2. Start playback on one computer to check that the sys-
tem is working – all computers should start almost instantly
and play perfectly in time, with sample-accurate precision.
• The Offset Samples setting allows you to adjust whether
one machine will play slightly ahead or behind the rest.
This is normally not needed, but occasionally with some hardware you
may find that the lock is a few samples out. For now, leave it set to 0 – it
will most likely be what you want.
• The Transfer Bits setting allows you to specify whether
you want to transfer 24 or 16 bits. This allows you to use
older audio cards which do not support transfer of 24 bits.
VST System Link sends and understands all transport
commands (such as play, stop, fast forward, rewind, etc.).
This allows you to control the entire network from one
computer without a problem – try it! If you jump to a loca
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tor point on one machine, all other machines will also in-
stantly jump to that locator point.
Scrubbing via VST System Link
You can scrub on one computer and have the video and
audio on another computer scrub along. However, the
playback on the linked systems may not be perfectly in
sync while scrubbing and there are some further restric
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tions you should bear in mind when scrubbing via VST
System Link:
• Use the jog/shuttle control on the Transport panel or a
remote controller for scrubbing.
Scrubbing with the Scrub tool does not work over a VST System Link
connection.
• Always use the system where you started scrubbing to
control the scrubbing, e.
g. change the scrub speed or
stop scrubbing.
Changing the scrub speed on a remote system will only change the
speed on the local system.
• You can start playback on all systems.
This stops scrubbing and enters playback on all systems in sync.
Using MIDI
As well as supplying transport and sync control, VST Sys-
tem Link also supplies up to 16 MIDI ports, with 16 chan-
nels each. To set this up, proceed as follows:
1. Use the MIDI Inputs and MIDI Outputs value fields to
specify the number of MIDI ports you need.
The default value is 0 MIDI In and 0 MIDI Out ports.
2. In the Project window, create a MIDI track and open
the Inspector (top section).
3. If you now pull down the Input or Output Routing pop-
up menu, you will find the specified System Link ports
added to the list of MIDI inputs or outputs.
!
Make sure that all computers have their tempos set
to the same value, otherwise your synchronization
will be seriously skewed.