Reference Guide

1087
SMPTE/MIDI time code synchronization
Synchronizing your gear
When you create a new SONAR project, by default the project is configured so that the beginning of
bar 1 is synchronized with a time code of 00:00:00:00. If the starting point of the material on your
tape or external project is not 0, you need to enter an offset to tell SONAR the time code that
corresponds to the start of the project.
To enter an offset
1. Go to Edit > Preferences > Project - Clock.
2. Specify the desired offset in the SMPTE/MTC Offset field. To enter an offset of 15 seconds, type
0,0,15 and hit ENTER. The SMPTE/MTC Offset value should now be 00:00:15:00 or 15
seconds.
Frame rates
Seven time code frame rates are supported in SONAR, which are normally used for the following
types of applications:
External Timecodes
Cakewalk
Setting
Description
24 frames per second 24 FPS Used for theatrical film worldwide. Any film in North
America or Japan uses this setting.
25 frames per second
(EBU timecode)
25 FPS Used for PAL/SECAM video, video and some film in
countries that use 50 Hz wall electricity. This is the setting
to use when synchronizing to any European video format.
29.97 frames per second non
drop-frame
29.97 FPS NDF NTSC non-broadcast and short length video in North
America and Japan. Some music projects. This setting
synchronizes the video perfectly with SONAR, but the
sequencer position displayed in the Now Time and Big
Time displays will gradually drift and become incorrect
over long periods of time. The audio and MIDI
synchronization to the external device will not be affected
by this discrepancy.
29.97 frames per second
drop-frame
29.97 FPS DF NTSC broadcast and long format video in North America
and Japan. This setting synchronizes the video perfectly
with SONAR, but the sequencer position displayed in the
Now Time and Big Time displays will gradually drift and
become incorrect over long periods of time. The audio
and MIDI synchronization to the external device will not
be affected by this discrepancy.
30 frames per second non
drop-frame
30 FPS NDF Most music projects and some film in North America. This
is the best choice for any music project and should be
used unless the situation dictates otherwise.
30 frames per second drop-
frame
30 FPS DF Not a standard type of timecode, used rarely for speed
correction and transfer problems in tape based systems.
Table 201.