Reference Guide

1089
SMPTE/MIDI time code synchronization
Synchronizing your gear
3. Select one of the following options:
• Ask first, then switch to clock source and start. This option prompts SONAR to alert you
when it detects a SMPTE/MTC signal, asks if you want to sync to the incoming signal, and if
you respond that you do, switches the clock source and starts to receive the signal.
• Always switch the clock source and start. SONAR automatically switches to the clock
source of the incoming signal and begins to receive the signal.
• Do not switch clock source, but start if in SMPTE/MTC mode. This option automatically
syncs to the incoming signal if SONAR is in SMPTE/MTC mode.
4. Click the Project - Clock page (Edit > Preferences > Project - Clock).
5. Choose the frame rate and time offset that are appropriate for your source material.
6. Click the MIDI - Devices page (Edit > Preferences > MIDI - Devices).
7. Make sure that your MIDI interface is highlighted in the Inputs list. If your interface also has a
Sync driver, highlight that as well, then click OK.
When SONAR is the slave, here’s how things work:
• SONAR monitors for a SMPTE/MTC signal. You are able to perform other action in SONAR while
waiting for the signal.
• Start playback on the external device. It takes about two seconds for SONAR to lock from the
time it receives time code input.
• If the time code is earlier than the start of the project (based on the time code offset), another
message (Chasing…) is displayed in the status bar. When the time code reaches the start of the
project, SONAR starts to play in sync.
• If the time code is at or after the start of the project, SONAR starts playback as soon as it locks to
the time code.
• When the external device stops (or when the time code ends), SONAR will stop.
See:
“Playing digital audio under SMPTE/MTC sync” on page 1090
“SMPTE/MTC sync and full chase lock” on page 1091
“Troubleshooting SMPTE/MTC sync” on page 1092
Note: The final option, Never switch clock source, never start, should never be used if you are
attempting to sync to an external clock source.
Note: If you want SONAR to switch its clock source to SMPTE/MTC automatically when SONAR
receives a SMPTE/MTC signal, go to Edit > Preferences > Audio - Sync and Caching and
select the Always switch clock source to start option.