User Manual

APPENDIX B: TIME CODE BASICS
86
Certain phrases are often used to describe synchroni-
zation. The tape deck to which the MIDI device is
synchronized is called the synchronization master; the
MIDI device, which follows, is called the slave. The MIDI
device is slaved to the master. The converter, which reads
the time code on tape, is locked to tape, or when using
SMPTE time code, locked to SMPTE.
HOW DOES A MOTU SYNCHRONIZER WORK?
The MOTU MIDI Express XT and micro express
interfaces function as a SMPTE-to-MIDI converter. When
they receive SMPTE time code, they convert that signal
into MIDI Time Code, which is then sent to MIDI devices
connected to the network. These devices, in turn, slave to
the MIDI Time Code.
WHAT IS MIDI TIME CODE?
MIDI Time Code is time code in the form of MIDI data
that matches the format of SMPTE time code: time is
expressed in hours, minutes, seconds, and frames. Your
MOTU Express interface can send MIDI Time Code over
MIDI to a sequencer, which follows the MIDI Time Code.
LOCKING A MOTU INTERFACE TO TIME CODE
In order to sync your MIDI device to tape, you must first
successfully lock your MOTU Express interface to the
SMPTE on the tape. To do so, you need to:
1. Stripe a tape with SMPTE
2. Connect the MOTU Express interface to the tape deck
3. Prepare the MOTU Express interface to convert SMPTE
4. Roll the tape to see if successful SMPTE lockup has been
achieved
These steps are discussed in chapter 7, “Synchronization”
(page 55). Once lockup has been achieved, you can stop
the tape, set up your MIDI hardware or software, and then
slave it to your MOTU Express interface.
!USB Interfaces Manual Book Page 86 Tuesday, August 16, 2011 11:21 AM