User guide
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
12
SMPTE TIME CODE SYNC CONNECTIONS
If you own a MIDI Express XT or micro express, it is both 
a SMPTE time code 
converter
 and 
generator
. As a 
converter, it locks (slaves) to incoming longitudinal 
SMPTE time code (LTC) and converts it to MIDI Time 
Code (MTC) and reshaped LTC. As a generator, it 
produces both LTC and MTC time code, either running 
under its own internal clock or while slaved to external 
time code (or other time base).
When making the SMPTE time code connections 
described in the following sections, do not pass the signal 
through any type of signal processing equipment. Use 
shielded quarter-inch audio cables.
For a complete explanation of synchronization, see 
chapter 7, “Synchronization” (page 55).
Connecting a SMPTE time code source
Connect any SMPTE time code 
source
, such as the SMPTE 
timecode track on an analog multitrack tape deck, to the 
SMPTE IN port on your MOTU MIDI interface as shown 
in Figure 2-5. (For information about recording time code 
tracks, see “Striping time code” on page 58.)
Figure 2-5: Connecting a SMPTE time code source.
MOTU MIDI Interface
SMPTE IN
Analog audio tape recorder Video tape recorder
Examples of a SMPTE 
time code source
Audio or SMPTE out
Shielded, quarter-inch audio cable
!USB Interfaces Manual Book Page 12 Tuesday, August 16, 2011 11:21 AM










