User Manual

970 User Guide and Technical Information

v. 2.00 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.

Synchronization & Timecode

Signal Connection Main View

Internal None

Int

By default, the currently referenced synchronization source is always displayed on the top-middle

of the Main View directly in front of the sample rate. When valid signal is present at the selected

source, the Main View label will be displayed in white text. When no valid signal is present at the

selected source, the Main View label will ﬂash. Additionally, when a source is selected that has no

valid signal, or when the signal at a selected source is lost, a warning dialog will appear on the LCD.

Timecode Reader

The 970 includes a timecode reader which can accept incoming SMPTE linear timecode. The time-

code reader is enabled whenever the Setup Menu option [Timecode/Sync - Timecode Mode] is set

to any Ext TC mode which indicates that it will read external timecode.

In situations where a consistent offset is observed between 970 ﬁles and other produc-

tion recordings, the 970 can offset the timecode stamp on each ﬁle. The Setup Menu option

[Timecode/Sync - File Start TC Offset] allows for adjustment of the frame offset from -10 to +10 in

increments of 1 frame. This setting does not affect timecode on the 970’s outputs.

For shoots involving more than one camera or another audio recorder, using the 970’s Timecode

Generator can be more beneﬁcial than using the Timecode Reader to achieve good heads and tails

sync between all recordings.

Internal Ambient® Lockit: Timecode Generator

The 970 includes an internal Ambient® ACL-203 Lockit which can be used as a timecode source for

cameras or audio recorders. The Lockit is an ultra-high accuracy sync/timecode generator with < 0.2

ppm (½ frame per 24 hours) accuracy that is suitable as a master clock in all levels of productions.

With its internal, rechargeable battery, accurate timecode is maintained for up to 4 hours after the 970

is powered down. After 4 hours, the timecode value is reset. The battery is recharged automatically.

Timecode Modes

Freerun Timecode Mode

Generator mode. Timecode runs continuously. The value can be set by “jamming value” in the Setup

Menu option [Timecode/Sync - Jam Received TC] or by manually setting a value from the Setup

Menu option [Timecode/Sync

Set Generator TC].

Freerun Auto Mute

Functions the same as Freerun mode except timecode signal is muted from the timeocde output

when the 970 is in stopped mode. This allows rec-run functionality when Rec Run mode is not suit-

able (e.g. Multi-camera shoots).

Record Run Timecode Mode

Generator mode. The 970 sends running timecode while recording and stationary timecode while

not recording. Timecode in this mode defaults to the last stationary value at power-up. When switch-

ing to record run from another mode, the internal generator will stop at the last number gener-

ated. A user-deﬁned value can be jammed into the internal generator from the Setup Menu option

[Timecode/Sync - Set Generator TC].