User manual

Table Of Contents
658
Synchronization
Synchronized operation
MIDI Clock Destinations
Some MIDI devices like drum machines can match their tempo and location to
incoming MIDI clock. Select any MIDI ports that you wish to output MIDI clock.
MIDI Clock Follows Project Position
Activate this option to ensure that the MIDI clock device follows Cubase when looping,
locating, or jumping while playing.
Ö Some older MIDI devices might not respond well to these positioning messages and
could take some time synchronizing to the new location.
Always Send Start Message
MIDI clock transport commands include Start, Stop, and Continue. However, some
MIDI devices do not recognize the Continue command. By activating the “Always
Send Start Message” option, you can avoid this problem with specific MIDI devices.
Send MIDI Clock in Stop Mode
Activate this option if you are working with a device that needs MIDI clock to run
continuously in order to operate arpeggiators and loop generators.
Synchronized operation
Once you have connected all the devices that will be synchronized, it is important to
understand how Cubase operates in Sync mode. Sync mode is enabled by activating
the Sync button on the Transport panel.
Sync mode
When you activate the Sync button, the following happens:
Cubase only: Transport commands are routed to the machine control destination
output as specified in the Project Synchronization Setup dialog.
Locate, Play, Stop, and Record commands will now be sent to an external device.
Cubase awaits incoming timecode from the chosen timecode source defined in
the Project Synchronization Setup dialog in order to play.
Cubase will detect incoming timecode, locate to its current position, and start
playback in sync with the incoming timecode.
Cubase only: In a typical scenario, an external tape machine (e.g. a VTR) has its
timecode output connected to Cubase. Cubase is sending machine control
commands to the deck. When Sync is activated and you click Play on the Transport
panel, a play command is sent to the VTR. The VTR in turn starts playback, sending
timecode back to Cubase. Cubase then synchronizes to that incoming timecode.