CAKEWALK sonar x3, Reference Manual

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1270
Synchronizing your gear
MIDI synchronization
MIDI synchronization
MIDI Synchronization, or MIDI Sync , is usually used to synchronize SONAR with drum machines,
stand-alone MIDI hardware sequencers, and sequencers built into MIDI keyboards. SONAR can
slave to MIDI Sync, and can send MIDI Sync on multiple output ports.
When MIDI devices are synched, the master device sends messages to all other devices to start and
stop playback and to keep all the devices in sync. To change the tempo of a project, you adjust the
tempo on the master device. The playback tempo on all slave devices is then set automatically.
The following MIDI messages are sent by the master device to support MIDI Sync:
When you start playback on the master MIDI device, for example, it sends a Start message to all
slave devices, announcing that playback has started. If the slave devices are set up correctly, they
receive the message and start playing back with the master device. When SONAR is set up as the
master device, you can enable or disable these messages.
See:
“SONAR as the slave” on page 1271
“SONAR as the master” on page 1272
“Using MIDI Sync with drum machines” on page 1273
“Troubleshooting MIDI Sync” on page 1273
Message How it is used
Start This message tells slave devices to start playing from the beginning of the
currently loaded sequence.
Stop This message tells slave devices to stop playback.
Continue This message tells slave devices to continue playing from the current
location in the currently loaded sequence.
Song Position Pointer (SPP) This message tells slave devices to change the current location to the
designated point in the project. SONAR normally issues an SPP message
immediately prior to any Start or Continue message.
Clock The master sends clock messages to each slave device at the rate of 24 per
quarter note. The slave devices use these messages to establish the tempo
and stay in sync.
Table 219.