MOTU PCI-424, User Manual

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I N S T A L L I N G T H E P C I - 4 2 4 H A R D W A R E
43
SYNCING TO SMPTE TIME CODE
The PCI-424 system can resolve directly to SMPTE
time code from any analog input on any audio
interface. It can also generate time code and word
clock, under its own clock or while slaving to time
code. Therefore, the system can act both as an
audio interface and digital audio synchronizer, to
which you can slave other digital audio devices.
You can use the PCI-424 system to slave your audio
software to SMPTE as well, as long as your software
supports sample-accurate sync, which is the means
by which the software follows the PCI-424. The
accuracy may not be sample-accurate, but in most
cases it will be pretty close. If you would like to
resolve to video and SMPTE, see the next page.
Other digital audio
device slaved to the
PCI-424 system
Figure 4-23: Connections for synchronizing the
PCI-424 system directly to SMPTE time code.
Choose PCI-424: SMPTE as the clock source in the MOTU PCI Audio Console application. This
setting can also be made in the MOTU SMPTE Console (shown below).
Any MOTU PCI interface
SMPTE time code
source
audio cable bearing LTC
(Longitudinal Time Code)
SMPTE IN
RCA jack
(or any analog input)
Audio Wire cable
PCI-424 card
Launch the MOTU SMPTE Console and specify the SMPTE Source , which is the
analog input receiving the SMPTE time code. Also, confirm that the Clock Source
is PCI-424: SMPTE/SMPTE . For details about the other settings, see chapter 12,
“MOTU SMPTE Console” (page 103).
video
cable audio
cable
SMPTE
out
Word
Out
When lockup is achieved,
the LOCK light illuminates
and the TACH light blinks
once per second.
Windows computer running Cubase or
other sample-accurate ASIO software
In Cubase VST, go to the Synchronization window and choose ASIO 2.0
as the Timecode Base. In Cubase SX, go to the Synchronization Setup
window and choose the
ASIO Positioning Protocol option.
Use this setup if you have:
✓
A SMPTE time code source, such as a multitrack tape deck.
✓
A PCI-424 core system by itself, OR an expanded PCI-424
system that includes other MOTU PCI interfaces and maybe
one other slaved device (such as a digital mixer).
✓
Host software that supports sample-accurate sync.
This setup provides:
✗
No sample-accurate locating.
✓
Continuous sync to SMPTE time code.
✓
Sub-frame timing accuracy.
✓
Transport control from the SMPTE time code source.