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Overview
Mac Syncman is a professional quality, 1 Megahertz/RS-422, 2 In / 6 Out
Macintosh MIDI interface and synchronization box - all built into one.
Mac Syncman’s MIDI interface allows you to hook your Macintosh com-
puter up to any MIDI equipment by way of the modem and printer
ports. With 2 MIDI Ins, two different sources of MIDI information can be
recorded simultaneously. Or alternately, MIDI from one source can be
recorded through one MIDI In, while MIDI synchronization information
is being received from the other MIDI In. Two “MIDI Thru” switches
are provided which are used to switch the modem or printer ports
between MIDI use and normal use. This means that you don’t have to
unplug your computer or modem when you want to use your computer
for MIDI applications. And the Mac Syncman’s 6 MIDI Outs can be
used to interface your computer to practically any MIDI system without
the need for an additional MIDI thru box or patch bay.
Mac Syncman’s internal sync box can be used to stripe a tape with
SMPTE information. This recorded stripe can then be read back by Mac
Syncman and used to slave your computer sequencer (e.g. Performer,
Vision, Master Tracks, Logic, or Cubase) to tape.
IMPORTANT: Mac Syncman can ONLY read and write SMPTE when
the MIDI Time Code dip-switch is Down.
Mac Syncman can read and
write a SMPTE stripe as long as the Off/MTC dip-switch is Down.
When this switch is Down (i.e. in MTC mode), Mac Syncman can read a
SMPTE stripe from tape and generate either MIDI Time Code (MTC) or
(for early versions of Performer) Direct Lock. If the Off/MTC is Down
and the DTL (Direct Lock)/MTC dip-switch is Down, Mac Syncman
generates MIDI Time Code. If the Off/MTC is Down and the DTL/MTC
dip-switch is Up, Mac Syncman generates Direct Time Lock.
When using Mac Syncman, check your sequencer manual to make sure
it supports either MIDI Time Code (MTC) or Direct Time Lock. If it does
not you may consider updating your sequencer if you wish to sync it to
tape.
Mac Syncman allows you to record sync information to any reasonable
quality tape recorder. Whenever syncing to tape, Mac Syncman “Jam”
syncs. The “Jam” Sync feature allows Mac Syncman to reliably sync to
tape even when the recorded tape sync stripe has been damaged or has
drop-outs.
