Unicorn Digital Timepiece, Руководство пользователя

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I N S T A L L A T I O N
14
COMPUTERS
The Digital Timepiece serves as an excellent way to
synchronize MIDI software and computer-based
digital audio workstations with the rest of the gear
in your studio. If your software supports MIDI
Machine Control (MMC), you can control the
transports of everything from your computer. If
your software supports MMC record functions,
you can accomplish basic recording tasks from
your computer, too, such as arming tracks,
recording on them, and even recording automated
punch-ins.
The Digital Timepiece does not require a computer
to perform its basic synchronization duties. A
computer does provide one important advantage:
it allows you to run the Digital Timepiece’s control
panel software, called
ClockWorks™ , which gives
you access to features in the Digital Timepiece that
are not available from the front panel.
For information about installing and using the
Digital Timepiece software console, called
ClockWorks™, see the
ClockWorks User’s Guide
that accompanies this guide.
How it works
Computer software communicates with the Digital
Timepiece via either MIDI Time Code (MTC),
MIDI Machine Control (MMC) or both
(Figure 3-1). Software on the computer slaves to
MTC generated by the Digital Timepiece.
Conversely, software that supports MMC can send
MMC transport commands (play, stop, rewind,
locate, etc.) to the Digital Timepiece.
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Digital audio workstations that involve
additional hardware installed inside the computer
or connected externally to the computer may or
may not require these MIDI connections in lieu of
connections made directly between the hardware
and the Digital Timepiece.
Figure 3-1: How a computer software communicates with the Digital
Timepiece.
Connecting a Macintosh
There are two different ways you can connect a
Macintosh to the Digital Timepiece:
■
With a standard RS422 (circular “DIN-8”) cable
and the Digital Timepiece’s built-in serial port
(Figure 3-2)
■
With MIDI cables and a separate MIDI interface
(Figure 3-3)
There are no performance or operational
advantages either way, so the choice is a practical
one. If you have an available serial port and a
DIN-8 serial cable that will reach from the
computer to the Digital Timepiece, it may be more
convenient to connect directly, thus avoiding time
code routing issues in your MIDI interface. Also, if
you use OMS, there are additional practical
considerations that you may want to consider. See
chapter 11, “Digital Timepiece & OMS” (page 79)
for details.
Digital Timepiece
MIDI Time Code
(MTC)
MIDI Machine Control
(MMC)
MIDI software
and/or
digital audio workstation