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—Owner’s Manual
MIDI Synchronization
The MT400 is ideal for recording vocal, guitar, and other acoustic sounds and can easily be
integrated into a MIDI system that includes a MIDI sequencer or sequencer software on a
computer. This section describes how to synchronize the MT400 to a MIDI sequencer.
Synchronizing the MT400 with a MIDI Sequencer
To use the MT400 in a synchronized MIDI system, you must record a “SYNC” signal onto
Track 4 of the MT400 before recording anything else. (Always use Track 4 to record a SYNC
signal.) A SYNC signal is timing information in the form of an audio signal, which is
referenced by a MIDI sequencer for operation. You only need to record this SYNC signal once
on Track 4 of the MT400. During playback, the SYNC signal is output from the MT400 and
sent to a MIDI sequencer, which reads the SYNC signal and plays back in synchronization
with the MT400. When the MT400 is stopped, the MIDI sequencer stops, too. In this way, the
MT400 works as the master control device in a synchronized MIDI system.
There are many applications in the synchronization system using the MT400 and a MIDI
sequencer. A typical application is to record acoustic sounds, such as vocal and guitar, to the
MT400 tracks, and record other part by playing MIDI performance data on the connected
MIDI sequencer. More precisely, you may record vocal or guitar on the MT400 tracks while
listening to the MIDI performance data, then mix down Tracks 1–3 sounds with MIDI sound
sources. (You cannot use Track 4 for recording since it is dedicated to the SYNC signal.)
SYNC Signal Formats
There are two major formats of SYNC signal: SMPTE timecode and FSK. The main difference
between these two formats is that FSK contains only clock information based on the song
tempo whereas SMPTE timecode contains both clock and position information that
represents absolute time. This means that with SMPTE timecode you can start playback on
the MT400 at any point and the MIDI sequencer will play back in synchronization. With FSK,
however, you must always rewind the tape and start playback on the MT400 at the beginning
of the SYNC signal for the MIDI sequencer to synchronize correctly. Although, these days
something called “smart FSK”, which contains both clock and position information, is
available, allowing playback to start from any position within a song.
To use SMPTE timecode, you need a device called an “MTC/SMPTE converter”. This device
converts MTC output from a MIDI sequencer (MIDI timecode; absolute time information of
the sequencer) into SMPTE timecode (audio signal). Some MIDI interfaces for computers
have this feature built-in.
To use FSK, you need a device called a “MIDI/FSK converter”. This device converts MIDI
Clock output from a sequencer (clock information of the sequencer) into FSK (audio signal).
Some MIDI/FSK converters support “smart FSK”.
These devices convert MTC or MIDI Clock signals into signals that can be recorded onto a
tape. During playback, the same device is used to convert the SMPTE timecode or FSK signal
(audio signal) back into MTC or MIDI Clock signals.
Note: You can still use the transport controls on the MIDI sequencer, but only the MIDI
sequencer will respond.
