M-Audio Biport 2x4s [43/48] Syncing to a smpte stripe

Syncing to a SMPTE Stripe

With a SMPTE stripe recorded on one track of your tape deck, you are

now ready to sync to tape. Set your sequencer to SMPTE/MTC clock,

making it a slave to the BiPort 2x4s. Since the BiPort 2x4s auto-detects

the frame rate of incoming SMPTE, it is not necessary to set the frame

rate of the BiPort when syncing. However, you may need to set your

sequencer program to the proper incoming SMPTE format.

Note: The BiPort 2x4s always stores its current configura-

tion when you exit Windows. Therefore, when you restart

Windows, the BiPort 2x4s recalls its last setup and you do

not have to modify it unless you want to change parameters

such as frame format or User Bits.

Make sure the BiPort 2x4s SMPTE In is connected firmly to the

Tape/Sync output of your tape deck.

From your sequencer, you should select the BiPort 2x4s SMPTE Input as

one of your input devices. Some sequencers will automatically detect

MTC streaming in from this port and sync to it. Others, such as Master

Tracks, require you to designate which input port MTC is coming in on.

If this is the case, make sure that you designate “BiPort 2x4s SMPTE In”

as your sync input.

In all sequencers you must set a SMPTE start time at which the sequence

will start playing. This sequencer start time, if not dictated by post pro-

duction requirements, should be set to a value at least a few seconds

greater than the SMPTE offset you used to stripe your tape with. For

example, if your recorded SMPTE stripe started at 1 hour you should

use a sequencer start time of at least 1 hour and 5 seconds. This small

additional time (pre-roll) gives your sequencer a couple of seconds to

lock to SMPTE and stabilize before it has to start playing.

If all of this is done correctly, and you start playing your tape, your

sequencer should start playing exactly at the set sequencer start time.

Your sequencer should stay in perfect sync with the tape, even if you

have a varispeed deck. If you fast-forward and then start playing your

tape your sequencer should “chase lock” exactly to the SMPTE on the

tape.