M-Audio MIDISPORT 8x8/s [48/52] Are your smpte audio cables good

SYMPTOM: The diagnostic program passes all tests except for the “Receive

Interrupt” test.

SOLUTION: The IRQ setting in the diagnostic program probably does not

match the IRQ setting of your serial port. Make sure they are set to the same

value. If this does not alleviate the problem then your port is probably using

another IRQ than you think it is, or you have another peripheral using the same

IRQ (See the Installation and Diagnostics sections).

Syncing Trouble-Shooting

If you are having trouble syncing to SMPTE you should check the following:

Are you using a high quality tape deck and tape? Have you tried using a higher

quality tape?

Do you have the MIDISPORT8x8/s SMPTE In connected to the proper Tape

Out/Sync Out port of your deck?

Are your SMPTE audio cables good?

Have you discovered the best Input and Output level settings on your tape

deck? You may need to spend some time playing with different playback and

record levels to find the best and most reliable settings. If the signal is too hot or

too low during record or playback you may encounter problems. You should

play with the record and playback levels until you get reliable sync. We have

found that a level of around -10 dB is best.

ASMPTE stripe is essentially data recorded to tape. If your recorder uses noise

reduction, such as DBX or Dolby, when writing or reading SMPTE, the data may

be corrupted and the results may be unacceptable. We recommend that you do

NOT use noise reduction when recording or playing a SMPTE sync track.

If you are recording any kind of a sync stripe and going through a mixing board

to set levels, make sure any EQ is off or flat. If you EQ a SMPTE signal it may

turn to mush. Also, try to avoid the bussing system by using direct outputs.

Are you trying to use SMPTE mode with a sequencer that does not support MTC

or is not set to chase to MIDI Time Code?

With all sequencers you must set a SMPTE song/sequence start time. Make sure

you set this SMPTE start time to a value at least a couple seconds later than what

your SMPTE stripe starts at. For example, if you recorded a SMPTE stripe

starting at 1 hour (01:00:00:00), you should set your sequencer start time to

something like 1 hour and 5 seconds (01:00:05:00).

Make sure your sequencer is set to receive MTC on the Windows driver that has

MIDI Time Code coming over it. This driver is called “MIDISPORT8x8/s

Sync/Status”.