Syncing Performer / DA38 / MidiExpressXT
So, this is for SMPTE coming into the Express XT and having the DA38 and Performer slave to it. It’s a two part thing, the second part for using the offset funcion. I hope it helps someone avoid many sleepless nights and too much coffee!
PART 1: SMPTE setup for MMC38 with DA38 used with Express XT and Performer
5.5:
MMC38 settings:
SW1 switches – 1,2,3,4,5 are in UP position
– 6,7,8 are in DOWN position
SW2 switches – 1,2,3,4 are DOWN
5,6,7 are UP
8 is DOWN
Express XT settings:
Direct Cable Routing:
DA88/SY88 (MMC38)>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>MTC In
DA88/SY88 (MMC38)>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>MMC In
MTC Out>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>DA88/SY88 (MMC38)
MMC Out>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>DA88/SY88 (MMC38)
Computer A Routing:
All cables connected except:
No MTC Out; No MMC Out; No MTC In; No MMC In
FreeMidi Configuration:
XT Device is setup as described on pages 30 of XT Manual.
Performer 5.5 setup:
– Set to External Sync; put in “ready to play mode”. (Midi Machine Control
is not used except if you want to activate a channel to record on in the DA38
from Performer itself).
(The following steps are used when SMPTE tape is striped from 0 to
1:08:00:00. This would be the length of the longest DA38 internal ABS code if
using a 120 minute Hi8 tape. If the DA38, XT and Performer need to be offset,
see instructions of SMPTE offset sheet).
1. Bring up the Sync Control window from XT Console. MMC ID number is 20.
2. Put Master Clock in LTC Quicklock (or LTC).
3. Run SMPTE tape for a second or two until MMC8/DA38 and Performer have a
lock to the incoming MTC conversion. Then, stop SMPTE tape after DA38 and
Performer have an initial lockup.
4. Put Master Clock into MTC mode, and then click on Offset button in order
to give MMC location command to the MMC38. The DA38 will autolocate to this
command and so will Performer.
* Be sure that the offset window reads 00:00:00:00 before you click on it.
(The new SMPTE time location will appear momentarily in the DA38 window when
you press the Offset button, and then the DA38 will autolocate to this time.
Peformer will follow.)
5. Put Master Clock back into LTC Quicklock (or LTC).
6. Run SMPTE master, and the DA38 and Performer will now lock and start
together at the same place.
7. If you rewind or fast forward the SMPTE tape, do steps 3 to 6 again.
PART 2: SMPTE Offset for DA38 and Performer in Express XT Sync Control
window:
1. Run SMPTE into LTC Quicklok (or LTC) Master clock in order to get an
initial lockup of DA38 and Performer. Stop tape after a second or two.
2. Put Sync Master clock into MTC mode, then click on Offset button in order
to locate DA38 and Performer to the actual SMPTE (MTC) that has come into the
XT.
**(Offset should be set to 00:00:00:00 before you click on it).
3. Put Sync Master clock back into LTC Quicklok.
4. Make needed DA38 offset adjustment in offset window.
Click offset button in order to see the necessary “+” or “-“, whichever is
needed.
5. Run SMPTE again for a second or two.
6. Put Master clock back into MTC mode. Click offset button. Newly adjusted
offset time should appear for a moment in the DA38 screen before it locates
to the adjusted time.
**(After DA38 and Performer locate, be sure to click Offset button once in
order to bring it back to “+” or “-“, whichever is needed).
7. Put Master clock back into LTC Quicklok.
8. Run SMPTE!!
9. Repeat steps 5 to 8 if you have to rewind or fast forward SMPTE ta
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