Syncing To A Smpte Stripe - M-Audio Portman 4x4 Manual

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 PORTMAN 4x4/S.
Since the PORTMAN 4x4/S auto-detects the frame rate of incom-
ing SMPTE, it is not necessary to set the frame rate of the PORT-
MAN when syncing. However, you may need to set your
sequencer program to the proper incoming SMPTE format.
Note: The PORTMAN 4x4/S always stores its current configura-
tion when you exit Windows. Therefore, when you restart
Windows, the PORTMAN 4x4/S 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 PORTMAN 4x4/S SMPTE In is connected firmly to
the Tape/Sync output of your tape deck.
From your sequencer, you should select the PORTMAN 4x4/S
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 "PORTMAN 4x4/S 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 dic-
tated by post production 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 stabi-
lize 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.
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