Steinberg Cubase Studio 4 Operation Manual Studio Manual

34
Synchronization 

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Synchronization
Background
What is synchronization?
Synchronization is said to exist when you make two pieces 
of equipment agree on time or tempo and position info. 
You can establish synchronization between Cubase and a 
number of other types of devices, including tape recorders 
and video decks, but also MIDI devices that “play back”, 
such as other sequencers, drum machines, “workstation 
sequencers” etc.
When you set up a synchronization system, you must de-
cide which unit is the master. All...

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Synchronization
MIDI Clock
MIDI Clock is a tempo-based type of synchronization sig-
nals, i.e. it is related to the number of “beats per minute”. 
MIDI Clock signals are suitable for synchronizing two de-
vices that agree on tempo, such as for example Cubase 
and a drum machine.
Word Clock
Word clock is basically a replacement for the sample rate 
clock in for example an audio card. Word clock hence 
runs at the same rate as the sample rate in the audio, 
44.1kHz, 48kHz etc.
Word clock does not...

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Synchronization
If you aim to perform synchronization to external signals, 
we strongly recommend that you obtain proper synchroni-
zation equipment. This encompasses:
 An audio card that can be slaved to external word clock.
 A synchronizer that can read timecode (and possibly house 
clock) and generate the required sync signals from that, such 
as the Steinberg TimeLock Pro.
or...
 An audio system with complete built-in synchronization possi-
bilities, preferably supporting the ASIO Positioning...

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Synchronization
Making connections
The following connections are required for external sync 
via a synchronizer, including resolving of the audio card. 
For details on audio card and synchronizer settings and 
connections, see the manuals for these devices.
Route the master clock signal (LTC, VITC, etc.) to an in-
put on the synchronizer.
Connect the word clock output on the synchronizer to a 
word clock input on the audio card.
Connect the MIDI Timecode (MTC) output on the syn-
chronizer to the...

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Synchronization
Setting Up
1.Connect the desired MIDI Outputs from Cubase to the 
device(s) that you plan to synchronize.
2.Open the Project Synchronization Setup dialog from 
the Transport menu.
3.Activate the sync outputs by using the corresponding 
checkboxes.
You can output any combination of MIDI Timecode and MIDI Clock to 
any combination of outputs (however, you probably don’t want to send 
MTC and MIDI Clock to the same output).
4.Set the other device(s) to their “external synchroniza-
tion”...

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Synchronization
You can also set this with the function “Set Timecode at 
Cursor” on the Project menu.
This is useful if you know that a certain position in your project coincides 
with a certain timecode position in the external device. Move the project 
cursor to the desired position, select “Set Timecode at Cursor” and 
specify the corresponding timecode position in the dialog that appears – 
the Start value is adjusted accordingly.
5.In the dialog that appears, you are asked if you want to 
keep...

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Synchronization
Hardware and software requirements for APP
 Your computer audio hardware (in the example above this 
would be an ADAT card in your computer) must support all 
the functionality required for the ASIO Positioning Protocol. 
That is, it must be able to read the digital audio and the corre-
sponding position information from the external device.
 There must be an ASIO 2.0 driver for the audio hardware.
 For resolving to external timecode, the audio hardware must 
have an integrated...

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Synchronization
You can also set this with the function “Set Timecode at 
Cursor” on the Project menu.
This is useful if you know that a certain position in your project coincides 
with a certain timecode position in the external device. Move the project 
cursor to the desired position, select “Set Timecode at Cursor” and 
specify the corresponding timecode position in the dialog that appears – 
the Start value is adjusted accordingly.
5.A message appears, asking you whether you want to 
keep the...

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Synchronization
4.Open the Project Synchronization Setup dialog via the 
Transport menu in Cubase.
5.In the Master Machine Control Device section, acti-
vate the “MC Master Active” checkbox.
6.Select the correct MMC Inputs and Outputs from the 
respective pop-up menus.
7.Make sure that the MMC Device ID corresponds to 
the ID of the controlled device.
If more that one machine is connected or if you do not know the Device 
ID, this can be set to “All”, the “Broadcast” device ID.
8.Set the “Number of...