Steinberg Time Base User Manual

TIME BASE
Typical Setup Examples 4 – 31
Virtual Machine VTM
Time Base can also be used as a Virtual Machine.
In the display, change 
TCIN= to VTM=M.V MIDI.
The Virtual Machine emulates a machine, including controllable “shuttle 
speed” and switchable Instant Locate (IL) – tapeless mode.
LTC, VITC, MTC and VST System Link are output simultaneously.
The generated Time Code can be used to control mix automation and 
LTC/VITC-capable slave devices.
If Time Base is referenced to video, the Time Code is locked...

TIME BASE
4 – 32 Typical Setup Examples
❐Not all 9-pin Controllers do react correctly when a machine is used in 
“LOCAL” mode. You must test this to find out if it does.
The 9-pin interface must be switched to M.A:P2x (“DEVICE”) mode when-
ever Time Base is used as a Virtual 9-pin Machine. P2x: Tx and Rx connec-
tions are crossed (inverted) within Time Base. Therefore, no special cable 
is required.
Output to a non-controllable machine
Using Time Base, you can also send Time Code locked output (LTC plus...

TIME BASE
Typical Setup Examples 4 – 33
Complex Systems
❐When putting together more Complex systems, a few rules need to be ob-
served, so that the operational reliability and quality of the sync are preserved.
Sync signals (Clocks and Time Code) must be distributed in parallel.
Clock
If Word Clock is “daisy-chained” from one device to the next, the Clock is 
regenerated in each device, in other words fed through a PLL circuit. If this 
happens in almost every case the error rate (Jitter) goes up. 
You...

TIME BASE
4 – 34 Typical Setup Examples
Video functions
In addition to the Video Sync In (see page 28), two pairs of Video IN/OUT 
connectors are available on Time Base: BNCs for composite video and S-
VHS for Y/C (separated or component video). The required pair of connec-
tors can be activated by setting 
VIDEO: to BNC or S-VHS.
The signal coming from the video recorder will be passed on to the moni-
tor or projector by Time Base and you can additionally insert the Time 
Code in the picture.
Check the...

TIME BASE
Typical Setup Examples 4 – 35
Time Code Inserter
The Time Code Inserter inserts the read Time Code into the video picture 
as visible numbers (known as a Burn-in Window).
Settings: 
INS:   ON, +IN or +TC9
POS V, POS H
 and VIEW to suit yourself.
POS defines the vertical (V) and horizontal (H) position, VIEW the appear-
ance.
With a setting of 
+IN, when Time Base finds no master Time Code avail-
able it automatically switches to the unchecked Time Code being directly 
read in.
With a setting of...

TIME BASE
4 – 36 Typical Setup Examples
Digital Varispeed
We know Varispeed from analog tape machines. Time Base now enables 
Varispeed for digital audio devices. This function should only be brought 
into play in exceptional cases, principally in two areas:
Music
• A difficult-to-tune instrument needs to be accommodated by a few cents; or the 
singer needs the track a semitone lower for recording.
The same advantages and disadvantages occur as when using an analog 
tape machine, i.e. if playback is a...

5
Reference 

TIME BASE
5 – 38 Reference
Basics
If you switch on Time Base, the self-diagnosis mode which tests all func-
tions is automatically started. It memorizes all current settings and saved 
parameter values. Presets are immediately available thanks to the buffered 
internal memory.
Time Base shows when it is ready for use by displaying the state it was in 
before it was switched off.
❐If you connect Time Base to Nuendo via its USB port and load the respec-
tive program/project, the relevant project settings...

TIME BASE
Reference 5 – 39
The functions of the eight Status LEDs:
Status LED Function
LOCK (blue) If this is constantly lit, the Digital Clock outputs are in sync.
HOLD (yellow) If this is constantly lit, Time Base holds the last received synchronous 
Clock.
TC (green) This is constantly lit when Time Base reads Time Code.
The LED blinks if the Time Code has the wrong frame rate.
VARI (red) This LED blinks when Varispeed is set to ON and not to zero.
MC (green) This LED lights up when the connected...

TIME BASE
5 – 40 Reference
Selecting Pages in the Display
The operational state of Time Base is unaffected by whichever page is 
currently selected, all selected functions are always active and carried 
out, regardless which page is currently displayed.
The Main Page – Display page P.1
• The frame rate can only be switched if  Time Base is in Generator Mode! 
When synchronized to an external Video Signal,  Time Base is always set to 
the frame rate of the video signal.
Parameter Explanation
P.1:Page 1....