Steinberg Time Base User Manual

TIME BASE
Connections 7 – 81
Red light – Only use screened cables for wiring
 
Example for a simple setup with only one LED
An opto-coupler is used as galvanic separator: e.g opto-coupler input in the studio red 
light control.
Rear panel connectors (detail)
Power and Protection Circuit
IEC Power Connector 100 - 240V (automatic switching). The fuse is 
located directly under the IEC power connector.
Type: 5 x 20 mm 2AT 250 V.
For continuous protection use only the specified type.    

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7 – 82 Connections
Technical Data
LTC inputBalanced stereo jack (TRS) -10 to +16 dBu
LTC output Balanced stereo jack (TRS) -10 to + 8 dBu
VITC Read2 Lines, Line 10-40 (6-36) or AUTO
VITC Write 2 Lines, Line 10-40 (6-36) or OFF
TC Video InserterCan be freely positioned, 2 sizes, 4 display styles
MTC Read/Write  MIDI standard, Full Frame switchable
Time Code Standard24, 25, 29,97 drop/non-drop, 30 drop/non-drop Fps
VST System Link – 
AES/EBU input for external 
AES/EBU synchronizationAuto Detect...

8
VST System Link 

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8 – 84 VST System Link
What is VST System Link?
The company that brought you technological breakthroughs such as 
VST, LTB and ASIO, Steinberg, has developed another ground-
breaking technology standard: VST System Link. 
VST System Link is a system for networking computers using 
Steinberg Virtual Studio Technology (VST) software and Audio 
Stream Input Output (ASIO) hardware.
VST System Link enables the transfer of synchronization, transport, and 
audio data between two or more workstations...

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VST System Link 8 – 85
How does VST System Link work?
If you use two computers, these are bidirectionally connected. Three 
or more computers are connected as a daisy-chain ring.
Time Base must be connected to the main work computer in this ring. 
❐When you use Time Base in a VST System Link setup, it automatically 
becomes the Clock Master for the whole system.
Data transfer is accomplished via standard digital cables. The “Patch-
bay” of the Master software that runs on the first computer...

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8 – 86 VST System Link
VST System Link – Troubleshooting
•Always use the latest versions of Cubase SX/SL/VST5.2 or Nuendo!
•It is very important, that the Audio Clock of the different systems is synchro-
nized. One computer (or better: the Time Base connected to it) is used as the 
Clock Master, all others must be set up correctly for Clock Slave operation.
•Within the system and the project, only one sample rate may be used!
•The first and most important step is to make sure, that all linked...

9
Glossary 

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9 – 88 Glossary
This glossary contains explanations of the most significant terms used in 
this manual.
AddressSMPTE/EBU Time Code Address – also called Time Code value – 
is the precise address in the Time Code data stream.
AES-3A method of synchronization using an AES standard.
AES/EBUProfessional standard for transmission of 2 channels of Digital Audio 
data as well as controller data, developed by the Audio Engineering 
Society (AES) and the European Broadcast Union (EBU).
Analog AudioA way...

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Glossary 9 – 89
Digital AudioAn analog audio signal, which has been converted in a binary data 
stream (via an A/D-Converter) for transfer and storage in a digital 
medium.
Drop FrameDF is one of two SMPTE Time Code formats. It is used in connection 
with the NTSC color TV standard. To make the Time Code compati-
ble to the video, 108 frames are dropped during each hour of play-
back.
Drop outA gap or interruption in an audio signal, e.g. incoming Time Code
usually caused by flaws in magnetic...

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9 – 90 Glossary
INTInternal speed reference produces by the internal crystal oscillator in 
Time Base. This is selected, if no external reference (video or Word 
Clock) is needed.
Jam SyncA technique that is used to start the Time Code Generator from (ex-
ternally) running Time Code. Can be used to ”extend“ existing Time 
Code on a partly striped tape.
JitterUnwanted (and often unnoticed) variation in the frequency of an out-
put Word Clock, usually caused by poor design or inferior compo-...