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 to the video 
signal.
It makes your job easier that MMC commands from Nuendo and from an 
MMC-capable mixer can be routed via a MIDI Merger in semi-parallel form.
❐You can control (i.e. start, stop, wind etc.) the system from each “remote-ca-
pable” device without having to pay attention to the slave or master status 
of devices and without the need to switch the Remote Control.
Virtual 9-Pin Machine
The Virtual 9-pin Machine option VTM-9 contains all the functions of the 
Virtual MIDI Machine. In addition, a 9-pin machine is emulated.
Four emulations are available: BVW-75, DVW-A500, PCM3348 and 
VTM9 (Sony 9-pin).
The Virtual 9-pin Machine, connected to a 9-pin control system, makes a 
video-linked Time Code Generator available. LTC, VITC, MTC and VST 
System Link output are simultaneously available. 
Time Base (with Nuendo connected) will e.g. appear as a 9-pin machine 
on an SSL digital or SSL 9000 mixing console. The Track Ready function 
of the mixer is supported by Time Base. Track Ready commands are trans-
lated into MMC commands, so that Nuendo can be controlled via the con-
trol system. When emulating the Virtual 9-pin Machine VTM-9, Time Base 
lets you arm 64 tracks in Nuendo (version 2.1 or higher). 
The Virtual 9-pin Machine can be slaved.
The Virtual 9-pin Machine can also be controlled via MMC (corresponding 
to “LOCAL” use). Local and Remote are therefore both simultaneously ac-
tive. “LOCAL” use is only useful, if the Virtual 9-pin Machine runs as the 
master. 
						

							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 
VITC!) from a non-linear video editing system to a (VHS) VTR which can 
not be controlled via 9-pin.
Most linear video editing systems require 9-pin controllable VTRs (beta-
cam) for output including Time Code. 
						

							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 should therefore first use all four Word Clock outputs of the Time 
Base before you start to create Word Clock daisy-chains.
Exception: Some high end devices have an additional Word Clock Through. 
This just passes the incoming Word Clock on a hard-wired high impedance 
connection.
In this case a signal chain can be established without loss. On the final 
device of such a chain, you must plug in a 75Ω terminator. To check if this 
is working properly, switch off a device in the middle of the chain and see 
if the subsequent devices remain locked.
Time Code
LTC can be connected to several inputs just like audio signals, but should 
at some point be fed through an amplifier. In this case make sure that you 
use hard-wired balanced connections free of ground loops.
• Problems often occur in the incoming Time Code, which compromise further 
connections. Check the quality of the Time Code by listening to it at low vol-
ume. Like this you will hear if any dropouts or ground loop hum occur.
MTC
When connecting MTC to multiple units, special problems may occur. 
Most MIDI Patchbays pass MIDI data (including MTC) through a micropro-
cessor. This causes a delay of several milliseconds which is also variable 
(i.e. it causes Time Code jitter!). You should therefore only use a passive 
MIDI patchbay/router which passes on the MIDI data without putting it 
through a processor.
❐To enable control from several locations, MIDI Machine Control signals that 
are fed into Time Base can be combined by using a MIDI Merger. 
						

							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 illustration on page 28 for an overview of the connections.
The following functions are available:
VITC Reader
If a VITC signal is encoded in the picture (not visible), it will be read out. 
Settings: 
TCIN=VITC
The VITC lines are usually automatically recognized, VITC RL=AUTO but 
this can also be set up manually.
The advantage of VITC lies in the fact that it can also be read from a 
paused picture, allowing the exact positional information to be read from 
the frame currently visible.
VITC-Generator
The video signal being passed through will have VITC added to it.
Settings: 
VITC=ON WL= 19 21 (lines 19 and 21 just as an example)
The VITC signal is always encoded in two lines between lines 6 and 36 
(PAL) or lines 10 and 40 (NTSC).
• Depending on the setting of the video monitor, VITC is visible at the top edge 
of the TV picture from about line 24. As VITC forms part of the picture, it can 
be recorded only together with the picture. If you have a video tape without 
VITC, but you want to work using VITC, then you have to make a copy in which 
the video signal has been fed through  Time Base to add the VITC lines.
• Depending on the video system/recorder used, different lines do or don't 
work for VITC. For example. if you use a Low Band Umatic System, try lines 
21 and 23 first, then experiment! For post production sound editing it is eas-
iest if you order the tapes from the copying studio with VITC already inserted 
on the required lines, as well as LTC.  
						

							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 
+TC9 and a connected 9-pin (RS422 or the SONY pro-
tocol) machine, when the Master Time Code is not available, the Inserter 
automatically switches over to the Time Code being read from the 9-pin 
connector.
❐When using VITC, Time Base has the advantage that tapes can be ordered 
without a burnt-in Time Code window (which always carries the risk of hid-
ing an important part of the picture). What's more, a run-through without the 
annoyance of visible Time Code is far more aesthetically pleasing (espe-
cially when it is for client approval).
• The Time Code Inserter can also be set up and activated in Nuendo’s De-
vice Setup dialog. 
						

							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 tone lower, the track runs slower.
In such cases the MIDI instruments must be recorded first (as a rough 
mix), as their pitch doesn't alter!
Film/Video
• 'After the fact' sound-to-picture synchronization, i.e. correction of sync errors 
which have crept in during earlier stages in the work process. 
A “manually synchronized” copy must be made, before further work can 
be done.
The Varispeed is referenced to the selected Master Clock, and not just to 
the internal crystal as on cheaper machines.
• The Varispeed range of digital audio devices is much narrower than on 
analog tape machines. Some digital audio devices allow no Varispeed 
whatsoever. 
						

							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 will automatically be 
transferred to Time Base.
The following section explains the Time Base functions and options and 
the utilization of its Text Display and Function buttons.
Settings can also be made in Nuendo, provided that the corresponding 
program is connected to Time Base via the USB port. As mentioned 
above, all relevant settings of a project are transferred to the Time Base 
when you load it.
The ten Display Pages (seven user pages, two Service pages and one 
Machine page) allow all functions and values to be inspected quickly and 
set if necessary.
The four diamond shaped buttons can be used to navigate in the display, 
access all functions and alter parameter values:
Left/Right button Press the left or right key to step through the functions shown in the 
display one after another. A blinking cursor shows the currently se-
lected position.
If the cursor is located below the page indicator (P.x), pressing the left 
and right buttons simultaneously lets you switch between the User and 
Service/Machine Pages.
Up/Down button The value of the function that is currently selected by the cursor can be 
increased or decreased by pressing the Up or Down button. 
						

							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 machine responds to 9-pin 
Machine Control commands. In Virtual 9-pin Machine mode, the LED 
indicates that commands are received.
VSTSL (yellow) This LED is constantly lit when VST System Link is active. 
LINK (green) This LED is constantly lit when the Time Base parameter USBPORT 
is set to “ON” and it goes out when data is transferred.
On the other hand, if USBPORT is set to “OFF”, the LED will light up 
when data is transferred.
DATA (yellow)  This lights up when Time Base receives data via its MIDI or USB port.
Status LEDs Left UpDown Right  
						

							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.
The menu structure of Time Base is organized in pages.
This cursor position lets you “turn” the individual pages 
(Page 1 to Page 5 - P.A/P.V).
Parameter Time Code Frame rate Description
FRM=2424 frames per second Cinematic film frame rate
FRM=2525 frames per second PAL video frame rate, European standard
FRM=2929,97 frames per second
FRM=29D29,97D frames per second 
drop frame Time CodeDrop frame Time Code, NTSC video, US 
and Japanese standard
FRM=3030 frames per second Sony 1610/1630 CD Mastering system
FRM=30D30D frames per second drop 
frame Time CodeDrop frame Time Code
FRM=25 TCIN=OFF GENERATOR   SR=96.00 
CL:INTERNAL    TX=10:00:00:00 STOP   P.1
FRM=25 TCIN=OFF GENERATOR   SR=96.00 
CL:INTERNAL    TX=10:00:00:00 STOP   P.1