Steinberg Time Base User Manual
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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.
TIME BASE 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 32 to 96 kHz VST System Link – AES-EBU digital audio output32 to 96 kHz 4V p-p an 110 Ohm XLR balanced Switchable output format AES zero or S/P-DIF zero This signal contains VST System Link data Video Sync ThruBNC – High Impedance PAL/NTSC format – switchable VITC Inserter In/Out PAL/NTSC format, BNC/SVHS switchable, 75 Ω Word Clock Out 1BNC, TTL level, 75 Ω Nominal Word Clock frequencies 16, 24, 32, 44,1, 48, 64, 88,2, 96, 128, 176,4, 192 kHz Word Clock Out 2-4BNC, TTL level, 75 Ω Word Clock frequencies Basic clock x1, x2, x4 + Pull-Up, Pull-Down (NTSC equivalent). VarispeedDigital Clock +/- 12,5% USB USB-B bus 9-pin In/Out (female)RS 422-Machine control, 38,4 kBit Built-in power supply 100 to 240V, 50/60Hz, power consumption max. 40VA Dimensions19”, 1U (Width 483 mm x Height 45 mm x Depth 265mm) Weight 3.0 kgs
TIME BASE 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 equipped with compati- ble software and hardware over standard digital audio cabling systems such as ADAT, TDIF, AES/EBU, S/ PDIF etc. And because it uses the audio stream itself, synchronization is completely sample accurate, even across multiple workstation configurations! VST System Link is featured in the current versions of Nuendo, Cubase SX/SL, V-STACK and Cubase VST 5.2 (Public Beta). When you set up a VST System Link network, the OS question (Windows PC or Macintosh computer) doesn’t play a dominant role anymore. The network is freely expandable. You can therefore also use your older computers in a VST System Link setup and build an ex- tremely powerful system that greatly expands your possibilities. VST System Link features: •Sample accurate synchronization of VST System Link compatible software that runs on the connected computers. The system lock time is defined by the added latency times of the individual computers. •MIDI data is also transferred between the connected computers with sample accuracy. You can manage the MIDI tracks of a Cubase or Nuendo project on one computer and run VST instruments and effects on other computers. The additional computers add up to the total power of your system and free the computer that runs your sequencer from some of its workload. •You can load all Project and audio data from the computers on the network into one computer and either save it in one place or the respective computers.
TIME BASE 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 takes care of data distribution. All VST System Link compatible applications work together seamlessly. It is for instance possible to use both Cubase and Nuendo together and in sync within the same system setup. Each computer must be equipped with an ASIO-compatible sound card. This must at least have one digital audio socket – e.g. ADAT or S/P-DIF. VST System Link uses a single bit on a single channel of the audio stream as a carrier for sample accurate synchronization of all comput- ers, transport command and MIDI data transfer of up to 16 MIDI chan- nels. For instance, if you use an ADAT bus for this, you can use seven of the eight audio channels for audio data transfer with full bandwidth. The eighth channel can of course also be used normally for audio data transfer. Its maximum available bandwidth of 24 bit has only been re- duced to 23 bit, which in reality doesn’t cause audible problems. If you wish to use more than 16 MIDI channels, you can optionally use other bits of the audio stream. But even then the loss is minimal. If you reserve just one more bit for MIDI transfer, you can use it to transfer approx. 140 additional MIDI channels. If you sacrifice one complete digital audio channel, this can be used to transfer all necessary VST System Link data, such as sync and transport data, and up to 1000 MIDI channels. This should be sufficient for even the most complex applications. When transferring MIDI data via VST System Link no timing and bandwidth problems occur. MIDI timing is very stable.
TIME BASE 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 computers “see” each other on the network and that no errors like e.g. cryptic names oc- cur. The key to error-free operation lies in correct synchronization of the Audio Clock signals, as described above. •If you wish to use S/P-DIF, make sure that you use the proper S/P-DIF cables which are suitable for digital transfer. These cables have a nominal impedance of 75 Ω. •Common analog audio cables (Cinch) will not work correctly. •VST System Link can only function properly if 100% data integrity is given. No bit in the data stream may therefore be modified. Hardware or Driver software, that do this are not suitable in VST System Link setup. For instance, if ASIO Control panel functions such as volume control or stereo panning have a nega- tive impact on data integrity, they must be set to neutral settings (e.g. in RME’s HDSP TotalMixer). •System Link requires 32-bit ASIO-Drivers! In this environment, 16-bit Drivers do not work properly. Depending on the buffer size, some ASIO Drivers utilize different bit rates. As an example, RME’s Digi96/8PST should be used with an ASIO setting of 256Kb (6ms) or 1024Kb (23ms) in a VST System Link setup. •Channels that carry VST System Link data must be suitable for bit-accurate data transfer, otherwise the data transfer quality will suffer. For example, if your sound card/software offers Dithering, this must be deactivated for the corresponding channel(s) to assure correct VST System Link data transfer. By the way, copy bits on VST System Link channels can cause similar trouble.
TIME BASE 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 of recording and playing back audio by using electrical current changes to represent audio waveforms. ATRAudio Tape Recorder. BandwidthThe range of frequencies present in an signal. Binary Numerical SystemSystem, which only uses 0 and 1 to represent numerical values. The Binary system is used for Digital Audio, SMPTE, MIDI and computer- based data formats. Biphase Encoding (Biphase-Mark)Encoding of LTC-SMPTE/EBU Time Code. The binary numerical values 0 and 1 are provided with extra clock information and set in a frequency range which allows them to be recorded on analog audio tape. BITAbbreviation for Binary Digit – set to a value of either 1 or 0. BNCBayonet Nut Coupler – Standard connection for transferring video and high frequency clock signals. ByteA group of 8 Bits. CLClock Reference or Clock Source or Reference Source describes the signal used to specify the reference rate at which Time Code and the Clock Generator operate. This can be seen as the system’s time base. The Reference source can be an internal crystal, an external video clock, external Word Clock, an AES/EBU signal or the Time Code reader. DAWDigital Audio Workstation – Computer based hard disk recording and editing system Decibel (dB)Unit of measurement and display of amplitude – relative and logarithmic. DF (D)Abbreviation for Drop Frame. Differential OutputOutput amplifier designed to produce two totally identical, yet phase inverted signals – “electronically balanced”.
TIME BASE 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 tape coating resulting in loss of magnetic particles from the tape or any other recording medium. EBUEuropean Broadcast Union – EBU Time Code runs at 25 Frames per Second (25 fps). EXT VIDExternal Video Sync signal (house sync) that Time Base can use as its Timing Reference. Can be found as Composite Sync, Blackburst or Composite Video. FrameIndividual frame of Film, or full TV frame made up of two half frames, a complete Time Code word. Frame rateNumber of (full-) frames, which pass in a second of audio, film or video (frames per second - fps). Film and various video systems have different Frame Rates, for example: 30 30 fps US Monochrome TV NTSC 29.97 fps US Color Video, TV PAL 25 fps European TV, B/W and Color Film 24 fps Cinematic Film FrequencyThe number of wave cycles that occur in one second. The unit of measurement is Hertz (Hz). GenerateRunning the system Time Code Generator, so that Time Code is available at the LTC connector. GeneratorTime Code Generator. This generator receives its speed reference from an internal or external source. HDRHard Disk Recorder – Computer based recording system. HH:MM:SS:FFHours:Minutes:Seconds:Frames. A Time Code address (value). HoldThe ability of Time Base to continue generating Word Clock at the same frequency as the incoming Word Clock if this is interrupted. House syncCentral Clock for all devices within a studio compound (House Sync). InitializeClears the Time Base RAM completely. Occurs only as a result of a technical fault (i.e. battery empty).
TIME BASE 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- nents, which in turn causes a deterioration in the quality of any digital audio signals that are synchronized to it. The deterioration increases with the amount of variation. LCDAbbreviation for Liquid Crystal Display – Time Base uses this type. LEDAbbreviation for Light Emitting Diode. LockTime Base is locked to the selected system reference (CL:). LTCLongitudinal Time Code – Time Code information, biphase encoded, so that it can be recorded on an audio track of a VTR or ATR. Machine ControlThis term stands for a complex range of transport control commands. from basic motion commands, synchronization to more complex edit- ing functions like electronic video editing. MachineMachine refers to an audio or video tape record/playback system. MIDIMusical Instrument Digital Interface – A serial data protocol used by electronic instruments, signal processors and sequencers. It is used to transfer information like e.g. pitch, rhythm, and other data. Special data sets are reserved for MIDI TIME CODE and machine control. The MIDI transmission speed is 31,25 kbits per second. MIDI Time CodeMTC – MIDI TIME CODE – A MIDI message used to define a fixed address for an exact point in time. “Running” MTC needs eight quar- ter-frames or two frames to send a complete address. Furthermore special formats for MTC transfer have been developed. MMCAbbreviation for “MIDI Machine Control”. Motion ControlsThe basic set of machine control functions (Play, Stop, Record, Rewind and Fast Forward) see SP1, page 62. MTCSee MIDI Time Code MultitrackAnalog or digital tape machine, with more than two tracks. Non Drop FrameNDF or ND is one of two SMPTE Time Code standards and it was used in connection with the U.S. black & white television standard. NDF counts each frame in the time code in real time.