SMPTE ....waiting for 30FPS timecode ?

MekOne · SMPTE ....waiting for 30FPS timecode ?

I have a chain of midi set up:

I'm using my SP 1200 as a Sequencer: (below is my workflow set up)

SP 404 Midi In to Midi Out of My SP 1200.
SP 1200 Midi in to Midi Out of Midiman USB.
Midiman USB to Computer USB in.

The SP 1200 and SP 404 outs are both hooked up to my Boss Mixer channel 1 and channel 2 inputs.
The Mixer out is connected to my Delta 44 audio card Input.

I want to record in Sync SMPTE mode. I have the SP 1200 set up for SMPTE Rate @ 30.

The recording software I have that I'm currently playing around with is Sonar 6 Cakewalk. I have Sonar all set up to reconize on midiman drivers and my output A from midiman. In Sonar Project Options I have Transmit midi start/continue/stop/clock checked. My midi sync output ports: is set Output A and MTC output ports: is set tto Output A. Transmit MTC is checked. clock options are set to SMPTE/MTC Ticks and Timecode format is 30 FPS ndf same as the SMPTE setting on my SP 1200...

The message " Press <ESC> to cancel: waiting for 30 FPS timecode" keeps appearing at the bottom of the screen..

Do I need to connect a guitar cable to SMPTE out or and SMPTE clk on the back of the SP 1200 to the Delta 44 input??

Drinks

Hi Mekone,

Your post is very confusing. But if the SP is the sequencer you want this set up:

1200 MIDI OUT > 404 MIDI IN > 404 MIDI THRU > MIDIMAN MIDI IN
OR
1200 MIDI OUT > MIDIMAN MIDI IN > MIDIMAN MIDI THRU > 404 MIDI IN

SMPTE is a generated audio timecode. Nothing to do with MIDI, which is how you are set up. Uncheck any MIDI functions you set up in Sonar and set the SP sync to internal.

Don't look for "transmit" [in Sonar] as that means you are using Sonar as the master device. In which case, the SP needs to be set to MIDI receive in the Sync section. I'm not familiar with Sonar but you will need to look at your preferences pane and find the Sync section there and set it to external. But remember, Sonar is the slave device, not the transmitter.

Perhaps you are recording to analogue tape? In which case 'stripe' a whole track of your tape with the SMPTE. You can use the SP as the tone generator - it does it rather well. The level needs to be quite loud on the tape for the SP to recognise it later. But watch out for bleeding crosstalk!! If you have a 12-24 track, choose a track on the outside to try to avoid it.

If the SP is the Sequencer, then it should sync up after a few hundred frames. You could of course, use the SP to record the timecode into Sonar to feed it back to the SP afterwards to get sync, should you decide to use Sonar as the master device for overdubs or whatever.

Still not sure about your post. It sounds like you are trying to sync SMPTE via MIDI.

MekOne

I'm not recording to an analog tape since I do not own a 4 track or 8 track or any analog device. I just want to be able to record with some software and in this case it happens to be Sonar. Do I need to use any of the SMPTE out or SMPTE clk jacks in the back of the SP 1200 ?

I'm going to try : 1200 MIDI OUT > MIDIMAN MIDI IN > MIDIMAN MIDI THRU > 404 MIDI IN

The 404 only has midi IN. so, I cannot do the first set up you mentioned.

I will try everything you mentioned although, I'm still wondering about using the SP to record the timecode into Sonar to feed back to the SP afterwards.. willl it then be possible to use Sonar to record the entire track into..? Do I absolutely need some 4 track or some other device to record my SP 1200 as sequencer beats to?

goldenmean · ..

the main reason youd want to track down with SMPTE is so your channels can each be recorded down separate. this is what im assuming you are trying to do anyways.

the smpte procedure has nothing to do with yr midi setup. if you are playing beats and they are all triggering and sounding right then thats all you need to have going on there.

1. plug a 1/4" cable out of the SMPTE out on the sp into the audio record input of your computer.

2. use the sp to generate spmte time code and record it onto a blank track of your audio software. let it record for as long as you will need the song to be.

3. now you should have one track of SMPTE code tracked down. uplug the 1/4" SMPTE output cable and now run a 1/4" OUT from the computer audio output IN to the SMPTE input of the sp.

4. enable the sp to wait for smpte code now and press the play button to play your song. it will be in standby until it gets a signal.

5. run the first channel you want to record out of the sp into the audio input of the computer.

6. this is where its more particular to yr multitrack software, but record onto a new blank track while the SMPTE code is playing and audible out of the computer. it will trigger the sp to start playing.

7. repeat this procedure until youve multi tracked yr sounds individually out of 1-8 and also gotten the dr sample/rack sampler tracks down.

everything should be separated and lined up properly in the software

Drinks

If you are not using tape, then use MIDI sync. Less hassle, better timing.

MekOne

I have no clue how to sync shit up.. it's been driving me crazy for 1 full week now..

I tried SMPTE sync with all the transmit midi check boxes checked and then I tried to uncheck ( both ways I tried ) in Sonar everything looks ok.. still getting the message:

" " Press <ESC> to cancel: waiting for 30 FPS timecode" at the bottom of the screen..

I have Sonar set up like this: (SMPTE Sync)

http://www.tweakheadz.com/sync_mmc_mtc_smpte.htm ..

But, it looks like this might only work if I had a multi track recorder..

I still have my midi set up this way:

SP 404 Midi In to Midi Out of My SP 1200.
SP 1200 Midi in to Midi Out of Midiman USB.
Midiman USB to Computer USB in.

Midi works fine I can trigger sounds from my SP 1200 coming from my SP 404.. I just cannot figure out how to get everything synced up to Sonar...

I have the 1/4" cable going from SMPTE out to My Delta 44 In (audio card)..

Do i need both Mix outs from the SP 404 and SP 1200 going into a mixer?

Drinks

Ok,

Try using Sonar as master device. FORGET ABOUT SMPTE.

Sonar MIDI OUT > SP1200 MIDI IN - SP1200 MIDI THRU > SP404 MIDI IN

Keep your transmit MIDI [in Sonar] checked although forget about SMPTE, MMC, and MTC. Look for MIDI Clock (called MIDI echo in Sonar, I believe) Its a little box on the control bar (check the link beneath). Set your SP1200 sync to internal - same with the 404.

Either way you do it, just remember that the first device in the MIDI chain is always the master.

The following is from the cakewalk support website. Should help you out.

http://www.cakewalk.com/Tips/Nov03_Multiple_MIDI_Controllers.asp

Remember, if you have SMPTE checked, it will wait for the timecode and that's why you are getting that message.

MekOne

I selected all midi options in Sonar. I finally got to record something coming from my SP 404 that's midi in to the midi out on my SP 1200. I haven't tried to see if this will work going SP 404 to midi in to midi thru on the SP 1200 and SP 1200 Midi out to Midi in Midiman... Although, there's some differences from the link you gave me but, it helped getting me started at least..!! Thanks. I don't have the same Dxi Synth options. I have Soft Synths options instead of what's on that web site. I'm not sure what to select I just picked Roland GrooveSynth from the list. Once I record the midi how to I export it and save it to a WAV file? It looks like I have to file export save as OMF then I can File Export save as Riff .Wave from there.

Looks like I got a lot to learn.. I need to find someone to show me some shit like hands on. or some really good online tutorials.

Drinks

Hey Mekone,

Just sounds like you need a bit of theory before practise.

MIDI is not Audio so you can not convert a MIDI file into .wav. What MIDI will do is trigger or record a performance. You then still need to have your audio connected in order to record it.

There is a great little guide to MIDI here:

http://www.harmony-central.com/MIDI/Doc/tutorial.html

Once you understand the relationship between MIDI and audio, you'll probably will be set to go.

However, should you wish to record your MIDI notes into the sequencer, you'll need to create a MIDI track which corresponds to the MIDI channel on your outboard gear. Once the notes are in, you can then export them as a MIDI file. OMF is used in order to open one DAW session into another DAW (i.e. Sonar into Pro Tools). An OMF file will contain all the audio files, their positions in time, and any automation you have written (volume, pan, etc.). Its a way of retaining your edits and mix should you want to use another studio that does not use the same DAW as you.

good luck.

MekOne

What are some steps to " record a performance "?

I have midi working with my PC / SP 404 / SP 1200.. Now, when I'm in Sonar I can just click on the record button and I hear click click click.. (metronome) sounds. after that I have a block with some metronome line going throuh it called " Record 1 " that appears in Audio 1 at the top. If i right click that I have several options.. I can also slide it around within Audio 1. I have Audio 1 / Audio 2 / Midi 1 / Midi 2 going from top to bottom all set up in a window. I have input echo on for all and Arm record highlighted for all. I'm not sure which one of these I should record on and how to start things? I can start the midi performance but I'm still confused about recording the performance..?

Like you mentioned recording the midi notes into my PC ( sequencer ) i guess.. then how can I do this?