Tascam 3888 sync motu or jlcooper

[yawnjones]

Im having trouble syncing my MOTU SMPTE to the 8th track on the Tascam

I tried at three different levels -3, 0 and +3. (DBX is OFF)

Smpte signal is definetely there during track 8 playback.

No sync from Motu Micro express. Motu is setup as the manual suggested.

Im just looking for a reliable sync via Smpte to slave to the Tascam 388(when I press play on the Tascam hoping motu would start other midi devices)

I used Track 8 Tape OUT to Smpte IN to play signal Hoping motu would hear it and Sync

Looks like a no go!!!

Should i go with JLcooper? or am I doing something wrong?


Any suggestions would be great!!!!!

YJ

Thanx in advance!!!!

[trancedental]

No manual downloads on the MOTU site?

You need to sync (slave via MTC in Pro Tools LE) a computer based sequencer to the MOTU which would read the 8th track "striped" with SMPTE / MTC.

So send a recordable SMPTE tone from the MOTU (using record sync mode) to the recorder & then play back the recording putting the MOTU & your computer sequencer into slave mode to sync.

Are there any instructions on how to do this in the micro express manual, there should be details in there.

[yawnjones]

Thanks for the reply trans, but yes I do have the manual and i read the section about smpte, slave to computer

but my micro express is not picking up the smpte tone coming from the tascam in order for it to sync and slave to computer!!

i made sure it was in the right mode via the manual



It should automatically start when the motu hears the tone.

my motu device just sits there useless (NO SYNC)

[trancedental]

You have to slave the MOTU & sequencer to the 388 recorder, does the manual have instructions on how to sync to a analog multitrack?

You can usually slave a digital multitrack (Tascam DA38 Alesis ADAT or other digital machines) to the MOTU interface / sequencer but not an analog multitrack.

Most posters on here SLAVE their computer sequencers / sync interfaces TO various analog R2R recorders.

[sweetbeats]

Yes...Heed what trancedental is saying. Neither the MOTU nor a JL Cooper PPS2 will allow you to slave your 388...the 388 needs to be the master in your array.

Set Pro Tools to slave to incoming MTC like trancedental said...the rest of your connections sound correct...output of 388 track 8 to SMPTE IN on the MOTU, USB to PC, Pro Tools set to slave to incoming MTC.

The MOTU Micro Express cannot control the capstan speed of the 388. That's what would have to happen in order to slave the 388. The 388 has the capability to be controlled, but the Micro Express will not do it. For that you need something like a Tasam ES-50, ATS-500, MTS-1000, or a TimeLine Micro Lynx...something like that.

[trancedental]

Pro Tools LE does slave / sync to MTC & you can even work out the SMPTE position if you select the large time / position display although I reckon Digidesign forgot to disable that feature!

I've been syncing my R2R's to PTLE since '01 & also managed to get Logic / Nunedo to slave in the same manner a few years back on friends systems.

I'm assuming that the MOTU express will work the same way as a Phillip Rees TS-1 or JLCooper / any other make of SMPTE sync box does as it seems to have tape in / out & should generate & recognise incoming SMPTE / MTC easily to drive a MIDI sequencer?

[yawnjones]

thanx for all the input on this situation!!

Yes this is what I'm trying to do!!!

use the Tascam 388 as the master to drive my midi tracks from the computer!!

Hypothetically Im supposed to press play on the tascam and the motu would start the midi sequence through SMPTE, But it wont work

Maybe due to a Smpte signal (TRAcK 8 )too low or high or maybe the Motu is in the wrong mode

i tried to find a MOTU slave mode option in the manual but no luck

I hope this helps!!!!!

If there is another device that can do this I am willing to buy it ,
but the Motu is just not working for me

I thank you in advance!!!!

[trancedental]

From the MOTU product details................

"SMPTE Jacks
1/4" jacks provide SMPTE in & out to the Micro Express. Sync your computer to external audio or video decks"

It seems to have a "stripe" function on the fronts so generates code for striping tape?

Description..........

"SMPTE tape sync in all formats

SynchronizationSMPTE time code (LTC) generater and reader

Converts LTC to MIDI Time Code (MTC) to sync a Mac, PC or any other devices to SMPTE time code

Converts all SMPTE frame rates (24, 25, 29.97 drop, 29.97 non-drop, 30)

Stripes SMPTE time code in all frame rates (24, 25, 29.97 drop, 29.97 non-drop, 30)

Converts MIDI Time Code to SMPTE time code

SMPTE "Jam Sync" with adjustable freewheeling for dropout-free sync

Supports MIDI Machine Control - serves as either an MMC master or slave, distributes MMC transport commands to all other MMC devices"

Can't see why the MOTU work work judging by the above?

Some computer sequencers won't sync with SMPTE but will with MTC (a MIDI version of SMPTE basically!)

[yawnjones]

I tried and tried. No success.

Motu support is limited!!!
I had no luck getting through

I might just get another smpte/midi device.

I talked to Tascam support and they told me I had everything rigged right.

But the Motu device has some issues!!



In my pursuit to get this Smpte working!!

Any suggestions on what to purchase?

I Thank you all for the support.

yj

[trancedental]

http://www.philrees.co.uk/service/ts1quick.htm

http://www.jlcooper.com/pages/pps2.html

http://www.philrees.co.uk/products/tapesync.htm

Either one of the above can be bought 2nd hand on EBay ect or maybe still new? Both are not too expensive.

The TS-1 is very easy to use & doesn't need cables changed about for different functions, just change the control knob