AW4416 as MTC slave to Cakewalk??

  • Thread starter Thread starter rjt
  • Start date Start date
rjt

rjt

New member
I record accoustic piano and a few other things into an AW4416, then I take it back to the studio and want to dump it into the computer. Unfortunately, I have not been able to use the AW4416 as a MTC slave.

Aside from the AW4416, I have a PC with a Dakota sound card (with ADAT opticals which is how I communicate with the AW) and Cakewalk Pro 9.0. I get a good digital word clock link in either direction (AW as slave or master). I can set the AW as MTC/MMC master, but not as the slave. I have it set to receive via the same port it uses to send the data on. I have the "Time code Unit Master ID" set at 1 in cakewalk and the AW.... When the AW is set as slave and I push play, it patiently sits there and waits for MTC.... I hit play in Cake and ........... oh well. What the heck am I doing wrong???
 
Another sync problem?

Hey RJ,
This is in no way a solution to your problem. I just wanted to offer you some empathy. I've been trying in vain to sync cakewalk up with several different components. I posted a thread here on Mar 15, but none of the software gurus here could offer me any advice or support. My problem is quite similar to yours. I've tried syncing cakewalk up to a Roland vs880 and an akai MPC 2000. I've been on the phone with roland, talked to creative labs (manufacturer of my sound card), and followed the step by step procedures in the vs880 manual with no joy.
I was wondering if you could do me a favor and if you ever solve your problem let me know how you did it. I'm about to buy a new sound card (and return it of course when I'm done) to see if there is something wrong with the midi interface on my current card. Hope you have an easier time figuring this one out than I have....good luck!!!
 
Another sync problem?

Hey RJ,
This is in no way a solution to your problem. I just wanted to offer you some empathy. I've been trying in vain to sync cakewalk up with several different components. I posted a thread here on Mar 15, but none of the software gurus here could offer me any advice or support. My problem is quite similar to yours. I've tried syncing cakewalk up to a Roland vs880 and an akai MPC 2000. I've been on the phone with roland, talked to creative labs (manufacturer of my sound card), and followed the step by step procedures in the vs880 manual with no joy.
I was wondering if you could do me a favor and if you ever solve your problem let me know how you did it. I'm about to buy a new sound card (and return it of course when I'm done) to see if there is something wrong with the midi interface on my current card. Hope you have an easier time figuring this one out than I have....good luck!!!
 
Well, I have sort of figured it out. I've had no problems syncing the AW to the Tango/Dakota sound card word clock via optical cable...works fine in either direction. The problem is that there are so many different places to flip a switch or make a choice so the whole system doesn't work that it takes a lot of time to go through them all. Here are my Cakewalk settings for using it as an MTC slave:

In the Project options:
Clock Tab
Clock source: SMPTE/MTC
Ticks per quarter:120
Format: 30 Frame non drop...no offset


Midi out:
Nothing checked but zero controllers and patch controller searchback.

When I want to play, I hit the space bar and a little message appears in the monitor bar.... waiting for 30f non drop. I start the AW and bingo.

The AW is currently off recording accoustic piano and cello, but when I get it back, someone told me Cake doesn't transmit MTC, just Midi Sync.... Not being an expert, I will pass on that I have heard MTC is better, why?? got me!! Anyway, when the AW is nestled back in the studio, I will give it a whirl with Cake sending Midi Sync and AW set up to receive it and see what happens...

It sure was frustrating trying to figure it out!! Good luck!
 
still plugging away at it

Hello again RJT,
It sounds like you have figured out your problem. That's good! Tell me something. Does cakewalk follow the AW4416 measure by measure? And are you able to control any other functions in cakewalk from the AW4416 like fwd, rev, play or go to the beginning of the song?
A rep from Roland, that I talked to about this, said that I should be able to control all of these functions in cakewalk using the VS880 as a master and that cakewalk should follow the vs880's location in a song.
I can get cakewalk to start to play at the very beginning of a song but it will not allow me to start any where else. I am pretty frustrated at this point.
 
Well you got me there. I record my piano stuff in one take (what a throwback!!!) so I'm happy just to dump it in. I will play around a bit more when the AW returns from the piano room into the computer/music/synth/mastering room-studio-suite (read...spare bedroom!!). It should be back in a week or so (it ain't easy gettin it in one track when you practice without a metronome!!)
 
Partial success...!

I think I have it! It maybe the version of cakewalk that I'm using. I tried running my external components with acid pro 2.0 and everything works fine. I'm running cake 7.0. This is good because I was actually considering purchasing SONAR. Thanks for the dialog though. It's kind of frustrating when you post something here and no one responds. At least now I know that I am not a complete idiot
 
I don't think this is the easiest topic in the world.... maybe if you are in a studio all day, but not if you have a job to support your music habit. I often look at posts and have no real idea what to say if the question is specific to a particular piece of gear. Anyway, I learned a lot!! Hang in there!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top