Lowest usable volume on TimeCode

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cosmic
  • Start date Start date
C

Cosmic

Active member
Hi All,

If anyone here synchs their reel-to-reel with timecode on a center track, are there any good guidelines for the lowest usable level the machine will respond to? I am worried about bleedover onto my 2 main tracks.
Thanks for any advice.

Best,
C.
 
i'm no spec. here...
guessing... there is no a specific 'lowest level number' which would be safe in any situation. I guess the answer is: the lowest level when recording the code, generated by your device, on your tape and on your machine , so the specific 'code reading chasing device' (which you use) still can unmistakably read the code, when the tape is being played on your machine.
I'd say just set the level so you hear no 'bleedover'... and test drive. If it works - you are good to go.
 
I've bought a fair share of used tapes that had time code printed to the last channel and in most if not all cases, the level is printed at -10db ~ -7db.

Keep in mind, time code has some pretty high frequency information on it and most tape recorders record a flatter response at lower levels anyway so you shouldn't have any issues with leakage if you keep your levels in a similar range.

Cheers! :)
 
-7 is where I record time code. That is pretty standard for analog tape without noise reduction. Bleed-over has never been an issue, and no guard track has been needed regardless of format or track width. I'm not sure how low you can go, but it is possible to get read errors at low levels. It depends on the equipment.

I started syncing in pre-MIDI days with Roland equipment. Since MIDI I’ve used FSK w/MTC and SMPTE devices. 7 has always been the lucky number.

:)
 
The syncman I have says around -10. I've never heard any bleed over.
 
Hi All,

Seems like we have a good consensus going here on levels; thanks for your help; a good place for me to start.

Best,
C.
 
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