SMPTE Tape Master setup

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samth3mancgp

samth3mancgp

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I found this on the eBay today

http://cgi.ebay.com/Midiman-Biport-2x4-Great-condition_W0QQitemZ160403388578QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2558c978a2

That is the actual item that I would like to bid on.

Here is another link to a completed listing to help you guys get a better look at the I/O on this box to see If I could use it for the more primitive Tape Master/ protools slave setup. It seems to have all of the functionality of the simple JLCooper boxes that I was given links to several weeks ago, but with some added MIDI I/O.

I just found the manual online here and I found a section that reads...

"• Acts as a SMPTE reader/regenerator. If the BiPort is not writing
SMPTE, whenever a valid SMPTE signal appears at the BiPort’s
SMPTE In, the BiPort will synchronize with and read the incoming
SMPTE signal. It will also automatically regenerate SMPTE to the
SMPTE Out jack.
• Outputs MIDI Time Code (MTC) on MIDI Out-A. Whenever the
BiPort is reading or writing SMPTE it will convert the SMPTE information
to MTC. The MTC will exit the BiPort at MIDI Out-A."

I may have just answered my own question here after finding that :) But I'll post it anyway to see if anybody has had experience with this unit.
 
If your DAW will read/slave to incoming MTC/SMPTE...that box appears like it will work OK between the DAW and a deck. Not sure of its quality/functionality...never used one of those.

Though how will you generate the SMPTE to record to your tape deck?
The box doesn't seem to generate SMPTE...so you may need some SMPTE code from a seperate generator box or a SMPTE CD or other source to stripe the deck with.

Also...make sure you get the software with the drivers to install on your computer...make sure it's compatible with your OS.
I don't connect MTC/SMPTE via the serial ports on my PC...I connect via MIDI through my A/D converters, so I don't deal with special drivers for the MTC/SMPTE setup, and when I open up my DAW software, the MIDI I/O is available there for selection...in my SYNC panel.
Works real easy...have not had issues slaving my DAW (Samplitude) to my deck. I can even go in the other direction, as my deck has an onboard sync box...but the transport control it's actually messier that way, IMO.
 
Last edited:
miroslav said:
Though how will you generate the SMPTE to record to your tape deck?
The box doesn't seem to generate SMPTE...so you may need some SMPTE code from a seperate generator box or a SMPTE CD or other source to stripe the deck with.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure that box generates SMPTE as well. I've got the same box, with the same idea in mind - i haven't got around even to finding a power supply for it yet, but, like you, i did find the manual somewhere or other...

I don't know when i'll get around to working this all out, but keep us posted here how it goes for you if you get it.
 
Yeah, that will work. The BiPort will stripe SMPTE as well. You'll probably have to use it in "stand alone" mode, unless you track down a UBS to Serial port adapter.
 
Thanks for the help guys. I will probably be using it in standalone mode just to get the SMPTE read and sent out as MTC to ProTools via the MIDI Out A that I described in my first post. That will go to the Midi Input on my Project Mix I/O for now. I might get one of those adapters you are talking about at some point though because it seems like a good box to expand my MIDI I/O even though it is sort of outdated :rolleyes:

I have the serial port so I would justneed the converter, but I am more concerned with finding drivers that will work :eek: because the NEWEST drivers I found on the M-Audio website were for windows ME in 2002..... haha. Maybe it will still be compatible since it connects through the old serial port.
 
LUNE said:
I'm pretty sure that box generates SMPTE as well.
Click to expand...


Yeah...you are right....I read more closely through the manual.

It initially looked like it was just talking about reading/regenerating when I skimmed through the manual.
 
Haha oops haven't been back here in a while. I did win the auction for it! $15!!! :) I'm still waiting for it though, hopefully tomorrow! This will definitely make analog work much less "scary" for the people that I record. They think it is too difficult and not as fast. but I think it makes guitars sound much better compared to digital!
 
Well it's here and I'm trying to set it up. I'm sure it would work fine in standalone mode where SMPTE comes out of MIDI port A. But I think it can also transfer the MTC via the Serial connection to the computer. I've NEVER installed any device on a computer that connects with a serial cable haha :o

How do I know if the driver is installed?
 
Ok. I have it working right now in standalone mode, where it is just the SMPTE I/O (1/4") and the MIDI output A that carries MTC. It seems to be working flawlessly! just a slight delay between the tape and DAW starting but that seems to be normal.

However.. I would still like to try and get the rest of this thing hooked up properly to make better use of it. If I had the MIDI interface setup using the serial port I could transfer the 2 inputs and 4 outputs of MIDI plus SMPTE without using up the MIDI input on my Project Mix. I have several MIDI controllers that I would like to get hooked up now that I have an opportunity to for more MIDI I/O. Maybe this technically isn't the best place to be asking about setting up MIDI stuff, but everybody here is usually more helpful :)

Still really cool stuff! I'm excited to do some work like this! I'd say vocals (and probably drums just due to track count) would be on the list of things done digitally. This will also make punching in on vocals much easier. It's still not the accuracy of a DAW master setup. but being able to see the waveforms and have markers for parts of the song will be very helpful
 
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