SMPTE Timecodes...all the different flavors.

[sweetbeats]

Trying to get my head around this is making me woozy...

I've been working toward getting my Tascam BR-20T to slave to my computer running Cubase using a TimeLine Micro Lynx synchronizer.

I striped a reel of tape using the default SMPTE timecode format coming out of the timecode generator on the Micro Lynx which is labeled as "29.97Hz/30". Can I assume that is 30 drop-frame?

The Micro Lynx manual does some good explaining of the different SMPTE timecode formats in the appendix but doesn't clarify if the "29.97Hz/30" default is drop-frame or non-drop. I think it is drop-frame because the Micro Lynx is very much a synchronizer setup to function in a video environment as well as audio and everything in between, and the manual emphasizes the 29.97Hz/30dfps NTSC timecode as the one you should use unless you know you need to run one of the other formats. I should think if they emphasize it in the manual that way they likely set that format as the default.

But, I need to know what I striped on the BR-20T so I can set Cubase to the same format.

Here is a chart in the Micro Lynx manual showing the different timecode formats available and their typical applications.

What kind of code do you guys use?

 

[sweetbeats]

And the real bugger is...

In trying to correlate between how Steinberg and TimeLine list the different formats.

Below is the format option list from Cubase.

So if I'm understanding correctly, what TimeLine lists as "29.97Hz/30" (if I am correct that that is a drop-frame format) is what Steinberg is calling 29.97dfps? That it is 29.97 by virtue of a 30fps frame-rate with dropped frames? IOW its not 29.97 with dropped frames, but rather it is 29.97fps because it is 30fps with dropped frames?

 

[miroslav]

I always use the straight 30 fps frame rate.
It makes the most sense for audio work as it's REAL TIME.

Unless you are working with audio for *broadcast* video...I would not bother with drop-frame or 29.97 SMPTE rates, and the others are for film and European stuff.

 

[SteveM]

I use 30 too when I've striped in the past. I never did understand what it all meant I just went with what worked.

Corey are you striping a half track? I'm not sure how it will work with the BR 20 but when I tried it with my 32 when I hit loud signals (like drums) the bleed through will interrupt the time code and it won't work.

 

[sweetbeats]

Thanks, guys.

Yeah, I'll have to see how it works out. I'll know soon enough. So were you mixing in mono to the 32 then with one track sacrificed for timecode?

 

[SteveM]

Thanks, guys.

Yeah, I'll have to see how it works out. I'll know soon enough. So were you mixing in mono to the 32 then with one track sacrificed for timecode?

Yeah. I was slaving the Roland workstation. I can't remember how it worked for lighter stuff, like guitar and vocals but I know I tried drums and couldn't lower the input enough to even make it work, or worth it.