synchrinozation problem, please help me out...

[Femusch]

Hey all,

I'd synchronized my Fostex-fd-8 via an audio core II card with cubase VST 5.0. For hat I used two optical data cords, so all runs thru ADAT.

When I use the equipment it all runs smoothly in full duplex mode, there's one thing missing though:

I want to use one of the devices as master. I tried to establish this, unfortunately without succes :-(

The reason for this is that I like to have ONE CLOCK in stead of two, which are not running equally.

For instance:


- the Fostex runs as a slave of Cubase VST
- the clock in cubase is directly linked to the Fostex
- When I push one button (play) in cubase, the fostex will start playing (on Cubase command)

How can I realize this through ADAT connection?
Is it possible?

Please help me out!!


Kind regards,

Frank

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

If I understand your question correctly, this has nothing to do with a device being a "master clock". As a matter of fact, if both devices master clocks as you suggest, nothing would work for you, because there can only be one master clock in a system at a time!

But what you want to do may not be possible.... ADAT sync doesn't provide MMC control of your Fostex.

When you hit play on the Fostex with Cubase in sync-mode, Cubase knows it must go into play mode.

But for the reverse to be true, the Fostex would need to be able to be controlled by the Cubase software thru midi machine control (MMC) or another device controller.

 

[Femusch]

Thanks Blue Bear,

I appriciate your response very much!

I knew there were some difficulties to get it all work properly together.

My own guess is that MIDI would be the best option, do you agree?

But how can I realize those connections, the Core II card doesn't work with MIDI. So I think a second soundcard can provide the midi sync. Is that correct? How about the latency etc..?

Can you tell me how to build it up?
Many thanks in advance!!

Kind regards,

Frank

 

[JR#97]

I use a similar setup. You will need a midi connection. I just use my sblive. Then it's just a matter of making the correct slave/master settings. If you're just looking for one to chase the other, you don't need to worry about mmc. If you need help with settings, let me know and I'll post some step by step instructions.

 

[Femusch]

Hi JR#97,

I would appriciate it very much if you will provide me with the
necessary steps neede to get it all work properly together!

Please tell me how your setup looks like and what you did to establish your connections.

Thank you in advance, it is really much appriciated!

Kind regards,

Frank

 

[JR#97]

I have the Midi in/outs connected from the FD8 connected to a SBLive sound card's Midi in/outs. I also have the ADAT connections going to a Fostex VM200 and into a Terratec EWSD audio card.

To sync the FD8 to Cubase and have the FD8 chasing the PC:

On the FD8, go into the setup menu and do the following:
- Set the Slave Mode ON
- Set the Slave type VARI
- Set the MTC Offset to 00h00m00s00f00sf
- Set the Frame Rate to whatever you want, but be sure to match the Cubase Frame Rate. I usually use 25f.
- Match the tempo to the Cubase tempo.

In Cubase, do the following:
- Go into Device Setup and make sure that the Default MIDI Ports are the SBLive!MIDI In[A400] and SBLive!MIDI Out[A400]
- Go to Project Setup and make sure your frame rate matches
your FD8 frame rate. Also make sure that the Display Offset is 0's across the board.
- On the Cubase Transport, make sure that MASTER is lit and ONLINE is off. Also check the tempo setting.
- It doesn't hurt to go to Sync Setup in the Transport Menu and turn off Midi Machine Control.

Press play on the Cubase play button, and the FD8 should follow along. I usually press stop somewhere and see if me time displays match. I usually set the displays to show bars and beats.

To have the PC chase the FD8, it's just a matter of doing the oppposite on the settings. Set the FD8 Sync Out to MTC and set the Slave OFF. On the Cubase transport, turn the Master OFF and turn Online ON. Press play on the FD8 and Cubase should follow. If you need to work in Cubase, then turn the Online button off.

Hope that helps!

 

[Femusch]

step by step, but still no sync :-(

Hello JR#97,

Thank you for your explenation.
Unfortunately I still wasn't able to realize the sync.

This is what I did:

On the FD8:
- put the slave mode on
- put slave type on Vari
- select MTC (Midi time code)
- set frame rate to 25


In Cubase (5.0 VST):
Here I have various options:

First I had to set the Midi settings, like you wrote. No problem here.

But I also had to adjust the synchronization mode (in menu tab ->Options).

Here can I select the following:

SYNC SOURCE:
- intern
- midi time code
- MMC
- Asio 2.0
- Asio 2.0 MMC

I selected midi time code, because the fostex is set up for the same code (MTC)

FROM OUTPUT:
Here I selected the soundcard with the MIDI out connection

The second option is MROS

OUTPUT:
here I also selected the soundcard with the MIDI out

The second option is MROS

FRAME RATE:
is set to 25

TEMPO BASE:
Here I don't know what to select, these are the options:

- Intern
- Midi clock
- Asio 2.0
- Asio 2.0 MMC

FROM OUTPUT:
Has automatecally selected the soundcard with the Midi out.


Then we have SYNC OUT:
Midi time clock = on
Midi clock = off

So basically, in my humble opinion, the settings have to match eachother.

Sync and Master are selected on the Cubase Transport Bar.

The soundcard I use is an ordinary one, I checked the Midi port, it seems to be ok though.

But still, the slave indicator on the FD8 flashes instead of shinning constantly like the digital led.

It is so frustrating. I can't be that difficult can it?

Any suggestions for a desperate Dutchman?
(aaarghhhhhhhhh!!!!! ;-)

Kind regards,

Frank

 

[JR#97]

Re: step by step, but still no sync :-(

You are correct, you need to have everything match or it won't work. Based on your settings, I noticed a few things:

But I also had to adjust the synchronization mode (in menu tab ->Options).

Here can I select the following:

SYNC SOURCE:
- intern
- midi time code
- MMC
- Asio 2.0
- Asio 2.0 MMC

I selected midi time code, because the fostex is set up for the same code (MTC)

Select Internal if you are having Cubase be the Master. Otherwise, Cubase is looking for MTC from the FD8 which is set to slave and not generating any because it too is looking for MTC.

TEMPO BASE:
Here I don't know what to select, these are the options:

- Intern
- Midi clock
- Asio 2.0
- Asio 2.0 MMC

FROM OUTPUT:
Has automatecally selected the soundcard with the Midi out.


Then we have SYNC OUT:
Midi time clock = on
Midi clock = off

Again, choose internal. If that doesn't work, can you get sync working the opposite way? Having the FD8 as the master and Cubase chasing?