Generating Timecode

For more information, see the following topics:

Limitations for SYNC Peripherals Locked to Video Input or Video Reference

Using a SYNC peripheral, Pro Tools can generate SMPTE and MIDI Timecode (MTC). Without a SYNC peripheral, Pro Tools can only generate MTC. This lets Pro Tools function as a master synchronization source with other devices slave to it (chase).

To generate MIDI Timecode from Pro Tools:

1 Choose Setup > Peripherals and click the Synchronization tab.

2 From the MTC Generator Port setting, select the MIDI output port on which you want to transmit MIDI Timecode (MTC).

 

Selecting the MTC Generator Port

3 From the Transport Window menu (or the Edit Window menu), select Synchronization.

4 Click the Gen MTC button so that it highlights.

 

Transport, Gen MTC enabled

5 Start playback.

To generate timecode using a SYNC peripheral:

1 Connect the SYNC peripheral LTC Out to the SMPTE in connector on the devices you are slaving. If you are slaving a device that recognizes MTC, connect the MTC OUT connector of the SYNC peripheral to the MIDI IN connector of the slaved device.

2 Make sure your SYNC peripheral is powered on.

3 In Pro Tools, choose Setup > Peripherals and click the Synchronization tab.

4 In the Synchronization Device section of the Synchronization page, select Enable SYNC Peripheral.

5 Click OK to close the Peripherals dialog.

6 Choose Setup > Session, and choose the appropriate frame rate for the Timecode Rate setting.

7 In the SYNC Setup section of the Session Setup window, choose a clock reference from the Clock Reference selector. Not all clock choices are available at all sample rates. See External Clock Sources.)

8 From the Transport Window menu (or the Edit Window menu), select Synchronization.

9 Select one of the following:

Gen MTC to generate MIDI Timecode.

– or – 

Gen LTC to generate Linear Timecode.

 

Transport window, Synchronization options shown

Press Command+Control+J (Mac) or Control+Start+J (Windows) to enable (or disable) Generate LTC (GEN LTC).

10 Start playback.

Pro Tools generates and outputs timecode from the SYNC peripheral.