Master & slave systems, 'freewheel'

[the.engineer]

Hi All,

I'm running two Pro Tools systems for a live show, one main, one backup and need to know (aside from pressing play at the same time on both systems) if there's a way to sync the start time of the two systems but allow the slave to 'freewheel' (possibly wrong term) if the main system goes down.

Currently I'm using a PT10 system with apogee symphony for the main and a PT10 Profire 2626 system for the backup although that will change from show to show so if you do have any ideas, don't worry about the specifics of my current system.

Many thanks
JW

[Chief Technician]

Originally Posted by the.engineer

Hi All,

I'm running two Pro Tools systems for a live show, one main, one backup and need to know (aside from pressing play at the same time on both systems) if there's a way to sync the start time of the two systems but allow the slave to 'freewheel' (possibly wrong term) if the main system goes down.

Connect a MIDI interface to each system. Have one system generate MTC. Have the other system chase MTC. This will allow you to maintain sync between the systems.

In the session setup window (Command+2) there is an option to freewheel or jam.

[the.engineer]

Thanks for the reply Chief, I'll give it a go tomorrow.

[vinlance]

Don't forget your Radial SW8 Switcher. If you're running 8 outs and below on both systems, you need one. Anything about 8 outs on both systems, you'll need two SW8's.

[P,B,S]

isn't it possible to lock multiple units together with smpte.
Pro tools does this free ( i think ) and should only require 1 out on the master and 1 in on the slave.
I know for fact that in the early days smpte was used to lock SSL consoles to Pro Tools. Well not lock more like sync

IV NEVER TRIED, THIS IS JUST A GUESS

[Chief Technician]

Originally Posted by P,B,S

isn't it possible to lock multiple units together with smpte.

Yes. You need an LTC-->MTC converter or a SYNC peripheral to do this.

[vinlance]

The easiest way to do this is just do it via Midi and let the two computers chase each other. Stop A, then B continues, Stop B, then A continues. They keep running until you take them OFF LINE (Command+J)

You can also use 1 network cable between the two computers, but two Midisports works the best for my rig.