Multitrack recorder + MTC + PTLE

[Savicki]

I have two questions.

1. Has anybody synced multitrack recorder and PTLE via Midi Time Code? Does it need much CPU power? I would use the mulitrack recorder as a master and PTLE as a slave.

2. Is it really possible to record two audio tracks and simultaneously playback 22 audio tracks? I wouldn't use plug ins when recording.

I am going to build one those AMD XP machines presented on this forum.

Thanks

David Savicki [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

[Bastiaan]

In the past i succesfully synced a tape-deck to protools, using the synchronizer from the tape-deck. PTLE was master in this setup.

put smpte on one track of the multitrack
put the same smpte on one track of ptle
send smpte from tape to the synchronizer
send smpte from ptle to the synchronizer through an aux-output.

ptle is not good as a slave, because without expensive equipment, ptle does not really lock to the signal. It syncs up, and goes into play. Thats it. When it's playing, it does not truely lock to the signal. Tape-syncronizers usually do.

it is not really possible to record 22 channels at a time, because the digi001 only has 18 inputs. (8 analog, 8 adat-lightpipe, 2 spdif)

it very well is possible to record those 18, and it is very very possible to playback 32 channels without any problems if you follow the guidelines for the mobo, processor and all.

[gerax]

Hi

PT will slave to almost anything provided that it's correctly configured; I mean to give you a correct answer I need to know what kind of multitrack recorder you will be using, but as long as it will be feeding MTC to PT (since you're saking it) it will work; if you'll be using the multitrack to transfer tracks into PT the thing is different if you're doing it via digital I/O or analog; in the first case the only two options will be the ADAT port or the Spdif; in such case set the sync reference accordingly and in the settings menu choose "generic MTC" as the time code reference (be sure to set the same frame rate for the MTC source and PT or the two will drift), put PT online (the clock symbol in the transport window) and as you start the multitrack PT should follow without problems; this is how I sync it with other digital machines and it works with no problems despite the lack of a real wordclock capability.
In the case of an analog source, MTC will be your only timing reference, but I suspect it will be a little tricky, since PT only gets "triggered" by MTC and doesn't have the option of rechasing, so without the sync of a digital clock you may experience some driftings if the tracks are longer than a few minutes.

With a clean well configured Athlon machine and a dedicated 7200 RPM ATA 100 audio drive the playback of 22 tracks while recording just two shouldn't be an issue: I tested mine (Athlon 1800XP+, Asus A7M266, 512 MB DDR RAM, 2X Maxtor 7200 RPM ATA 100 drives) feeding it audio thru all of the available 001's inputs (analog and digital) at the same time: it works without a hitch.

Hope this helps

L.G. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Savicki]

Thanks guys.

Bastiaan, I didn't mean, that I am going to record 22 tracks simultaneously, but playback 22 tracks. And obviously that could be done. That's Great!

My multitrack recorder is Fostex D-108. It's got ADAT port. So I am going to do, what Gerax suggested.

I will buy a new computer and Digi001 very soon.

David Savicki [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[minimoog]

in PTLE, i do this kind of sync with a MOTU DTP. the DTP reads LTC and slaves PTLE via SPDIF (clock ref) and MTC (positional ref).

[lochgarman1798]

My Digi001/Pro Tools LE 5.3 syncs with MTC/SMPTE to an analog Fostex E16 Reel to Reel recorder via a Phillip Rees sync box.

I tested it by sending tracks from PTLE a few at a time then playing them back from the Fostex E16 with no problems, all play back in time. Song is 5 mins long, maybe longer it could drift out of time?

I can use the Fostex E16 as a portable recording system with a small mixer and send tracks back to PTLE. Better than carrying a PC monitor, case, Keyboard, etc around.

If PTLE syncs to a old reel to reel recorder then should work with no problems with ADAT's/HD recorders!

John K

London N19