Syncing Logic and multitrack tape using smpte/mtc

Question

Level 1

20 points

Syncing Logic and multitrack tape using smpte/mtc

Hi,

Has anyone managed to sync Logic to multitrack tape using smpte/mtc without major drift ? If you've tried this, let me know your experience.

Many thanks.

G4 Dual 1.25 Fw 800 1.5 Ram, Mac OS X (10.4.10), Logic Pro 8 Melodyne plugin, M Audio Delta R-bus + 1010, Roland VS 2480

Posted on Mar 27, 2008 12:32 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Mar 27, 2008 12:46 PM in response to Tonezone

Yes - often! I use a JL Cooper box - PPS2. No issues at all. Is there some problem in particular that you're having trouble with?

Reply

Answer 2

Tonezone Author

Level 1

20 points

Mar 27, 2008 12:59 PM in response to John Alcock

Hi John.

I was just concerned with wow and flutter causing problems. I know that running midi alongside tape has been sorted since Atari days but was wondering if, say, you run digital audio tracks - some the entire length of the tune, synced with tape can you get down to work without any problems.

Is this what you're doing ?

I did try this ten years ago with Cubase and a 66MHz Mac and it wasn't possible.

Thanks in anticipation for your response.

Reply

Answer 3

Mar 27, 2008 1:16 PM in response to Tonezone

Never had a problem with wow and flutter - but I guess it depends on how good the tape machine is. I use a Studer A827, so it's not been an issue for me. I just use striped tape, usually at 15 ips, to record the basic tracks, and transfer a reference mix to PT and/or Logic, and transfer those files to Logic and carry on with overdubs, and only use the 24 track tapes again when it's time to mix. I'm not doing anything complex like sound to picture, or chasing the tape in the rest of the recording, so there may be issues lurking which I don't encounter.

Reply

Answer 4

Tonezone Author

Level 1

20 points

Mar 27, 2008 1:24 PM in response to John Alcock

Hi John,

That's very helpful.

Many thanks,

Tony

Reply

Answer 5

Mar 28, 2008 9:32 AM in response to Tonezone

You're welcome. A couple of things (you may know these already):

Make sure your striped level to tape is healthy but not too hot (in case of crosstalk). I find -3 works for me, on a machine aligned +6. Use a track where the adjacent tracks are not critical, like a guide vocal.

In Logic: song preferences: sync settings: Sync mode: MTC, auto enable external sync, auto detect MTC format, bar position -> SMPTE offset to be the same as your stripe/Logic start.

Good luck!

Reply