XK-System (community project) > General Discussion
(Request for Discussion) SMPTE Support
Artur D'Assumpção:
Hi guys,
Here's a hot topic to discuss regarding a possible SMPTE support for the SSLMixed Computer.
This is something I would really like to see discussed by the community because there are a few different ways we can do this and at the same time there are so many different workflows to attend to. l know it's almost an utopia, but since this is a community project I didn't want to left no one behind, and make an effort to consider and include all possible workflow scenarios into the SSLMixed Computer design.
With this out of the way I'm firing the theme of discussion, SMPTE support.
We are designing the SSL Mixed computer to support automation, and because the console doesn't work by itself, time synchronizing with other devices (including DAW) for time reference is paramount.
The computer is being designed to be totally autonomous without the need of a PC (your DAW computer) to work properly, although it's will be possible to also work with it.
We are currently planing in supporting 2 main workflows:
1) Computer Autonomous:
- This is for those purists who only use tape, but still want to have total computer support (automation, recall, etc.)
2) Computer + DAW:
- This will enable to link the computer to the DAW, both in transport, time reference, and maybe in future more control of the console inside the DAW.
For scenario 1 we need to be able to provide Time Reference, since the SSLMixed Computer will be the master.
For scenario 2 we need to be able to lock Time Reference, since the SSLMixed COmputer will be the slave to the DAW.
To be able to achieve this we are planing on equipping the computer with a SMPTE IN and SMPTE OUT (with XLR M/F connectors), since from what we've seen so far SMPTE is still the standard time reference standard and that offers the most accurate and stable signal. But for the scenario 2 to work you'll need a device such as AVID SYNC I/O to output SMPTE reference.
EDIT: Just to make things totally correct, instead of using a SYNC I/O, one can also use a pre recorded SMPTE track in the DAW and output it into the SMPTE IN of the SSLMixed computer.
There are other alternatives like MIDI TIME CODE (MTC) or even MTC over USB. But what we are afraid is that the signal would not be as much stable due to nowadays operating systems that introduces natural latency due to things such as multi-tasking, non real-time kernel, no DSP CPU. But this instability can also be irrelevant to level of precision needed to audio...
We would like to hear your opinions regarding this topic and please discuss so we can find the best possible solution.
Cheers,
Artur
marcmozart:
See if you can get Werner (the creator of "The Konnektor") involved.
My first reaction would be - don't make a Sync I/O necessary! It should hook up to the DAW the easiest possible way. Personally, I think even an audio SMPTE track in the DAW is an easy solution, but probably best to get USB MIDI working.
Artur D'Assumpção:
Hi,
Actually I was not being totally correct. One can also use also a SYNC track inside the DAW , and you won't need the SYNC I/O, exactly like The Konnektor.
For SMPTE syncing we would have and XLR IN and XLR OUT.
What I want to discuss here is the use of SMPTE vs other syncing methods.
Cheers,
Artur
marcmozart:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Mix Computer as a SMPTE Master is not a good idea as any DAW synced externally needs a (high quality) Wordclock as master, so there's no point to include XLR Out.
Artur D'Assumpção:
Marc,
You didn't read what I wrote! :D
The idea is to enable an autonomous computer that can work with or without a DAW. On the later case it would only with a tape machine, like the original one did. Without a DAW you need to generate SMPTE to be master for the tape machine.
...unless we decide this is pointless these days, and we just forget totally the workflow of the computer without a DAW. :D
This is why we are having this discussion after all! :D
Cheers,
Artur
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version