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