Cakewalk // Documentation // SONAR X3 // Synchronization overview
Table of Contents Previous Next Index

Synchronizing your gear ► Synchronization overview

Table 217.  
Figure 378. The Sync module.
A. SMPTE/MTC format B. Incoming timecode C. Sync type D. Transmit MIDI Sync E. Transmit MTC Sync
list-image
SMPTE/MTC format. Select the time code format. The following frame rates are supported:
list-image
23.976 frames per second (FPS). Typically used with H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video.
list-image
24 frames per second (FPS). Used for theatrical film worldwide. Any film in North America or Japan uses this setting.
list-image
25 FPS. Used for PAL/SECAM video and some film in countries that use 50 Hz wall electricity. This is the setting to use when synchronizing to any European video format.
list-image
29.97 FPS Drop. NTSC broadcast and long format video in North America and Japan. This setting synchronizes the video perfectly with SONAR, but the sequencer position displayed in the Now Time and Big Time displays will gradually drift and become incorrect over long periods of time. The audio and MIDI synchronization to the external device will not be affected by this discrepancy.
list-image
29.97 FPS Non Drop. NTSC non-broadcast and short length video in North America and Japan. Used for some music projects. This setting synchronizes the video perfectly with SONAR, but the sequencer position displayed in the Now Time and Big Time displays will gradually drift and become incorrect over long periods of time. The audio and MIDI synchronization to the external device will not be affected by this discrepancy.
list-image
30 FPS Drop. Not a standard type of timecode, used rarely for speed correction and transfer problems in tape based systems.
list-image
30 FPS Non Drop. Most music projects and some film in North America. This is the best choice for any music project and should be used unless the situation dictates otherwise.
list-image
Incoming timecode. Shows the current time of incoming time code when synchronizing to an external device.
list-image
Sync type. Select the sync type; right-click to show synchronization settings. The following sync types are supported:
list-image
Internal Sync. Timing is determined by the clock on the computer motherboard.
list-image
MIDI Sync. Timing is determined by the clock on an external MIDI device.
list-image
Audio Sync. Timing is determined by the clock on the computer’s audio interface.
list-image
Transmit MIDI Sync . Transmit MIDI Sync to external MIDI devices, such as drum machines, stand-alone MIDI hardware sequencers, and sequencers built into MIDI keyboards (only available when using the Internal or Audio clock). SONAR sends messages to all other devices to start and stop playback and to keep all the devices in sync. SONAR can send MIDI Sync on multiple MIDI output ports. For details, see MIDI synchronization.
list-image
Transmit MTC Sync . Transmit MIDI Time Code (MTC) to external devices that can receive MTC. SMPTE/MTC is a position and timing reference that indicates the current location in the project and how quickly the project should be playing. SMPTE/MTC time code labels the position in a project in hours, minutes, seconds, and frames. The speed of playback is indicated by a frame rate. SONAR can send MTC on multiple output ports simultaneously. For details, see SMPTE/MIDI time code synchronization.
1.
Go to Edit > Preferences > Project - Clock.
2.
Under Source, select the desired clock source.
3.
Copyright © 2024 Cakewalk, Inc. All rights reserved
Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Legal