DigiDesign MachineControl User Manual
MachineControl
™
Version 2.0
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Contents iii
contents
Chapter 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
MachineControl Version 2.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
MachineControl Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
System Requirements and Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Digidesign Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
About This Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
About www.digidesign.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Chapter 2. Installing MachineControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Cables and Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Connecting Machines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Installing MachineControl Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Authorizing MachineControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Uninstalling MachineControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Starting Up Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Chapter 3. MachineControl Communication Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Serial Deck Control Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Chapter 4. Setting Up Machine Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Online and Offline Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Transport Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Chapter 5. Serial Deck Control Mode (Configuration and Operation) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Configuring a MachineControl Device for Deck Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Preferences for Serial Deck Control Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Session Setup Window and MachineControl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Additional Pro Tools Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
MachineControl Guideiv
Selecting Pro Tools or the Machine as the Transport Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Playback in Serial Deck Control Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Remote Track Arming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Configuring Track Arming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Creating a Track Arming Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Arming Tracks Remotely for Layback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Chapter 6. Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode (Configuration and Operation). . . 35
Configuring Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Preferences for Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Playback in Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Recording in Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Track Arming in Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Chapter 7. Using a Paddle Device in Local Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Connecting a Supported Third-Party Paddle Device to Your Pro Tools System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Allow Track Arm Commands in Local Mode Preference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Configuring Ports for a Deck and a Supported Third-Party Paddle Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Appendix A. Deck Control Key Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Appendix B. Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Appendix C. Machine IDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Appendix D. 9-Pin Cable Pinouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
chapter 1
Introduction
Digidesign® MachineControl™ is special purpose software for Pro Tools HD that enables serial communication with Sony® 9-pin compatible synchronizers, and video or audio machines.
MachineControl Version 2.0
This guide provides installation and operational
instructions for MachineControl version 2.0 for
Pro Tools systems on Windows or Mac.
If you require documentation for other system
configurations, refer to earlier versions of this
guide, available in the Product Support page of
the Digidesign website
(www.digidesign.com/support).
MachineControl Components
Your MachineControl package includes the following, based on your operating system:
Windows Systems
• MachineControl Installer disc
• Serial Deck Control cable: RS-232 to RS-422
• 9-pin Turnaround adapter (for Remote 9pin Deck Emulation mode)
• MachineControl iLok License Card
Mac Systems
• MachineControl Installer disc
• Serial Deck Control cable: Male 8-pin miniDIN to male 9-pin cable
• Remote 9-pin Deck Emulation cable: Male
8-pin mini-DIN to female 9-pin cable
• MachineControl iLok License Card
Video captured in Pro Tools is intended only
for use in Pro Tools. It has not been tested
for import into other applications, and may
not be of standard broadcast quality.
Pro Tools should not be used for laying back
picture to video masters.
MachineControl Guide2
System Requirements and
Compatibility
MachineControl requires the following:
Digidesign-qualified Pro Tools|HD system,
running on a Digidesign-qualified Windows or
Mac computer.
Compatibility Information
Digidesign can only assure compatibility and
provide support for hardware and software it has
tested and approved.
For a list of Digidesign-qualified computers,
operating systems, hard drives, third-party
devices, and all the latest compatibility
information, visit the Digidesign website
(www.digidesign.com/compatibility).
Serial Deck Control Mode
Requirements
For Tighter Lockups
For Serial Deck Control, use of a Digidesign
SYNC peripheral is recommended.
For near sample accurate Serial Deck Control,
a SYNC peripheral is required.
If you are not using a SYNC peripheral with
Pro Tools, some features of MachineControl can
be used by connecting the deck to the DigiSerial
port on a Pro Tools Core card.
Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation
Requirements
A SYNC peripheral is required when running
MachineControl 9-Pin Remote Deck Emulation
mode, as it provides frame-accurate LTC.
Digidesign Registration
Review the enclosed Digidesign Registration
Information Card and follow the instructions
on it to quickly register your purchase online.
Registering your purchase is the only way you
can be eligible to receive complimentary technical support and future upgrade offers. This is
one of the most important steps you can take as
a new user.
About This Guide
This guide assumes:
• You have installed Pro Tools and verified
that it works properly.
• You have a thorough understanding of
your video deck, external 9-pin decks,
mixer, and other audio and video
equipment.
• You have an understanding of your synchronization equipment and
requirements.
See “Connecting Machines for
Serial Control Mode” on page 6.
Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation does not work
via the serial ports on a SYNC peripheral or
via the DigiSerial ports on the Pro Tools HD
card. Instead, you must connect the remote
controller to your Pro Tools system using one
of the following methods:
See “Connecting Machines for Remote 9Pin Deck Emulation Mode” on page 7.
Chapter 1: Introduction 3
Conventions Used in This Guide
This guide uses the following conventions to indicate menu choices and key commands:
The names of Commands, Options, and Settings
that appear on-screen are in a different font.
The following symbols are used to highlight important information:
About www.digidesign.com
The Digidesign website (www.digidesign.com) is
your best online source for information to help
you get the most out of your Pro Tools system.
The following are just a few of the services and
features available.
Product Registration Register your purchase
online. See the enclosed Digidesign Registration
Information Card for instructions.
Support and Downloads Contact Digidesign
Technical Support or Customer Service; download software updates and the latest online
manuals; browse the Compatibility documents
for system requirements; search the online Answerbase; or join the worldwide Pro Tools community on the Digidesign User Conference.
Training and Education Study on your own using
courses available online or find out how you can
learn in a classroom setting at a certified
Pro Tools training center.
Products and Developers Learn about Digidesign
products; download demo software or learn
about our Development Partners and their plugins, applications, and hardware.
News and Events Get the latest news from
Digidesign or sign up for a Pro Tools demo.
Pro Tools Accelerated Videos Watch the series of
free tutorial videos. Accelerated Videos are designed to help you get up and running with
Pro Tools and its plug-ins.
Convention Action
File > Save Choose Save from the File
menu
Control+N Hold down the Control key
and press the N
key
Control-click Hold down the Control key
and click the mouse button
Right-click Click with the right mouse
button
User Tips are helpful hints for getting the
most from your system.
Important Notices include information that
could affect your data or the performance of
your system.
Cross References point to related sections in
this guide and other Digidesign guides.
MachineControl Guide4
Chapter 2: Installing MachineControl 5
chapter 2
Installing MachineControl
Before you Begin
Before you install MachineControl, make sure
that you have already connected and verified
operation of your Pro Tools system.
If you are using a Digidesign SYNC peripheral,
refer to its guide to make sure your equipment is
installed and operating correctly.
Cables and Connections
MachineControl requires its own connections
between Pro Tools hardware, the computer, and
external machines. Connections differ depending on your Pro Tools audio interface, operating
system, and on which of the two MachineControl operational modes you want to use: Serial
Deck Control mode or Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode.
Cables
MachineControl comes with the following cables and adapters, depending on your computer
platform:
Windows Systems
Serial Deck Control Cable RS-232 to RS-422 cable, for serial time code and all other MachineControl functions.
Turnaround Adapter 9-pin adapter, used with
RS-232 to RS-422 cable, for Remote 9-Pin Deck
Emulation.
Mac Systems
Serial Deck Control Cable Male 8-pin mini-DIN
to male 9-pin cable, for Deck Control.
Remote Deck Emulation Mode Cable Male 8-pin
mini-DIN to female 9-pin cable, required for
Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation.
When using a supported third-party paddle
device with Pro Tools, you can use both
Serial Deck Control mode and Remote 9-Pin
Deck Emulation mode simultaneously. See
Chapter 7, “Using a Paddle Device in Local
Mode” for more information.
Do not substitute 9-pin or serial adaptors
for either MachineControl cable. Each cable
is specifically wired for one operation mode.
MachineControl Guide6
Serial Deck Control Mode
Serial Deck Control mode supports bi-directional communication between Pro Tools and a
compatible external machine. With this feature
you can:
• Synchronize to serial time code
• Arm tracks on the machine remotely
• Control a transport from Pro Tools
• Configure machine settings and options.
Pro Tools|HD Systems
With Pro Tools|HD systems, you can use a Serial
to 9-pin connection or a 9-pin to 9-pin connection for Serial Deck Control mode.
CPU to Deck Connection This type of connection yields the best performance, especially with
linear decks. Use the included Serial Deck Control cable for this type of connection.
SYNC Peripheral to Deck Connection This type of
connection is suitable for non-linear decks. If
you are using a SYNC peripheral, as many as two
machines can be connected to the two 9-pin
Out ports on the SYNC peripheral. You can control one machine at a time, and switch between
them from within Pro Tools. These ports support all MachineControl modes except Remote
9-Pin Deck Emulation mode. For Remote Deck
Emulation mode on Mac systems, a Keyspan
USA28x USB serial adapter is required.
Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation
Mode
This mode enables a form of deck emulation in
Pro Tools. When the Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode cable is used on a supported system,
Pro Tools can respond to record-arming, transport, and other standard 9-pin commands from
an external machine.
While in Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode,
Pro Tools always generates time code, and can
be either the time code master or a slave device.
On Windows systems, Remote 9-pin Deck Emulation mode uses an RS-232 to RS-422 cable and
a Turnaround adapter connected to an available
serial or COM port on the computer.
On Mac systems, use the Remote 9-Pin Emulation Mode cable. This mode requires a Keyspan
USA28x serial adapter connected to a computer
USB port, and a properly wired configuration.
See Chapter 6, “Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation
Mode (Configuration and Operation)” for
details.
Connecting Machines
This section describes how to connect machines
for Serial Control Mode or Remote 9-Pin Deck
Emulation Mode.
Connecting Machines for
Serial Control Mode
For Best Serial Deck Control
For best serial deck control, connect your deck
as follows:
To connect a deck to a Windows computer:
Connect the computer’s COM port to the ma-
chine, using the provided 9-pin RS-322 to RS422 cable.
Chapter 2: Installing MachineControl 7
To connect a deck to a Mac computer:
1 Connect a Keyspan USA28x USB serial adapter
(not provided) to a USB port on the computer.
2 Connect the provided male mini DIN-8 serial
to male 9-pin D-sub Deck Control cable to the
end of the adapter.
3 Connect the end of the cable to the machine.
For Limited Serial Deck Control (Non-Linear
Decks Only)
Connect a standard 9-pin cable from one of
the 9-pin Out ports on the SYNC peripheral to
the 9-pin input of the machine. Due to performance limitations, this configuration should be
used primarily with non-linear decks.
Connecting Machines for Remote 9-Pin
Deck Emulation Mode
To connect a machine for Remote 9-Pin Deck
Emulation mode (Windows Systems):
Connect the Turnaround adapter to the RS-
322 to RS-422 cable, and connect them from an
available serial or COM port on your computer
to the 9-pin output of the machine.
Do not use the DigiSerial port on your HD Core
card or the 9-pin ports on the SYNC peripheral
for Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode. The
DigiSerial port should only be used for SYNC peripheral connections, using a DigiSerial cable.
To connect a machine for Remote 9-Pin Deck
Emulation mode (Mac Systems):
1 Connect a Keyspan USA28x USB serial adapter
(not provided) to a USB port on the computer.
2 Connect the provided male mini DIN-8 serial
to female 9-pin Deck Emulation cable to the end
of the adapter.
3 Connect the end of the cable to the machine.
Do not use the DigiSerial port on your HD Core
card or the 9-pin ports on the SYNC peripheral
for Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode. The
DigiSerial port should only be used for SYNC peripheral connections, using a DigiSerial cable.
Using a Rosetta Stone Adapter
with MachineControl
(Windows XP Only)
Using the Rosetta Stone adapter with MachineControl on Windows XP lets you do either of
the following:
• Use a Tamura synchronizer with Remote
mode
– or –
• Increase reliability for long cable runs for
Serial Deck Control mode or Remote mode
To set up a Rosetta Stone convertor for a Tamura
synchronizer in Remote mode:
1 Connect the RS-232 cable from your com-
puter’s COM port to the RS-232 side of the Rosetta Stone adapter.
2 Connect the RS-422 cable from the RS-422
side of the Rosetta Stone to the Digidesign Remote Mode adapter (included with MachineControl purchase).
3 Connect the Digidesign Remote Mode adapter
to your synchronizer or 9-pin patch bay. Add
more 9-pin cable on the 422 end if a longer run
is needed.
A Rosetta Stone RS-232 to RS-422 adapter
(model 2/8 or 2/9) and additional RS-232
and RS-422 cables are required.
MachineControl Guide8
To increase reliability in long cable runs in Remote
mode:
Follow the instructions as described above for
setting up a Rosetta Stone convertor for a
Tamura
To increase reliability in long cable runs in Serial
Deck Control mode:
1 Connect the RS-232 cable from your com-
puter’s COM port into the RS-232 side of the Rosetta Stone adapter.
2 Connect the RS-422 cable from the RS-422
side of the Rosetta Stone to the deck or 9-pin
patch bay. If a longer run is needed, add more 9pin cable on the RS-422 end.
Installing MachineControl
Software
To install MachineControl, you can use the
Pro Tools Installer disc, or the MachineControl
Installer disc.
To install MachineControl software:
1 Insert the Installer disc into your computer.
2 Locate and and double-click the MachineCon-
trol installer application.
3 Follow the on-screen instructions to complete
installation.
4 When installation is complete, click Finish
(Windows) or Close (Mac).
Authorizing MachineControl
MachineControl is authorized using the iLok
USB Smart Key (iLok), manufactured by PACE
Anti-Piracy, Inc.
The iLok is similar to a dongle, but unlike a dongle, it is designed to securely authorize multiple
software applications from a variety of software
developers.
This key can hold over 100 licenses for all of
your iLok-enabled software. Once an iLok is authorized for a given piece of software, you can
use the iLok to authorize that software on any
computer.
iLok USB Smart Key
The iLok USB Smart Key is not supplied with
your plug-in or software option. You can use
the one included with your Pro Tools|HD
system, or purchase one separately.
Chapter 2: Installing MachineControl 9
To authorize MachineControl:
1 If you do not have an iLok.com account, visit
www.iLok.com and sign up for an iLok.com account.
2 Transfer the license for MachineControl to
your iLok.com account by doing the following:
• Visit http://secure.digidesign.com/activation.
• Enter your Activation Code (listed on your
Activation Card) and your iLok.com User
ID. Your iLok.com User ID is the name you
create for your iLok.com account.
3 Transfer the licenses from your iLok.com ac-
count to your iLok USB Smart Key by doing the
following:
• Insert the iLok into an available USB port
on your computer.
•Go to www.iLok.com and log in.
• Follow the on-screen instructions for transferring your licences to your iLok.
4 Launch Pro Tools.
5 If you have any installed unauthorized
plug-ins or other software options, you will be
prompted to authorize them. Follow the
on-screen instructions to complete the authorization process.
Uninstalling MachineControl
If you need to uninstall the MachineControl
option from your system, follow the instructions below for your computer platform.
Mac OS X
To uninstall an option:
1 Open the Pro Tools folder on your Startup
drive (Applications/Digidesign).
2 Drag the option to the Trash and empty the
Trash.
Windows XP
To uninstall an option:
1 Choose Start > Control Panel.
2 Double-click Add or Remove Programs.
3 Select the option from the list of installed ap-
plications.
4 Click Remove.
5 Follow the on-screen instructions to remove
the option.
Windows Vista
To uninstall an option:
1 Choose Control Panel.
2 Under Programs, click Uninstall a Program.
3 Select the option from the list of installed ap-
plications.
4 Click Uninstall.
5 Follow the on-screen instructions to remove
the option.
For information about iLok technology and
licenses, see the iLok Usage Guide.
MachineControl Guide10
Starting Up Your System
To ensure that the components of your
Pro Tools system communicate properly with
each other and your external machines, start
them in a particular order.
Start up your Pro Tools system in this order:
1 For systems with an expansion chassis, turn
on the chassis.
2 Turn on any external hard drives. Wait ap-
proximately ten seconds for them to come up to
speed.
3 Turn on any external machines (VTR, ATR,
synchronizer, and monitors).
4 Turn on any MIDI interfaces, MIDI devices
and synchronization peripherals.
5 Lower the volume of all output devices in your
system.
6 Turn on Pro Tools audio interfaces. Wait at
least fifteen seconds for your system hardware to
initialize.
7 Turn on your computer.
8 Launch Pro Tools.
Machine Local and Remote Modes
Be sure to set your machine-controllable device
to “remote” or “ext” mode to receive the 9-pin
information (not “local” or front-panel mode).
With some supported machines, if all other
communication is established and the machine
is not in remote mode, Pro Tools will indicate
machine “local” mode.
Chapter 3: MachineControl Communication Modes 11
chapter 3
MachineControl Communication Modes
MachineControl supports two machine communication modes: Serial Deck Control mode and
Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode.
Serial Deck Control Mode
With Serial Deck Control mode, you can use the
Pro Tools Transport window to control an external deck.
Transport
The setting of the Transport Master (located in
the Pro Tools Transport window) determines
the type of Serial Deck Control, as follows:
Transport = Pro Tools The Transport window
controls the Pro Tools Timeline. When online,
the deck locates relative to actions taken in the
Pro Tools Timeline.
Transport = Machine The Transport window
controls the machine. When Pro Tools is Online, the Pro Tools Timeline chases the machine.
Cueing and Pre-Roll
Pro Tools Preference settings let you optimize
MachineControl operation, including adjustable machine pre-roll, selectable edit and memory location chasing.
Track Arming
When the Transport Master is set to Transport =
Machine, you can arm tracks of external machines from within Pro Tools for layback and
transfer. Features include individual record enables for up to 48 external tracks, with selectable
record protocol and mode. Machine profiles included with the software let you preconfigure
track arming for many machine types.
Serial Time Code
When the Positional Reference is set to Serial
Time Code in the Session Setup window,
Pro Tools can control an external machine via
the Serial Deck Control cable. This setting also
enables Pro Tools to receive time code directly
using only the Serial Deck Control cable.
(This mode requires that the 9-pin device be capable of transmitting serial time code. It also requires that the Pro Tools and the device receive
a common video reference.)
Pro Tools Transport window
MachineControl Guide12
Using a Paddle Device in Local
Mode
When using MachineControl in Local mode
with or without an external synchronizer, you
can use a supported third-party paddle device to
issue the following Pro Tools track commands:
• Input monitoring
• Record Enable
•Record Safe
•Solo
•Solo Mute
Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation
Mode
With Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode (also
called Remote 9-Pin mode), an external synchronizer can take control over Pro Tools transport
and recording functions.
Pro Tools responds to commands sent by the
master 9-pin machine controller, but because
Pro Tools is in Remote mode, many of its transport commands are locked out.
Remote and Remote/LTC Chase
Modes
When using an external machine controller to
control Pro Tools, you can configure Pro Tools
to emulate a 9-pin deck in either of the following modes:
Remote mode Pro Tools emulates a device that
can be the time code master or time code slave.
Remote/LTC Chase mode Pro Tools emulates a
device that receives track and transport arming
commands, while chasing incoming LTC.
Track Arming
In Remote Deck Emulation mode, you can arm
Pro Tools tracks from an external machine.
Features include remote control of individual
record enables for up to 48 tracks, with selectable record protocol and mode. Included factory
and user programmable profiles let you configure track arming for any machine type.
See Chapter 7, “Using a Paddle Device in
Local Mode.”
For arming tracks during playback, refer to
the TrackPunch feature description in the
Pro Tools Reference Guide.
Chapter 4: Setting Up Machine Control 13
chapter 4
Setting Up Machine Control
Online and Offline Operation
Pro Tools can remotely control, or be controlled
by, any approved enabled external device. You
can select a device by using the Transport Master
selector in the Transport window.
To trigger Pro Tools playback or recording from
an external source, or to generate time code, the
Pro Tools Transport needs to be online. There are
four ways to put the Pro Tools Transport online:
• Click the Online button in the Transport
window.
• Choose Options > Transport Online.
• Press Control+J (Windows) or Command+J
(Mac).
• Press Alt+Spacebar (Windows) or
Option+Spacebar (Mac).
The Online button in the Transport window indicates online status. It flashes while enabled
and waiting for synchronization, and stays lit
when lock is achieved.
Transport Controls
With MachineControl, the Pro Tools Transport
window becomes a multi-function controller.
Counter Display
The Pro Tools Edit window counter displays the
current machine (9-pin) or session time code location, depending on which device is the Transport Master, plus any current Session Start Time
Offsets being applied. (See “External Time Code
Offsets” on page 24 for more information.)
The Incoming Time display in the Session Setup
window always shows absolute incoming time
code, without any offsets.
Transport Master selector in the Transport window
Online button
Transport Master selector
MachineControl Guide14
Selecting a Transport Master
To select a Transport Master:
1 Click the Transport Master selector to display
the Transport pop-up menu.
2 From the Transport pop-up menu, select
Pro Tools, Machine, or Remote (or Remote/LTC).
Transport = Pro Tools
In this mode, the controls in the Transport window are focused on Pro Tools playback and recording.
When the transport is online, the machine
slaves to Pro Tools, and the session locks to the
machine’s time code. The machine follows Preferences for Machine Chase and Online Record.
When the transport is offline, the Pro Tools
Transport window controls Pro Tools only.
Transport = Machine
In this mode, the controls in the Transport window are focused on the machine connected and
enabled for Serial Deck Control mode. Record
commands are sent to the machine only.
When the transport is online, Pro Tools slaves
to the machine. The Transport window controls
the machine, and Pro Tools chases and locks to
it.
In addition, when Auto Spot is turned on, regions are spotted to the current machine time,
and the Trimmer tool trims to the current machine time.
When the transport is offline, the Pro Tools
Transport window controls the machine only.
Toggling the Transport while Online
When the Transport window is online, toggling
the Transport Master selector between Pro Tools
and your machine will also toggle their master/slave relationship.
Selecting the Transport Master
You can also press Control+backslash (\) to
toggle between Pro Tools, the Machine, and
Remote transport (or, on a Digidesign control surface, press EXT TRANS).
Transport pop-up menu
See the Pro Tools Reference Guide for details
on Auto Spotting.
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