MOTU MIDI Timepiece AV, MIDI Express XT, micro express, MIDI Timepiece AV-USB, MIDI Express XT-USB User Manual

USB MIDI

User’s Guide for Macintosh

™

Front Matter Page 0 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:11 PM

Mark of the Unicorn License Agreement and Limited
Warranty on Software

TO PERSONS WHO PURCHASE OR USE THIS PRODUCT: carefully read all
the terms and conditions of this agreement before using this software package.
Using this software package indicates your acceptance of the terms and conditions
of this license agreement.

Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. (“MOTU”) owns both this program and its documentation.
Both the program and the documentation are protected under applicable copyright
laws. Y our right to use the program and the documentation are limited to the terms
and conditions described herein.

License

Y OU MAY: (a) use the enclosed program on a single computer; (b) physically
transfer the program from one computer to another provided that the program is
used on only one computer at a time and that you remove any copies of the
program from the computer from which the program is being transferred; (c) make
copies of the program solely for backup purposes. You must reproduce and include
the copyright notice on a label on any backup copy.

Y OU MAY NOT: (a) distribute copies of the program or the documentation to
others; (b) rent, lease or grant sublicenses or other rights to the program; (c)
provide use of the program in a computer service business, network, time-sharing,
multiple CPU or multiple user arrangement without the prior written consent of
MOTU; (d) translate or otherwise alter the progr am or related documentation
without the prior written consent of MOTU.

Term

Your license to use the program and documentation will automatically terminate if
you fail to comply with the terms of this Agreement. If this license is terminated you
agree to destroy all copies of the program and documentation.

Limited Warranty

MOTU warrants to the original licensee that the disk(s) on which the program is
recorded be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for
a period of ninety (90) days from the date of purchase as evidenced by a copy of
your receipt. If f ailure of the disk has resulted from accident, abuse or misappli­cation of the product, then MOTU shall have no responsibility to replace the disk(s)
under this Limited Warr anty.

THIS LIMITED W ARRANTY AND RIGHT OF REPLA CEMENT IS IN LIEU OF,
AND YOU HEREBY WAIVE, ANY AND ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, BO TH
EXPRESS AND IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PAR TICULAR PURPOSE. THE
LIABILITY OF MOTU PURSUANT TO THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL BE
LIMITED T O THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE DISK(S), AND IN NO
EVENT SHALL MOTU BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES , INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF USE, LOSS OF
PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA OR DATA BEING RENDERED INACCURA TE, OR
LOSSES SUSTAINED BY THIRD PARTIES EVEN IF MOTU HAS BEEN
ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THIS WARRANTY
GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS WHICH MAY V ARY FROM ST ATE TO
ST ATE. SOME STA TES DO NO T ALLO W THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF
LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES , SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION
MA Y NOT APPL Y TO YOU.

Update Policy

In order to be eligible to obtain updates of the program, you must complete and
return the attached Mark of the Unicorn Purchaser Registration Card to MOTU.

General

This License Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and shall inure to the benefit of MOTU, its successors , adminis­trators, heirs and assigns.

Copyright Notice

Copyright © 1999 by Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval
system, or translated into any human or computer language, in any form or by any
means whatsoever , without e xpress written permission of Mark of the Unicorn,
Inc., 1280 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, U.S.A.

Limited W arranty on Hardware

Mark of the Unicorn, Inc. and S&S Research (“MOTU/S&S”) warrant this
equipment against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of NINETY
(90) DAYS from the date of original retail purchase. This w arranty applies only to
hardware products; MO TU softw are is licensed and warranted pursuant to
separate written statements.

If you discover a def ect, first write or call Mark of the Unicorn at [phone] to
obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization Number. No service will be performed
on any product returned without prior authorization. MOTU will, at its option, repair
or replace the product at no charge to you, provided you return it during the
warranty period, with transportation charges prepaid, to Mark of the Unicorn, Inc.,
1280 Massachusetts Avenue, MA 02138. You must use the product’ s original
packing material for in shipment, and insure the shipment for the value of the
product. Please include your name , address, telephone number, a description of
the problem, and the original, dated bill of sale with the returned unit and print the
Return Merchandise Authorization Number on the outside of the box below the
shipping address.

This warranty does not apply if the equipment has been damaged by accident,
abuse, misuse, or misapplication; has been modified without the written
permission of MOTU, or if the product serial number has been removed or def aced.

ALL IMPLIED W ARRANTIES, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PAR TICULAR PURPOSE, ARE
LIMITED IN DURATION TO NINETY (90) D AYS FROM THE D ATE OF THE
ORIGINAL RETAIL PURCHASE OF THIS PRODUCT.

THE W ARRANTY AND REMEDIES SET FORTH ABOVE ARE EXCLUSIVE AND
IN LIEU OF ALL OTHERS, ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. No
MOTU/S&S dealer , agent, or emplo yee is authorized to mak e any modification,
extension, or addition to this warranty.

MOTU/S&S ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY BREACH OF
WARRANTY, OR UNDER ANY LEGAL THEORY , INCLUDING LOST PR OFITS ,
DOWNTIME, GOODWILL, D AMAGE OR REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT
AND PROPERTY AND COST OF RECO VERING REPR OGRAMMING, OR
REPRODUCING ANY PROGRAM OR DATA STORED IN OR USED WITH
MOTU/S&S PRODUCTS.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties or liability
for incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or e xclusion ma y
not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may hav e
other rights which vary from state to state.

MIDI Timepiece, MIDI Express, micro e xpress , ClockWorks and Mark of the
Unicorn are trademarks of Mark of the Unicorn, Inc.

This equipment has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonab le protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates , uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. How e v er, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio
or television equipment reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by any combination of the following measures:

• Relocate or reorient the receiving antenna

• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver

• Plug the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected
If necessary, you can consult a dealer or experienced radio/tele vision technician f or additional

assistance.
PLEASE NOTE: only equipment certified to comply with Class B (computer input/output devices,

terminals, printers, etc.) should be attached to this equipment, and it must have shielded interface
cables in order to comply with the Class B FCC limits on RF emissions.

WARNING: changes or modifications to this unit not e xpressly approv ed b y the party
responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

Front Matter Page 1 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:11 PM

User’s Guide

For MOTU USB MIDI Interfaces

MIDI Timepiece AV-USB

MIDI Express XT-USB

micro express-USB

Mark of the Unicorn, Inc.

1280 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
Business voice: [phone]
Business fax: [phone]
Tech support fax: [phone]
Tech support email: [e-mail]
Web site: http://www.motu.com

Front Matter Page 2 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:11 PM

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NO T EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR O THER MOISTURE.
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NO T REMO VE CO VER. NO USER-SER VICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SER VICING TO

QUALIFIED SER VICE PERSONNEL.
WARNING: DO NO T PERMIT FINGERS TO TOUCH THE TERMINALS OF PLUGS WHEN INST ALLING OR REMO VING THE PLUG TO OR FROM THE OUTLET .
WARNING: IF NO T PROPERLY GROUNDED THE MO TU USB MIDI interface COULD CA USE AN ELECTRICAL SHOCK.

The MOTU USB MIDI interface is equipped with a three-conductor cord and g rounding type plug which has a grounding prong, approved b y Underwriters' Laboratories and the Canadian Standards
Association. This plug requires a mating three-conductor grounded type outlet as shown in Figure A belo w .

If the outlet you are planning to use for the MO TU USB MIDI interface is of the two prong type , DO NOT REMO VE OR ALTER THE GROUNDING PR ONG IN ANY MANNER. Use an adapter as
shown below and always connect the g rounding lug to a known ground. It is recommended that you hav e a qualified electrician replace the TW O prong outlet with a properly grounded THREE prong
outlet. An adapter as illustrated belo w in Figure B is availab le for connecting plugs to two-prong receptacles.

Figure A Figure B

Grounding lug

Screw

3-prong plug

3-prong plug

Make sure this is connected
to a known ground.

Grounding prong

Properly grounded 3-prong outlet

Two-prong receptacle

Adapter

WARNING: THE GREEN GROUNDING LUG EXTENDING FROM THE ADAPTER MUST BE CONNECTED T O A PERMANENT GROUND SUCH AS TO A
PROPERLY GROUNDED OUTLET BO X. NO T ALL OUTLET BO XES ARE PR OPERLY GROUNDED.

If you are not sure that your outlet box is properly grounded, ha ve it check ed by a qualified electrician. NOTE: The adapter illustrated is for use only if y ou already have a properly grounded tw o-prong
receptacle. Adapter is not allo wed in Canada by the Canadian Electrical Code. Use only three wire e xtension cords which have three-prong grounding type plugs and three-prong receptacles which
will accept the MOTU USB MIDI interface plug.

IMPORT ANT SAFEGU ARDS

1. Read instructions - All the safety and operating instructions should be read before operating the MO TU USB MIDI interface.

2. Retain instructions - The safety instructions and owner's manual should be retained f or future reference.

3. Heed Warnings - All warnings on the MOTU USB MIDI interf ace and in the owner's manual should be adhered to .

4. Follow Instructions - All operating and use instructions should be followed.

5. Cleaning - Unplug the MOTU USB MIDI interface from the computer bef ore cleaning and use a damp cloth. Do not use liquid or ae rosol cleaners.

6. Overloading - Do not overload wall outlets and extension cords as this can result in a risk of fire or electrical shock.

7. Power Sources - This MOTU USB MIDI interface should be oper ated only from the type of power source indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of pow er supply to your location, consult your local power company .

8. Power-Cord Protection - P ower-supply cords should be routed so that the y are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items p laced upon or against them. P ay particular attention to cords and plugs, conv enience receptacles, and
the point where they exit from the MO TU USB MIDI interface.

9. Lightning - For added protection for the MO TU USB MIDI interface during a lightning storm, unplug it from the wall outlet. This will pre vent damage to the MO TU USB MIDI interface due to lightning and power line surges.

10. Servicing - Do not attempt to service this MOTU USB MIDI interface yourself as opening or removing covers will e xpose you to dangerous voltage and other hazards . Ref er all servicing to qualified service personnel.

11. Damage Requiring Service - Unplug the MOTU USB MIDI interface from the computer and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions.

a. When the power supply cord or plug is damaged.
b. If liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the MO TU USB MIDI interface.
c. If the MOTU USB MIDI interface has been exposed to rain or water .
d. If the MOTU USB MIDI interface does not operate normally by f ollowing the operating instructions in the owner's manual.
e. If the MOTU USB MIDI interface has been dropped or the cabinet has been damaged.
f. When the MOTU USB MIDI interface e xhibits a distinct change in performance, this indicates a need for service.

12. Replacement Parts - When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts specified by the manufacturer or have the same characteristics as the original part. Unauthorized substitutions
may result in fire, electric shock or other hazards.

13. Safety Check - Upon completion of any service or repairs to this MOTU USB MIDI interf ace, ask the service technician to perform safety checks to determine that the product is in safe operating conditions .

ENVIRONMENT

Operating Temperature: 10°C to 40°C (50°F to 104°)

A V OID THE HAZARDS OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK AND FIRE

Do not handle the power cord with wet hands. Do not pull on the power cord when disconnecting it from an AC w all outlet. Gr asp it by the plug.

INPUT

Line V oltage: 100 - 120 volts A C, RMS (US and Japan) or 220 - 250 volts A C, RMS (Europe). F requency: 47 - 63 Hz single phase . P ower: 7 watts maximum.

CAUTION: D ANGER OF EXPLOSION IF BATTER Y IS REPLACED . REPLA CE ONLY WITH THE SAME OR EQUIV ALENT TYPE RECOMMENDED BYMANUF A C­TURER. DISPOSE OF USED B A TTER Y A CCORDING TO MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS.

CHAPTER

Contents

Part I: For All Users

Packing List and

7

System Requirements

Installing Your MOTU Interface

9

19

Installing Multiple Interfaces

Installing the MOTU USB Software

23

31

Using Performer & Digital Performer

ClockWorks

37

45

Device Settings & Routing

Channel Map

55

Muting

57

Sync and MIDI Machine Control

59

SMPTE Reader

69

73

Utilities Menu

Part II: For XT & Micro Users

77

Working with Presets

Working with a Foot Pedal

85

Synchronization

91

97

MIDI Machine Control

Part IV: Appendices

Glossary

165

169

SMPTE Synchronization Basics

173

Troubleshooting and Customer Support

177

Index

Part III: For MTP AV Users

103

Using Front Panel LCD

119

Knobs and Pedals

Setups and Modifiers

127

133

Patches

MIDI Cannon

137

139

Synchronization with the AV

MIDI Machine Control with the AV

153

161

Synchronizing Pro Tools

III

IV

Part I

For All Users

All Users

All Users

Packing list Page 7 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:15 PM

CHAPTER

1

Packing List and
System Requirements

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING MOTU

Thank you for purchasing a MOTU USB MIDI
interface. Please read the important information in
this chapter before using it.

PLEASE REGISTER TODAY

Please send in the registration card included with
your MOTU MIDI interface. As a registered user,
you will be eligible to receive on-line technical
support email and announcements about product
enhancements as soon as they become available.
Only registered users receive these special update
notices, so please, complete and mail this
registration card!

Thank you for taking the time to register your new
Mark of the Unicorn product!

MIDI CABLES NOT INCLUDED

To connect each of your MIDI devices to your
MOTU MIDI interface, you need MIDI cables,
purchased separately. Talk to your music dealer to
decide how many you need.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Your MOTU MIDI interface will run with any
USB-equipped Macintosh running Mac OS 8.6 or
later. If you are attempting to use your MOTU USB
interface with an older Macintosh model equipped
with a USB adaptor card, contact Mark of the
Unicorn for compatibility.

MIDI SOFTWARE COMPATIBILITY

Your MOTU USB MIDI Interface will work with
the following kinds of MIDI software:

PACKING LIST

Your MOTU USB MIDI Interface is shipped with
the items listed below. If any of these items are not
present when you first open the box, please
immediately contact your dealer or Mark of the
Uni cor n.

■

MOTU USB MIDI Interface

■

Power cord

■

USB cable

■

CD with software drivers

■

Manual

■

Product registration card

■

All Mark of the Unicorn software products

■

All FreeMIDI-compatible software

■

All OMS-compatible software

GETTING STARTED

Follow the directions in the next few chapters of
this guide to successfully install and begin using
your new MOTU USB MIDI interface.

FAMILIARITY WITH MACINTOSH

®

This manual assumes that your are familiar with
using a Macintosh computer. If you are not, you
should review your Macintosh User’s Guide before
proceeding.

VISIT OUR WEB SITE FOR SOFTWARE
UPDATES

Driver updates are posted on our web site as soon
as they become available, so check our web site for
the latest drivers: www.motu.com

7

Packing list Page 8 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:15 PM

8

PACKING LIST AND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Installing Hardware Page 9 Wednesday, June 23, 1999 9:50 AM

CHAPTER

2

Installing Your MOTU Interface

FOR ALL MOTU INTERFACE MODELS

For all MOTU interface models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Connecting a serial port Macintosh . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Connecting a USB Macintosh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Connecting MIDI gear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

MIDI connections worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

SMPTE Time Code sync connections. . . . . . . . .12

Connecting a pedal or foot switch. . . . . . . . . . . .13

Connecting an audio click source . . . . . . . . . . . .13

FOR MIDI TIMEPIECE AV USERS

Connecting ADATs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Connecting Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Connecting Word clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Connecting Pro Tools “SuperClock”. . . . . . . . . .15

CONNECTING A USB MACINTOSH

Using the USB cable included with your MOTU
MIDI interface, put the Type A plug into a Type A
USB jack on the computer, the USB computer
keyboard, or any other USB device connected to
the computer that has an available Type A USB
jack. The USB cable allows the Mac to
communicate with all MIDI devices connected to
your MOTU MIDI interface.

If you have several MOTU interfaces, see chapter 3,
“Installing Multiple Interfaces” (page 19).

The flat, “Type A” USB plug
connects to the computer.

Connecting an Alesis LRC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

CONNECTING THE POWER CORD

Plug the power cord into your MOTU MIDI
Interface and then plug the other end into a
grounded power outlet. We recommend that you
leave the interface switched off while making cable
connections during installation.

CONNECTING A SERIAL PORT MACINTOSH

If you have an older Macintosh computer with
serial (modem and printer) ports instead of USB
ports, connect your MOTU MIDI interface to the
computer with an AppleTalk cable purchased
separately. Plug one end of the AppleTalk cable into

Mac

the MOTU MIDI Interface
other end into the modem port of the Macintosh. If
you have multiple MOTU MIDI interfaces, see
chapter 3, “Installing Multiple Interfaces”
(page 19) for further information about how to
connect them as a network.

port and plug the

You can use any available
Type A jack.

Figure 2-1: You can plug the Type A connector into a Type A jack
directly on the computer itself, a USB keyboard connected to the
computer, or any other USB device already connected to the
computer that has an available Type A USB jack.

The square, “Type B” USB plug
connects to the MIDI interface.

Figure 2-2: The square Type B plug goes into your MOTU interface.

9

Installing Hardware Page 10 Wednesday, June 23, 1999 9:50 AM

CONNECTING MIDI GEAR

Connect each MIDI device’s MIDI IN jack to a
MIDI OUT jack on your MOTU MIDI interface as
shown by Connection A below. Conversely,
connect the MIDI OUT jack on the MIDI device to
one of the MIDI IN jacks on your MOTU MIDI
interface as shown by Connection B.

MOTU

MIDI interface

rear panel

MIDI

OUT

MIDI

Connection A

MIDI Device

cables

MIDI INMIDI

OUT

MIDI

IN

Connection B

MOTU MIDI interfaces do not require that

☛

you use the same numbered MIDI IN and MIDI
OUT for each device, but experience shows that
your system will be easier to work with if you do.

Connecting additional gear with MIDI THRUs

If you use up all of the MIDI OUTs on your MOTU
MIDI interface, and you still have more gear to
connect, run a MIDI cable from the MIDI THRU
of a device already connected to the interface to the
MIDI IN on the additional device as shown below
in Figure 2-4. The two devices then share the same
MIDI OUT port on the MIDI interface. This means
that they share the same set of 16 MIDI channels,
so try to do this with devices that receive on only
one MIDI channel (such as effects modules) so
their receive channels don’t conflict with one
another.

Figure 2-3: Connecting a MIDI device to your MOTU MIDI interface. If
you are connecting a sound module or other device that does not
need to transmit MIDI data, you only need to make connection A
shown above. Conversely, if the device is a MIDI controller such as a
drum pad or guitar controller, you only need to make Connection B.

One-way MIDI connections

MIDI devices that do not receive MIDI data, such
as a dedicated keyboard controller, guitar
controller, or drum pad, only need Connection B
shown in Figure 2-3. Similarly, devices that never
send data, such as a sound module, only need
Connection A. However, if you plan to use editor/
librarian software with the sound module, or if you
need to get system exclusive bulk dumps from it,
make both connections. In general, make both
connections for any device that needs to both send
and receive MIDI data.

MOTU

MIDI interface

rear panel

MIDI

OUT

MIDI

MIDI Device

Figure 2-4: Connecting additional devices with MIDI THRU ports.

IN

MIDI

THRU

MIDI

cable

MIDI IN

Additional device

10

INSTALLING YOUR MOTU INTERFACE

Installing Hardware Page 11 Wednesday, June 23, 1999 9:50 AM

MIDI CONNECTIONS WORKSHEET

Here’s a suggestion. If you have more than a few
pieces of gear connected to your MOTU MIDI
interface, jot down which device is connected to

Later on, you’ll enter this information into
FreeMIDI, which makes your MIDI devices appear
by name (rather than cable number) in the
software.

each input and output in the worksheet below.

MIDI IN MIDI OUT

11

22

33

44

55

66

77

88

INSTALLING YOUR MOTU INTERFACE

11

Installing Hardware Page 12 Wednesday, June 23, 1999 9:50 AM

SMPTE TIME CODE SYNC CONNECTIONS

Your MOTU MIDI interface is both a SMPTE time

converter

code
locks (slaves) to incoming longitudinal SMPTE
time code (LTC) and converts it to MIDI Time
Code (MTC) and reshaped LTC. As a generator, it
produces both LTC and MTC time code, either
running under its own internal clock or while
slaved to external time code (or other time base).

When making the SMPTE time code connections
described in the following sections, do not pass the
signal through any type of signal processing
equipment. Use shielded quarter-inch audio
cables.

For a complete explanation of synchronization, see
chapter 15, “Synchronization” (page 91) or
chapter 22, “Synchronization with the AV”
(page 139).

Connecting a SMPTE time code source

Connect any SMPTE time code
SMPTE timecode track on an analog multitrack
tape deck, to the SMPTE IN port on your MOTU
MIDI interface as shown in Figure 2-5. (For
information about recording time code tracks, see
“Striping SMPTE” on page 93.)

and

generator

. As a converter, it

source

, such as the

Connecting a SMPTE time code destination

Connect the SMPTE OUT port of your MOTU
MIDI interface to the SMPTE time code input of

destination

any

device that accepts SMPTE time
code as shown in Figure 2-6. For example, time
code can be recorded on an outside track of a
multitrack tape recorder so that everything can
subsequently be synchronized to the multitrack.
Other examples of a SMPTE time code destination
are systems that have the ability to slave to SMPTE
time code, such as stand-alone hard disk recording
systems, digital audio workstations, or automated
mixing consoles.

MOTU MIDI Interface
SMPTE OUT

Shielded, quar ter-inch audio cable

SMPTE or Audio in

Examples of a SMPTE

time code destinations

Analog audio tape recorder

Video tape recorder

Analog audio tape recorder Video tape recorder

Examples of a SMPTE

time code source

Audio or SMPTE out

MOTU MIDI Interface

SMPTE IN

Figure 2-5: Connecting a SMPTE time code source.

12

Figure 2-6: Connecting a SMPTE time code destination.

Shielded, quar ter-inch audio cable

INSTALLING YOUR MOTU INTERFACE

Installing Hardware Page 13 Wednesday, June 23, 1999 9:50 AM

CONNECTING A PEDAL OR FOOT SWITCH

If you would like to use a foot pedal or foot switch
with your MOTU MIDI interface, connect it as
shown below in Figure 2-7. For more information
about how a pedal input can be used, see
chapter 18, “Knobs and Pedals” (page 119).

For a MIDI Timepiece AV,

you can connect a pedal or foot switch to

either the Pedal A port on the rear panel or

the Pedal B port on the front panel.

For a MIDI Express XT-USB,
connect a pedal or foot
switch to the Pedal jack on
the front panel.

CONNECTING AN AUDIO CLICK SOURCE

If you would like to convert an audio click to MIDI,
connect the audio click source to the Pedal input as
using a shielded, quarter-inch audio cable as
shown below in Figure 2-8. For more information
about converting an audio tempo source (such as a
click, bass drum, tape deck signal, or other audio
tempo source) to MIDI, see “Converting an audio
click to MIDI” on page 88 or “Using an audio click
as a tempo source” on page 123.

On a MIDI Timepiece AV, only PEDAL A (on

☛

the rear panel) can be used for
click-to-MIDI conversion.

Examples of

audio click sources

Shielded
quarter-inch
audio cable

Click track

Drum machine

For a micro express USB, connect a pedal or foot
switch to the Pedal jack on the rear panel.

Figure 2-7: Connecting a foot switch or foot pedal.

INSTALLING YOUR MOTU INTERFACE

For a MIDI Timepiece AV, connect a pedal or foot
switch to the Pedal jack on the rear panel.

For a MIDI Express XT-USB,
connect an audio click
source to the Pedal jack on
the front panel.

For a micro express USB, connect an audio click
source to the Pedal jack on the rear panel.

Figure 2-8: Connecting an audio click input. Only the Pedal A input
on the rear panel of the MIDI Timepiece AV can be used as a click
input.

13

Installing Hardware Page 14 Wednesday, June 23, 1999 9:50 AM

CONNECTING ADATS

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

The MIDI Timepiece AV can serve as an ADAT
sync master device, providing sample-accurate
address and phase lock to one or more ADATs (or
other ADAT sync-compatible devices). ADAT sync
provides sample-accurate synchronizing and
locating between the MTP AV and all devices on
the ADAT sync chain.

Using the ADAT sync cable supplied with your
ADAT, connect the ADAT SYNC OUT of the MIDI
Timepiece AV to the SYNC IN port of the ADAT as
shown below in Figure 2-9. Don’t worry about
setting the ADAT device ID: the MTP AV sets it
automatically.

MIDI Timepiece AV

ADAT

sync cable

SYNC

IN

ADAT

CONNECTING VIDEO

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

The MIDI Timepiece AV can synchronize to any
incoming video signal, from a standard video tape
recorder (VTR) to distributed house sync
(blackburst). If your video source is a VTR of some
kind, the video signal from the VTR will need to be
distributed to both the MIDI Timepiece AV and
your video monitor. This can be accomplished
with the video thru jack found on some types of
video monitors as shown in Figure 2-11.

Video out

Video tape recorder

Video monitor

Video in

Video thru

Shielded BNC cables

Video sync in

Figure 2-9: Connecting an Alesis ADAT.

If you have several ADATs, you can chain the rest of
them to the one connected to the MIDI
Timepiece AV as shown below in Figure 2-10.

MIDI Timepiece AV

ADAT

sync cable

ADAT

Figure 2-10: Connecting multiple ADATs.

SYNC

IN

Sync In

Sync Out

Sync In

Sync Out

Sync In

Sync Out

etc.

ADAT

ADAT

SYNC OUT

port

ADAT

sync cables

MIDI Timepiece AV

Figure 2-11: Connecting video via the video thru of a video monitor.

If your video monitor does not support video thru,
use a video distribution amplifier to distribute the
source video signal to both the Timepiece AV and
the monitor as shown in Figure 2-12.

Video monitor

Video out

Video tape recorder

Video distribution amp

MIDI Timepiece AV

Figure 2-12: Connecting video via a video distribution amplifier.

Video in
Video out
Video out

Video in

Video sync in

14

INSTALLING YOUR MOTU INTERFACE

Installing Hardware Page 15 Wednesday, June 23, 1999 9:50 AM

CONNECTING WORD CLOCK

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

The MIDI Timepiece AV can serve as a word clock
sync master device, providing sample-accurate
phase lock for any standard word clock device.
Word clock allows you to resolve hard disk
recorders, digital tape decks, digital mixers and
other digital audio devices to video, SMPTE time
code, MIDI time code, or the MIDI Timepiece AV’s
internal audio clock.

In most situations, you’ll want to slave your word
clock device to the MIDI Timepiece AV with both
the word clock and SMPTE time code connections
shown below in Figure 2-13. In this scenario, the
word clock device follows the MIDI Timepiece AV
for transport control.

Word SYNC OUT SMPTE OUT

CONNECTING PRO TOOLS “SUPERCLOCK”

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

The MIDI Timepiece AV can serve as a Digidesign
Pro Tools “superclock” (256x word clock) sync
master device, providing sample-accurate phase
lock for any Pro Tools system. Like word clock,
super clock allows you to resolve Pro Tools to
video, SMPTE time code, MIDI time code, or the
MIDI Timepiece AV’s internal audio clock.

To slave your Pro Tools hardware to the MTP AV,
make the word sync connection shown below in
Figure 2-13.

MIDI Timepiece AV

WORD SYNC OUT

Shielded BNC cable

“SLAVE CLOCK’ IN or
SUPERCLOCK’ IN

Shielded BNC cable

Word clock IN SMPTE IN

Figure 2-13: Connecting a word clock device.

Shielded

audio cable

In the above example, if you wanted to use the
Yamaha 02R as the transport master, you would
reverse the SMPTE time code connection, feeding
SMPTE OUT of the mixer to SMPTE IN on the
MIDI Timepiece AV.

INSTALLING YOUR MOTU INTERFACE

Pro Tools audio interface

Figure 2-14: Connecting a word clock device.

15

Installing Hardware Page 16 Wednesday, June 23, 1999 9:50 AM

CONNECTING AN ALESIS LRC

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

The Pedal B jack on the front panel of the MIDI
Timepiece AV can serve as an input for the
Alesis LRC™ remote controller, or any device that
emulates the LRC, such as the Fostex Model 8312™
controller. Doing so gives you control of the MIDI
Timepiece AV (and all devices slaving to it) from
the LRC transport controls.

Alesis LRC

or similar device

Figure 2-15: Connecting an Alesis LRC remote controller (or any LRC­compatible MMC controller) to a MIDI Timepiece AV.

USING ‘FAST’ SERIAL MODE

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

This section only applies to a MIDI

☛

Timepiece AV connected to the computer via its
‘Mac’ serial port. ‘FAST’ mode does not apply a
MIDI Timepiece AV connected via USB.

alleviates irregular timing problems that occur
when too much data is being transmitted (a
situation commonly referred to as

☛

Please note: one drawback of FAST mode is
that it can cause system exclusive transfers to fail
because of the extremely high data density in the
message. If you will be using editor/librarian
software, or if you will be doing system exclusive
transfers with your sequencer, don’t set the MIDI
Timepiece AV to FAST mode; instead, skip this
section, leave it set to 1 MHz, and set your software
to 1 MHz as well.

FAST mode can cause MIDI communication

☛

problems between the MIDI Timepiece AV and
some Macintosh computers. If you experience
problems, try setting the MIDI Timepiece AV to
1 MHz.

To set the MIDI Timepiece AV to FAST mode:

1

Turn on the MIDI Timepiece AV.

MIDI logjam

).

☛

Only follow this section if you have Performer,
Digital Performer or other MIDI software that
supports the MIDI Timepiece AV’s FAST mode,
and you would like to use FAST mode. Otherwise,
leave your MIDI Timepiece AV set to ‘1 MHz’
mode (its factory default setting) and proceed to
“What next?” on page 17.

When a serially connected MIDI Timepiece AV
communicates with software on the computer in
FAST mode, the MIDI Timepiece AV sends and
receives data as fast as the Macintosh can. This rate
can be between approximately 2 and 4 times faster
than MIDI speed, depending on the model of the
Macintosh. Since the Macintosh sets the limit in
FAST mode, a fast Macintosh produces higher
throughput. As a result, the MIDI Timepiece AV
can sustain greater data throughput to and from all
8 MIDI input and output cables. Fast mode

2

Turn the WINDOW knob clockwise two clicks
to the right, or if necessary, turn it back and forth
until you see what is shown in Figure 2-16.

GLOBAL HARDWARE

SETUP E

Figure 2-16

3

Once you see Figure 2-16 in the display, turn the
CURSOR knob clockwise one click.

Now you should see what is shown below in
Figure 2-17, and the word “1 MHz” should be
blinking to indicate that it can be changed with the
VALUE knob.

16

INSTALLING YOUR MOTU INTERFACE

Installing Hardware Page 17 Wednesday, June 23, 1999 9:50 AM

MAC SPEED 1MHZ

D xmit to mac 1x E

Figure 2-17

4

Turn the VALUE knob clockwise one click, or if
necessary, turn it back and forth until you see the
word FAST as shown below in Figure 2-18.

MAC SPEED Fast

D xmit to mac 2x E

Figure 2-18

That’s it! The MIDI Timepiece AV will remember
this setting until you change it.

WHAT NEXT?

If you have several MOTU interfaces and need
to connect them all to the same computer...

MOTU’s latest line of USB interfaces can be mixed
and matched as a network using a standard USB
hub. If you have a MIDI Timepiece AV-USB, and
you also have an earlier model MIDI Timepiece,
you can connect it to your new MTP AV-USB as an
“expander”, doubling the number of MIDI inputs
and outputs. For details about networking
scenarios like these, turn to chapter 3, “Installing
Multiple Interfaces” (page 19).

If you don’t have multiple interfaces...

You’re ready to install software. Turn to chapter 4,
“Installing the MOTU USB Software” (page 23).

A Note about “xmit to Mac”

The MAC SPEED setting discussed in the previous
section controls how fast the Macintosh sends data

to the MIDI Timepiece AV

. The “xmit to mac”
indicator tells you just the opposite: how fast the
MIDI Timepiece AV sends data back

Macintosh

. “1x” means “one times the speed of

to the

MIDI”. “2x” means “two times the speed of MIDI”
— or twice as fast as standard MIDI speed. These
settings are hard-wired, and cannot be adjusted
from the LCD front panel.

INSTALLING YOUR MOTU INTERFACE

17

Installing Hardware Page 18 Wednesday, June 23, 1999 9:50 AM

18

INSTALLING YOUR MOTU INTERFACE

Installing a Network Page 19 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:48 PM

CHAPTER

3

Installing Multiple Interfaces

OVERVIEW

The USB (
you to connect multiple MOTU interfaces to a
single Macintosh. You can mix and match any
combination of MOTU USB interfaces to suit your
needs.

The MIDI Timepiece AV has several unique
networking features (not available with the
Express XT or micro express). The MIDI
Timepiece AV has a Network (“NET”) serial port
that allows you to connect a second MIDI
Timepiece or a third-party serial MIDI device. The
second of two networked MIDI Timepieces can be
connected to a second Macintosh.

Connecting multiple USB interfaces. . . . . . . . . .19

Networking two MIDI Timepieces . . . . . . . . . . .20

Installing a MIDI Timepiece network. . . . . . . . .20

Networking a serial MIDI device. . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Connecting a 2nd Macintosh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Universal Serial Bus

) specification allows

CONNECTING MULTIPLE USB INTERFACES

The USB (
many USB devices — theoretically up to 127 — to
be connected to a single computer. However, many
USB devices, including all MOTU USB interfaces,
reserve USB bandwidth, so the theoretical and
practical limits for MOTU interfaces are
considerably fewer. In theory, the maximum
number of MOTU USB interfaces you can connect
to one Macintosh is just over 30 interfaces.
Practically speaking, regardless of how slow or fast
your USB-equipped Macintosh is, you should be
able to connect upwards of 10 or more MOTU USB
MIDI interfaces to the Mac and still enjoy just as
much performance from each one as if it were the
only one connected. Just don’t try to run your USB
scanner or digital camera while playing back and
recording MIDI!

Universal Serial Bus

The flat, “Type A” USB plug on the
USB cable from each MOTU interface
connects to the USB hub.

) specification allows

Making network settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

What next? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Standard USB Hub

USB

cables

Figure 3-1: An in ex pensive, standard USB hub, such as the
machub4U™ shown above from Entrega, allows you to connect
multiple MOTU USB MIDI interfaces. You can even mix and match
different models of MOTU interfaces, using the combination that best
suites your needs for synchronization, number of MIDI ports, etc.

For further details about USB, visit www.usb.org.

19

Installing a Network Page 20 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:48 PM

To connect multiple MOTU interfaces to a
macintosh, you’ll need an inexpensive device called

USB Hub

a

(purchased separately from your
computer peripherals dealer). A USB Hub has
multiple Type A ports on it, usually between 4 and
7 ports, to which you connect multiple USB MIDI
interfaces as shown in Figure 3-1. Connect them to
the hub in the standard fashion, as if you were
connecting them directly to the computer. If
needed, you can connect multiple hubs to each
other to get enough USB ports for your multiple
MOTU USB interfaces.

NETWORKING TWO MIDI TIMEPIECES

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

The MIDI Timepiece AV-USB has a ‘NET’ serial
port that allows you to connect a second MIDI
Timepiece to it. The MIDI Timepiece AV-USB
then operates as ‘Box 1-8’ (MIDI ports 1 through

8), while the second MIDI Timepiece operates as
‘Box 9-16’. The two networked MIDI Timepieces
then operate together as a single interface with 16
MIDI IN ports and 16 MIDI OUT ports. The two
interfaces also operate as a seamless MIDI
network, allowing to route MIDI data from any
MIDI input to any combination of outputs on
either interface. In the software, they appear as one
device with 16 MIDI INs/OUTs.

You can network any model of MIDI Timepiece to
a MIDI Timepiece AV-USB. Here is a complete list:

■

MIDI Timepiece

INSTALLING A MIDI TIMEPIECE NETWORK

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

To network a second MIDI Timepiece to a MIDI
Timepiece AV-USB:

1

Connect the MIDI Timepiece AV-USB to your
computer via USB in the standard fashion, as
described in the previous chapter (or to a USB hub
as described in this chapter).

2

Connect the second MIDI Timepiece to the
‘NET’ serial port on the MTP AV-USB using a
standard AppleTalk serial cable (included with
your older model MIDI Timepiece or purchased
separately) as shown below in Figure 3-2.

USB-equipped

Macintosh

USB

cable

MIDI Timepiece AV-USB

Box 1-8

NET port

AppleTalk

Cable

MIDI Timepiece AV-USB, AV, II or I

Box 9-16

NET port

■

MIDI Timepiece II

■

MIDI Timepiece AV

■

MIDI Timepiece AV-USB

20

Figure 3-2: Ne tw or king a second MIDI Timepiece to a MIDI
Timepiece AV-USB via their network serial ports. The second MIDI
Timepiece can be an MTP AV, MTP I, MTP II or even another
MTP AV-USB. The Mac serial port on Box 9-16 can be optionally
connected to a serial port on a second Macintosh.

☛

Please note: never try to connect three

MTP AV’s directly to one another!

3

Proceed to “Making network settings” on
page 21, to make important network settings.

INSTALLING MULTIPLE INTERFACES

Installing a Network Page 21 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:48 PM

NETWORKING A SERIAL MIDI DEVICE

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

If you have a third-party serial MIDI device instead
of a second MIDI Timepiece, you can connect it to
the NET serial port on your MIDI Timepiece as
shown below.

USB-equipped

Macintosh

USB

cable

MIDI Timepiece AV-USB

NET port

AppleTalk

Cable

serial port

A third-party MIDI serial device

Figure 3-3: Connecting a MIDI serial device to the NET port.

You can do this with any MIDI device that is
designed to connect to a Macintosh serial port,
such as:

■

a regular “1 MHz” 16-channel MIDI interface

CONNECTING A 2ND MACINTOSH

When two MIDI Timepieces are networked
together as shown in Figure 3-2 on page 20, the
2nd MIDI Timepiece (box 9-16) has a free Mac
serial port, which can be connected to a second
Macintosh. Both computers have access to any
cable in the network. MIDI software can run on
both computers at the same time, and both
programs can send and receive MIDI data on the
network at the same time. The second Macintosh
in a network is optional.

To route data from one Mac to the other, see
“Computer port routing in a two-MTP setup” on
page 49.

MAKING NETWORK SETTINGS

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

After you have networked two MTP’s together,
their network connections and box ID’s must be set
using the front panel controls.

Begin by following the procedure below on the
MIDI Timepiece AV-USB that is connected to the
computer (box 1-8). Then repeat the procedure
with the second MIDI Timepiece (box 9-16):

1

Switch on the MTP AV that is connected

directly to the computer (box 1-8).

■

a MIDI keyboard or sound module that has a

built-in serial port for direct connection to the Mac

When you connect devices like these to the NET
port on the MIDI Timepiece AV, the NET port
essentially serves as an additional pair of MIDI
input/output jacks.

☛

Be sure to set the NET PORT setting in the
LCD of the MIDI Timepiece AV to “MAC” instead
of “MTP”. For details, see “Making network
settings” on page 21.

To route data to and from the Network port, see
“Making network port connections” on page 49.

INSTALLING MULTIPLE INTERFACES

When you switch on the MTP AV for the first time,
you’ll see the following in it’s LCD:

BASE-SETUP 1
BaseSetup 1 YE

Figure 3-4

2

Turn the WINDOW knob clockwise two clicks
to the right, or if necessary, turn it back and forth
until you see what is shown in Figure 3-5.

21

Installing a Network Page 22 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:48 PM

GLOBAL HARDWARE
SETUP E

6

Turn the VALUE KNOB to the setting that
describes what is connected to the network port on
this MIDI Timepiece.

Figure 3-5

3

Once you see Figure 3-5 in the display, turn the

CURSOR knob clockwise two clicks.

Now you should see what is shown below in
Figure 3-6, and the phrase “1–8” should be
blinking to indicate that it can be changed with the
VALUE knob.

THIS BOX ID 1-8

D NET PORT=MAC E

Figure 3-6

4

Choose the appropriate setting (1-8 or 9-16) by

turning the VALUE knob.

If you are currently setting up the first MIDI
Timepiece AV-USB in the network, choose 1-8. If
you are setting up the second MIDI Timepiece,
choose 9-16. Make sure that the box ID’s on two
networked MIDI Timepieces are never the same.
One MIDI Timepiece should always be set to

1-8

Box

and the other to Box

9-16

.

If this is connected Choose this

Nothing, a second computer, a third
party MIDI interface, or a serial port
device (such as a MIDI synth with a
serial port connector)

A MIDI Timepiece I, II, AV, or
AV-USB

MAC

MTP

You have completed the installation of a two-MTP
network.

WHAT NEXT?

You’re ready to install software. Turn to chapter 4,
“Installing the MOTU USB Software” (page 23).

5

Once you have chosen the correct box ID above,

turn the CURSOR knob clockwise one click.

Now the word “MAC” flashes to indicate that it can
be edited with the VALUE knob.

22

INSTALLING MULTIPLE INTERFACES

Installing Software Page 23 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:16 PM

CHAPTER

4

Installing the MOTU USB Software

OVERVIEW

Running the MOTU USB installer. . . . . . . . . . . .23

What does the installer do?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

FreeMIDI or OMS? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

FreeMIDI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

OMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

FreeMIDI and OMS separately. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

OMS, with FreeMIDI using OMS. . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Toggling FreeMIDI’s use of OMS. . . . . . . . . . . . .29

How the MOTU USB MIDI drivers work. . . . . .29

Where to go next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

RUNNING THE MOTU USB INSTALLER

Your MOTU interface requires several software
drivers. It also includes ClockWorks™, a setup
program that gives you convenient access to your
MOTU interface’s numerous features. Install all of
this software as follows:

1

Temporarily disable all system Extensions,
including virus protection utilities, before you
begin.

These utilities can interfere with installation. You
can temporarily disable them by restarting the
computer and holding down the shift key until you
see the message “Extensions off”, which appears
right after “Welcome to Macintosh”. They will turn
back on the next time you restart the computer.

2

Insert the MOTU USB MIDI CD-ROM and run
the installer. The installer is the icon called
“Double-click to install”. Just follow the directions
that the installer gives you.

WHAT DOES THE INSTALLER DO?

The installer checks the computer to make sure it
satisfies the minimum system requirements for
your MOTU interface. If so, the installer creates a
Folder on the hard disk containing a copy of
ClockWorks, the control software for your MOTU
interface. The installer also adds Mark of the
Unicorn’s FreeMIDI system extension to your
Macintosh System Folder. ClockWorks requires
FreeMIDI.

Even though the installer does everything for you,
it may be useful for you to know what files are
installed and where they go. The following table
provides a summary of the primary components of
the install. The information in this table is subject
to change. Check the installer itself under the

Custom

MOTU USB
software item What it is/does

ClockWorks™ An application that lets you to configure

MOTU
USB Driver

MOTU FreeMIDI
USB Driver

MOTU OMS
USB Driver

FreeMIDI
System
Extension

FreeMIDI Folder This folder is placed in your System Folder

FreeMIDI
Applications
Folder

install option for further information.

and program your MOTU interface.

A system extension that allows the Macin­tosh to talk to your MOTU interface.

Goes in the FreeMIDI Folder inside your
System Folder.

Goes in the OMS Folder inside your System
Folder.

This system extension is placed in your Sys­tem Folder and serves as an integrated
MIDI operating system for all FreeMIDI­compatible software. It is required by
ClockWorks, even if you plan to use OMS
instead of FreeMIDI.

and contains files that are required by Free­MIDI.

This folder is placed on the top level of your
hard disk. It contains several programs that
help you configure FreeMIDI.

23

Installing Software Page 24 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:16 PM

FREEMIDI OR OMS?

FreeMIDI and OMS are industry standard MIDI
System Extensions for Mac OS. They allow MIDI
software to talk to your MOTU interface and the
devices connected to it.

FreeMIDI is included in your MOTU USB interface
software installation. OMS is available as a free web
download at www.opcode.com.

Which one should you use? If you are not sure, the
table below can help you decide:

If you use this Choose this

MOTU software only FreeMIDI only

Non-MOTU, OMS-compatible
software only

Both MOTU and OMS-compatible
software, running separately

Both MOTU and OMS-compatible
software, running together

Regardless of what you decide, you’ll need to
configure FreeMIDI and/or OMS for your new
MOTU USB MIDI interface. Refer to the section
below that applies to you.

FreeMIDI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

OMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

FreeMIDI and OMS separately . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

OMS, with FreeMIDI using OMS . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

OMS only

FreeMIDI and
OMS separately

OMS, with
FreeMIDI using
OMS

FREEMIDI

For existing FreeMIDI users

If you’re adding a new MOTU interface to a
USB-equipped Mac that already has FreeMIDI
installed, be sure to run the MOTU USB MIDI
software installer as described at the beginning of
this chapter to update FreeMIDI. Then simply run

FreeMIDI Setup

will automatically appear in your current
FreeMIDI configuration. If it doesn’t, make sure it’s
turned on and check cables.

For new FreeMIDI users

If you haven’t previously installed and used
FreeMIDI on your Macintosh, follow this simple
procedure:

1

Make sure that your MOTU interface is

connected and powered up.

2

Locate the
hard drive. During installation, it is placed in the
FreeMIDI Applications folder on the top level of
your hard drive.

3

Double-click the
icon to launch the program.

4

If this is the very first time you’ve run a
FreeMIDI program on this computer, and you
happen to have OMS installed in the computer,
you’ll see the dialog below.

. Your new MOTU USB interface

FreeMIDI Setup

FreeMIDI Setup

program on you

application

24

5

Since this is the procedure for using FreeMIDI,
click the

FreeMIDI

INSTALLING THE MOTU USB SOFTWARE

button.

Installing Software Page 25 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:16 PM

After the initial splash screen, the

FreeMIDI

6

dialog box appears as shown below.

Click Continue. The

About Quick Setup

Welcome to

dialog

appears.

7

Click Continue again and you’ll see the

window below. You should see your MOTU

Setup

Quick

USB MIDI interface in the list on the right-hand
side.

8

If you are in a hurry, you can just click

Done

and
proceed to the next section, “Saving the FreeMIDI
Configuration”.

Figure 4-2: An example of a bare-bones FreeMIDI Configuration —
with a MIDI Timepiece AV in this example. This is the minimum setup
you need to run ClockWorks and other FreeMIDI software with your
MOTU interface.

9

If, however, you would like your Mark of the
Unicorn MIDI software programs to display the
names of the MIDI devices connected to your
MIDI interface, you can use the Quick Setup dialog
in Figure 4-1 to identify them by their
manufacturer and model names. If you can’t find
one of your devices by name in the pop-up menu
lists, just use the “other” designation for now. You
can rename the device in the next step. When you
are finished with the Quick Setup window, click

Done

, and the FreeMIDI Configuration window

appears.

Figure 4-1: You should see your MOTU inter face by name in the list on
the right.

INSTALLING THE MOTU USB SOFTWARE

25

Installing Software Page 26 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:16 PM

Figure 4-3: A FreeMIDI Configuration window with MIDI devices. Click
a device name to change it. The devices here appear automatically in
various ClockWorks windows. To add a device, use the Create Device
or Quick Setup commands in the Configuration menu. To delete a
device, click it and press the delete key.

If you indicated what devices are connected to your
MOTU interface, your configuration will look
something like Figure 4-3 after you position the
MIDI device icons as desired.

Saving the FreeMIDI Configuration

Once you have a FreeMIDI configuration, you’ll
want to save it to disk so that you don’t have to
configure FreeMIDI for your studio again.

To save your configuration:

2

Use the suggested name “FreeMIDI
Configuration” or enter another name for your
configuration, if you like. Use the directory pop-up
menu to navigate to a disk and folder in which you

Save

wish to save this configuration. Click

Cancel

to cancel the operation.

or click

Quitting FreeMIDI Setup

Once you’ve saved your configuration file, you are
now ready to use the ClockWorks. You do not need
keep FreeMIDI Setup open. The only time you
need to open FreeMIDI Setup is when you would
like to make changes to your FreeMIDI studio
configuration. You can re-open FreeMIDI Setup at
any time.

Learning more about FreeMIDI

This chapter only covered FreeMIDI bare
essentials to get your MOTU interface running. If
you have Performer, Digital Performer, Mosaic,
FreeStyle, or Unisyn, consult their manuals to learn
more about the many other great FreeMIDI
features that support these programs.

Completing your MOTU interface installation

To complete your MOTU interface installation,
proceed now to “Where to go next” on page 30.

1

Choose Save from the File menu. Alternately,

you can type command-S on your Mac keyboard.

A standard Macintosh File Save dialog box opens.

26

INSTALLING THE MOTU USB SOFTWARE

Installing Software Page 27 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:16 PM

OMS

The software installation for your MOTU USB
MIDI interface (described at the beginning of this
chapter) detects OMS if it is present in your system
and places the MOTU USB OMS driver in the
appropriate place. To activate your MOTU
interface in OMS, follow this simple procedure:

1

Launch OMS Setup.

2

If this is the first time you’ve run OMS Setup,
follow the directions it gives you to successfully
create a studio setup.

3

From the Studio menu, choose

interfaces

.

MIDI cards &

5

Click

Search

.

On a USB Macintosh, you don’t need to check

☛

either of the serial port check boxes in this window
because your MOTU USB interface is not
connected to a serial port.

Your MOTU Interface will appear in your Studio
Setup window, as demonstrated below.

If your MOTU interface does not appear,

☛

check power and cables and try again.

You’ll see the following alert.

4

Click Update Setup.

You’ll see the following dialog.

Figure 4-4: A MOTU interface in the OMS studio setup window.

6

Save your OMS Setup.

7

Add devices to your OMS interface in OMS

Setup.

Consult the on-line documentation included with
OMS for further information about adding devices
to your MOTU interface in the Studio Setup
window and other related tasks.

Completing your MOTU interface installation

To complete your MOTU interface installation,
proceed now to “Where to go next” on page 30.

INSTALLING THE MOTU USB SOFTWARE

27

Installing Software Page 28 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:16 PM

FREEMIDI AND OMS SEPARATELY

If you plan to use both FreeMIDI and OMS
separately, set up OMS as you normally would (see
OMS’s included on-line documentation for
assistance) and then follow this procedure for
FreeMIDI:

1

Make sure that your MOTU interface is

connected and powered up.

2

Locate the
hard drive. During installation, it is placed in the
FreeMIDI Applications folder on the top level of
your hard drive.

3

Double-click the
icon to launch the program.

4

If this is the very first time you’ve run a
FreeMIDI program on this computer, you’ll be
asked if you want to use FreeMIDI or OMS as
shown below.

FreeMIDI Setup

FreeMIDI Setup

program on you

application

OMS, WITH FREEMIDI USING OMS

If you plan to use both FreeMIDI and OMS
together, set up OMS as you normally would (see
OMS’s included on-line documentation for
assistance) and then follow this procedure for
FreeMIDI:

1

Make sure that your MOTU interface is

connected and powered up.

2

Locate the
hard drive. During installation, it is placed in the
FreeMIDI Applications folder on the top level of
your hard drive.

3

Double-click the
icon to launch the program.

4

If this is the very first time you’ve run a
FreeMIDI program on this computer, you’ll be
asked if you want to use FreeMIDI or OMS as
shown below.

FreeMIDI Setup

FreeMIDI Setup

program on you

application

5

Since this is the procedure for using FreeMIDI

separately from OMS, click FreeMIDI.

6

Proceed to Step 6 on page 25 and continue from

there to complete the FreeMIDI setup.

28

5

Since this is the procedure for OMS with

OMS

FreeMIDI using OMS, click the

6

Go to “OMS” on page 27 and follow the

button.

procedure for using OMS.

☛

If you don’t see the dialog above when you run
FreeMIDI Setup, refer to “Toggling FreeMIDI’s use
of OMS” on page 29.

INSTALLING THE MOTU USB SOFTWARE

Installing Software Page 29 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:16 PM

TOGGLING FREEMIDI’S USE OF OMS

If you have OMS, you can make FreeMIDI use it or
stop using it as follows:

1

Launch FreeMIDI Setup.

2

Choose

menu.

3

Check or uncheck the OMS option as shown

below.

FreeMIDI Preferences

from the File

HOW THE MOTU USB MIDI DRIVERS WORK

You don’t need to know this, but just in case you’re
wondering how your FreeMIDI and OMS
compatible software actually “talks” to your
MOTU USB interface, the diagram below
illustrates how. The FreeMIDI and OMS drivers
shown below belong in the FreeMIDI and OMS
folders in the System Folder. (The installer puts
them there.)

FreeMIDI compatible

MIDI software

FreeMIDI and

OMS talk to

your MIDI

programs.

The drivers

talk to OMS

and FreeMIDI.

OMS-compatible

MIDI software

INSTALLING THE MOTU USB SOFTWARE

The system extension talks to
the OMS and FreeMIDI drivers.

The hardware talks to
the system extension.

Figure 4-5: The USB drivers for your MOTU USB interface establish
communication between the interface hardware and your FreeMIDI
and OMS compatible MIDI software.

29

Installing Software Page 30 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:16 PM

WHERE TO GO NEXT

Where you go next depends, of course, on what
you would like to do.

If you want to learn the front panel controls...

Turn to the chapter below that applies to you:

■

For the MIDI Express XT or micro express, see

chapter 13, “Working with Presets” (page 77).

■

For the MIDI Timepiece AV, see chapter 17,

“Using Front Panel LCD” (page 103).

If you want to start using MIDI software with
your new MOTU interface...

All MOTU interfaces have factory default settings
that allow your FreeMIDI or OMS compatible
software to communicate with all MIDI devices
connected to the interface. So from here, you can
turn to your software documentation to get
started. If you haven’t created devices in your
FreeMIDI (or OMS) setup as demonstrated in
Figure 4-3 on page 26, do so now before you begin
using your MIDI programs.

If you want to program your interface with
ClockWorks...

ClockWorks is the software “front end” for the
features in your MOTU interface. It allows you to
configure and program the powerful MIDI routing
and processing features in the interface. You can
graphically make direct routings from inputs and
outputs, stripe SMPTE time code, create and save

setups

interface

(which consist of the entire internal
configuration of the interface), set up the pedal
inputs, or other tasks.See chapter 6, “ClockWorks”
(page 37) for details.

30

INSTALLING THE MOTU USB SOFTWARE

Performer/Digital Performer Page 31 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 2:16 PM

CHAPTER

5

Using Performer & Digital Performer

OVERVIEW

Performer and Digital Performer allow you to take
full advantage of the powerful MIDI I/O, synchro­nization, and MIDI Machine control features of
your MOTU MIDI interface/synchronizer.

For clarity, the name
in this chapter to refer to both Performer and
Digital Performer, except where otherwise noted.

Digital Performer

will be used

IMPORTANT NOTE!

Digital Performer 2.6 (and higher) has been

☛

specially programmed to support the advanced
features of USB, including “hot-swapping”
(bringing devices off-line and on-line on the fly)
and expanded systems consisting of multiple
MOTU interfaces. If you are using an older version
of Digital Performer or Performer, keep your
MOTU USB interface turned on and connected at
all times to avoid problems with your older MOTU
software. Contact Mark of the Unicorn about
upgrading.

MIDI INPUT AND OUTPUT

Once you’ve configured FreeMIDI or OMS to use
your MOTU MIDI interface/synchronizer, and
you’ve created and saved a FreeMIDI or OMS
studio setup that shows all MIDI devices that are
connected to it as described in chapter 4,
“Installing the MOTU USB Software” (page 23),
those devices will appear in Digital Performer’s
MIDI input and output menus as shown below.

FOR ALL MOTU INTERFACE MODELS

MIDI input and output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Slaving Digital Performer to SMPTE . . . . . . . . .32

MIDI Machine Control (MMC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

FOR MIDI TIMEPIECE AV USERS

ADAT sync . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Sample-accurate sync with a 2408. . . . . . . . . . . .34

Word clock sync. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Slaving Pro Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Using FAST mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Figure 5-1: The devi ces i n your FreeMIDI or OMS studio setup
connected to your MOTU MIDI interface will automatically appear as
MIDI sources and destinations in Digital Performer’s MIDI I/O menus.

31

Performer/Digital Performer Page 32 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 2:16 PM

SLAVING DIGITAL PERFORMER TO SMPTE

To slave Performer or Digital Performer to SMPTE
time code (LTC) via your MOTU MIDI interface
and synchronizer:

1

In Performer or Digital Performer, choose

Receive Sync

2

Make sure the

, or the name of the interface, or the serial port

Port

the interface is connected to, if any.

3

Set the
frame format that matches the format you are
converting with your MOTU interface.

from the Basics menu.

Sync to port

Ty pe of Sy nc

to MTC. Choose the SMPTE

menu is set to

Any

central time code “hub” for all of the devices in
your studio, allowing you play, stop, and cue them
all directly from Digital Performer.

Performer or Digital Performer

MIDI Time Code (MTC)

MIDI Machine Control (MMC)

SMPTE (LTC)

Examples of

devices that can

slave to time code

Akai DR8

Figure 5-3: Your MOTU MIDI interface/synchronizer can serve as a
time code “hub” while you control it from Digital Performer via MMC
transport commands.

MOTU MIDI interface

MIDI Time Code (MTC)

Roland VS-880

Figure 5-2: In Per former’s receive sync dialog, choose MTC and
choose the SMPTE frame format that matches the setting in your
MOTU MIDI interface (which should also match the time code).

MIDI MACHINE CONTROL (MMC)

Performer (version 5.0 or higher) and Digital
Performer (version 1.5 or higher) both have the
ability to serve as a MIDI Machine Control
transport master for any MMC device in your
studio, allowing you to play, stop, and cue the
device from Performer’s transport controls.

Your MOTU MIDI interface/synchronizer has the
ability to serve as a MMC transport slave to Digital
Performer, while at the same time generating time
code for other devices in your studio. In doing so,
your MOTU interface/synchronizer becomes a

How you configure Performer or Digital Performer
depends for MMC on what version you have. Refer
to the section below that applies to you.

Performer 6.0/Digital Performer 2.0

Performer 6.0 (or later) and Digital Performer 2.0
(or later) automatically handle all of the MIDI
Machine Control window setup chores for your
MOTU MIDI interface/synchronizer when it is
detected in your FreeMIDI or OMS setup.

Turn on
MMC here.

Make sure the
MOTU inter­face/synchro­nizer is
Online.

Figure 5-4: Performer 6.0 and Digital Performer 2.0 (or later)
automatically configure their MIDI Machine Control window when a
MOTU MIDI interface/synchronizer is present in the current FreeMIDI
configuration. They automatically detect the interface/synchro­nizer’s MMC device ID.

32

USING PERFORMER & DIGITAL PERFORMER

Performer/Digital Performer Page 33 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 2:16 PM

Performer 5.5/Digital Performer 1.71 or earlier

Performer 5.5 and Digital Performer 1.71 require a
few simple additional setup procedures. First, you
need to create an extra device in FreeMIDI as
shown in Figure 5-5 below that has the MMC
properties of your MOTU MIDI interface/
synchronizer. The only requirements for this
device are:

■

It must have the “MIDI Machine” property

assigned to it

■

It must be connected bidirectionally to one of
the ports on the MOTU interface (it doesn’t matter
which one)

■

It must match the Device ID of the MOTU MIDI
interface/synchronizer itself

In Performer or Digital Performer, make sure the
that MIDI Machine Control is turned on (with the
arrow button between the Mac and the tape deck)
and that the MOTU MIDI interface/synchronizer
device is Online.

Turn on
MMC here.

Make sure the
MOTU inter­face is Online.

Ignore this
message; it
doesn’t apply to
the interface.

Figure 5-6: Setting up the MOTU MIDI interface/synchronizer in the
MIDI Machine Control window of Performer 5.5 or Digital Performer

1.71 (or earlier). (If you have versions 6.0 or 2.0, respectively, or later,
see Figure 5-4.) Make sure that MIDI Machine Control is turned on
and that the MOTU interface/synchronizer device is Online. You don’t
need to assign any tracks to the MOTU MIDI interface/synchronizer
device.

MMC control of record functions

For information about setting up remote control of
the record functions of MMC devices connected to
the MOTU interface/synchronizer, see your
Performer or Digital Performer manual.

Figure 5-5: Impo rtant note: only use the setup shown here for
Performer 5.5 or Digital Performer 1.71 (or earlier). Don’t use it for
later versions. For Performer 5.5 or Digital Performer 1.71 (or earlier),
create a extra MOTU interface/synchronizer as shown here in
FreeMIDI that has the same MMC properties as the MOTU MIDI inter­face/synchronizer. The name of the device doesn’t matter. It must,
however, be connected bidirectionally to one of the MOTU interface
ports (it doesn’t matter which one). It also must have the MIDI
Machine property, and the Device ID must match the ID in the MOTU
interface itself. The MOTU interface’s factory default Device ID is 20.

USING PERFORMER & DIGITAL PERFORMER

Enabling MMC in Digital Performer

Once you have made the preparations outlined in
the previous sections, you are ready to enable
MMC control between Performer and the MOTU
MIDI interface/synchronizer. For complete details,
see your Performer Reference Manual. For
convenience, below is a brief summary. These
directions apply to any version of Performer and
Digital Performer discussed in this chapter:

1

Turn on the MMC control button as shown in

Figure 5-4 (or Figure 5-6).

2

As shown in Figure 5-2, open Performer’s
Receive Sync dialog (Basics menu) and prepare
Performer to slave to MIDI Time Code (MTC) at
the desired frame rate (which needs to match the
MOTU MIDI interface/synchronizer’s frame rate).

33

Performer/Digital Performer Page 34 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 2:16 PM

3

Set the SMPTE start time for the sequence

(using the button in the main counter as usual).

Now, just cue Performer anywhere you like and
press play. This sends a play command to the
MOTU MIDI interface/synchronizer, which starts
the MMC slave device and begins sending time
code to Performer, syncing everything together.
You can stop, play, and cue anywhere you like in
Performer and your MMC slave device will chase,
play and record accordingly.

Turn on
MMC here.

Make sure
the MTP AV
is Online.

These appear
automatically.

Figure 5-7: Performer 5.5 and Digital Performer 2.0 (or later)
automatically and continuously scan the AV ’s ADAT Sync Out port for
any connected ADATs (or ADAT-compatible recorders).

Routing Time Code to Other Devices

Once you have successfully established MMC
control of the MOTU interface/synchronizer as
described in this chapter, you can route MIDI Time
Code (MTC) from the MOTU MIDI interface/
synchronizer to other devices in your studio to
control them remotely from Performer via the
interface, as shown in Figure 5-3 on page 32. For
more information, see “The MTC In and MTC Out
connections” on page 49.

ADAT SYNC

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

Performer 5.5 (or later) and Digital Performer 2.0
(or later) automatically and continually scan the
MIDI Timepiece AV for the presence of ADATs
(any model) or other ADAT SYNC-compatible
devices, such as the Fostex RD-8, connected to the
MIDI Timepiece AV’s ADAT Sync Out port. If
Digital Performer detects one, a row of eight
record-enable buttons automatically appears in the
MIDI Timepiece AV panel in the MMC window, as
shown below in Figure 5-7. These record buttons
give you remote control of the record-enable
functions of the ADAT. If Performer detects more
than one ADAT, it will add another row of 8 buttons
for each additional ADAT that it detects. Performer
continually scans for ADATs, so if you disconnect
one, Performer will adjust the buttons shown in the
MMC window after a moment or so.

MMC control of ADAT record functions

In Performer 5.5 (or later) and Digital Performer

2.0 (or later), you can remotely control MMC
features of ADATs in standard fashion as described
in the MIDI Machine Control chapter of your
Performer Reference Manual. For example, you
can record-enable ADAT tracks in the MIDI
Machine Control window and set auto punch
points via the AutoRecord button in Digital
Performer’s main transport controls.

SAMPLE-ACCURATE SYNC WITH A 2408

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

For details about setting up your 2408 hard disk
recording system for sample-accurate synchroni­zation between Digital Performer any ADATs
connected to the 2408, see “Slaving a MOTU 2408
system” on page 145. Sample-accurate sync allows
you to make digital transfers between Digital
Performer and ADATs (or any ADAT-SYNC
compatible devices connected to the MIDI
Timepiece AV). In other words, you can transfer
audio back and forth between Digital Performer
and ADATs as many times as you like and they
won’t drift by even one sample.

34

USING PERFORMER & DIGITAL PERFORMER

Performer/Digital Performer Page 35 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 2:16 PM

Figure 5-8: When you’re working with ADATs and a 2408 hard disk
recording system, use sample-accurate sync in Performer’s receive
sync dialog.

WORD CLOCK SYNC

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

To synchronize Digital Performer with a word
clock device connected to the MIDI Timepiece AV,
make the connections shown in Figure 2-13 on
page 15. In this scenario, Digital Performer slaves
to MIDI Time Code (MTC) from the MIDI
Timepiece AV. So follow the directions earlier in
this chapter in “Slaving Digital Performer to
SMPTE” on page 32.

If the word clock device slaved to the MIDI
Timepiece AV also has the ability to slave to
SMPTE time code, you can set up Digital
Performer to be the transport master of the entire
rig as explained in “MIDI Machine Control
(MMC)” on page 32 and “Routing Time Code to
Other Devices” on page 34.

Digidesign hardware slaves via the “superclock”
word clock connection between the MIDI
Timepiece AV and the Digidesign hardware.

To slave Digital Performer and Pro Tools to the
MIDI Timepiece AV:

1

Connect the “Word Sync out” of the MIDI
Timepiece AV to the “Slave Clock input” of your
Digidesign audio interface. as shown in
Figure 2-14 on page 15.

2

In the front panel LCD of the MIDI
Timepiece AV, use the WINDOW knob to go to the
SMPTE/SYNC menu, and use the CURSOR and
VALUE knobs to set the sample rate as desired
(44.1K or 48K) and set the clock format to DIGI
(instead of 1X).

3

Make the other settings in the SMPTE/SYNC
menu as desired.

You can slave your rig to VIDEO, LTC, MTC, or the
MIDI Timepiece AV’s INTERNAL clock. If you are
using INTERNAL, you’ll also need to set up MMC
control between your sequencer and the MTP AV
as described in “Using computer software as an
MMC controller” on page 156.

4

Slave Digital Performer to MTC as described in
“Slaving Digital Performer to SMPTE” on page 32.

5

Uncheck

the Sync Audio to Timecode command

in the Basics menu.

SLAVING PRO TOOLS

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

If you have Digidesign hardware that can slave to
Digidesign’s “superclock”, such as Pro Tools III or
Pro Tools|24, you can achieve the highest quality
synchronization possible. In this scenario, Digital
Performer slaves to MIDI Time Code, while your

USING PERFORMER & DIGITAL PERFORMER

This turns off Digital Performer’s software
synchronization, which is not necessary with the
hardware sync provided by the MIDI
Timepiece AV (which is far superior).

When configuring DAE (in the Basics menu),

☛

not

change the

do
Leave it set to

Sync mode

Internal

option to

Digital

,

! Your Digidesign hardware

35

Performer/Digital Performer Page 36 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 2:16 PM

will automatically switch to Slave mode when you
connect the BNC word clock cable to its
“superclock” input.

USING FAST MODE

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

This section only applies to a MIDI

☛

Timepiece AV connected to the computer via its
‘Mac’ serial port. ‘FAST’ mode does not apply a
MIDI Timepiece AV connected via USB.

If your MIDI Timepiece AV is connected to your
Macintosh via the modem or printer serial port,
you’ll want to take advantage of FreeMIDI’s
support for the MIDI Timepiece AV fast data
transfer rate. This provides better throughput from
Performer or Digital Performer running on the
Macintosh to all of the MIDI devices connected to
the MIDI Timepiece AV. For details, see “Using
‘FAST’ serial mode” on page 16.

36

USING PERFORMER & DIGITAL PERFORMER

ClockWorks Basics Page 37 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:19 PM

CHAPTER

6

ClockWorks

OVERVIEW

This chapter introduces ClockWorks™, the console
software for all MOTU MIDI interface/
synchronizer hardware products. ClockWorks lets
you configure and program your MOTU interface/
synchronizer, taking full advantage of its many
advanced features.

FOR ALL USERS

Opening ClockWorks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

If your MOTU interface doesn’t appear . . . . . . .38

The Device List window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

ClockWorks basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Obtaining the ROM version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Memory meter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Working With Files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Device Settings & Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Channel Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Muting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Sync and MIDI Machine Control. . . . . . . . . . . . .59

SMPTE Reader. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Utilities Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

FOR EXPRESS XT & MICRO EXPRESS USERS

Working with Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

OPENING CLOCKWORKS

After setting up FreeMIDI or OMS as described in
chapter 4, “Installing the MOTU USB Software”
(page 23), follow the procedure below to ensure
that it has successfully established communication
with your MOTU interface.

You might want to double-check to make sure

☛

that your MOTU interface is switched on before
you launch ClockWorks. This ensures smooth
hand-shaking between ClockWorks and the
interface.

1

Double-click the ClockWorks icon.

After you launch ClockWorks, the software and
hardware perform a handshaking operation to
establish communication. This may take a brief
moment, and the lights on the front panel of your
MOTU interface will flicker during this period. If
the handshake is successful, ClockWorks will open,
and its menu bar appears with the File, Edit,
Windows, and Utilities menus. If this is the first
time you’ve opened ClockWorks, you should also
see the Device List window, as shown below in
Figure 6-1. If not, you can open it by choosing it
from the Windows menu.

Working with a Foot Pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

FOR MIDI TIMEPIECE AV USERS

Knobs and Pedals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119

Setups and Modifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127

Patches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133

MIDI Cannon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137

Figure 6-1: The Device List window shows what MOTU interface were
detected by ClockWorks when it opens.

37

ClockWorks Basics Page 38 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:19 PM

IF YOUR MOTU INTERFACE DOESN’T
APPEAR

If your MOTU interface doesn’t show up in the
Device List, check the following things:

■

Your MOTU interface is turned off. Power it up

and choose

■

A MOTU interface is not connected to the Mac,

Verify Network

or it is connected improperly. Make sure your cable
connection(s) to the interface match Figure 2-1
and Figure 2-2 on page 9. Then click Try Again.

■

Open FreeMIDI Setup or OMS Setup and make
sure that the interface is present in your current
studio setup. If not, scan for it as explained in

2

If you make any adjustments to your hardware,

choose

Verify Network

make the ClockWorks scan the network again.

Alternately, you can press command-N. You can
continue to make adjustments and verify the
network until the Device List window matches
your MOTU interface setup.

from the Utilities menu.

from the Utilities menu to

Working with several MOTU devices

ClockWorks serves as the control center for all
MOTU interface and synchronizer products,
including the Digital Timepiece synchronizer. If
you have several MOTU devices, they will all
appear in the Device List (once ClockWorks has
established communication with them).

When you’re working with several MOTU devices,
ClockWorks needs to know which device you want
to work with at the moment. You indicate this by
opening the Device List from the Windows menu
and clicking the name of the device you want to
control. This make the windows and menus of
ClockWorks apply to the currently selected device.
If a menu item or other item does not apply to the
device, it becomes grayed out.

3

Once you have verified the presence of your
MOTU interface/synchronizer, you are ready to
begin using the other features in ClockWorks.

THE DEVICE LIST WINDOW

ClockWorks serves as the “control center” for your
MOTU interface. The Device List window is one of
the most important windows because it shows you
the current state of communication with your
MOTU interface.

If ClockWorks has detected and established
normal communication with your interface, it
appears by name as shown in Figure 6-1 on
page 37.

If your MOTU interface is off-line (switched off or
temporarily disconnected), its icon will become
grayed out.

38

Figure 6-2: The Devi ce List lets you control which device you are
working with in ClockWorks when you have several pieces of Mark of
the Unicorn gear. Click the name of device to select it. The settings of
the currently selected device appear in all of ClockWork’s windows.

CLOCKWORKS BASICS

In explaining how to use ClockWorks, this chapter
assumes that you are already familiar with the
standard Macintosh user interface conventions,
such as how to select options using check boxes
and radio buttons, how to type and edit text, and so
forth.

Overall look and feel

The ClockWorks “look and feel” is modeled after
Mark of the Unicorn’s award-winning Performer
sequencing program. Several aspects of this
interface, including mini-menus, are explained
later in this chapter. Even if you are familiar with

CLOCKWORKS

ClockWorks Basics Page 39 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:19 PM

Performer’s conventions and appearance, we
suggest that you skim this chapter to learn about
features that are unique to ClockWorks.

The following sections cover several important,
unique characteristics about ClockWorks.

Windows

Most of the features in ClockWorks are presented
to you in windows opened from the Windows
menu. The Utilities menu contains several
additional commands which are described in
chapter 12, “Utilities Menu” (page 73).

After you open a window, you can position it
anywhere on the screen. It will remember this
location. In several windows, the name of the
current base setup or modifier is displayed in
parentheses in the title bar of the window to clearly
indicate which base setup the settings apply to.

Mini-menus

Most of the ClockWorks windows have mini­menus, which are located in the title bar of the
window at the left-hand side next to the close
triangle. A mini-menu acts just like a Macintosh
main menu except that it provides commands that
are specific to its own window.

Radio buttons

Although ClockWorks radio buttons look unique,
they behave just like standard Macintosh radio
buttons. Radio buttons work such that you can
only select one of the given choices; if you click a
new button, the previously chosen one will
deselect.

Figure 6-4: ClockWorks radio buttons.

Check boxes

Check boxes are also a bit different. You can select
any combination of them.

Figure 6-5: A ClockWorks check box.

Push buttons

ClockWorks push buttons look different from but
function the same way as standard push buttons.

Figure 6-3: A mini-menu

Buttons

Every time you click a button in a ClockWorks
window, ClockWorks sends a corresponding
command to your MOTU interface/synchronizer.
Therefore, the buttons in the window always reflect
the state of the interface hardware.

CLOCKWORKS

Check box grid

The Event Muting window displays an entire grid
of check boxes, like this:

Figure 6-6: A check box grid.

39

ClockWorks Basics Page 40 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:19 PM

The grid consists of check boxes placed edge to
edge in rows and columns. The rows and columns
are arranged into groups of four for clarity. A check
box in the grid represents a connection between its
row and column numbers.

Check boxes in a grid function the same way as
regular check boxes. In addition, we have added
several shortcuts that you will find extremely useful
when using the grids. To select several adjacent
boxes, click and drag. To select an entire column,
click the column number. Similarly, to select an
entire row, click the row name.

To deselect an entire row or column, click the name
or number again. The row will only deselect if all
boxes in it are selected.

Text boxes

There are text boxes throughout ClockWorks for
typing in things like MIDI channel numbers, etc.
However, in addition to typing in the standard
fashion, ClockWorks also lets you drag vertically to
change the value. Just click on the current number
in the box and drag vertically.

Using ClockWorks with multiple interfaces

ClockWorks provides many windows that control
various aspects of a single MOTU interface.

When you have two or more MOTU interfaces
connected to your Mac, you need to choose which
one you are controlling with the software. There
are two ways to choose:

■

Click the MIDI Timepiece icon in the Device List

window.

OR

■

Choose the MIDI Timepiece name using the Box

Select command in the Utilities menu.

For example, if you want to set up the Pedal A input
of your MIDI Timepiece AV, you need to select that
MIDI Timepiece in the Device List window before
you go to the Pedals & Knobs window to make your
settings. The currently selected device highlights.

Working with a MIDI Timepiece I or II

If you have a MIDI Timepiece I or II networked to
your MIDI Timepiece AV, you can use ClockWorks
to access virtually all of the original MIDI
Timepiece’s features. To do so, click the icon of the
MIDI Timepiece AV in the Device List window and
then use the features in ClockWorks’s windows to
do what you need to do.

When an original MIDI Timepiece is selected

☛

in the Device List window, features that are not
supported by it (such as freewheeling in the
SMPTE Controls window) are greyed out to
indicate that they are not available. To reactivate
them click on a MIDI Timepiece AV or other
interface that supports those features in the Device
List window.

Understanding the interaction between the
software and hardware

ClockWorks always reflects the current state of
your MOTU interface/synchronizer. At least, it

should

. If, at any time, you suspect that the
windows in the software don’t accurately reflect
what’s going on in the hardware for some reason,
choose

Verify Network

from the Utilities menu.
Doing so reestablishes communication between
the software and hardware, and the software gets
updated to the current state of the hardware.

When communication is successfully established,
changes you make in ClockWorks are immediately
reflected in the hardware.

Likewise, when you select a preset (or MIDI
Timepiece AV base setup) from the front panel,
your MOTU interface updates the software on the
computer, as long as the software is the currently

40

CLOCKWORKS

ClockWorks Basics Page 41 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:19 PM

active application. This is actually a handy way to
run through all of your user presets (or MIDI
Timepiece AV base setups and patches) to inspect
each one’s settings in the software. If ClockWorks is
not the active application on the computer, a
system exclusive message is sent to whatever
application is currently active. If this application is
recording incoming MIDI, these sysex messages
get recorded as well.

☛

Other changes you make in the LCD of a
MIDI Timepiece AV, such as changing a specific
parameter,

are not reflected

in the ClockWorks. To
update the software, choose Verify Network from
the Utilities menu.

OBTAINING THE ROM VERSION

To obtain the ROM version of any MOTU
interface/synchronizer connected to your
computer, look in the Device List window. The
ROM version is displayed to the right of each
interface in the list.

On a MIDI Timepiece AV, the ROM version is also
displayed in the LCD when the unit is first powered
up.

MEMORY METER

The Memory meter window can be opened by
choosing its name from the Windows menu or by
pressing command-M.

ClockWorks icon and choose Get Info from the
File menu.) You may also want to do this if you
create and use many modifiers.

WORKING WITH FILES

ClockWorks lets you save the entire contents of
your MOTU interface’s memory, including base
setups, modifiers, and patches (which are
explained in later chapters) as a file on disk. The file
can later be opened and modified at any time. This
allows you to store an unlimited number of MOTU
interface setups.

ClockWorks handles file saving, opening, and
closing in the normal Macintosh fashion. You can
save a file, open it, make changes to it, save the
changes, or save them as a different file under a
different name with the Save As command.

☛

ClockWorks is unique, however, when you
close a file. In most Macintosh programs, when you
close a file, windows associated with the file close as
well. In ClockWorks, none of the windows
“belong” to a specific file, so any windows that are
open will remain open after you close.

Creating a new file

To create a new file, just open ClockWorks. When
you open ClockWorks, it loads the entire contents
of the MOTU interface memory into the computer.
It is stored in RAM until you save it as a file, which
is explained in the next section.

Figure 6-7: The Memory meter.

This window displays the amount of the
computer’s random access memory (RAM)
available to ClockWorks. Ideally, this window
should display at least 100,000 bytes. Normally, it
won’t get much lower than this. If it does get lower,
quit ClockWorks and increase the memory
partition in the Get Info window. (Highlight the

CLOCKWORKS

Saving files

As you work with ClockWorks, the settings it is
currently displaying are stored in you MOTU
interface’s memory. If you create an operating
configuration that is either important to you or
somewhat time-consuming to recreate, we strongly
recommend that you also save it as a file on your
computer’s hard disk. This will allow you to easily
restore it at a later time, if necessary, by simply
opening it in ClockWorks.

41

ClockWorks Basics Page 42 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:19 PM

Here’s the basic procedure to save a file:

1

Choose the Save command from the File menu.

2

If you are saving the file for the first time, a
dialog box will appear prompting you for a name.
Type in the name of your file and click Save.

After you save, any changes you make will not be
saved with the file until you save again.

Saving a file under a different name

The Save As command is used to save a file under a
different name or to a different disk:

1

Choose

Save As

from the File menu.

The Save As dialog box will appear.

2

Type in the new name for the file.

3

Click Save.

Reverting to a previously saved version is useful
when experimenting with a file. You can quickly
remove any changes by using this command. Make
sure that you save the file in the state you want it
before beginning to experiment.

Opening an existing file

To open an existing file:

1

Double-click on the file icon.

You can also click once on the file and choose Open
from the File menu. This will start ClockWorks and
bring up the selected file.

To open an existing file from within ClockWorks:

1

If a file is already open, close it by selecting Close
from the File menu. You are given the option of
saving changes in this file.

2

Select Open from the File menu.

Your file is saved on the disk in its current state
under the new name.

Reverting to a previously saved version

If you’ve made unwanted changes to a file, you can
undo the changes you’ve made by returning to the
last saved version. This operation is identical to
closing the file without saving changes and opening
it from the disk again.

1

Choose Revert to Saved from the File menu.

A dialog box asks you to confirm this choice.

2

Click on OK to confirm your choice.

Reverting to the last saved version of the file means
that all changes you’ve made since you opened or
last saved the file will be lost.

A dialog box appears containing a list of files on the
selected disk. To see the files on a disk in a different
drive, click the Desktop button. To view files on
another disk which is not currently in a drive, click
on the Eject button and insert the other disk.

3

Click on the name of the file you wish to open.

4

Click on the Open button.

The file you selected will be opened. Double­clicking on the name of the file will also open the
file.

Checking to see what file is currently open

To determine which file you currently have open in
ClockWorks, if any, check the Close command in
the File menu. If a file is open, the Close command
will read Close ‘Filename’, where the name of the
file is displayed in parentheses after the word

Close

.

42

CLOCKWORKS

ClockWorks Basics Page 43 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:19 PM

Closing a file

To close a file, choose Close ‘filename’ from the File
menu, where

filename

is the name of the currently
open file. If you have made changes in ClockWorks
windows that are not yet saved, you will be asked if
you want to save them before closing.

All ClockWorks windows that are currently

☛

open will remain open after you close the current
file. If you wish to make further changes to the file,
you will need to reopen it first (with the Open
command) in order to be able to save them.

Quitting ClockWorks

Quitting ClockWorks returns you to the Macintosh
desktop.

■

Choose

Quit

from the File menu.

A dialog box may appear asking you if you want to
save changes made to the file. To save the changes,
press Save. If you don’t want to save changes, press
Don’t Save. To withdraw the Quit command and
return to your ClockWorks file, press Cancel.

CLOCKWORKS

43

ClockWorks Basics Page 44 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:19 PM

44

CLOCKWORKS

Device Settings & Routing Page 45 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:19 PM

CHAPTER

7

Device Settings & Routing

OVERVIEW

The Device Settings & Routing Window in
ClockWorks provides an easy and powerful way for
you to route MIDI data from any device connected
to your MOTU interface to any other device
connected to it. This window provides you with
complete control over the flow of MIDI data
through the interface (or a two-MTP network).

Device Settings & Routing window. . . . . . . . . . .45

Naming devices with FreeMIDI or OMS . . . . . .46

Making a connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Connecting one input to multiple outputs. . . . .47

Selecting a connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Deselecting all connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

DEVICE SETTINGS & ROUTING WINDOW

If you created a bare-bones FreeMIDI or OMS
setup as shown in Figure 4-2 on page 25 or
Figure 4-4 on page 27, you’ll see the generic names
(Cable 1, Cable 2, etc.) shown below in Figure 7-1.

Device Settings & Routing window for the MIDI Timepiece AV

Breaking a connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Breaking one of several connections. . . . . . . . . .47

Specifying channels in a connection. . . . . . . . . .48

Making computer connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Making network port connections . . . . . . . . . . .49

Computer port routing in a two-MTP setup. . .49

The MTC In and MTC Out connections . . . . . .49

The ADAT ports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

ADAT port settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

The MMC Out and MMC In ports . . . . . . . . . . .52

Device Settings & Routing window for the MIDI Express XT

Device Settings & Routing window for the micro express

Figure 7-1: The Device Settings & Routing window provides graphic
access to all of your MOTU interface’s MIDI routing, merging and
splitting capabilities. If you have two MIDI Timepieces networked
together, you’ll see 16 cables instead of 8.

45

Device Settings & Routing Page 46 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:19 PM

NAMING DEVICES WITH FREEMIDI OR OMS

If you configured your FreeMIDI or OMS setup to
accurately reflect the names of the devices
connected to your interface, you’ll see device
names as shown below in Figure 7-2. These device
names are also displayed in other windows
throughout ClockWorks, including the Channel
Mapping, Event Muting, Knobs & Pedals, Patch
List, MIDI Cannon, and Setups & Modifiers
windows.

Figure 7-2: FreeMIDI or OMS provides names for the MIDI device
connected to each input and output. Choose Edit FreeMIDI Configu­ration from the Utilities menu to open FreeMIDI Setup or OMS Setup
and create device names. If you have multiple devices connected to a
MIDI port, the console displays the term ‘multipledevices’.

Use FreeMIDI Setup or OMS Setup to add, remove,
or change device names. To launch FreeMIDI
Setup or OMS Setup from within ClockWorks,
choose

Edit FreeMIDI Configuration

Utilities menu in ClockWorks. Then refer to the
information below.

from the

MAKING A CONNECTION

To connect any MIDI device to another in the
network:

1

Click the source cable icon on the left and drag
to the destination cable icon on the right as shown
below in Figure 7-3.

In the example below, the Alesis QS8 keyboard
controller is being connected to the Roland
JV-2080 sound module.

Figure 7-3: Routing MIDI data from one piece of gear to another.

2

When you release the mouse, the connection
appears in the window as shown in Figure 7-4,
along with an activated pop-up box on top of the

all

connection with the word

in it.

To do this Do this

Add a device FreeMIDI

Delete a device Click it to select it and press the delete

Rename a device Click its name to edit the text.

Use the
commands in the Configuration
menu.

OMS
Use the
Studio menu.

key.

46

Create Device

New Device

or

Quick Setup

command in the

Figure 7-4: Setting the MIDI channels when making a connection.

The “all” box means that all channels on the QS8
are currently routed to all channels on the JV-2080.
If you want to connect specific MIDI channels, see
“Specifying channels in a connection” on page 48.
(Note: the original MIDI Timepiece I does not
support routing by channels in this manner.
Therefore, if you connect the input of an original
MTP to an MIDI Timepiece AV output, there will
be no channel box.)

DEVICE SETTINGS & ROUTING

Device Settings & Routing Page 47 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:19 PM

3

Press return to confirm the cable connection.

DESELECTING ALL CONNECTIONS

To deselect all connections, click anywhere in the
middle of the window between the two columns of
cables.

Figure 7-5: A completed cable connection.

CONNECTING ONE INPUT TO MULTIPLE
OUTPUTS

To connect an input to more than one output,
make each connection separately as described in
the previous section. As a shortcut, shift-drag from
the input cable on the left over to the first output,
and then drag directly to each additional output on
the right. As you “touch” each output, it highlights
and a connection is made.

Figure 7-6: Connecting one input to several outputs.

Figure 7-8: Click anywhere on the background to deselect all connec­tions. A deselected connection appears as a thin line.

BREAKING A CONNECTION

To break a connection:

1

Select the connection by clicking its cable icon.

2

Press the delete key, or choose Clear from the

Edit menu.

BREAKING ONE OF SEVERAL CONNECTIONS

Often, a device will be connected to several other
devices, like this:

And you’ll want to only remove one of the
connections. To do so:

1

Redraw the connection you want to break.

SELECTING A CONNECTION

To select a connection, click the connection’s input
cable icon on the left or any one of its output cable
icons on the right.

Figure 7-7: Selecting a connection.

DEVICE SETTINGS & ROUTING

2

Press the return key to get past the channel

pop-up.

47

Device Settings & Routing Page 48 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:19 PM

3

Press the delete key to remove the highlighted
connection. If you click on the device again, the
connection will be gone:

Figure 7-9: Specifying a single MIDI channel in a Device Settings &
Routing connection. To do so, click the input device and then pop-edit
the box shown.

3

Type in the desired MIDI channel in the text box

and press return to confirm your choice.

SPECIFYING CHANNELS IN A CONNECTION

Your MOTU interface lets you specify channels
when you make a connection from one piece of
gear to another.

For example, you can specify that channel 2 on the
input is to be connected to channel 2 on the output.
The input and output channel will always be the
same in a connection. (To change channels on
input or output, you can use the Channel Map
window.)

Multiple connections from the same device can
have different channel assignments. For example,
you could make a connection from your controller
to channel 1 on one synth, and then make a second
connection to channel 5 on another synth.

To specify the channel to be routed:

1

Click the MIDI cable icon of either the input
device or output device.

If you want, you can type in several channels as
shown below. This is useful if you are using a
keyboard split on your controller and you want to
send the splits to different channels of the same
synth. In Figure 7-10, the QS8 keyboard is split
into three parts, transmitting on channels 1, 2, and
3, which are being connected to channels 1, 2, and
3 on the Emulator E4xt, as well as a few other
synths. In each connection, channel 1 is being
mapped to channel 1, channel 2 is being mapped to
channel 2, etc. If you want all channels to be
connected, type “a” for “all” (connect all channels).

Figure 7-10: Specifying multiple channels when making connections.

2

Click the text box on the connection.

48

DEVICE SETTINGS & ROUTING

Device Settings & Routing Page 49 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:19 PM

Note: channel remapping cannot be done in

☛

this window. For example, you cannot route
channel 3 on the QS8 to channel 5 on the E4. To
accomplish this, see chapter 8, “Channel Map”
(page 55).

MAKING COMPUTER CONNECTIONS

When your MOTU interface ships from the
factory, it is set up so that anything connected to
the interface can talk to the computer, and the
computer can talk to anything connected to the
interface. These connections are represented by the
lines connected to the Computer icons in the
Device Settings & Routing window.

Figure 7-12: Make NET port connections on a MIDI Timepiece AV with
the Network ports circled above using the techniques already
described in this chapter. To route MIDI data to the NET port, use the
Network port on the right. To route MIDI data from the NET port, use
the Network port icon on the left.

COMPUTER PORT ROUTING IN A TWO-MTP
SETUP

If you have a second MIDI Timepiece connected to
the network port, the network port icon changes to
a second computer icon, since it refers to the Mac
port on the second MIDI Timepiece (box 9-16).

Figure 7-11: Editing computer connections. To route MIDI data to the
computer, use the computer icon on the right. To route MIDI data
from the computer, use the computer icon on the left.

Edit these connections in the same manner as
described earlier in this chapter.

MAKING NETWORK PORT CONNECTIONS

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

As described in “Networking a serial MIDI device”
on page 21, you can connect a regular 16-channel
MIDI interface or other serial device (such as a
keyboard or sound module with a Mac serial port
on it) to the Network port of the MIDI
Timepiece AV. If you have done so, you can make
routings to and from the network port device with
the Device Settings & Routing window.

The Device Settings & Routing window displays
the NET port for the MIDI Timepiece AV as shown
below.

DEVICE SETTINGS & ROUTING

Figure 7-13: The Mac serial port on box 9-16 in a two-MTP network.

THE MTC IN AND MTC OUT CONNECTIONS

The MTC In and MTC Out connectors represent
MIDI Time Code (MTC) routing to and from the
interface itself. If you would like to send MIDI
Time Code from your MOTU interface to devices
connected to its MIDI Out ports, create a
connection from the MTC Out port to the desired
devices, as shown in Figure 7-14.

49

Device Settings & Routing Page 50 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:19 PM

Figure 7-14: To send MIDI Time Code (MTC) generated by the MIDI
Timepiece AV to other devices in your network, make a connection
from the MTC Out port (on the left) to the desired devices on the right
as shown here. In this example, the MOTU interface (an Express XT in
this example) is programmed to send MTC to the Roland VS-880 hard
disk recorder (and the computer, too, of course).

Routing MTC to your MOTU interface

If you would like to slave your MOTU interface to
MIDI Time Code generated by another device,
make a connection from the device (on the left) to
the MTC In port (on the right). If you have a MIDI
Timepiece AV, you’ll also need to set the MASTER
SYNC mode to MTC or MTC/VIDEO. (Please note
that MTC mode is not recommended because
other forms of SMPTE provide a more stable time
base. For details, see “Advice about choosing a time
base master” on page 140.)

Routing MTC to an MTP AV Net port (AV only)

If you have a MIDI Timepiece AV, you can route
MIDI Time Code to a device connected to the
Network port as shown below (but not if the
network port is connected to a second MIDI
Timepiece).

Figure 7-16: Sending MIDI Time Code to a device connected to the
network port. (Note: see Figure 7-17 if a second MIDI Timepiece is
connected to the network port.)

Routing MTC to a 2nd MTP AV Mac port
(AV only)

If you have a second MIDI Timepiece (box 9-16)
with a computer connected to it, you can route
time code to it from box 1-8 as shown below in
Figure 7-17.

Routing MTC to the computer port

From the factory, your MOTU interface is
programmed to send MTC to the computer port,
as shown below in Figure 7-15. This connection is
required by any MIDI software that needs to slave
to MTC generated by the interface.

Figure 7-15: From the factory, your MOTU interface is programmed to
send MIDI Time Code to the computer as shown here by the selected
connection. This connection is necessary for slaving software to MTC
generated by the interface.

50

It is not necessary to route MIDI Time Code to
ADATs connected to the MIDI Timepiece AV’s
ADAT Sync Out port. The MIDI Timepiece AV
synchronizes ADATs using a proprietary sync
protocol that is “hard-wired”; it is therefore not
represented graphically in the Device Settings &
Routing window. The ADAT ports have no impact
on the AV’s synchronization control over ADATs.

DEVICE SETTINGS & ROUTING

Device Settings & Routing Page 51 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:19 PM

Figure 7-17: Routing MTC to a second computer connected to a
second MIDI Timepiece.

THE ADAT PORTS

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

The ADAT ports in the Device Settings & Routing
window allow other devices in your studio—or
computer software, such as a “soft BRC” console—
to communicate with ADATs connected to the
MIDI Timepiece AV’s MIDI Sync Out port. If you
have software that needs to communicate back and
forth with the ADATs for purposes other than
standard MMC transport control (which is
handled by the MIDI Timepiece AV), all you need
are the factory default connections to the ADAT
ports shown below.

wired” and is therefore not represented graphically
in the Device Settings & Routing window. The
ADAT ports have no impact on the AV’s control
over ADATs.

ADAT PORT SETTINGS

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

If you click on either ADAT icon in the Device
Settings & Routings window, the ADAT port
settings dialog appears:

Figure 7-19: ADAT port settings.

These settings help you manage how the MIDI
Timepiece AV interacts with your ADAT device.

Enable automatic device detection

When this option is checked (the default setting),
the MIDI Timepiece AV continuously polls its
ADAT port for the presence of an ADAT. If you plug
one in and turn it on, the AV will detect it and
perform its routine handshake with the ADAT (or
any ADAT device on the ADAT sync chain).

Figure 7-18: These factory default connections between the ADAT
ports and the computer allow software, such as a “soft BRC” console,
to communicate with ADATs connected to the AV’s ADAT Sync Out
port. These connections are not required, however, for MMC trans­port control of the ADATs, which is handled by the MIDI Timepiece AV.

Synchronization and transport control between
the MIDI Timepiece AV itself and ADATs
connected to its ADAT Sync Out port is “hard-

DEVICE SETTINGS & ROUTING

Some ADAT-sync compatible devices do not
respond well to this sort of continuous polling. If
your ADAT device or ADAT sync chain is not
behaving normally, try unchecking this box.

Offset entire ADAT chain by _hours

When ADATs run under ABS time, the time span
on an ADAT tape is from zero to 45 minutes.
Sometimes, however, the MIDI Timepiece AV
needs to be working at a timecode offset that starts
in another hour besides zero. For example, many
SMPTE time code cues start at 1 hour and go from
there. If you are working with a similar situation,

51

Device Settings & Routing Page 52 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:19 PM

you can simply type in a 1-hour negative offset here
in the Port settings dialog. Then, when the MIDI
Timepiece AV goes to 1 hour, 13 minutes, for
example, the ADATs connected to your AV will go
to 13 minutes.

Here’s another example. If the time code you are
working with is in the 10-hour range (10:00:00:00),
you would type in a 10-hour negative offset.

This ADAT chain offset affects the time

☛

readout of each individual ADAT in the Sync/
MMC window. For example, if the ADAT chain
offset is -1 hour, the individual ADAT offset (in the
ADAT’s panel) will be 1:00:00:00.

Send ADAT commands when no ADAT is
detected

When this option is checked, the MIDI
Timepiece AV will send sync commands to its
ADAT SYNC OUT port, regardless of whether an
ADAT device has been detected or not.

triggered as the Time Code source. Note also that
this connection is not necessary, however, if you
intend to send MMC transport commands directly
from computer software (or a MMC hardware
device) to a MMC device.

MMC In and MMC Out port connections only
involve MMC transport commands; they do not
route MMC record functions, such as record­enable or auto punch-in/out. To route MMC
record functions, make connections between the
Device Settings & Routing Window’s MIDI ports
and computer icon as needed.

If you have a MIDI Timepiece AV, it is not
necessary to connect the MMC Out port to either
ADAT port; MIDI Timepiece AV control over
ADATs connected to its ADAT Sync Out port is
“hard-wired” and therefore not represented
graphically in the Device Settings & Routing
window.

When this option is unchecked, the MIDI
Timepiece AV only sends sync commands to the
ADAT port when an ADAT device is detected. If no
ADAT device is detected, it sends nothing.

Check this option when you have connected the
MIDI Timepiece AV ADAT SYNC OUT port
directly to a MOTU PCI-324 card SYNC IN port,
with no ADATs in between.

THE MMC OUT AND MMC IN PORTS

The MMC Out and MMC In ports provide routing
of MIDI Machine Control (MMC) transport
commands to and from your MOTU interface
itself. For example, if you would like to send MMC
transport commands generated by (or
redistributed by) your MOTU interface itself to
another device, create a connection from the MMC
Out port to the desired device as shown below in
Figure 7-20. Usually, you will only have one such
connection at a time, as only one device would be

Figure 7-20: When you want to trigger another MMC device with your
MOTU MIDI interface, or if you want the interface to redistribute MMC
transport commands from your sequencer or an Alesis LRC, connect
the MMC Out port to any device you wish to control. Note that these
MMC connections involve MMC transport commands only. For MMC
record functions (play-enable, punch-in, etc.), use the regular MIDI
ports and computer connections.

Routing MMC from the Mac to the interface

The MMC In port in the Device Settings & Routing
window represents MIDI Machine Control input to
your MOTU interface itself. In other words, the
interface “listens” to MMC transport commands
from any devices (or computer software)
connected to this port.

52

DEVICE SETTINGS & ROUTING

Device Settings & Routing Page 53 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:19 PM

For MMC transport control of the interface from
the computer, make the connection shown below
in Figure 7-21.

Figure 7-21: The selected connection shown above is required when
you want to control your MOTU interface — and any devices slaving
to it — from your sequencer or other MMC software on the computer.

Direct MMC versus redistributed MMC

When the connection shown in Figure 7-21 is
made, your MOTU interface “swallows” all MMC
transport commands sent by MMC software
running on the computer, regardless of the MMC
device the messages are intended for (as
determined by the MMC device ID embedded in
the messages). If you want to control a MMC
device from your computer, you have two choices:

Connecting an MMC controller

If you would like to control your MOTU interface
from a MMC controller connected to one of its
MIDI inputs, connect the device’s input cable to the
MMC In port as demonstrated below.

Figure 7-22: To control your MOTU interface from a MMC controller
such as JLCooper’s CuePoint, connect it to the MMC In port.

☛

An Alesis LRC controller does not require any
routing in the Device Settings & Routing window
because of its special connection to the LRC Input
on the MIDI Timepiece AV’s front panel. For
details, see “Using an Alesis LRC” on page 158.

1. bypass the interface’s MMC features,

2. or send the MMC transport commands to the
MOTU interface instead and have it redistribute
them to the other MMC device(s)

If you would like to bypass the interface and
control a MMC device directly from your
computer software (choice #1 above), remove the
highlighted connection shown in Figure 7-21.

If you plan to use choice #2 above, make the
connection shown in Figure 7-21, and also make
connection shown in Figure 7-20 (which routes
your MOTU interface’s MMC Out port to the other
MMC device).

DEVICE SETTINGS & ROUTING

53

Device Settings & Routing Page 54 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:19 PM

54

DEVICE SETTINGS & ROUTING

Channel Mapping Page 55 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:20 PM

CHAPTER

8

Channel Map

The Channel Map window controls the
channelizing of MIDI data on all MIDI IN and
MIDI OUT cables. With complete flexibility, this
window can switch data from its current MIDI
channel to any other channel immediately when
the data either enters or exits your MOTU
interface.

Figure 8-1: Use the pop-up menus to choose the MIDI device input or
output you would like to remap. Then change the MIDI channel
numbers as desired. Click the Default button to restore all mappings
to their default state (channel 1 to channel 1, 2 to 2, etc.)

On a MIDI IN port, data enters on a given channel.
But before it goes anywhere else, either to the
Macintosh or to a MIDI OUT cable, the Channel
Map window can switch the data to a different
MIDI channel.

On a MIDI OUT cable, data exits the interface. But
before it does, the Channel Map window can
switch the data to a different channel.

USING CHANNEL MAPPING

Channel Mapping like this is useful in many
different situations. For example, you may have a
MIDI keyboard that only transmits data on MIDI
channel 1. If you want to transmit its data on a
different channel, you can map channel 1 on the
keyboard’s MIDI IN cable to any other MIDI
channel. To the rest of the network, it will then
appear as if the keyboard is transmitting on the
new, destination channel.

BASICS

A simple way to think of channel mapping is this:
imagine that each MIDI IN or MIDI OUT port
connected to your MOTU interface has a filter just
inside the socket. MIDI data enters the filter on one
channel and as it passes through the filter, it gets
switched to a different channel.

MUTING AND REMAPPING

For information about when muting occurs before
channel mapping and vice versa, see “Muting and
remapping” on page 58.

55

Channel Mapping Page 56 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:20 PM

56

CHANNEL MAP

Muting Page 57 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 2:28 PM

CHAPTER

9

Muting

OVERVIEW

The Event Muting window is a sophisticated MIDI
data filter that controls what types of data will be
sent and received by each MIDI OUT and MIDI IN
cable. You can filter out any type of MIDI data on
any channel on any cable. In addition, each MIDI
channel can have its own unique muting setup. The
Event Muting window shows the muting status for
each type of data on all MIDI channels and all
cables at once, giving you immediate feedback on
the state of your interface.

Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Muting data on a single channel . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Muting a data type on all channels . . . . . . . . . . .58

Muting on all channels, all cables. . . . . . . . . . . . .58

receiving the data on that port. However, the data
does get muted. (On output, however, since muted

not

data doesn’t actually get sent, the light does
blink.)

Whenever you would like to mute data, begin with
the following procedure:

1

If you have more than one MOTU interface,
select the box you want to mute in the Device List
window in ClockWorks. See “The Device List
window” on page 38 for details.

2

From the Windows menu, open the Event
Muting window.

Unmuting data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Muting MIDI beat clocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Muting and remapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

BASICS

A simple way to think of data muting is this:
imagine that each MIDI IN or MIDI OUT cable on
your MOTU interface has a filter just inside the
socket. A MIDI data stream enters the filter and
then continues on past the filter with certain types
of data removed. The filter has simply “swallowed”
the data types that are being muted.

On a MIDI IN cable, data is muted before it enters
the interface. On a MIDI OUT cable, data gets
muted just before it gets transmitted out of the
interface.

When data is muted on a MIDI IN port, the

☛

light on the front panel still blinks when the data is
received on the port. Don’t be concerned. The light
blinks to let you know that the interface is indeed

Figure 9-1: The pop-up menus at the top of the window let you
choose the type of data to be muted and whether you are muting
MIDI inputs or outputs. Click the desired check box(es) in the grid;
each check box represents a MIDI channel (by column) for a device
(by row). When the check box is checked, the data is muted.

3

Select the type of data to be muted from the

Mute

pop-up menu.

4

Choose

Doing so makes the check box grid control muting
for either MIDI IN ports or MIDI OUT ports.

Now you are ready to click check boxes in the grid
to mute data.

Input

or

Output

from the pop-up menu.

57

Muting Page 58 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 2:28 PM

MUTING DATA ON A SINGLE CHANNEL

To mute data on a single MIDI channel for a device,
click the appropriate check box in the grid. Its
channel number is labeled by column across the
top of the grid; its device is labeled by row along the
left side of the grid.

MUTING A DATA TYPE ON ALL CHANNELS

To mute a data type on all 16 channels for a device,
click the device name at the left edge of the check
box grid. Doing so will select all check boxes in the
row, selecting all channels for muting.

MUTING ON ALL CHANNELS, ALL CABLES

To mute a data type on all channels and all devices,
click the Input button and click Set All. This sets
the grid to all MIDI IN cables and select all the
check boxes in the grid. Similarly, click the Output
button and click Set All again. This sets the grid to
all MIDI OUT cables and selects all the check
boxes.

UNMUTING DATA

To unmute data on a single channel, deselect its
check box. To unmute data on all channels and
cables, click Clear.

MUTING MIDI BEAT CLOCKS

When MIDI beat clocks are transmitted to your
MOTU interface (via a MIDI device or the
Macintosh) they are echoed to all cables. If you do
not want MIDI beat clocks sent to all your MIDI
devices, mute Real-time data on the output cables
for those devices.

MUTING AND REMAPPING

On the MIDI IN ports, muting occurs before
channel remapping. On the MIDI OUT ports,
channel remapping occurs before muting, as
shown in Figure 9-2.

MDI IN

Muting filter

Channel mapping filter

MOTU interface data bus

Channel mapping filter

Muting filter

MDI OUT

Figure 9-2: How muting and remapping interact with each other.

If you did this on a MIDI IN port, channels 1-8
would get muted, and the data on channels 9-16
would get mapped to channel 16. If you did this on
a MIDI OUT port, all data on all channels would be
sent out on channel 16, since all channels are
mapped to channel 16 before the muting occurs on
channels 1-8.

Here’s another example: Let’s say you are mapping
all channels to channel 1, and you are muting
channels 1-8.

On input, only channels 9-16 will get
rechannelized to channel 1, because channels 1-8
get muted first. On output, no data would be sent
because all channels are mapped to channel one
first, and then channel 1 is muted.

For example, let’s say that on one of the MIDI
ports, you are muting channels 1-8, and you are
also remapping all channels (1-16) to channel 16.

58

MUTING

Sync/MMC Page 59 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:21 PM

CHAPTER

10

Sync and MIDI Machine Control

OVERVIEW

The Sync/MMC window in ClockWorks gives you
control over your MOTU interface’s sync and
MMC transport control features. This chapter
provides a brief overview of this window. For more
information, see chapter 15, “Synchronization”
(page 91) or chapter 22, “Synchronization with the
AV” (page 139).

Transport controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

SMPTE Readout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Locate Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Time Base and Frame Rate Settings . . . . . . . . . .60

The Record settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

VTR Recording options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

FreeMIDI Sync. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Extra settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

LTC and MTC Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Word Clock settings (MTP AV only). . . . . . . . . .63

TRANSPORT CONTROLS

The transport controls are just like standard tape
deck transports. From left to right, they are:
rewind, stop, play, pause and record. These buttons
control the time code generated by your MOTU
interface when it is in

Rewind Stop Play RecordPause

Figure 10-2: ClockWorks transport controls.

Internal

mode.

SMPTE READOUT

The SMPTE Readout provides a running update of
the time code being generated or converted by your
MOTU interface. This running update is made
possible by MIDI Time Code (MTC) generated by
your MOTU interface and routed to the Macintosh.
If the SMPTE Readout is not responding, make
sure the Device Settings & Routing window has the
connection shown in Figure 7-14 on page 50.

MMC ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

LTC Output Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

ADAT List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

ADAT preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Sony 9-pin calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Mini-menu with device preferences

Transport controls

Locate buttons

Set Locate controls

Extra settings button

FreeMIDI Sync button

An ADAT (this feature is only available

with a MIDI Timepiece AV )

ADAT List

(MIDI Timepiece AV only)

Figure 10-1: The Sync/MMC window

The SMPTE readout shows your MOTU interface’s
current frame location in hours: minutes: seconds/
frames. You can also type in any frame location you
wish into the SMPTE Readout to cue your MOTU
interface to a specific frame location.

SMPTE Readout with offset

Time Base and Frame Rate settings
Record settings
VTR recording options

(Only available with the Digital
Timepiece synchronizer)

59

Sync/MMC Page 60 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:21 PM

When your MOTU interface is set to slave to an
external time code source, you can click the offset
button as shown below in Figure 10-3 to type in a
global SMPTE offset for your MOTU interface.

Figure 10-3: Click the button as shown to type in a global SMPTE
offset for your MOTU interface.

LOCATE BUTTONS

You can set the eight locate buttons to any SMPTE
frame location you wish and then cue your MOTU
interface (and all connected devices) as desired by
clicking the appropriate Locate button.

Figure 10-4: The Locate buttons.

The

Set Locate

program a locate button as shown in Figure 10-5.

controls provide two ways to

TIME BASE AND FRAME RATE SETTINGS

The Time Base and SMPTE Frame rate settings let
you choose the overall time base and SMPTE
frame rate for your MOTU interface. These settings
are the same as the SMPTE and TIME BASE
settings on the front panel LCD of a MIDI
Timepiece AV. For a complete explanation of Time
Base modes and SMPTE frame rates, see
chapter 22, “Synchronization with the AV”
(page 139).

Time Base

setting

Figure 10-7: The Time Base and SMPTE frame rate settings.

SMPTE
Frame

rate

THE RECORD SETTINGS

The recording settings let you control exactly when
recording will occur in MMC devices being
controlled by your MOTU interface.

Click here to type in any

Click here to Load the

current frame displayed

in ClockWorks’ main

SMPTE readout.

Figure 10-5: The Set Locate controls. Click the lower arrow to load the
SMPTE frame currently displayed in the SMPTE Readout. You can even
do so on the fly. Click the upper arrow to type in the desired SMPTE
frame.

desired SMPTE frame.

Click the upper arrow to type in the desired
SMPTE frame. Use the tab key to move from field
to field as shown in Figure 10-6 and press return to
confirm the SMPTE location you type in.

Figure 10-6: Typing in a SMPTE frame for a locate button.

Locate points are saved with ClockWorks files.

60

Record settings

Figure 10-8: The record settings.

The left-hand record menu has three choices:

rehearse

, and

record

.

safe

Safe

No recording can occur in any MMC device.

Rehearse

This mode causes MMC devices to act as if they are
recording, punching in, punching out, etc. but no
recording actually occurs.

SYNC AND MIDI MACHINE CONTROL

,

Sync/MMC Page 61 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:21 PM

Make sure that your MMC device supports

☛

rehearse mode before attempting to use this record
feature. If it doesn’t, rehearse mode may actually
record. Consult the manual for your MMC device
for details.

Record

This mode allows recording on the currently
record-enabled track(s) for any MMC device. To
actually record, press the record button in
ClockWorks’ transport controls (Figure 10-2 on
page 59).

ClockWorks only / Any application

The right-hand menu has two choices:

and

only

Any application

. When ClockWorks only

ClockWorks

is chosen, recording will only occur when
ClockWorks is the active application. This mode is
useful for preventing accidental recording when
you switch to your sequencer (or other
MMC-compatible software) on the Macintosh.

Any application

When

is chosen, ClockWorks still
controls whether or not recording will occur, but
you can initiate recording from other FreeMIDI
compatible programs, such as Performer or Digital
Performer, that you may have running at the same
time as ClockWorks. First, make sure that
FreeMIDI Sync is enabled. Then press the record
button in ClockWorks to allow recording. When
you switch to another FreeMIDI application, such
as Performer, ClockWorks’ record button will
remain on. If you then hit play in the other
program (e.g. Performer), recording will happen.
If you want to control record functions entirely in
Performer, turn off FreeMIDI Sync so that
ClockWorks doesn’t interfere with Performer.

VTR RECORDING OPTIONS

The

VTR recording

Sony 9-pin compatible video tape recorder (VTR)
will respond when it is put into record. This feature

options determine how the

is only available in the MOTU Digital Timepiece
synchronizer. It is grayed out when you are using a
MOTU MIDI interface.

FREEMIDI SYNC

When the
ClockWorks’ transport buttons will control the
transport functions (play, stop, rewind, and locate)
of other FreeMIDI applications running in the
background.

☛

any FreeMIDI application is slaving to MIDI Time
Code.

or Digital Performer, you are most likely slaving
them to MTC from your MOTU interface. In this
case, be sure to turn off FreeMIDI Sync.

FreeMIDI Sync

option is checked,

FreeMIDI Sync should be turned off whenever

For example, when you are using Performer

EXTRA SETTINGS

The

Extra Settings

Figure 10-9 opens an additional pane in the Sync/
MMC window.

Figure 10-9: Click the Extra Settings button shown here to display
more synchronization settings.

Some options in the Extra Settings pane may grey
out depending on which MOTU interface you have
and which time base mode you select. Only options
that apply to the currently selected time base mode
remain active. You can see how this works by
opening the pane and successively choosing
different time base modes from the time base pop­up menu (as shown in Figure 10-7 on page 60). As
you change modes, you’ll see options grey out and
become active.

button shown below in

Extra settings button

SYNC AND MIDI MACHINE CONTROL

61

Sync/MMC Page 62 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:21 PM

Figure 10-10: The Extra Settings pane for the MIDI Express XT and
micro express.

Figure 10-11: The Extra Settings pane for the MIDI Timepiece AV.

The following sections provide a brief explanation
for all of the options in the Extra Settings pane.

LTC AND MTC SETTINGS

Several settings in the Sync/MMC window apply to
the MTC, LTC or LTC QuikLock modes. These
options pertain to when your MOTU interface is
converting time code (MTC or LTC) from an
external source.

Frame lock

The

Frame lock

your MOTU interface is locking to external
SMPTE time code (in any form — MTC, LTC or
VITC). It is not available when your MOTU
interface is the time code address master (any time
base mode that includes the word
name).

check box is only available when

Internal

in its

on

If the Frame lock option is turned

(checked),
and your MOTU interface detects more than five
frames in a row that are not continuous with
respect to previous frames received, then it will
stop converting altogether.

off

If the Frame lock option is turned

(unchecked),
and your MOTU interface detects more than five
frames in a row that are not continuous with
respect to previous frames received, then it begins
to perform a kind of “pseudo jam sync”. In this
mode, it continues to convert an uninterrupted
stream of continuous time code, while at the same
time clocking off of the incoming time code. Even
though the frames it is generating no longer match
the frames it is reading, it will continue to remain
in sync with the incoming time code.

In other words, when the Frame lock option is

off

your MOTU interface ignores discontinuous
jumps in incoming time code by continuing to
clock itself off of the incoming time code without
stopping (or pausing). In doing so, it continues to
convert a continuous, uninterrupted stream of
frame times based on the time code to which it first
locked.

Turn on Frame lock when you want your MOTU
interface’s frame times to match incoming frame
times, and you want it to stop converting altogether
if there are jumps in incoming time code.

,

To understand the Frame lock option, you first
need to know that your MOTU interface
continuously monitors incoming time code to
detect any possible discontinuity in the frame
times as they advance. If your MOTU interface
detects more than five frames in a row that are not
continuous with respect to previous frames
received, then it does one of two things, depending
on whether the Frame lock option is turned on
(checked) or off (unchecked).

62

Turning off Frame lock can be a life saver if you find
yourself in a situation where you have time code on
tape (or other source) but the frame locations jump
around to different times (because of overlapping
SMPTE striping, edits, or whatever). By turning off
Frame lock, you can sync continuously to this type
of time code without glitching or stopping. If the
SMPTE on your tape jumps around as described,
you are likely to experience brief drop-outs at the
points where it jumps. If so, just increase your
MOTU interface’s freewheeling to cruise past
them.

SYNC AND MIDI MACHINE CONTROL

Sync/MMC Page 63 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:21 PM

Enable still-frame sensitivity

This option lets you control how many frames in a
row your MOTU interface needs to receive to
consider incoming SMPTE as being parked on a
single frame. While lowering this value makes your
MOTU interface more responsive when you pause
your video deck, it is also more likely to
misinterpret ordinary transport shuttling. So make
this value as low as you can, but raise it if you start
getting improper frame locations when shuttling
your deck.

Generate signal when stopped

This option applies to situations in which your
MOTU interface is converting time code and the
source time code continues even when it is parked
on a frame. The most common case is when your
MOTU interface is locked to VITC, and the video
deck is paused. In this situation, the

signal when stopped

option, when checked, makes

Generate

your MOTU interface continues to output time
code (LTC, MTC and VITC), even while the video
is parked on a single frame in pause mode. It will
continue to do so as long as the video head is
engaged and VITC lines can be scanned.

Auto-detect input frame rate (MTP AV only)

This option is only available for the MIDI
Timepiece AV. When this option is checked, your
MOTU interface will automatically detect the
frame rate of incoming SMPTE time code (VITC,
LTC or MTC). In most situations, this is desirable
because it ensures that your MOTU interface is
properly interpreting and synchronizing to the
time code. If, however, you find yourself in a
situation where you would like to set the frame rate
manually, uncheck this option and set the frame
rate using either ClockWorks (in the MMC/Sync
window) or your MOTU interface front-panel
controls.

Freewheel _ frames

This option lets you set the number of frames your
MOTU interface will freewheel over when it
encounters a time code drop-out. For a complete
explanation of freewheeling, see your MOTU
interface

User’s Guide

.

“One time” jam sync

Choosing this option is like choosing “infinite
freewheel”. When you choose this option, your
MOTU interface begins generating time code on its
own indefinitely as soon as it stops receiving
incoming time code. And it will continue to do so
until you stop it with the STRIPE button on the
front panel. You can also stop it by changing the
master sync mode or by enabling the Freewheel
option in ClockWorks.

WORD CLOCK SETTINGS (MTP AV ONLY)

This option is only available for the MIDI
Timepiece AV. The word clock settings set the
digital audio word clock rate for your MOTU
interface. There are six possible word clock rates:
normal, pull-up, and pull-down for both 44.1kHz
and 48kHz. These settings correspond to the
settings in the front-panel LCD of the MIDI
Timepiece AV. These settings are grayed out if your
MOTU interface is in a time base mode where it
should determine the word clock rate on its own,
such as when it is slaving to an external word clock
as a time base.

Figure 10-12: ClockWorks’ word clock settings.

Enable Superclock (MTP AV only)

This option is only available for the MIDI
Timepiece AV. The

Enable Superclock

changes the MIDI Timepiece AV word clock output
to Digidesign 256x “superclock” instead of
standard 1x word clock. Use superclock with Pro
Tools systems.

option

SYNC AND MIDI MACHINE CONTROL

63

Sync/MMC Page 64 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:21 PM

Lock Word Clock to (MTP AV only)

This option is only available for the MIDI
Timepiece AV. The
two choices:

internal

Lock Word Clock to

or

video

. Use the video option

option has

when you would like the MIDI Timepiece AV to
derive its time base from a video signal present on
its VIDEO IN connector. This is equivalent to
choosing one of the three VIDEO timebase modes
in the MIDI Timepiece AV’s front panel LCD.

MMC ID

The MMC ID option lets you change the MMC
(MIDI Machine Control) device ID of your MOTU
interface. The factory default ID of your MOTU
interface is 20. The only situation in which you
really need to change it is if you are connecting two
MOTU interfaces together. Otherwise, just leave it
set to one, and make sure that your MMC transport
master controller device or computer software
knows that your MOTU interface’s ID is 20.

If you change your MOTU interface device ID for
some reason, make sure that it does not match the
ID of another device connected to it.

ADAT LIST

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

The ADAT list shows a list of all of ADATs (or other
ADAT-sync compatible devices) connected to the
ADAT port on a MIDI Timepiece AV. The MIDI
Timepiece AV automatically detects any ADAT­type devices connected to it and continuously
reports that information to ClockWorks, which
displays the ADATs in the list. The MIDI
Timepiece AV continuously polls for devices, so
the list will update within a few seconds whenever a
change occurs. For example, if your ADAT is
currently switched off, and you then turn it on, it
will appear in ClockWorks’ ADAT list after a few
seconds — after the MIDI Timepiece AV powers
up and detects the ADAT during the next regular
polling cycle.

If you are experienced with using MMC, you may
be thinking, “But don’t I have to at least assign
Device IDs for my ADATs connected to my MIDI
Timepiece AV?” The answer is no: you don’t have
to worry about this because the AV sets the device
IDs of all ADATs connected to it automatically. For
more information, see “Setting MMC device ID’s”
on page 154.

LTC OUTPUT LEVEL

This row of buttons allows you to adjust the overall
gain of the SMPTE time code from your MOTU
interface LTC output jack. Click towards the left to
reduce the level; click towards the right to increase
it. This level control affects LTC output in all sync
modes, including LTC, MTC, etc.

64

ADAT
panel

Figure 10-13: ADATs connected to a MIDI Timepiece AV.

ADAT device panels

Each ADAT is displayed in the list as a panel, which
provides status information about the ADAT, such
as the current state of its transports, its current
SMPTE location, and whether or not it currently
has a tape in it. The panel also provides settings for
the ADAT as shown in Figure 10-14, such as a
unique SMPTE offset (each ADAT can have its own
offset) and even individual track offsets.

SYNC AND MIDI MACHINE CONTROL

Sync/MMC Page 65 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:21 PM

Device

icon

Device

name

and

MMC ID

Figure 10-14: Here is an example of an ADAT panel. It presents status
information and settings for the ADAT.

Record
source

Monitor

mode

buttons

Transport

Status

Current SMPTE

Location Display

Track
record
enable

buttons

Track
offset

buttons

SMTPE

Offset

On line/
Off line

button

Eject
tape

button

Device icon

The device icon merely serves as a graphical identi­fication for the ADAT. It is for display purposes
only.

Record source

This drop down menu lets you choose between the
digital or analog inputs on the ADAT.

Transport status

The transport status area of the ADAT panel as
shown in Figure 10-14 shows you the current status
of the transports of the ADAT. The chart below
explains each possible transport status icon.

Transport icon Name What it means

Stop The ADAT is stopped, and the

Play The ADAT is playing.

Fast forward The ADAT is cuing forward.

Rewind The ADAT is rewinding.

Pause The ADAT is paused and the

Eject The tape in the ADAT is ejected.

Variable
play

Search This icon is blue, while the fast

Shuttle You probably won’t see this

tape head is disengaged.

tape head is still engaged.

You probably won’t see this
icon.

forward icon is green.

icon.

Figure 10-15: To choose the record source (either the analog or digital
inputs on the ADAT), choose the desired source from the pop-up
menu as shown.

Current SMPTE location display

The current SMPE location display shows the
current transport location of the ADAT. Except in
unusual circumstances, this number will exactly
match the number displayed on the front panel of
the ADAT, even if you have programmed a SMPTE
offset for the ADAT in ClockWorks.

Some ADATs, such as the ADAT XT, display

☛

hundredths of a second instead of frames in their
front panel. But the SMPTE display in ClockWorks
will always show hours: minutes: seconds: and
frames, since ClockWorks derives its SMPTE
display from MIDI Time Code, which only
provides in formation in fra mes (n ot hundredths of
a second).

Step You probably won’t see this

Step com­pleted

Unrecog­nized com­mand

icon.

You probably won’t see this
icon.

This means that ClockWorks
did not recognize the command
sent from the ADAT. Rare.

Means that the last operation
was not completed successfully.
You’ll probably never see this.

SMPTE Offset

The SMPTE Offset button as shown in
Figure 10-14 lets you program a SMPTE offset for
the ADAT. This means that each ADAT can have its
own separate offset. To program the offset, click
the offset button and then type in the desired offset
amount. Use the tab key to move from field to field
and press return to confirm your choice. You can
also change numbers by dragging up or down on
them. Notice also that you can offset by sub­frames, as shown below in Figure 10-16.

SYNC AND MIDI MACHINE CONTROL

65

Sync/MMC Page 66 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:21 PM

Click here

to choose a

positive or

negative

offset

Figure 10-16: Each ADAT can have its own individual SMPTE offset.
Notice that the offset includes sub-frames in hundredths of a frame.

Click here
to enter an
offset.

On Line / Off Line

When the ADAT is

on line

, it will respond to the

MIDI Timepiece AV’s transport control. When the

off line

ADAT is

, it will not respond to the MIDI

Timepiece AV.

Monitor mode buttons

These buttons let you set the monitor mode of the

All

ADAT.

monitors all track input.

record-enabled tracks only.

All

.

Auto

Auto

monitors

mode overrides

Track record-enable buttons

The track record-enable buttons allow you to arm
tracks on the ADAT for recording. When you click
the button, it will flash green if ClockWorks is
currently set to

Rehearse

flash red if ClockWorks is set to

or

Safe

modes, or it will

Record

mode. The
button will turn solid when recording actually
begins.

When you then press the record button in
ClockWorks (or your MMC-compatible sequencer
or other software — with ClockWorks’ record
mode set to

Any application

), the ADAT will begin

recording on the track(s) you’ve armed.

Track offset buttons

ADATs have the ability to offset individual tracks
by a number of samples. The

Trac k o ff s et

buttons
below each record button as shown in Figure 10-17
allow you to set each track offset from within
ClockWorks. You can either type in a number of
samples or simply drag vertically on the number to
change it. The range of samples for ADATs is 0 to

8191.

Figure 10-17: To enter a track offset, click the track offset button as
shown and then enter the desired number of samples by typing or by
dragging vertically on the number.

ADATs provide this feature in samples as apposed
to frames. Below is a conversion chart to help you
work in frames.

SMPTE
unit

1 frame @ 30 fps 1470 1600

1 frame @ 29.97 fps 1470* 1600*

1 frame @ 25 fps 1764 1920

1 frame @ 24 fps 1837 2000

1/4 frame @ 30 fps 367 400

1/4 frame @29.97 fps 367* 400*

1/4 frame @ 25 fps 441 480

1/4 frame @ 24 fps 459 500

* This value is based on a pull-down rate.

Samples
at 44.1kHz

Samples
at 48kHz

ADAT PREFERENCES

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

The Sync/MMC window has a mini-menu (as
shown in Figure 10-1 on page 59) in its title bar.
The menu has a command called

Preferences

1

Click anywhere on the panel of the ADAT you

. To set the preferences for a ADAT:

wish to set preferences for.

2

Choose

Set Machine Preferences

MMC window mini-menu.

The Machine Preferences window opens.

Set Machine

from the Sync/

66

SYNC AND MIDI MACHINE CONTROL

Sync/MMC Page 67 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:21 PM

Figure 10-18: To set machine preferences, click the panel of the ADAT
you want to set preferences for and choose the Set Machine Prefer­ences command from the mini-menu in the title bar of the window.

MMC device settings

The window shows the icon, name and MMC
device ID of the selected ADAT. It lets you change
the number of tracks for the ADAT, as well as the
MMC device ID.The MIDI Timepiece AV
automatically assigns device IDs to ADATs chained
off its ADAT Sync out port. Under routine circum­stances, each ADAT will automatically be set to its
own unique ID (this is a requirement of MMC and
ADAT sync) and you won’t have to fuss with this
setting. If you do need to adjust it for some reason,
make sure the number you type in is not being
used by any other device on the ADAT chain.

Deferred play

The

Wait for device on play

option, when checked,
causes the MIDI Timepiece AV to wait for the
ADAT to cue to the current playback location
before it begins generating or converting time
code.

When the

Wait for device on play

option is
unchecked, the MIDI Timepiece AV may,
depending on the situation, begin generating or
converting time code while the ADAT is still cueing
to catch up to the current playback location. The
device will begin playing as soon as it catches up.

Turning this option on for all ADATs will ensure
that they all begin playing at the same time. But the
trade-off is that you will have to wait for all of them
to cue before playback begins. Here are some other
reasons why you might want to turn this option off
for a device:

■

The device is particularly slow.

■

You just don’t want to have to constantly wait for

a particular device to catch up.

■

You have several random-access systems that
can cue instantly, along with one device that has a
tape transport, and you don’t want to wait for the
one tape transport device.

SONY 9-PIN CALIBRATION

The Sync/MMC window mini-menu (shown in
Figure 10-1 on page 59) has an item called

9-PIN calibration

. This feature is only available in
the MOTU Digital Timepiece synchronizer. It is
grayed out when you are using a MOTU MIDI
interface.

Sony

SYNC AND MIDI MACHINE CONTROL

67

Sync/MMC Page 68 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:21 PM

68

SYNC AND MIDI MACHINE CONTROL

SMPTE Reader Page 69 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:21 PM

CHAPTER

11

SMPTE Reader

OVERVIEW

As a smaller, more compact version of the upper
portion of the Sync/MMC window, the SMPTE
Reader window provides a running update of the
time code being generated or converted by your
MOTU interface. Status information is
continuously fed to the SMPTE Reader from your
MOTU interface via MIDI Time Code. It also
provides valuable status information about your
MOTU interface itself.

The SMPTE Reader window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

SMPTE Reader status display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Time base status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Frame lock/freewheel status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Timebase measure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Actual Frame Rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Video Out Phase Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Output phase lock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Input frame phase lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

Input quarter frame phase lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

External time code detect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

THE SMPTE READER WINDOW

The SMPTE Reader provides a running update of
the time code being generated or converted by your
MOTU interface. This running update is made
possible by MIDI Time Code (MTC) generated by
your MOTU interface and routed to the Macintosh.
If the SMPTE Reader is not responding, make sure
the Device Settings & Routing window has the
connection shown in Figure 7-14 on page 50.

The SMPTE Reader shows your MOTU interface’s
current frame location in hours: minutes: seconds/
frames.

Figure 11-1: The SMPTE Reader provides a running update of your
MOTU interface while it is generating or converting time code.

If you click the triangle in the lower left-hand
corner of the window, an additional status display
appears at the bottom of the window. This area
shows what state your MOTU interface is in at any
given time.

Word clock stable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

Opens the separate status
window shown in Figure 11-3
on page 70.

Figure 11-2: The triangle along the left-hand side of the window
opens and closes the status display at the bottom of the window.

69

SMPTE Reader Page 70 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:21 PM

SMPTE READER STATUS DISPLAY

The SMPTE reader status display can be opened by
clicking the triangle in the lower left-hand corner
of the SMPTE Reader, as shown in Figure 11-2.

The status area provides detailed information
about what state your MOTU interface is in as a
synchronizer. The following sections provide a
brief explanation of each term.

The sync status area of the SMPTE Reader can also
be opened as a separate window by clicking the
question mark icon shown in Figure 11-2.

Has Timebase

This status indicator means that your MOTU
interface has established a stable time base. You’ll
see this indicator when one of the following is true:

■

your MOTU interface is in Internal mode

■

your MOTU interface is set to receive external
sync (MTC, LTC, word clock, etc.) and it has
successfully achieved lockup with the external sync
source.

Getting Time base

This status indicator is displayed briefly while your
MOTU interface is in the process of establishing
lock-up to an external time base. It is an
intermediate state and you’ll only see it briefly.

FRAME LOCK/FREEWHEEL STATUS

This line in the status display tells you if your
MOTU interface is frame-locked or if it is currently
freewheeling. The terms you will see here are:

Figure 11-3: To open the Sync Status window, click the question mark
icon shown in Figure 11-2.

TIME BASE STATUS

The time base status readout tells you whether or
not your MOTU interface is currently locked to a
time base. The terms you will see here are:

■

Needs Timebase

■

Has Timebase

■

Getting Timebase

Needs Timebase

This status indicator means that your MOTU
interface is waiting to receive incoming signal from
an external time base source from which it will
derive a time base. When it successfully achieves
lockup, it then displays

Has Timebase

.

■

Frame-locked

■

Jam

Frame-locked

This status indicator means that your MOTU
interface is successfully locked to an external time
base and that it is also successfully generating or
converting SMPTE time code.

Jam (MIDI Timepiece AV only)

This status indicator means that the MIDI
Timepiece AV has been successfully locked to
external SMPTE time code in one of its video
modes, but that it has also detected that the SMPTE
time code has drifted out of frame-lock with video
for more than five frames in a row or the time code
has dropped out completely.

Jam

The primary reason for the

indicator is to alert

you to SMPTE time code on a video tape that is not

frame-locked

— that is, the time code drifts in

relation to the actual video frames.

70

SMPTE READER

SMPTE Reader Page 71 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:21 PM

Here is a great way to put this feature to good use
and to ensure trouble-free video sessions: if you get
a video tape that has time code already on it, and
you have no way of verifying how the time code
was recorded, you should slave the MIDI
Timepiece AV to it (in LTC/VIDEO mode) from
start to finish once before you begin working with

Jam

it. If you do not get the

indicator at any time,
you know that the SMPTE time code is frame­locked and does not drift in reference to video
frames. If you do get the JAM status indicator, you
are alerted that the SMPTE time code is not frame­locked, and you can take appropriate action with
the MIDI Timepiece AV to fix the tape. By
connecting the video signal from your VCR to the
video-in jack on the MIDI Timepiece AV,
connecting the SMPTE-out jack to one of the audio
tracks on your video deck, and selecting
INTERNAL/VIDEO as the sync mode, you can re­stripe the tape with frame-lock accuracy.

If it doesn’t really matter to you that the time code
is not frame-locked, you can simply lock the MIDI
Timepiece AV to the SMPTE time code in LTC
mode (instead of LTC/VIDEO), which will provide
consistent, reliable sync.

TIMEBASE MEASURE

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

This status indicator shows the actual sample rate
being generated by the MIDI Timepiece AV based
on the current external time base. This display
shows the number of samples being generated per
second. It allows you to measure how accurate
external time base sources are (such as video or
LTC). It is also affected by the sample rate settings
in the MIDI Timepiece AV, so it can help you chase
down discrepancies with pull-up and pull-down
sample rates.

ACTUAL FRAME RATE

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

This status indicator shows how far off the current
SMPTE frame rate output of the MIDI
Timepiece AV is from the current frame rate
setting (as shown by the LEDs on the front panel of
the MIDI Timepiece AV). This is an easy way to
check the accuracy of external timebases. It also
helps avoid pull up/down problems that can
inadvertently arise.

You can also use this to differentiate between 30 fps
and 29.97 fps (non-drop) coming from an external
source. Normally the MIDI Timepiece AV will
automatically switch to the frame rate that it
detects, but it is not possible to differentiate, for
example, between 29.97 non-drop coming from an
accurate time base and 30 fps coming from a
timebase that is running slightly slow. If you know
whether your sync source is generating 29.97 or 30
fps, you should set the MIDI Timepiece AV frame
rate appropriately. If you are not sure which frame
rate is correct, the time base adjust display can give
you an idea. For example, if the MIDI
Timepiece AV is set to 30 fps and the actual frame
rate display shows 29.97, it is likely that the actual
received frame rate is 29.97 fps.

VIDEO OUT PHASE LOCK

(For the MIDI Timepiece AV only)

When this status indicator is illuminated, it means
that the video out signal of the MIDI Timepiece AV
is in sync with the correct time base.

OUTPUT PHASE LOCK

When this status indicator is illuminated, it means
that time code generated by your MOTU interface
(MTC and LTC) is in sync with the current time
base.

SMPTE READER

71

SMPTE Reader Page 72 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:21 PM

INPUT FRAME PHASE LOCK

When this status indicator is illuminated, it means
that your MOTU interface has successfully
achieved lockup with incoming LTC/MTC full
frame messages.

INPUT QUARTER FRAME PHASE LOCK

When this status indicator is illuminated, it means
that your MOTU interface has successfully
achieved lockup with incoming LTC/MTC quarter
frame messages.

EXTERNAL TIME CODE DETECT

When this status indicator is illuminated, it means
that your MOTU interface has successfully
detected external time code (MTC, LTC).

WORD CLOCK STABLE

When this status indicator is illuminated, it means
that your MOTU interface has successfully
achieved a stable time base rate from its internal
time base or by determining the external time base
rate.

72

SMPTE READER

Utilities menu Page 73 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:22 PM

CHAPTER

12

Utilities Menu

INTERFACE SETTINGS

Use the
menu to open the Interface Settings dialog box.
This dialog box is the same dialog box that appears
in other FreeMIDI applications and will control
FreeMIDI’s access to the serial ports of your
Macintosh for all FreeMIDI applications. This
dialog box allows you to enable and disable the two
serial ports for MIDI.

Interface Settings

command in the Utilities

EDIT FREEMIDI CONFIGURATION

The

Edit FreeMIDI Configuration

Utilities menu launches the FreeMIDI Setup
application (or switch to FreeMIDI Setup if it is
already open) and display the current FreeMIDI
Configuration. There is a Return command in
FreeMIDI Setup (command-R) that will switch
back to ClockWorks, if you entered FreeMIDI
Setup using the
command.

Edit FreeMIDI Configuration

command in the

REESTABLISH COMMUNICATION

This command makes ClockWorks perform a
handshake with the MOTU interface currently
being controlled with ClockWorks — without
polling it for all of its current settings. As a result,
this command is faster than the
command. Reestablish Communication is grayed
out unless ClockWorks has detected that one of
your pieces of MOTU hardware has gone off line.

Verify Network

SEND DATA TO

This command sends all of the current settings in
ClockWorks to your MOTU interface (or the
currently selected Mark of the Unicorn hardware in
the Device List window.) This command is useful if
your MOTU hardware has been turned off or
disconnected while you were working with
ClockWorks. This command updates the internal
state of the hardware so that it matches what you
have done in the software on the computer.

If you are running OMS, this command launches
the OMS Setup application.

SELECT

If you have other Mark of the Unicorn hardware
connected to your Macintosh, such as multiple
MIDI interfaces or a Digital Timepiece, this
command lets you choose which piece of gear you
want to be editing in the windows and menus of
ClockWorks. This feature is similar to highlighting
a device in the Device List window.

VERIFY NETWORK

Causes ClockWorks to poll for Mark of the
Unicorn MIDI interfaces and Digital Timepieces to
detect what units are connected and obtain their
basic hardware configuration.

SET MTP 1 DEFAULT

This command is grayed out unless an original
MOTU MIDI Timepiece is currently on-line and
selected in the Device List window. If so, it restores
the MIDI Timepiece to its factory default state.

AUTOTECH™ ASSISTANT

When AutoTech™ assistant is turned on (checked),
ClockWorks will monitor the settings in all Mark of
the Unicorn MIDI interfaces connected to your
Mac to detect and resolve conflicting settings.
AutoTech will detect problems such as conflicting
MMC device IDs, other conflicting MMC settings
and sysex muting settings that will interfere with
the interface’s ability to communicate with other
MIDI devices and hardware. We strongly

73

Utilities menu Page 74 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:22 PM

recommend that you keep this feature turned on,
especially if you are using a Digital Timepiece or
multiple MOTU interfaces.

ALL NOTES OFF

The

All Notes Off

send out All Notes Off messages to all devices. In
addition, it sends out a MIDI note off command for
every note on every channel. As you can imagine,
this is a lot of data, and it will take FreeMIDI a
moment to transmit all of it! Just watch the front­panel LED’s, and when they finish flickering, then
the operation is done.

command causes FreeMIDI to

74

UTILITIES MENU

Part II-For XT/Micro Users Page 75 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:22 PM

Part II

For XT & Micro Users

XT& Micro Users

Part II-For XT/Micro Users Page 76 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:22 PM

XT& Micro Users

Express XT/micro Presets Page 77 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:23 PM

CHAPTER

13

Working with Presets

OVERVIEW

This chapter describes your MOTU Express
interface’s eight factory presets and explains how
to:

■

Select a factory preset or one of eight user presets

from the front panel

■

Create your own user presets

■

Use the Presets window in ClockWorks

■

Select presets using patch changes from any
MIDI source (such as a keyboard controller or
sequencer)

Factory versus user presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Selecting a preset on an Express XT . . . . . . . . . .77

Selecting a preset on a micro express . . . . . . . . .77

Factory Presets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

User Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

FACTORY VERSUS USER PRESETS

Your Express interface provides eight factory
presets and eight more user presets. Factory presets
are “hard-wired” and cannot be permanently
changed. If a factory preset is the current preset,
changes you make to your Express interface’s
settings will not be remembered unless you save
them to one of its eight user presets.

The eight user presets can be configured any way
you wish, and they can be stored in the interface
hardware itself for later recall.

SELECTING A PRESET ON AN EXPRESS XT

To select a preset from the front panel:

1

If you have a MIDI Express XT, press the BANK
button as needed to choose either the factory
preset bank or user preset bank. The Factory Preset
or User Preset LED will become lit.

The Presets window in ClockWorks . . . . . . . . . .80

Switching presets using a patch change . . . . . . .81

Modifying a preset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

2

Repeatedly press the SELECT button until the
LED below the program you want lights up.

As you repeatedly press the button, the LED cycles
through the eight programs.

SELECTING A PRESET ON A MICRO EXPRESS

To select a preset from the front panel:

1

Repeatedly press the SELECT button until the
LED for the program you want lights up.

2

The SELECT button cycles through both the
factory and user presets, as indicated by the red

Use r

LED and the green

Factor y

LED.

77

Express XT/micro Presets Page 78 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:23 PM

FACTORY PRESETS

The eight factory presets provide you with
optimum cable routing, SMPTE, and other settings
for various common situations in which you will
use your Express interface. The eight factory preset
settings are listed on the front panel as shown
below:

MIDI Express XT front panel preset controls

micro express front panel preset controls

Figure 13-1: The eight factory presets on the front panel of the
Express XT and micro express.

Each factory preset is described in the following
sections, including situations in which you would
find it useful.

Sequencer 30 fps

This preset is designed for MIDI software,
especially sequencing software, that supports
multi-cable interfaces such as your Express
interface. Use this preset if you have Performer,
Vision, Cubase, Logic, or any other MIDI software
that supports multi-cable interfaces.

This preset connects all inputs and outputs to the
computer. In addition, it sets the SMPTE sync
settings for lockup and striping at 30 frames per
second (fps).

Sequencer 25 fps

This preset is identical to the Sequencer 30 fps
above except that the frame rate is set to 25 frames
per second (fps) for converting and striping at
25 fps.

Live Keyboards

Use this preset when you want to route any
controller connected to a MIDI IN to all MIDI
outputs. This preset is ideal for quickly routing a
controller to a sound module and for using a MIDI
controller without a computer. If you have
connected both the MIDI IN and MIDI OUT of
your keybo ard controller to your Express interface,
it is best to match the input/output MIDI port
numbers on your MOTU interface. For example, if
the controller is connected to MIDI IN port 3,
connect it to MIDI OUT port 3 as well. If you do so,
this preset prevents troublesome MIDI feedback
loops, which happen when the controller sends
data back to itself via your Express interface. This
preset avoids this problem by not sending data to
the port that has the same number. For example,
MIDI IN port 3 routes data to all MIDI OUT ports

except

MIDI OUT number 3.

Merge All

With this preset, any device connected to a MIDI
IN will send data to all devices connected to your
Express interface outputs, including the computer.
This preset is ideal for troubleshooting because it
routes everything to everywhere; any incoming
data will be sent to all outputs. For example, if you
are not getting sound from a sound module when
you play notes on your controller, you can
eliminate MIDI routing as the cause of the problem
by temporarily using this preset. You can rest
assured that your Express interface is routing the
data to the module correctly, and you can then
focus your efforts on other possible causes, such as
bad MIDI cables, volume settings, etc.

78

WORKING WITH PRESETS

Express XT/micro Presets Page 79 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:23 PM

Use this troubleshooting technique if you cannot
successfully record data into your sequencer on the
computer.

Merge Some

The Merge Some preset is similar to the Merge All
preset, except that it divides the inputs into two
groups: inputs 1-4 (1-2 on the micro express) are
routed to the computer only, while inputs 5-8 (3-4
on the micro express) are routed directly to all
outputs (but not the computer).

Dual Split

The Dual Split preset is similar to the Live
Keyboards preset, except that it splits the interface
into two sets of inputs and outputs.

For the micro express, input 1 is routed to outputs
1-3. Input 3 is routed to outputs 4-6.

For the Express XT, i

nput 1 is routed to outputs

1-4. Input 5 is routed to outputs 5-8.

MIDI Machine/for the Express XT

This preset provides MIDI data, time code, and
MIDI Machine Control settings for using MIDI
Machine Control between devices without a
computer.

6, 7 and 8. Input 7 routes MMC to the MIDI
Express XT only. Input 8 does a combination of
inputs 6 and 7.

MIDI Machine/for the micro express

This preset provides MIDI data, time code, and
MIDI Machine Control settings for using MIDI
Machine Control between devices without a
computer.

Inputs 1-2 are reserved for non-MMC devices
being routed to outputs 1-4, as well as the
computer.

Input 3 is also routed to the computer but not to
any of the MIDI outputs.

MIDI outputs 5 and 6 are reserved for MIDI
Machine devices, as these ports are programmed
to receive MIDI Time Code and MMC transport
commands from the micro express.

MIDI inputs 3 and 4 are intended for MMC
controller devices, and they are each programmed
slightly differently to accommodate several
different scenarios. Input 3 routes MMC to the
micro express only. Input 4 routes MIDI data only
to output 6.

Inputs 1-4 are reserved for non-MMC devices
being routed to outputs 1-5, as well as the
computer.

Input 5 is also routed to the computer but not to
any of the MIDI outputs.

MIDI outputs 6, 7 and 8 are reserved for MIDI
Machine devices, as these ports are programmed
to receive MIDI Time Code and MMC transport
commands from the MIDI Express XT.

MIDI inputs 6, 7 and 8 are intended for MMC
controller devices, and they are each programmed
slightly differently to accommodate three different
scenarios. Input 6 routes MIDI data only to outputs

WORKING WITH PRESETS

Direct

This preset causes your Express interface to
function like a simple 1 IN/8 OUT or 1 IN/ 6 OUT
MIDI interface, respectively. All of the extra
routing, merging, muting, rechannelizing, and
running status features are disabled. Your Express
interface applies no processing whatsoever to
MIDI data as it is sent to and from the computer.
This mode is referred to as

Direct Connect mode

through this manual.

Input 1 connects to the computer, and the
computer connects to all 8 (or 6) outputs. But none
of the inputs are connected directly to the outputs.

79

Express XT/micro Presets Page 80 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:23 PM

This preset can be used effectively to solve
problems with non-standard MIDI data transfers.
For example, some samplers transmit sample
dumps in a way that won’t work when your Express
interface’s MIDI processing features are enabled.
This mode disables the processing features, which
solves the problem. If you experience trouble with
sysex, try this preset.

☛

ClockWorks cannot communicate with your
Express interface when it is in Direct mode. To
restore communications, use the front panel
controls to choose another preset.

USER PRESETS

Your Express interface provides eight user presets,
which you can configure any way you wish. From
the factory, these eight user presets match the eight
Factory presets described earlier in this chapter. To
change one of the eight user presets, use
ClockWorks as described in the next few sections
to modify and save the user preset in your Express
interface itself. Optionally, you can also save it on
your computer hard disk.

THE PRESETS WINDOW IN CLOCKWORKS

The Presets window in ClockWorks (as shown in
Figure 13-2) gives you an overview of information
about all the presets. It lets you:

■

View an itemized description of each preset

■

Change the names of the eight user presets

■

Assign a MIDI patch change number to each
preset so that it can be called up from a sequencer,
controller, or foot switch

■

Make modifications to the preset settings

Selecting a preset

One of the presets is always highlighted as shown in
Figure 13-2, and the currently highlighted preset
always matches the currently selected preset on the
front panel of your Express interface.

To switch to a different preset, choose it from your
Express interface front panel or click the preset
name in the Presets window.

The status strip shows
what preset is currently
being loaded or saved.

The current preset

Click the name of the preset
to select it in the MIDI inter­face itself. The current
preset name is highlighted.

80

MIDI patch change numbers for each
preset. If you want to change a number,
click the text box and type the desired
number. The range of values is 0 to 127.

Figure 13-2: The Presets window.

The script for (description of) the
current preset. This list tells you all of
the settings for the preset, such as
cable routing and SMPTE settings.

WORKING WITH PRESETS

Express XT/micro Presets Page 81 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:23 PM

Viewing the preset script

The

preset script

is an itemized list of settings for
the currently selected preset. The script is shown in
the right-hand portion of the window with the
name of the current preset shown at the top, as
shown in Figure 13-2 on page 80.) The script is a
comprehensive list of all of the interface settings for
the preset.

To add or change an item in the list, go to the
appropriate window in the ClockWorks windows
menu and make the change. The change will be
automatically saved when you quit ClockWorks or
switch to a different preset. (See “Modifying a
preset” on page 82 for a complete explanation of
how to modify a preset.)

Renaming user presets

The factory preset names (the first eight presets in
the list) cannot be changed since they should
always match the names of the front panel of your
Express interface. Any user preset name, however,
can be changed.

To change the name of a user preset:

1

Double-click the name to pop-edit it.

A pop-up box appears in which you can edit the
text.

SWITCHING PRESETS USING A PATCH
CHANGE

Each preset has a MIDI patch change number
assigned to it; the patch change number is
displayed in a text box to the right of the preset in
the Presets window as shown in Figure 13-2 on
page 80. You can call up a preset using a MIDI
controller or sequencer by sending a MIDI patch
change event to your Express interface with the
corresponding patch number value. For example, if
you wanted to call up the

Live Keyboards

preset shown in Figure 13-2, you would send a
MIDI patch change event with a value of 10.

If you want to change the patch change number for
a preset, click the text box and type in the new
number.

To get your Express interface to respond to the
preset patch changes, you need to indicate where
the patch change will be sent from. We’ll call this

preset trigger source

the

: the MIDI channel your
Express interface will “listen to” for preset patch
changes.

To specify the preset trigger source:

1

Choose Set preset trigger source from the Preset

menu.

2

When the Set Trigger Source dialog box
appears, indicate the MIDI or serial port you would
like to send the patch changes from.

factory

Figure 13-3: Naming a user preset. Factory preset names can’t be
changed.

2

Type the desired name.

3

Press return to confirm the new name or press

command-period to cancel.

WORKING WITH PRESETS

81

Express XT/micro Presets Page 82 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:23 PM

Your Express interface preset select message is as
follows:

F0 00 00 33 08 22 00 00 xx F7

The “xx” byte specifies the preset number. Use the
value shown in the table below. For example, to
select the Live Keyboards preset, plug in “0B” in the
message to get:

Figure 13-4: The Set Trigger Source dialog lets you indicate the source
of patch change messages that will call up your Express interface
presets.

If you are going to use a MIDI controller, choose it
from the input cable device pop-up menu. If you
are going to change Express interface presets from
computer software, check the computer box. The
foot switch option lets you switch presets using
patch change events sent by a foot switch. For
information, see “Switching presets with the pedal”
on page 88. Be sure to indicate the MIDI channel
you will be transmitting the patch change on, too.

Sending patch changes from the Mac

As you can see by the serial port options in the Set
Trigger Source dialog box, your Express interface
can receive patch changes from software running
on the Macintosh. You should be careful, however,
when choosing to do so because you can
inadvertently switch the current preset. For
example, you might have a patch change event in a
sequencer track that you intended to call up a patch
on a sound module. But if the patch number is the
same as your Express interface preset, your Express
interface will respond to it as well.

To avoid this problem, you can use system
exclusive data instead of patch change events to
make Express interface preset changes from the
computer. Your Express interface has a “preset
selection” system exclusive message, which you can
program into your sequencer instead of a patch
change.

F0 00 00 33 08 22 00 00 0B F7

When you send this message to your Express
interface, it will switch to the Live Keyboards
preset.

Preset Hex number (“xx”)

Sequencer 30 fps

Sequencer 25 fps

Live Keyboards

Merge All

Merge Some

Dual Split

MIDI Machine

Direct

User Preset 1

User Preset 2

User Preset 3

User Preset 4

User Preset 5

User Preset 6

User Preset 7

User Preset 8

09

0A

0B

0C

0D

0E

0F

10

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

MODIFYING A PRESET

You can change any settings of the currently
selected preset in any window in ClockWorks. For
example, you could add or delete a connection in
the Device Settings & Routing window, change a
setting in the SMPTE Controls window, or mute
something in the Event Muting window.

If a user preset is selected at the time you make the
modification, the change is automatically saved
with the preset. (Saving occurs when you switch to
a different preset or when you quit ClockWorks.)

82

WORKING WITH PRESETS

Express XT/micro Presets Page 83 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:23 PM

If a factory preset is selected when you make the
modification, the change remains in effect until
you switch to a different preset. Since the
modification can’t be saved with the factory preset
(factory presets can’t be modified), ClockWorks
presents you with a window asking you if you
would like to save the current state of the interface
as one of the eight user presets:

Figure 13-5: Saving the current state of your Express interface to one
of the eight user presets.

Select one of the eight user presets from the pop-up
menu, type in a new name for it if you like, and
click OK. The modified factory preset gets saved as
a user preset.

You can invoke the

Save Preset

dialog shown above
at any time by choosing Save Preset from the
Presets menu.

WORKING WITH PRESETS

83

Express XT/micro Presets Page 84 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:23 PM

84

WORKING WITH PRESETS

Pedal-XT Page 85 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:23 PM

CHAPTER

14

Working with a Foot Pedal

OVERVIEW

This chapter explains how you can use a foot pedal
with your Express interface to:

■

Generate MIDI data, such as notes, controllers,
patch changes, pitch bend, and system exclusive
data using a foot switch

■

Use the foot switch to step through a series of
MIDI data events (or groups of events)

■

Use the foot switch to change the current
Express interface preset or step through a series of
presets

■

Convert an audio tempo source (such as a click
track) into MIDI data to slave MIDI hardware or
software to the audio tempo source

PEDAL WINDOW BASICS

The pedal input is controlled by the Pedal window,
which can be opened from the Windows menu.
This window lets you indicate the type of input you
are using (click input or foot switch). It also lets you
choose what type of data will be generated.

Pedal window basics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

Switching presets with the pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

Converting an audio click to MIDI . . . . . . . . . . .88

Figure 14-1: The Pedal window.

Saving pedal settings as part of a user preset

As with other ClockWorks windows, the settings
you make in this window affect the current preset
in your Express interface, and they will remain in
effect until you change them or switch to a different
preset. In addition, you can save these settings as
part of one of the eight user presets. Each one of the
eight user presets can have its own, unique pedal &
click settings. For example, you could set up user
preset 1 to handle a foot switch, while preset 8
could be set up for click-to-MIDI conversion.

To save pedal and click settings with a user preset:

1

Select the preset.

2

Make the settings you wish in the Pedal window.

The settings will be automatically saved when you
quit ClockWorks or switch to a different preset.

85

Pedal-XT Page 86 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:23 PM

Using a foot switch

You can use any standard momentary foot switch
with your Express interface. Note, however, that
your Express interface does not support
“expression” foot pedals, which generate a
continuous stream of data.

There are several types of momentary foot

☛

switches. Some are “on” when they are pressed;
others are on when they are released. For
simplicity, in this manual we refer to the type where

pressed

“on” is

.

A momentary foot switch triggers one MIDI event
(or set of events) at a time, either when you press
down on it or when you release it. With your
Express interface, you can even program the foot
switch to step through a series of MIDI events. For
example, you might set up a series of MIDI patch
changes that call up different sounds on your
synths and then use the foot switch to step through
them during a live performance, calling up the next
sound each time you press the foot switch.
Consecutive events don’t have to be the same type
of event. For example, you could send a patch
change event to call up a sound, followed by a
controller #7 with a value of zero to mute an
instrument.

Pedal setup overview

Here is an overview of how to set up your Express
interface to use a foot switch:

1

Be sure the foot switch is connected to your
Express interface as shown in Figure 2-7 on
page 13.

2

Open the Pedal window by choosing it from the
Windows menu.

3

Choose

4

Set up the data to be sent using the controls in

Foot Switch

from the Pedal type menu.

the bottom portion of the window. This is covered
in detail in the next section, “Setting up the foot
switch output data”.

5

In the Device Settings & Routing window, make
connections from the foot pedal icon to the desired
MIDI out port icons and computer icons.

The foot switch can even send more than one MIDI
event at a time. For example, you could press the
foot switch at the beginning of a new song during a
live performance to have it select a sound (patch
change event), set the correct volume (volume
controller), and zero out pitch bend to begin at the
correct pitch (pitch bend event of zero).

The foot switch can also trigger a

panic

hit, sending

note-offs to all output cables.

86

Figure 14-2: Routing pedal data.

MIDI data that you generate with the foot switch
can be sent to any device connected to your
Express interface, including the computer (serial
port A) and serial port B.

6

When you have finished setting up the data, you
are ready to use the foot switch.

See “Sending data with the foot switch” on page 87.

WORKING WITH A FOOT PEDAL

Pedal-XT Page 87 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:23 PM

Setting up the foot switch output data

If you choose “Foot Switch” from the “Pedal type”
pop-up menu, the window displays the data for the
foot switch as shown in Figure 14-1 on page 85.

The data sequence list lets you build a series of
MIDI data events. Here is a summary of what you
can do:

To do this Do this

To add a MIDI event that you
want sent when you press the
pedal down (on)

To add a MIDI event that you
want sent when you release the
pedal (off)

To add another MIDI event to
either column

To edit the settings of an event Double-click the setting you

To add a new event that will be
grouped with the event above it

Press on the arrow on the
left-hand side of the Pedal On
column.

Press on the arrow on the
left-hand side of the Pedal Off
column.

Press on the arrow on the
left-hand side at the bottom of
the list.

wish to change.

Press on a arrow anywhere in
the group where the event
should be inserted. The event is
inserted where the arrow
points.

To program pedal off data, add it to the Pedal Off
column as discussed in the previous section,
“Setting up the foot switch output data”. The Pedal
Off list can have up to 47 bytes of pedal off data,
just like the pedal on data, giving you a total of 94
bytes worth of foot switch data.

Grouping data

You can set up the list so that the pedal sends
several MIDI events all at once. After you create the
first event, press on the arrow to its right to add a
second event to the group. You can continue to add
more events to the group by clicking the right-hand
arrow of any event in the group. The new event you
insert will always be inserted just below the arrow
you press on.

Click here to
add another
event to the
group.

To delete an event Click the event to select it and

To delete an entire row or
group

To add a “panic” hit Press on a triangle and choose

press the delete key.

Click the square icon to the left
of the row to select it and press
the delete key.

the

PANIC

item.

Sending “pedal off” data

So far, we’ve only discussed sending “pedal on”
data. That is, data which is sent when you press

down

on the foot switch. Your Express interface can

release

also send “pedal off” data when you

the foot
switch. In fact, you can program the list of data for
both pedal on and pedal off data. Each time you
press down, you send a pedal on event, and when
you release you send a pedal off event. Keep in
mind, however, that this could be a little awkward
because––depending on what you are doing––you
may be required to hold your foot down for a while
before sending the next event.

Figure 14-3: An example of grouping data events. In this example, the
Pedal On group, a C major triad (notes C-E-G), is sent when the pedal
is pressed a first time. When the pedal is pressed again, Note-Off
events are sent to silence the chord. (Note-off events are denoted by a
grayed out note icon.) The status bar above the list indicates 18 bytes
worth of pedal on data.

Sending data with the foot switch

Once you have made the preparations described in
the previous section, you are ready to use the foot
switch. Just press it and release it. With each press,
it will send out a group of MIDI events. When you
press it again, it sends out the next event or group
in the list. When you reach the last event or group,
your Express interface returns to the beginning to
step through the list again.

If you have programmed “pedal off” events, it will
send a MIDI event or group each time you release
the foot switch as well, alternating between the

Pedal On

and

Pedal Off

data lists. Using both pedal

on and pedal off events is an effective way to step

WORKING WITH A FOOT PEDAL

87

Pedal-XT Page 88 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:23 PM

through a series of events quickly. Rather than
having to press down for each event, which
involves two motions (up and down), you can use
just one motion––a quick press or release.

SWITCHING PRESETS WITH THE PEDAL

The foot switch can be used to change to a different
preset. For example, you might set up the eight user
presets for various controller routings for a live
show and then use the foot switch to step through
the presets at various points during your live
performance.

Another benefit of this feature is that it when you
switch to a different preset, the new preset can have
a completely different list of foot switch data events.
You could then step through them and at the end of
the list switch to yet another preset with yet another
list of events to step through. This is a great way to
break the 94-bytes-per-preset limit on foot switch
MIDI data. Each preset can have 94 bytes (47 pedal
on bytes plus 47 pedal off bytes), and you can step
through eight presets, which gives you a total of 752
consecutive bytes you can step through with a foot
switch.

To switch presets with a foot switch:

1

Open the Presets window.

2

Choose Set Trigger Source from the Presets

window mini-menu.

The Set Trigger Source dialog box appears.

3

Check the Foot switch option, choose a MIDI

channel, and click OK.

4

Back in the Presets window, make note of the
patch number for the preset you want to select with
the foot switch.

5

Go to the Pedal window and add a Pedal On or
Pedal Off MIDI patch change event with a patch
change number that matches the preset you want.
Also make sure the MIDI channel number
matches.

See “Setting up the foot switch output data” on
page 87 for details.

When you reach the patch change event in the list,
you’ll switch to the new preset.

Make sure your preset patch change is the last

☛

event in the foot switch data list for the preset you
are currently programming because when you
switch to the new preset, the foot switch data list
will change to the new preset’s list.

CONVERTING AN AUDIO CLICK TO MIDI

Your Express interface can convert an audio click
into any MIDI event. For example, the audio click
can be played back from a tape deck or generated
live by a drummer. This feature can be used for
many purposes. Below are a few ideas:

■

Recording the click’s tempo map into a

sequencer

88

■

Slaving a sequencer to a click track

■

Triggering drum samples

This feature can be used with Mark of the Unicorn’s
Performer program to slave a sequence to
prerecorded music on tape while referenced to
SMPTE time code. For more information, please
refer to the Performer User’s Manual.

WORKING WITH A FOOT PEDAL

Pedal-XT Page 89 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:23 PM

To convert an audio click into MIDI:

1

Be sure that the audio click source is connected
to the PEDAL phone jack on your Express interface
as shown in Figure 2-7 on page 13.

2

Open the Pedal window from the Windows
menu in ClockWorks.

3

Under Pedal Type, select Click-to-MIDI.

The click-to-MIDI options appear.

You have three categories here:

Hex

and

. The hex option lets you enter any MIDI

Note, Controller

,

event in its raw, hexadecimal form as shown below,
with a status byte followed by data byte 1 and data
byte 2.

Figure 14-5: Entering click-to-MIDI data in hexadecimal.

6

Make the desired output assignment for the
MIDI click data using the pedal icon in the Device
Settings & Routing window as demonstrated in
Figure 14-2 on page 86.

7

Check to make sure that your Express interface
is successfully reading the click.

Figure 14-4: The click-to-MIDI options.

4

Adjust the Threshold and Decay options as

needed as you experiment with the response.

The decay and threshold settings are meant to
prevent doubled attacks. The decay is the amount
of time your Express interface will wait before it
begins scanning for another click. The decay can
be set from 1 to 15. Set the decay as high (long) as
possible to prevent false attacks, but low (short)
enough so that it won’t miss the next true click. Fast
tempos require a low decay; you can afford to use a
higher decay for slow tempos.

5

Under “Convert click to:”, choose the data type

you wish to generate from the click.

Observe the green MIDI OUT LED’s on the front
panel to see if they flash in sync with the click. If
they miss a beat, or if they seem to flicker or stutter
with a doubled attack, try adjusting the input level
of the click; also try adjusting the decay.

Click input hints

If your Express interface reads the audio click
erratically, such as generating doubled attacks, try
adjusting the decay value. If you still have trouble,
try attenuating the audio signal. The pedal input is
purposefully sensitive so that it can detect a low­amplitude signal. Also try adjusting the Threshold
and Decay settings in the Pedal window.

If you are creating the click that your Express
interface will convert, set the audio level fairly high
(at around 0 dB). Also, record a short, transient
click sound with no reverb or other effects. A short
and precise click sound will produce the best, most
reliable results.

WORKING WITH A FOOT PEDAL

89

Pedal-XT Page 90 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:23 PM

90

WORKING WITH A FOOT PEDAL

Synchronization-XT Page 91 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:24 PM

CHAPTER

15

Synchronization

OVERVIEW

This chapter explains how to use your MOTU
Express interface to synchronize computer
software and other devices to an audio tape
recorder (ATR), video tape recorder (VTR), or
other time code sources using SMPTE time code. It
also explains how to generate SMPTE (a process
commonly referred to as

This chapter also explains how to:

■

Slave your Express interface and other devices to

MIDI Time Code

■

Measure incoming time code to see how fast or

slow it is

■

Solve various SMPTE synchronization problems

If you are new to SMPTE Sync . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

Accessing SMPTE settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

Syncing your Express interface to SMPTE. . . . .91

Striping SMPTE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

LTC mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

MTC Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96

striping

).

IF YOU ARE NEW TO SMPTE SYNC

If you are not familiar with the process of
synchronizing with SMPTE time code, see
Appendix B, “SMPTE Synchronization Basics”
page (169)before reading this chapter. It provides a
definition of SMPTE time code and an explanation
of how it is used for synchronizing MIDI devices to
audio and video equipment.

ACCESSING SMPTE SETTINGS

You can access the sync settings in your MOTU
interface via ClockWorks in the Sync/MMC
window. See chapter 10, “Sync and MIDI Machine
Control” (page 59), for details about the settings in
this window.

SYNCING YOUR EXPRESS INTERFACE TO
SMPTE

Your Express interface ships from the factory ready
to lock the computer to SMPTE time code via the
MIDI Time Code (MTC) routing shown in
Figure 7-14 on page 50. When this MTC routing is
present, your Express interface will send MIDI
Time Code to the computer as soon as it locks up.
Any software running on the computer can then
slave to the time code. (Make sure the software is
set up to lock to MIDI time code.)

When your Express interface locks to the time
code, the green “LOCK” LED on the front panel
glows steadily and the red “TACH” LED blinks
regularly. In addition, the green computer OUT
LED glows steadily, indicating that MIDI time code
(MTC) is being sent to the computer.

91

Synchronization-XT Page 92 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:24 PM

Red TACH light

Green

computer OUT

light

Figure 15-1: Conv erting time code. When your Express interface
converts incoming time code, the red TACH light blinks, the green
LOCK light glows steadily, and the green computer OUT light glows
steadily as well. For the micro express, the lights on the front panel
are arranged slightly differently than what is show here on the XT, but
they perform in an identical fashion.

Green

LOCK light

If the LOCK and TACH lights do not behave as
described, your Express interface is not
successfully locking to the SMPTE time code. This
could be a problem with the audio connections
between the tape deck and your Express interface.
It could also be that the SMPTE level is not high
enough. See Appendix C, “Troubleshooting and
Customer Support” page (173).

If the LOCK and TACH lights look OK, but the
green computer OUT LED is not glowing, this
means that your Express interface settings have
been altered somehow such that it is not sending
MIDI time code to the computer. To correct the
settings, see Figure 7-15 on page 50.

Getting a running update of SMPTE

You can get a running update of SMPTE in the
ClockWorks SMPTE Reader and Sync/MMC
windows. For details, see chapter 10, “Sync and
MIDI Machine Control” (page 59).

SMPTE Offset

When reading time code, there may be times when
you need to offset your Express interface a certain
amount from the time code you are feeding it. See
Figure 10-3 on page 60 for details.

Routing MIDI Time Code to other devices

At times, you may need to route MIDI Time Code
to a device connected to one of your Express
interface’s MIDI OUTs. Similarly, you may have the
need to route MTC to serial port B on your Express
interface. For example, serial port B might be
connected to a Macintosh, which you need to slave
to time code. To make time code routings such as
these, see “The MTC In and MTC Out
connections” on page 49.

Freewheeling to avoid time code dropouts

When your Express interface encounters a drop­out —a series of missing or unreadable frames—in
the SMPTE time code, it “freewheels” past them,
pretending that they were not missing by briefly
generating its own code to make up for the missing
frames. The default freewheel value is 4 frames.
This means that your Express interface will
continue to generate time code for four more
frames after it stops receiving time code. If it does
not receive any more time code after four frames, it
will stop converting.

The factory default base setups have the
freewheeling feature set to 4 frames for fastest
response when you stop the tape deck. The
Freewheel amount can be adjusted up to 32 frames.
This allows your Express interface to maintain
lockup even over lengthy SMPTE drop outs.

If you encounter a time code drop out that causes
your Express interface to stop converting for a
moment, try increasing the freewheel amount in
the Sync/MMC window. Try adding just a few
frames at a time when adjusting the amount. (For
details on the “one time jam sync” option, see
“Regenerating fresh time code (‘jam syncing’)” on
page 95.)

your Express interface freewheels at the frame rate
it is reading at the time it begins freewheeling —
except for 29.97 drop and non-drop. If you intend

92

SYNCHRONIZATION

Synchronization-XT Page 93 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:24 PM

on reading 29.97 SMPTE, be sure to manually set
the SMPTE format to 29.97 so that freewheeling
will occur at the proper rate.

When you increase the freewheel amount, you also
increase the amount of time that your Express
interface keeps converting when you stop tape. To
make your Express interface as responsive as
possible, only raise the freewheel amount as high as
necessary to overcome the drop-out(s) you are
encountering.

Synchronizing to discontinuous time code

your Express interface has the ability to stay in sync
with discontinuous time code — that is, time code
that has no gaps in it but does have jumps in its
frame locations. For details about how to do this,
see “Frame lock” on page 62.

Slaving Performer to your Express interface

To slave Performer to your Express interface:

1

In Performer, select the appropriate options in

the Receive Sync dialog box in the Basics menu.

Specify the port to which your Express interface is
connected by clicking either the modem or printer
port button. Also, choose MTC as the “Type of
sync.”

5

Click on the Play or Record button in the
Controls window.

The Play button will begin flashing (or turn grey on
a black and white monitor), meaning that
Performer is waiting for sync information to start.

6

To start Performer, start the external device.

When Performer is locked and playing, the Play
button will turn blue (or solid black on a black and
white monitor). Once locked, Performer will
follow, start, stop and rewind under control of the
master.

7

To terminate the lock up with the master, click
on the Stop button.

Clicking on the Stop button will stop Performer
and remove it from the master’s control. This can
be done at any t ime. To retur n to normal oper ation,
turn off Slave to External Sync by selecting it again
from the Basics menu.

With your Express interface, it is not necessary to
click Play in Performer before you roll tape. You
can click the Play button in Performer even with
the tape rolling and Performer will jump right into
sync within a second or so.

2

Set the frame rate and click OK.

3

Set the sequence starting frame.

Click the button in the main counter and enter the
starting time. This should be a SMPTE time that is
within the range of the SMPTE striped on the tape
to which it will be slaving.

4

Check Slave to External Sync in the Basics

menu.

This puts Performer into slave mode, waiting for
sync information from an external device.

SYNCHRONIZATION

STRIPING SMPTE

Along with its other capabilities, your Express
interface is a SMPTE time code generator. It
generates an audio form of SMPTE time code
called Longitudinal Time Code (LTC).

Use the procedure below to generate new code
from scratch:

1

Make the audio cable connections shown in
Figure 2-6 on page 12.

93

Synchronization-XT Page 94 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:24 PM

We recommend that you do not pass the time code
output from your Express interface through a
mixer or any form of signal processor. If you must
go through a mixer, be sure equalization is flat.

2

Open the Sync/MMC window in the MTP/

Express Console software.

3

Set the master sync mode in the Sync/MMC

window to

4

If you are recording time code on a tape deck,

Internal

.

and your tape deck has dbx noise reduction, be
sure to defeat the noise reduction on the track you
are recording time code.

5

Enter a SMPTE start time in the Sync/MMC

window.

6

Choose the necessary frame rate.

7

Adjust the SMPTE output volume.

The goal when striping SMPTE is to get the VU
meter on the tape deck to read approximately –3.
You can adjust your Express interface’s SMPTE
volume output level by using the SMPTE VOLUME
OUT setting in the SMPTE/SYNC menu in the
front panel LCD. Or you can use the

Output Level

meter in the Sync/MMC window (visible when the
master mode is set to

Internal

the level, set the Master sync mode to

). If you want to test

Internal

and
use the Start and Stop buttons to make your
Express interface emit time code, and then meter it
with your mixer.

window, and you can even switch to another
application or Quit your Express interface
software.

10

To stop striping, click Stop.

You can stop striping at any time.

Of course, if you want to stripe a tape and
meanwhile get on with other work, you can quit
ClockWorks. Striping will proceed in the
background.

Striping SMPTE on a multitrack tape deck

The goal when striping SMPTE time code is to
generate an error-free signal strong enough for
reliable lockup, but not so strong that the SMPTE
bleeds through to adjacent tracks.

There are several ways to handle this. One way is to
leave an empty track on your multi-track tape deck
as a buffer between the SMPTE and other tracks.
With a buffer track, SMPTE can be recorded at
very strong (“hot”) levels (above 0 VU) without
risk of bleedthrough.

If your tape deck has no tracks to spare, a good
level at which to record is around –3 VU. That is,
the VU meter for the SMPTE track on your tape
deck should read –3 when you stripe the SMPTE.
This records SMPTE that is hot enough for reliable
lockup and weak enough so that it will not bleed
into adjacent tracks. -3 VU is only a rule of thumb,
though, so don’t hesitate to use other levels if they
work better for you.

8

Roll tape.

9

Click Start.

Striping will begin at the frame shown in the Start
Time box. The SMPTE Reader will begin to roll.
While striping, you can close the Sync/MMC

94

LTC MODE

In LTC mode, your Express interface locks to
incoming SMPTE time code received on its
SMPTE IN jack. But LTC mode differs from LTC
QuikLock mode in several significant ways. In LTC
mode, your Express interface:

■

Emits regenerated LTC on its SMPTE OUT jack

SYNCHRONIZATION

Synchronization-XT Page 95 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:24 PM

■

Analyzes incoming time code and responds in
several useful ways, depending on what happens to
the incoming time code

■

Mea sures incoming ti me code with an extremely
accurate internal clock to see how fast or slow it is
running and displays the results in the SMPTE
Reader window in ClockWorks

Because LTC mode employs a sophisticated phase­lock synchronization engine in your Express
interface, the amount of time it takes to establish
lockup to incoming time code is considerably
longer than LTC QuikLock mode. On the other
hand, LTC mode offers the additional capabilities
mentioned above. These features, and how you can
use them, are discussed in the next few sections.

Regenerating fresh time code (‘jam syncing’)

SMPTE is a problem when you are copying tapes: it
degrades rapidly every time you try to copy it from
one tape to another. Often, the SMPTE signal
deteriorates so much that it will not be
recognizable by any SMPTE-to-MIDI converter,
including your Express interface, and you will no
longer be able to lock to it.

The solution to this problem is to use your Express
interface to regenerate fresh SMPTE time code that
matches the original time code while you are
copying the tape. Some people refer to this process

jam syncing

as

. When your Express interface
receives a SMPTE signal on its SMPTE IN cable, it
always regenerates a fresh signal that exactly
matches the incoming signal and sends it out the
SMPTE OUT cable (except for drop-outs, which it
eliminates with freewheeling).

Fresh SMPTE
Time code

MIDI Express XT or micro express

Original
SMPTE Time
code

To regenerate SMPTE:

1

Connect the original SMPTE track to the
SMPTE IN on your Express interface, and connect
the SMPTE OUT from your Express interface to
the destination SMPTE track (which could even be
on a different tape deck).

2

Set the freewheel option in the Sync/MMC
window to a high enough number of frames to
cover any drop outs that may exist in the current
time code.

Try setting it to between 2 and 8 frames, unless
there is an obviously large dropout. If so, set it
more than 8 frames. This ensures that drop-outs in
the old code are not reproduced in the fresh code.

3

Roll tape and set the SMPTE volume levels.

When your Express interface is reading the old
time code, it generates fresh time code via its
SMPTE OUT jack only when it is in LTC mode; it
won’t regenerate LTC in

4

When the levels are set, roll tape and convert as

LTC QuikLock

mode.

normal.

SYNCHRONIZATION

your Express interface automatically creates fresh
SMPTE time code that matches the original time
code and its relation to the other tracks on the tape.

95

Synchronization-XT Page 96 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:24 PM

In addition, your Express interface freewheels over
drop-outs in the old time code so that the new,
clean code has none.

Lengthening a SMPTE track

If the time code on your SMPTE track ends too
early and you need to add more code, you can use
the “One time” jam sync option. To do so, feed the
original track into your Express interface and
record the fresh code onto a new track. Be sure to
start from the beginning so that you regenerate the
entire length of the original track. When your
Express interface reaches the end of the original
SMPTE track, it will begin striping on its own. To
stop striping, click the Stop button or wait until
your Express interface reaches the stop time.

And remember, your Express interface must be in

LT C

mode to do this, not

LTC QuikLock

.

Regeneration and time code bits

Except for when it is in

LTC QuikLock

mode, your
Express interface always regenerates fresh time
code from its SMPTE out jack. Time code user bits
embedded in incoming LTC on its SMPTE input
are not preserved.

MTC MODE

Choose this synchronization mode when you want
your Express interface to slave to MIDI Time Code
(MTC) being sent from a device connected to one
of its inputs. This mode offers the least amount of
time base stability, so it is recommend that you try
to set things up so that you can use one of the other
modes.

When your Express interface operates in MTC
mode, it locks to any MTC coming from your
computer. In doing so, however, it also “swallows”
the MTC coming from the computer. If you
attempt to transmit MTC from Performer, Digital
Performer, Pro Tools, or other software to a specific
MIDI device in your studio, it won’t reach the
MIDI device because it will get read and
“swallowed” by your Express interface. Since
computer-generated MTC is not as stable as other
forms of time code, you are better off doing just the
opposite: send MTC from your Express interface to
the computer, and if necessary, control your
Express interface from your computer software via
MIDI Machine Control as demonstrated in
Figure 5-3 on page 32.

Measuring incoming time code

In LTC mode, your Express interface measures
incoming time code with an extremely accurate
internal clock to see how fast or slow it is running
and displays the results in the SMPTE Reader
window in ClockWorks. For details, see “SMPTE
Reader status display” on page 70.

96

If you absolutely must transmit MTC from your
computer for some reason, See “Routing MTC to
your MOTU interface” on page 50 for important
information about routing MTC to your Express
interface. If you need to send MTC to other devices
as well, you can route it to them as demonstrated in
Figure 7-14 on page 50.

SYNCHRONIZATION

MMC Page 97 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:24 PM

CHAPTER

16

MIDI Machine Control

OVERVIEW

Your Express interface can serve as a MIDI
Machine Control (MMC) transport control “hub”
for all MMC-compatible devices, allowing you to
manipulate the transport controls of everything
from one master set of controls: either an MMC
hardware controller device such as JL Cooper’s
CuePoint or from MMC-compatible MIDI
software on the computer.

How MMC works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97

Setting MMC device ID’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

Setting up other MMC devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

Setting up your computer software . . . . . . . . . . .98

Setting up a hardware MMC controller . . . . . . .99

computer software as an MMC controller . . . . .99

Digital Performer as an MMC controller . . . . . .99

MMC remote control of record functions . . . . .99

Using a 3rd-party device as a master . . . . . . . . .99

MMC routing example. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100

HOW MMC WORKS

An MMC controller (which has transport and
cueing controls) sends transport commands (play,
stop, cue, etc.) to an MMC device that is serving as
a time code source. When the MMC device
responds to the transport commands, it generates
time code to which all other devices (and software)
chase and lock. The other devices do not need to be
MMC devices, as they sync in the usual fashion via
time code (LTC or MTC).

A recommended setup for MMC

The best scenario for MMC is to set the Master
sync mode of your Express interface to
Your Express interface serves as the time code
source, and your computer software (or hardware
MMC controller) serves as your MMC transport
control master. The MMC controller sends play,
stop, start and locate commands to your Express
interface, and all other devices (including the
computer software) chase and lock to time code
being generated by your Express interface.

Internal

.

In this scenario, your Express interface serves as a
time code “hub” for all other devices as pictured in
Figure 5-3 on page 32.

Other MMC scenarios

In the recommended scenario described in the
previous section, your Express interface receives
MMC transport commands and serves as the time
code master for everything else.

Alternately, you could choose another MMC
device, such as a hard disk recorder, to receive
transport commands and serve as the time code
master. For example, the device would receive
transport commands from your computer
software and generate SMPTE time code (LTC). In

97

MMC Page 98 Tuesday, June 22, 1999 1:24 PM

this case, you would set your Express interface
master sync mode to

LTC QuikLock

and feed the
LTC into your Express interface, which would then
drive all other devices.

There is no advantage to doing MMC this way; in
fact, it will probably not provide as stable a time
base as your Express interface does in the
recommended scenario described in the previous
section. You should only really use this setup if you
have a MMC device that does not have the ability to
be a time code slave and therefore must be the
master.

MMC and video

If you are working with video, and you want MMC
control of your rig from your computer software
(or MMC-compatible controller) via your Express
interface, your video deck needs to have the ability
to either:

■

Synchronize to external SMPTE time code

OR

■

Support MMC

Without either of these capabilities in your video
deck, your Express interface has no way to control
the video deck transports. You’ll instead have to use
your video deck as the transport and time code
master.

If your video deck supports the SONY 9-PIN
protocol, consider purchasing Mark of the
Uni cor n’s

Digital Timepiece

, which lets you control
your video deck from a computer (or other MMC
controller).

SETTING UP OTHER MMC DEVICES

If you have an MMC-compatible device, you can
slave it to your Express interface. But first, you need
to make your Express interface send MTC (or LTC
for some devices). To send MTC, use the Device
Settings & Routings window in ClockWorks to
make connections from the MTC Out port in the
left-hand column to the desired destinations in the
right-hand column as demonstrated in Figure 7-14
on page 50.

For most MMC devices that support being an
MMC slave, routing time code (either MTC as just
discussed or LTC) to them is all you need to do. For
some devices, you may also need to get your
Express interface to send MMC transport
commands to the device. Once again, you do this
in the Device Settings & Routing window: connect
the MMC Out port in the left-hand column to the
destinations in the right-hand column as
demonstrated in Figure 7-20 on page 52. Then you
are ready to control your MMC device — via your
Express interface — from the computer (or a
hardware MMC controller).

SETTING UP YOUR COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Regardless of what you decide to use as your MMC
transport control master (an MMC controller
device or computer software), you need to set up
the software so that it will slave to MIDI Time Code
(MTC) generated by your Express interface. This
will ensure that your software chases and locks
with all other MMC devices. Check to make your
software is set up to the proper frame rate, and that
it is in “external sync” or “slave” mode, waiting for
MTC.

SETTING MMC DEVICE ID’S

Each MMC device requires a unique MMC device
ID, including your Express interface itself. The
factory default ID of your Express interface is 20. If
needed, you can change it as shown in Figure 10-10
on page 62.

98

Also see “computer software as an MMC
controller” on page 99.

MIDI MACHINE CONTROL