Steinberg Nuendo Time Base Operation Manual
Time Base – Operation Manual
Operation Manual by D. Popow
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. No part of
this publication may be copied, reproduced or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for
any purpose, without prior written permission by Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
All product and company names are ™ or ® trademarks of their respective owners.
© Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH, 2004.
All rights reserved.
Table of Contents
7 Preface
9 Package Contents and
Installation
10 Package Contents
10 Installation – Connections –
Getting Started
11 Important Safety Instructions
12 Driver Software Installation
12 Windows PC Drivers
12 Mac OS X Drivers
13 Features and Basic
Settings
14 Time Base – Brief Overview
15 Basic Settings
17 Typical Setup
Examples
18 Basics
19 Computer Connection
20 Settings in Nuendo
20 Time Base
22 Setting up the Time Base
9-Pin Device Control Panel
24 Time Base Slave
25 Setup Examples
25 LTC as the Master
25 MTC as the Master
27 Internal Clock as the Master
28 House Sync (Blackburst) as
the Master
30 Machine Control
34 Video functions
36 Digital Varispeed
37 Reference
38 Basics
40 Selecting Pages in the
Display
40 The Main Page – Display
page P.1
48 VITC and Time Code
Inserter – Display page P.2
50 Varispeed, Word Clock 2,
3, 4 and AES/EBU Output –
Display page P.3
52 Time Code Test and Offset
– Display page P.4
54 LTC output, Preroll, USB
port and System Video
settings – Display page P.5
57 Selecting tracks and
switching Track Selection
pages – 9-Pin-Machine A –
Display page P.A
59 Track Selection Virtual
Machine – Display page P.V
61 Service and Machine
Pages
62 Calling up the Service and
Machine Pages
62 Virtual Machine and MMC
settings – Display page SP1
65 Presets, Time Code level,
Red light and SYSEX
handling, Initialization after a
Software Update – Display
page SP2
68 Test and Setup Machine A
72 Preset Tables
TIME BASE
4 Table of Contents
77 Connections
78 Connections on the rear panel
78 VITC-Reader/Generator/
Inserter
78 Video Sync In/Out
78 LTC – Longitudinal Time
Code
79 VST System Link
79 Word Clock OUT 1-4
79 USB
79 9-Pin
80 GPI/O | MIDI
80 Wiring Examples – GPI/O
81 Power and Protection
Circuit
82 Technical Data
83 VST System Link
84 What is VST System Link?
85 How does VST System Link
work?
86 VST System Link –
Troubleshooting
87 Glossary
TIME BASE
Table of Contents 5
TIME BASE
6 Table of Contents
1
Preface
Congratulations on your purchase of Nuendo Time Base!
The Time Base offers perfect solutions for sample-accurate synchronization
of digital audio production systems like Nuendo via House Sync (Blackburst), AES/EBU – VST System Link, LTC or VITC with analog or digital
audio and video tape recorders, mixing desks, sequencers etc.
Time Base combines the functional domains Word Clock (AES/EBU –
VST System Link), Time Code, Machine Control and Virtual Machine.
It reads and generates the standard Time Code formats LTC, VITC, MTC
and 9-pin. Generated Time Code is in sync with the video sync signal.
A built-in Video Inserter lets you visually insert Time Code into the video
picture or add VITC to the video signal.
An integrated 9-pin interface lets you control external 9-pin compatible
devices, e.g. a Betacam video recorder, Tascam DA88, DA98, MMR8 or
Doremi V1.
Time Base can also be used as a Virtual Machine. This lets you, for instance, remote control Nuendo from 9-pin Edit Controllers, and mixing
desks that provide 9-pin machine control (SSL, NEVE…). The GPI/O
socket on the Time Base provides the possibility to realize Red light
(“on air”) control.
Time Base provides a two-line display and four ergonomically positioned
buttons. These can be used to call up various display pages and set individual parameters. Settings can also be made from within Nuendo, provided that the corresponding application is connected to the Time Base
via USB. When you load a Project, all relevant Project settings are automatically transferred to the Time Base.
We are sure that using Time Base will simplify your studio work and will
help you to become even more productive.
We hope that you have fun using Time Base!
For their continuous support during the development of Time Base,
we would particularly like to thank:
Achim Kruse, Burkhard Bürgerhoff – C-Lab
The Steinberg team
TIME BASE
1 – 8 Preface
2
Package Contents and
Installation
Package Contents
• Time Base
• Power Cable
• User Manual
• Driver CD
• Warranty Card
Installation – Connections – Getting Started
Time Base is designed to be mounted in a 19“ rack. It should either be installed in a 19” rack or placed on a stable surface, as it can fall down and
be damaged. Proximity to heating or cooling equipment should be avoided
(operational temperature range 15-35 degrees Celsius).
The power connector should only be connected to an earthed power
socket using an earthed power cable delivering 110-240V.
All signal connections should be made with shielded cables! All connections, except LTC in/out (analog audio), should be made with cables of
the correct impedance, suitable plugs and termination, if necessary (see
page 82).
❐
For some System setup examples see page 17.
TIME BASE
2 – 10 Package Contents and Installation
Important Safety Instructions
• Do not leave the power cable where people walk, in order to avoid any
accidental interruption of power. If an extension block is used, then care
should also be taken that all the connected devices do not together exceed the maximum safe current draw.
• Disconnect the power before cleaning.
• Take care that no foreign objects get inside the machine. They could come
into contact with current-conducting components or cause a short circuit,
which in turn could cause a fire or an electric shock. Under no circumstances should liquids be allowed to get inside Time Base.
• When the cover of Time Base is removed, it is possible that dangerous
current-carrying parts will be exposed to human contact. Therefore, all service operations should be carried out only by authorized service personnel.
• Time Base should under no circumstances ever be used in proximity to
water.
TIME BASE
Package Contents and Installation 2 – 11
Driver Software Installation
Windows PC Drivers
When you connect Time Base to your computer for the first time, Windows
will recognize the new hardware component and start its “Add New Hardware Wizard”.
• Insert the Driver CD into your CD-ROM drive and follow the instructions
displayed on your computer screen.
The necessary driver software – a Firmware Loader and the actual Time Base driver – will
now be installed during two separate installation processes.
❐
You can safely ignore alert messages like “Digital signature not found”, “Do
not install driver”, “Driver not certified”. Simply continue with the installation.
• Restart your computer when the installation procedure has been completed.
Mac OS X Drivers
When you have connected the hardware for the first time and started the
computer, you can install the driver software from the Driver CD-ROM.
1. Start driver installation by double clicking on the Time Base Driver icon.
2. Follow the instructions on the screen and restart your computer when the
procedure has been completed.
TIME BASE
2 – 12 Package Contents and Installation
3
Features and Basic Settings
Time Base – Brief Overview
Time Base is a universal synchronization and control device for digital audio
and video in all fields of studio production.
Time Base combines the following four functional domains in one compact
device:
• Time code
• Word-Clock (AES/EBU digital zero or AES/EBU for VST System Link)
• Machine Control (MMC and P2 protocol/9-pin-control)
• Virtual Machine (emulated 9-pin/P2 machine)
Time Base offers the following functions:
• Reads and writes all standard Time Code formats: LTC, VITC, MTC and 9-pin
(serial Time Code).
The Time Code generator is in sync with the video sync signal.
• Synchronizes digital audio systems to House Sync (Blackburst, video), AES/EBU
(digital audio), LTC (“Longitudinal Time Code”, e.g. coming from an analog 24
track tape recorder).
• Supports all sample rates between 16 and 192 kHz including pull-up/pull-down
(NTSC).
• Includes a synchronous digital Varispeed engine.
• Converts MMC to 9-pin machine control.
The built-in 9-pin bus can e.g. control Betacam VCR, Tascam DA88, DA98,
MMR8, Doremi V1 etc.
• Can be used as a Virtual Machine. This lets you remote control several hard disk recording systems from various points without having to switch the “remote control”.
The Virtual 9-pin machine functions make it possible to control Nuendo from 9-pin
edit controllers and from mixing desks that are equipped with a 9-pin machine controller (e.g. SSL, NEVE).
• Can display (insert) Time Code in(to) video frames in two sizes and four display
modes. The Time Code can be freely positioned within the frame.
TIME BASE
3 – 14 Features and Basic Settings
Basic Settings
Before each session, the following basic settings should be made or
checked. Both of the following settings would normally be set according
to the standard settings used in the respective country:
Time Base
Display Page
P.5 SYS-VIDEO
P.1 FRM
Parameter Explanation Options
Video frame
rate
Time code
frame rate
E.g. 25 frames in Europe (PAL) or
29 frames in USA/Canada (NTSC).
25 frame (PAL), 29, or 29D (drop)
frames (NTSC).
If the Time Base is being driven by video sync, the Time Code frame rate
will be automatically set to the video frame rate.
❐
The frame rate of the connected devices must be set to the same value!
Time Base
Display Page
P.1 SR
Parameter Explanation Options
Sample rate The Sample Rate should be set to the
desired value for the project, and should
be maintained unchanged throughout
the whole project (e.g. 44.1 for CD, 48
for Video/Film, 192 for DVD Audio).
❐
The Sample of synchronized devices must be set to the same value! When
you make the settings for a new Project in Time Base, Nuendo will automatically recognize them. When you load a Project in Nuendo, Time Base will
automatically be set to the same settings.
TIME BASE
Features and Basic Settings 3 – 15
In the case of incoming pre-produced material, all three parameters
should be set to match, or the delivered material should be converted to
the “house” standard (if the latter, please do so while synchronized!).
Time Base
Display Page
P.3 VARSP=OFF
Parameter Explanation Options
Varispeed In this case, this parameter should be
set to OFF.
• When you install and check out Time Base for the first time, it is a good idea to
start out with one of the Time Base presets (see page 65). The individual Time
Base parameters are described in detail on page 37.
TIME BASE
3 – 16 Features and Basic Settings
4
Typical Setup Examples
Basics
A few words of introduction to the technical problems which can occur in
synchronization in an all-digital or hybrid analog/digital studio setup:
Basically, there are two different synchronization procedures.
One of the available audio or video machines becomes the master.
But the type of Time Code often used, LTC, contains two information
streams:
• The visible time information (hh:mm:ss:ff).
• The invisible tempo information (Clock).
The LTC is thus used as position and Word Clock reference! It is this
which may cause the problem, that errors in the Master Clock, i.e. in the
Time Code (jitter, dropouts, wow & flutter in the master device) are passed
on to all connected slave devices. Time Base is conceived in such a way
that such problems are contained as much as is technically possible.
The signal used for synchronization in this case is referred to as “self-clocking”, because the principal aim is to transmit a clock signal (speed, Word
Clock) in which the other data (Time Code numbers in LTC, digital audio in
AES/EBU) happens to be included. Precisely because of this unavoidable
passing on to slave machines of errors caused in part by the system itself,
special care should be taken that the Time Code is error-free.
The more reliable procedure is this:
One Master Clock is used to synchronize all devices (data streams) in the
studio. The Master Clock is the only device that generates a sync signal
(e.g. Blackburst or Word Clock). When using Blackburst, Time Base
uses this to generate the Digital Audio Clock. All connected audio and
video devices there run from the same pace and use this as a speed reference. This avoids the error described above.
This procedure only works with devices that can be synchronized externally.
This includes not just audio and video devices, but also Time Code generators as in Time Base). This means that when the Time Code generator has
clocked another second, a digital audio signal with a 48 kHz sampling frequency for example should have played back exactly 48,000 samples). This
procedure also means that tempo information is derived from a precise and
stable source, which drives everything!
Time Base contains just such a clock.
TIME BASE
4 – 18 Typical Setup Examples
Computer Connection
Time Base must be connected to the computer via its USB port which is
located on the rear panel. USB is used to transfer control and configuration data.
VST System Link is used for synchronization. All time-related data is
therefore transferred via VST System Link.
Synchronization via USB-Serial-TC is also possible, if necessary.
TIME BASE
Typical Setup Examples 4 – 19
Settings in Nuendo
❐
A detailed description of the Time Base Setup windows in Nuendo can be
found in the documentation and Online Help systems of the corresponding
– Time Base supporting – program versions.
1. Switch on Time Base, then start Nuendo.
Various setup parameter sets are available in Nuendo’s Devices Setup dialog for the different Time Base setup options.
2. You can open this dialog by selecting “Device Setup…” on the Devices
menu.
3. First, use the “ADD/Remove” tab in the dialog to add the respective Device Class, if necessary or select one in the Devices list on the left side of
the dialog.
Several Device Classes are available for Time Base. Click on the “Setup” tab, to make the
corresponding settings.
Time Base
Here you can make basic settings.
TIME BASE
4 – 20 Typical Setup Examples
Parameter Options Effect
Time Base
Device ID
0 - 126
ID 2 is preset
Device identification number. Must
be set correctly to make sure the
data arrives in the device.
Activate USB
Timecode Sync
Ticked = On
No tick= Off
If this option is activated, the Time
Code synchronization with the
computer takes place via the USB
port.
If the option is set to Off, synchronization with the computer takes
place via the VST System Link
connections between Time Base
and computer.
The parameters Sample Rate and Frame Rate are read only.
Timecode Source LTC, VITC, MTC, M.V (MIDI), M.A
(9-Pin)
Depending on which Time Code
source you select, different options
are available in the Clock Source
pop-up menu.
Clock Source Internal, V-SYNC, LTC-Norm,
LTC-Hold
Timecode Inserter Ticked = On
No tick= Off
The available Clock source
options.
When this option is activated, Time
Base will insert the Time Code into
the video frames (“Burn-in window).
Display Type White on Black,
Black on White,
Display options for the inserted
Time Code.
White Contour,
Black Contour
Type +In, +TC9 Lets you select the Time Code
type displayed by the inserter
(see page 35).
Size Small, Large Display options for the inserted
Time Code.
Vertical Position,
Horizontal Position
Timecode
Positioning field
0 - 127 Lets you numerically position the
inserted Time Code.
Manually by dragging Here you can define the position of
the inserted Time Code within the
video frame by manually dragging
it with the mouse. Note: The real
size of the displayed Time Code is
not shown in this positioning field!
TIME BASE
Typical Setup Examples 4 – 21
Setting up the Time Base 9-Pin Device Control Panel
Here you make the settings for 9-pin device control (see below). Make sure, that the
corresponding function is available in the 9-pin device that you use.
Parameter Options Effect
Timebase 9-PinDevice ID
The following parameters are used to set up track remote control for the connected machine.
Number of
Audio Tracks
Aux 1, Aux 2 Activate (tick) /
Timecode Activate (tick) /
Video Activate (tick) /
0 - 126 Lets you set the 9-pin device ID. The Nuendo/Time
Base standard value is 4
2 - 64 Lets you define the number of digital audio tracks
available in the connected 9-pin device, which
thereby become visible and can be controlled from
the 9-pin device control panel.
When you activate these parameters, the (analog)
Deactivate (no tick)
Deactivate (no tick)
Deactivate (no tick)
audio tracks appears in the 9-pin device control
panel.
Most 9-pin devices provide special time code tracks.
If you activate this parameter, the time code track of
your 9-pin device appears in the 9-pin device control
panel.
If the connected 9-pin device processes video, you
can use this parameter to make the corresponding
Arm Track control visible in the 9-pin device control
panel.
All tracks available in your 9-pin device should be included in the 9-pin device control panel.
This will give you a better overview and you are always informed about the current track status.
TIME BASE
4 – 22 Typical Setup Examples
Time Base 9-Pin Device Control Panel
Open this control panel by selecting “Time Base 9-Pin” on the Devices
menu. It can be used to remote control a 9-pin device that you have connected to the Time Base from Nuendo and to arm its tracks.
❐
Which functions are available on this control panel depends on which functions are available in the connected 9-pin device and also on the settings that
you have made in the Time Base 9-pin view of the Device Setup dialog, see
previous page.
Depending on your settings, the following elements (from left to right) may
be visible in the control panel:
• The set up number of audio tracks. These can be armed with a mouse click.
• The Aux 1 and 2 tracks, which some devices make available separately or which
may also be “hidden”, as well as the time code and video tracks. These can be
armed here, too.
• The transport controls control playback and recording functions of the 9-pin device.
• The Online switch must be activated. If it isn’t, remote control is disabled.
• In the upper section of the control panel, the current time code position, the Time
Base status as well as the connected 9-Pin device are displayed.
• To the left of the 9-pin device indicator, the following error messages may become
visible:
<Local> Remote control is deactivated in the external 9-pin device.
<NoTape>
This “error” message is shown when there’s no tape on the connected 9-pin tape recorder.
TIME BASE
Typical Setup Examples 4 – 23
Time Base Slave
Here you can activate remote control of Nuendo by using the combination
of Nuendo and Time Base as a virtual machine. Which functions are actually available for the virtual 9-pin machine depends mainly on the options
available in the external controller unit.
Time Base Slave dialog view in the Device Setup dialog.
The only parameter that you can set here is the Time Base Device ID. It is
preset to its (Nuendo) standard value 2.
TIME BASE
4 – 24 Typical Setup Examples
Setup Examples
LTC as the Master
This procedure is particularly favoured in music productions. The hard
disk recorder (i.e. Nuendo) is “slaved” to the analog machine (e.g. a 24
track recorder).
Time Base settings:
Connections:
MTC as the Master
Normally in professional situations, this should only be seen as a last resort emergency procedure, i.e. to save a production which otherwise
would be lost. The reason for this lies in the often technically inadequate
implementation of MIDI Time Code, causing MTC to be saddled with high
jitter from external sources. It is impossible to pass on a stable, jitter-free
Word Clock from such an MTC-signal.
TCIN=LTC, CL: LTC-HOLD
USB port
VST System Link
LTC
However, as it is sometimes necessary to perform this conversion (to
continue with a production begun in semi-professional circumstances),
Time Base generates the clean Word Clock necessary for sonic quality
by taking an average value from the incoming MTC. If the jitter in the incoming MTC were allowed to affect the Word Clock, the connected digital devices would all have their audio quality compromised by locking to
such a reference clock, provided that would be possible at all.
Time Base expects MTC input via its 15-pin MIDI|GPI/O socket on its rear
panel. The socket wiring is described on page 80. Examples for 15-pin
connector wiring can be found on page 80.
TIME BASE
Typical Setup Examples 4 – 25
Time Base settings:
TCIN=MTC, CL: MTC-HOLD
Connections:
USB port
VST System Link
ext. MTC-In
If you should find yourself in such a situation, you can sometimes chose
the following:
If your MTC source is a stand-alone Hard Disk Recorder with a digital input which can be externally synchronized, you should switch the Word
Clock source of the recorder to “digital in”, having connected it to a Word
Clock output on the Time Base. If you now use the MTC produced by the
recorder as a positional reference, your entire system will follow the external device.
Time Base setting:
CL:INTERNAL
(V-SYNC)/
TCIN=MTC
Connections: stand-alone« HD-Recorder and Nuendo
Audiosignale
USB port
Stand-alone
HD Recorder
Word Clock
VST System Link
MTC
As an alternative, the MTC produced by Time Base can be used as a position reference by the external device. In this case the external device follows the system.
TIME BASE
4 – 26 Typical Setup Examples
Internal Clock as the Master
A technically perfect procedure: Time Base generates the Word Clock
and VST System Link signals for all the digital devices running in the entire studio. As all devices run in sync, data transfer without interruptions is
also possible. Increased jitter (and associated loss of quality in synchronized audio signals) is thereby prevented.
❐
To prevent misunderstandings, Time Base is always the Timing Master, but
not necessarily the Positional Master. A hard disk recorder, that is synchronized to Word Clock and has a MIDI Time Code output (which must of course
be synchronized to Word Clock) can e.g. control a digital mixer that is also
locked to Word Clock. The user has the impression that the hard disk recorder is the Master while it is in fact only the Positional Master, but not the
Word Clock Master.
Settings:
CL:INTERNAL
If required, the Time Code functions of Time Base can be used to convert
the Time Code format. The technically best solution is to use the Virtual
MIDI Machine the generate a clock synchronized Time Code.
Connections:
USB port
VST System Link
LTC (e.g. to control a Mix Automation)
TIME BASE
Typical Setup Examples 4 – 27
House Sync (Blackburst) as the Master
A second technically perfect procedure: Time Base is connected to a
house sync generator (Blackburst) via the Video Sync In. All the advantages listed in the section "Internal Clock as the Master" on page 27 are
retained. In addition, the Time Code generator is synchronized to video.
This procedure should be used, whenever audio is being edited in sync
with video picture.
If several studios are housed in the same building, they can be linked together via the house clock, and can work in sync, without having to live
with the restrictions of Word Clock connection.
❐
With Word Clock connection, the entire studio would have to work at the
same sample rate.
Settings:
CL:VIDEO/TCIN=LTC, VITC
or
9-Pin
Connections: Blackburst as the Master in a system with a VTR.
USB port
VST System Link
Video Sync
Blackburst Generator
LTCSync In
9-Pin
Video
Inserter
00:00:00:00
Video with inserted
Time Code
TIME BASE
4 – 28 Typical Setup Examples
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