MOTU sync question.

[new-at-this]

I'm somewhat new to digital recording, and I have a MOTU 2408 and a MTP AV, along with a PC running Cubase. What is the best way to configure sync? Do you use MTC, wordclock, SMPTE? Also, I may or may not be adding a digital mixer to complicate things. Do I need anything else? Thanks.

[dansouth]

Originally posted by new-at-this:

I'm somewhat new to digital recording, and I have a MOTU 2408 and a MTP AV, along with a PC running Cubase. What is the best way to configure sync? Do you use MTC, wordclock, SMPTE? Also, I may or may not be adding a digital mixer to complicate things. Do I need anything else? Thanks.

 

Dear New,

 

It all depends on what you want to do. Word Clock is necessary only when you want to link two digital devices, like say an A/D converter and a digital mixer. The equipment you mentioned doesn't require it. SMPTE is used for syncing together tape recorders and video decks. Are you using anything like that? If not, skip SMPTE.

 

MTC will synchonize the LFO's and arpeggiators in your synths to your sequencer. This may be desireable if you are producing techno music, but again it depends on what you want to do.

 

The 2408 manual - yes, I'm going to suggest that you READ it - has a whole chapter on sync, including lots of clearly presented diagrams. Leaf through the chapter until you find something that's close to your setup and use that as a starting point. Sync in a digital studio is tricky, so KEEP YOUR SETUP AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE. Try to get two or three devices working together before you add more.

 

Good luck!

[new-at-this]

Well, there ARE other digital devices in my studio, I just figured that the two MOTU devices were the ones that would make the biggest difference with sync master stuff. There is also a DAT, a digital mixer (Tascam TMD8000, which is soon to be finding another home), and some effects and MIDI modules. I'd really just like to find the best way to get sync going right, and be able to get MMC working OK. Thanks.