Synchronization Project Settings (2023)

Do one of the following:

• Choose File > Project Settings > Synchronization (or use the Open Synchronization Project Settings key command, default assignment:Option-Y).

• Click the Settings button in the Arrange toolbar, then choose Synchronization from the pop-up menu.

• Control-click the Sync button in the Transport bar, then choose Synchronization Settings from the shortcut menu.

• Sync Mode pop-up menu: This parameter defines the master (time code type) that LogicPro is synchronized to:

  • Internal: The internal timer of LogicPro. LogicPro is the master. External devices can be synchronized via MIDI Clock or MTC. (The relevant settings are made in the MIDI pane.)

  • MTC: MIDI Time Code mode. LogicPro runs as a slave. MIDI time code can either arrive at a MIDI In port, or be generated by a MIDI interface that translates it from incoming SMPTE time code (the Unitor8, for example).

  • Manual: Tempo Interpreter mode. LogicPro runs as a slave to impulses that are recognized as valid beats by the Tempo Interpreter. The Tempo Interpreter can be controlled by MIDI events, or a key on the computer keyboard. See Using the Tempo Interpreter Window.

• “Auto enable external sync” checkbox: When this option is activated, LogicPro runs as the master (Internal sync mode), until it receives a synchronization signal—either in the form of MTC, or from the Tempo Interpreter.

  LogicPro automatically locks to the first synchronization signal it receives.

  Important: Ensure that different synchronization signals don’t arrive simultaneously—remember that there can only be one time code master.

• Frame Rate pop-up menu: Choose the frame rate (in fps, frames per second). This frame rate applies to both transmitted and received time code.

  Note: In drop frame formats, certain frames are left out. (This follows a regular pattern.) To distinguish between formats, those without dropped frames are sometimes referred to as “nd” or “non drop.”

  • 24fps: Film, high definition video

  • 25fps: PAL video/television broadcasts

  • 30fps (drop frame): NTSC video/television broadcast; rarely used

  • 30fps: High definition video; early black-and-white NTSC video; older rate that is rarely used today

  • 29.97fps (drop frame): NTSC video/television broadcasts

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  • 29.97fps: Standard definition NTSC

  • 23.976fps: 24fps running at 99.9%, which facilitates easier transfer of film to NTSC video

• “Auto detect format of MTC” checkbox: This checkbox, when active, analyzes the incoming time code and automatically sets the correct frame rate. You should generally leave this option selected.

  Note that it is not possible to automatically distinguish between the 29.97 and 30fps MTC frame rates:

  • The MTC standard does not allow a distinction.

  • A measured rate of 30fps could also be 29.97fps time code running too fast, and vice versa.

    See Also

    Band-in-a-Box: The Complete Music Software GuidePattern-Based Strategy: A Survival Guide... Explained! - Sparkling LogicCurrent Version Logic Pro X

  LogicPro automatically interprets frame rates of “approximately 30fps” as either 29.97 (drop frame) or 30fps (non drop), depending on whether or not the drop frame format is used. This interpretation will usually be correct, because these two formats are used as a standard.

  The “Auto detect format of MTC” option only switches to 29.97 (drop frame) or 30fps (non drop) if one of the other conventional formats was previously set. If you want to synchronize LogicPro to one of these unconventional frame rates, you need to define the format manually. This setting will not be altered by the “Auto detect format of MTC” function.

• Validate MTC pop-up menu: The Validate MTC pop-up menu allows you to specify how often LogicPro checks for incoming time code, in order to ensure synchronization integrity. In general, you should leave this option on the “always” setting.

  There are some devices that generate time code pulses that may require a specific number of frames to be set, in order to maintain synchronization. The “never, Jam Sync” setting basically sets LogicPro to free-wheel if the synchronization signal is lost. In other words, LogicPro will run on its own internal clock (at the most recently received tempo) if the synchronization pulse is lost. This approach ensures that recording will continue, even if the incoming timing pulse fails.

• SMPTE Offset (Top Bar Position Row): This is where you set the SMPTE offset for the project. As songs don’t always need to start precisely at bar 1, you can select any bar position to be played at the set SMPTE time.

  The default is Bar Position:1 1 1 1 plays as SMPTE 01:00:00:00.

  The SMPTE offset of 01:00:00:00 (one hour) is normally used, because it allows you to pre-roll an amount of time code.

• Enable Separate SMPTE View Offset checkbox: Select this if you want to see the absolute time from the start of the project in the time display, rather than the actual SMPTE time.

• SMPTE View Offset (Lower Bar Position Row): These fields become available if you select the Enable Separate SMPTE View Offset checkbox. Choose Bar Position 1 1 1 1 displayed as SMPTE 00:00:00:00 (preset). If necessary, you can set other view offset values here.

  The Tempo List always shows the real SMPTE time, never the SMPTE View Offset. The SMPTE View Offset is used in all other windows (including the Transport bar).

  Tip: It is common practice in many video (and audio) post-production houses to set a one-hour SMPTE offset (01:00:00:00). This avoids a problem commonly referred to as midnight, where a pre-roll passes through SMPTE time 00:00:00:00, which causes issues with some tape machines (such as the ADAT).

Current Sync Status Settings

• MTC slider: This real-time display shows the deviation between the incoming MTC and its nominal frame rate. If the deviation is significant, make sure that the right frame rate is set in the General pane of the Synchronization project settings. If in doubt, set the frame rate to 24fps and select “Auto detect format of MTC.” If the frame rate is correct, you can use this display to adjust the tape speed of the master machine to the nominal value (the same speed used when the time code was recorded). Adjust the varipitch control on the master machine, until the slider is centered.

• Sample Rate slider: This display shows the deviation of the sample rate from its nominal value. Note that some audio hardware does not allow any variation in the sample rate.

• Deviation slider: This display shows the current phase deviation of the Word Clock from the time code master—in other words, the deviation between audio and MIDI. Varying time code signals shown in this display indicate how LogicPro regulates the sample rate of the hardware when in MTC Continuous sync mode. Even large time code variations result in no deviation between audio and MIDI synchronization. Your audio hardware must be capable of continuously variable sample rates for this to function. Small deviations between audio and MIDI are unavoidable, because MIDI can (and should) follow the time code master directly.

  Note: The real-time sample rate conversion feature of LogicPro allows it to follow an external MTC signal (MTC Continuous), while maintaining the correct audio playback pitch and speed. This feature even works when recording in MTC-slave mode.

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Audio Sync Status Settings

• CoreAudio pop-up menu: This is where you define how your CoreAudio hardware is synchronized to an external time code master.

  • MTC Continuous: Audio regions are started in sync, and the sample rate is continuously regulated to match variations in the time code master signal. Even very long audio regions stay in sync in this mode.

  • MTC Trigger + Auto Speed Detection: Similar to MTC Trigger (see below), but the tempo of the time code master is constantly monitored while LogicPro is open. The next time you start LogicPro, it will use an adapted sample rate. This mode keeps long regions in better sync with the time code master, although not as closely as MTC Continuous. It does, however, use a constant sample rate, which is not affected by variations in the time code master signal.

  • MTC Trigger: Audio regions are started in sync, but are then played at a constant sample rate, regardless of any variations in the time code master signal. LogicPro always uses the set nominal sample rate (44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 192kHz). This mode is suitable when it is vital to retain the absolute pitch of a recording. If the speed of the time code master deviates from the nominal value, you may need to split long audio regions into shorter sections.

  • External or Free: LogicPro has no influence on the sample rate. The audio hardware is responsible for ensuring that the position and sample rate of audio regions match. This mode is only advisable if you are sure that the Word Clock and time code master are running in sync—by using an external SMPTE or Word Clock synchronizer, for example.

MIDI Clock Settings

• Transmit MIDI Clock:Destination 1 checkbox: Allows you to activate MIDI Clock transmission.

  Every time you start, a Song Position Pointer (SPP) message is also sent. Because not all devices can process SPP, the MIDI system real-time Continue message is also sent. The exception is when you start at position 1 1 1 1. In this situation, the real-time Start message is sent.

  MIDI Clock can easily be sent with other normal MIDI events (notes and controllers, for example). When using multi-port MIDI interfaces (such as the Unitor8), better timing is achieved by sending MIDI Clock to All ports, rather than to several individual ports.

  If MIDI Clock is transmitted to all ports, the events are only sent once from the computer to the interface. If you address individual ports, one event needs to be sent for each port, placing a higher strain on the bandwidth of all ports.

• Transmit MIDI Clock:Destination 1 pop-up menu: Allows you to determine the first discrete MIDI output port for the MIDI Clock signal.

• Transmit MIDI Clock:Destination 2 checkbox: Allows you to activate MIDI Clock transmission. See further details above.

• Transmit MIDI Clock:Destination 2 pop-up menu: Allows you to determine the second discrete MIDI output port for the MIDI Clock signal.

• “Delay transmission by” slider: Allows you to delay the transmission of MIDI Clock signals. Negative values mean that the MIDI Clock signal is transmitted earlier. This allows you to compensate for any reaction delays in external MIDI Clock slaves.

MIDI Time Code (MTC) Settings

• Transmit MTC checkbox: Activates the transmission of MIDI time code.

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• Transmit MTC pop-up menu: Determines the MIDI output port for the MTC signal.

  Note: If you can avoid it, you shouldn’t send MTC to all ports, as it is very data-intensive. If possible, use a MIDI port that isn’t being used for anything else.

MIDI Machine Control (MMC) Settings

• Transmit MMC checkbox: Select this checkbox to enable transmission of MIDI Machine Control (see MIDI Machine Control). These commands are then sent whenever you operate the transport functions (Start, Stop, Rewind, and so on) of LogicPro.

  MMC is normally used when LogicPro is running as a slave to an external master (such as an ADAT), and you want to control the external master’s transport functions from LogicPro. LogicPro therefore acts as MMC master and MTC slave simultaneously. If you want to use the external master’s transport controls, you don’t need to use MMC. In this situation, LogicPro follows the MTC master as a slave. You can also use MMC to place tracks on the MMC slave device into Record-Enabled mode.

• Listen to MMC Input checkbox: Select this checkbox to control LogicPro by MMC (MIDI Machine Control) and so-called Full Frame Messages.

  LogicPro recognizes these commands when listening to MMC Input:

  • Play

  • Deferred Play

  • Stop

  Deferred Play is a special command for mechanically slow synchronization slaves such as reel-based tape recorders. Rather than having the machine play immediately, it is asked to reach the desired SMPTE position before playback is started. There is no noticeable difference in the response of LogicPro to the Play and Deferred Play commands, as LogicPro can locate to any position almost instantly.

  LogicPro ignores these messages when incoming external MTC (MIDI time code) commands are detected.

  LogicPro also obeys Full Frame Messages, and sets the playhead to a new location, without starting playback. Once again, incoming MTC data has higher priority, if conflicting information is received.

  Some synchronizers send Full Frame Messages (instead of MTC) to locate the slave device (LogicPro in this case) to a new position, without implicitly starting playback. This is useful when in Slow Shuttle or Single Frame Advance mode with video machines, because the slave device is perfectly located, without being in playback mode.

Other MIDI Settings

• MIDI Sync Preferences button: The MIDI Sync Preferences button opens the Sync pane of the MIDI preferences. (See MIDI Preferences in LogicPro.)

General Settings

• SMPTE Mode buttons: You can instruct the Unitor8 to read or write SMPTE data.

  • Read: Select to read SMPTE data.

  • Generate: Select to write SMPTE data.

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• SMPTE Mode Refresh checkbox: Activates Refresh mode, where fresh time code is generated, in sync with received time code. Refresh mode works with both VITC and LTC (see below). You should always use Refresh mode whenever you need to copy an LTC track, because you cannot directly copy LTC without a considerable loss of quality. When copying entire multitrack tapes, you should patch all tracks directly, but refresh the time code track via the Unitor8.

  Note: You should only use Refresh mode if you are copying time code.

• SMPTE Type buttons: This is where you define the SMPTE format that you want to use.

  • LTC: Longitudinal (also called Linear) Time Code is written to a tape track.

  • VITC: Vertical Interval (or Vertically Integrated) Time Code is written invisibly to a video tape.

  • Off: No time code is written.

• Freewheel slider: You can set the freewheel time (in frames) for LTC and VITC. The freewheel parameter affects the SMPTE reader, and specifies how long the synchronizer continues transferring MTC to the sequencer, after time code ceases to be read.

  Long freewheel times can maintain synchronization, even if there are dropouts in the time code, but they also increase the reaction time of LogicPro after the time code master stops. In practice, you should set a value that is as large as necessary (for sustained operation), and as small as possible (to reduce waiting times).

• TV Format pop-up menu: Allows you to define the television format for time code burn-in.

  • PAL: The video format used in Europe, South America, most Asian and African countries, and Oceania. If you are working with video in SECAM format (used in France and French-speaking nations in Africa), choose PAL.

  • NTSC: The video format used in the USA, Central America, Japan, and Canada.

• VITC Line 1 and VITC Line 2 pop-up menus: VITC is written into two lines of the video picture, which are normally invisible. The lines should not be adjacent, and are usually situated between 12 and 20.

  If the Scan option is enabled, the VITC lines are automatically recognized. You should only enter the lines manually if there are problems with Scan mode.

Visible Timecode Display Settings

• Visible Timecode Display:Size pop-up menu: Allows you to set the size of the time code counter window, which is burned into the video picture.

• Visible Timecode Display:Style pop-up menu: Allows you to set the style of the time code counter window, which is burned into the video picture.

• Horizontal Position and Vertical Position sliders: Allows you to set the position of the time code counter window, which is burned into the video picture.