11 - Synchronization
You can expand the options available to you when recorded audio tracks) keeps time with the sequenced
using the 788 by connecting it and synchronizing it MIDI tracks.
to other musical equipment.The 788 can synchronize with MIDI equipment in a
Typically, this extra equipment will be MIDI-based number of different ways, as explained in this sec-
(sequencers, drum machines, synthesizers, etc.).tion, allowing a high degree of flexibility in the
setup.
Of course, although it is possible to record MIDI
instruments on the 788 tracks during the initial stages As well as synchronizing to other devices, it is also
of the recording project, it may make more sense to possible for the 788 to control other devices or to be
use the eight audio tracks of the 788 for material that controlled by them (see ?MMC and MIDI functions?
cannot be automated via MIDI (guitars and other on page 101).
acoustic instruments and of course vocals).
NOTE
When it comes to mixdown time, the 788 allows you All synchronization is carried out through the two MIDI
to extend the eight available audio tracks by playing ports on the rear panel of the 788, no matter what kind of
additional sources through the sub-mixer and adding synchronization is used, or the role of the 788 in the syn-
them to the mix (see ?Sub-mixer? on page 48).chronization chain.
To make this work, though, the MIDI instruments The 788 cannot use audible SMPTE/EBU timecode from
and the 788 must be synchronized to each other, so the timestripe track of a tape. If the source to be synchro-
that playback on one set of sound sources (the nized with the 788 only has audible timecode available, it
must be converted to and from MIDI timecode (MTC) as
appropriate.
Master or slave?
The terms master and slave are used to name the con-For example, the 788 may be set up to be a timecode
troller and the controlled units in a chain of devices master (other units receive their timecode from the
such as the 788 and other audio devices.788 and act accordingly), and a control slave (it
receives stop/start commands, etc.) from other units.
However, it is possible for a unit to be a master unit
in one configuration at the same time as being a slave A 788 can also be a timecode (MTC) slave, and in
in another.this way, two 788s can be synchronized.
How to measure time?
There are two ways of counting time in music: one is There is no direct relationship between these two
the number of minutes and seconds since the begin-ways of counting, as the relationship depends on the
ning of the piece. This is the way in which tape tempo of the piece.
recorders, etc. count time.When synchronizing, therefore, one unit in the chain
The other method of counting time is the number of must be capable of making a map which relates the
bars (measures) since the beginning of the piece. minutes and seconds of one system to the bars and
This is the way in which MIDI sequencers typically beats of the other. If the tempo stays fairly constant
count time.throughout a piece, this is a matter of fairly simple
arithmetic, but if the tempo changes through a piece,
this is not so easy to do.
94 TASCAM 788 Digital PortaStudio |
ACEC
