Offsets
There may be times when you wish to have the Desk timecode offset from the actual
machine timecode. For example, a track on the machine starts at 2:54:36:02 and you
would prefer the Desk timecode to have a more logical start time. With the Desk
sitting at 00:00:00:00, and the machine at 2:54:36:02, you may introduce an offset
between the Desk and machine by selecting Offset Here on the Serial Machine Control
display. This takes the current timecode of the selected machine and enters it in the
Sync Point box for that port.
Note that it is not advisable to have Desk timecode roll through the ‘midnight’ point,
eg. during preroll before 00:00:00:00. If the Desk is offset to the machine timecode, as
described above, and material on the tape is positioned such that this may occur, first
set the Desk time to 01:00:00:00 (for example) and then, with the machine at a suitable
start point, select Offset Here.
Note that the same principle applies if you use Desk Here to match the Desk timecode
to the machine, and material on the tape starts very close to 00:00:00:00.
Offset information can be saved as part of a Project File under Serial Machines Config
(see Section 2).
Setting up Multiple Machines
When dealing with more than one machine, bring each machine on-line separately by
turning their State to On on the Serial Machine Control display. Do not be tempted to
load the machine with tape and then simply select the machine ENABLE buttons and
the SERIAL M/C ARM button. Unless all the machines have synchronous timecode,
ie. the start time for material on audio and video tapes is identical, you will need to set
up offsets between each machine and/or the Desk, to ensure that all the material plays
correctly in sync.
First you need to decide whether the Desk timecode will match the nominal ‘master’
machine’s timecode. If so, select On and Motn for that machine, followed by Desk
Here. Now select Motn for the second machine, locate it to a suitable common sync
point and stab on Offset Here. Repeat the process for additional machines.
Where you wish to set up a ‘master’ Desk time, preset this first and then select the
Offset Here function for each machine in turn.
Once set, if you need to adjust offsets by a few frames, note that the timecode numbers
for Sync Points and the Desk offset can be dragged to a new value. This saves having
to bring up the timecode calculator, entering a new value and hitting OK, to try out
each change.
Machine Control
3-13
13.7.96
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