Yamaha MT400 Owner's Manual - Page 38
MIDI Synchronization, Synchronizing the MT400 with a MIDI Sequencer
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37 MIDI Synchronization The MT400 is ideal for recording vocal, guitar, and other acoustic sounds and can easily be integrated into a MIDI system that includes a MIDI sequencer or sequencer software on a computer. This section describes how to synchronize the MT400 to a MIDI sequencer. Synchronizing the MT400 with a MIDI Sequencer To use the MT400 in a synchronized MIDI system, you must record a "SYNC" signal onto Track 4 of the MT400 before recording anything else. (Always use Track 4 to record a SYNC signal.) A SYNC signal is timing information in the form of an audio signal, which is referenced by a MIDI sequencer for operation. You only need to record this SYNC signal once on Track 4 of the MT400. During playback, the SYNC signal is output from the MT400 and sent to a MIDI sequencer, which reads the SYNC signal and plays back in synchronization with the MT400. When the MT400 is stopped, the MIDI sequencer stops, too. In this way, the MT400 works as the master control device in a synchronized MIDI system. Note: You can still use the transport controls on the MIDI sequencer, but only the MIDI sequencer will respond. There are many applications in the synchronization system using the MT400 and a MIDI sequencer. A typical application is to record acoustic sounds, such as vocal and guitar, to the MT400 tracks, and record other part by playing MIDI performance data on the connected MIDI sequencer. More precisely, you may record vocal or guitar on the MT400 tracks while listening to the MIDI performance data, then mix down Tracks 1-3 sounds with MIDI sound sources. (You cannot use Track 4 for recording since it is dedicated to the SYNC signal.) SYNC Signal Formats There are two major formats of SYNC signal: SMPTE timecode and FSK. The main difference between these two formats is that FSK contains only clock information based on the song tempo whereas SMPTE timecode contains both clock and position information that represents absolute time. This means that with SMPTE timecode you can start playback on the MT400 at any point and the MIDI sequencer will play back in synchronization. With FSK, however, you must always rewind the tape and start playback on the MT400 at the beginning of the SYNC signal for the MIDI sequencer to synchronize correctly. Although, these days something called "smart FSK", which contains both clock and position information, is available, allowing playback to start from any position within a song. To use SMPTE timecode, you need a device called an "MTC/SMPTE converter". This device converts MTC output from a MIDI sequencer (MIDI timecode; absolute time information of the sequencer) into SMPTE timecode (audio signal). Some MIDI interfaces for computers have this feature built-in. To use FSK, you need a device called a "MIDI/FSK converter". This device converts MIDI Clock output from a sequencer (clock information of the sequencer) into FSK (audio signal). Some MIDI/FSK converters support "smart FSK". These devices convert MTC or MIDI Clock signals into signals that can be recorded onto a tape. During playback, the same device is used to convert the SMPTE timecode or FSK signal (audio signal) back into MTC or MIDI Clock signals. -Owner's Manual