Fostex FD-8 - Manual (Page 82)

MIDI Synchronization
82
Checking the chase and lock operation
1. When you play the sequence software, the [MTC] indicator on the display lights up, and the flashing [SLAVE]
lights up continuously, which indicates that chase and lock is complete.
At this time, make sure that MTC output from the sequence software is being displayed on the FD-8.
2. When you stop the sequence software, MTC transmission is interrupted and the FD-8 stops.
The [SLAVE] indicator on the display starts flashing.
3. While the sequence software is fast forwarding or rewinding, the FD-8 remains stopped. As soon as you start
play back or record, the FD-8 immediately performs the chase and lock operation.
• If the FD-8 does not chase and lock correctly, check the connecting cables and settings.
<Notes on setting MTC-related parameters>
The MTC offset time and MTC offset mode determines whether or not MTC (MTC offset time) is output at ABS 0 or 001BAR 1
00CLK. Follow the guide below, according to the start time of the song of the sequence software.
• Offset mode = ABS:
Set the MTC offset time to three seconds prior to the start time of the song of the sequence software. The FD-8 does not chase
and lock to incoming MTC immediately. To synchronize the FD-8 from the beginning of the song, you need to set a preroll time
and play the song a little before the top of the song of the sequence software.
• Offset mode = BAR :
You can set the MTC offset time to the start time of the song.
As explained previously, the ABS 0 position is [-002BAR 1 00CLK], which allows for synchronization from the top of the song.
The duration of two measures changes depending on the setting of the time signature and the tempo of the first measure.
(Example: slow tempo = longer duration)
Recording
You can record data on the FD-8 while the FD-8 is chasing and locking to the sequence software signals.
Note: The FD-8 can chase and lock to MTC only when the speed variation of MTC sent from the master device (computer)
is within +/-5.6%. Within this range, the FD-8 will use the Vari Pitch function internally to chase MTC. If this range is
exceeded, the FD-8 cannot chase and lock. If the speed variation of the master device is large, play the sequencer before
recording so that the FD-8 will learn the speed of the master device. In this way, the FD-8 will lock to time code quicker next
time.
Note: If you set the “Setting the Slave type” menu to “Vari,” the FD-8 applies Vari Pitch all the time to chase MTC.
However, if a digital input track is assigned in the “Setting digital input tracks” in SETUP mode, the FD-8 will sync to incoming
digital signals (external word clock sync). This means that the FD-8 will not apply Vari Pitch during chasing even with the
“Vari” setting. The FD-8 will sync to incoming digital signals after it locks MTC.
<Hint>
About the option “Vari” in the “Setting the Slave type” in SETUP mode:
If the FD-8 chases and locks to only an incoming MTC, Vari Pitch is applied all the time. Under this condition, if the FD-8
outputs digital signals to a connected digital device, the device may not be able to accommodate the FD-8’s speed variation
(MTC speed variation of the master device), resulting in interrupted signal input at the digital device.
To solve this problem, set the “Setting the Slave type” menu to “Free.” This will cause the FD-8 to follow its internal clock after
it finishes the chase and lock operation, supplying stable digital signals to the external digital device.
With the “Free” setting, if the MTC offset between the master and slave devices exceeds “10 frames,” the slave device
interprets this as out of lock, and tries to chase and lock again (re-chase operation). During the re-chase operation, the audio
output will be muted and digital signal transmission is also interrupted. If the offset is within 10 frames, the slave device will
continue running while recognizing the offset.