Apple Logic Express 9 User Manual
Page 1167
• MTC: MIDI Time Code mode. Logic Express 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. Logic Express 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
.
• “Auto enable external sync” checkbox: When this option is activated, Logic Express runs
as the master (Internal sync mode), until it receives a synchronization signal—either in
the form of MTC, or from the Tempo Interpreter.
Logic Express 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.”
• 24 fps: Film, high definition video
• 25 fps: PAL video/television broadcasts
• 30 fps (drop frame): NTSC video/television broadcast; rarely used
• 30 fps: High definition video; early black-and-white NTSC video; older rate that is
rarely used today
• 29.97 fps (drop frame): NTSC video/television broadcasts
• 29.97 fps: Standard definition NTSC
• 23.976 fps: 24 fps 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 30 fps
MTC frame rates:
• The MTC standard does not allow a distinction.
• A measured rate of 30 fps could also be 29.97 fps time code running too fast, and
vice versa.
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Chapter 42
Project Settings in Logic Express