Any use for the time code center track of a tape recorder ?

doremi · Post by **doremi** » Fri May 04, 2012 3:36 pm

Hello,

my 2-track tape machine is equipped with a SMPTE time code center track, which I did not use, but probably it is a benefit I don't know...

Couldn't it be useful anymore ?
Does it probably make any sense to sync the time code with the computer/daw ? for the workflow or midi remote control ?

thanks

Nick Sevilla · Post by **Nick Sevilla** » Fri May 04, 2012 10:53 pm

For what it was meant for?

doremi · Post by **doremi** » Sat May 05, 2012 1:30 am

For what it was meant for?

For the synchronization of moving picture to its original sound like it was common in the cinema or TV industry (SMPTE). Originally the simplest method was film / record a loud "click" before every take with the panel, only if it's been a long take the camera went out of lip sync. Later they invented various time code for tape, DAT and Flashcard...

JGriffin · Post by **JGriffin** » Sun May 06, 2012 1:27 am

Nick Sevilla wrote:For what it was meant for?

Exactly my thought: use it for, uh, time code.

will · Post by **will** » Sun May 06, 2012 9:30 am

doremi wrote:Hello,

my 2-track tape machine is equipped with a SMPTE time code center track, which I did not use, but probably it is a benefit I don't know...

Couldn't it be useful anymore ?
Does it probably make any sense to sync the time code with the computer/daw ? for the workflow or midi remote control ?

thanks

If you get a tape-sync-unit, it will translate the SMPTE-code to midi. That way you can slave your midi-gear to your tapedeck. I doubt it works the other way around.

Scodiddly · Post by **Scodiddly** » Sun May 06, 2012 9:34 am

SMTPE as a signal is just audio, though. You could try recording another audio source on that track, see what it sounds like.

Nate Dort · Post by **Nate Dort** » Sun May 06, 2012 10:10 am

SMTPE TC ranges from 1.92k to 4.8k. There may be a band-pass filter on that channel to help minimize errors, so be aware of that if you decide to try putting audio there.

doremi · Post by **doremi** » Sun May 06, 2012 12:20 pm

you get a tape-sync-unit, it will translate the SMPTE-code to midi. That way you can slave your midi-gear to your tapedeck.

thank you.
does it make any sense to sync a tape deck to the DAW today ?

drumsound · Post by **drumsound** » Wed May 16, 2012 1:50 pm

doremi wrote:
you get a tape-sync-unit, it will translate the SMPTE-code to midi. That way you can slave your midi-gear to your tapedeck.
thank you.
does it make any sense to sync a tape deck to the DAW today ?

Unless you were to use the tape deck to 'process' sounds to get tape tone. You wouldn't want to sync the 2-track to the DAW if you are using it as a mixdown deck, because you want it running as stable as possible so that when you send the tapes to mastering they don't have too much drift.

percussion boy · Post by **percussion boy** » Fri May 18, 2012 11:11 am

In a DAW universe, a time code track is pretty useless to a musician.

You could get a synchronizer and use the time code to sync up many MIDI drum machines and synths to the tape. Then do a lot of cocaine and change your mind endlessly about what synth sounds will make the biggest hit. Archaeologists believe this was a common social practice in Los Angeles circa 1983.

drumsound · Post by **drumsound** » Sun May 20, 2012 2:40 pm

percussion boy wrote:In a DAW universe, a time code track is pretty useless to a musician.

You could get a synchronizer and use the time code to sync up many MIDI drum machines and synths to the tape. Then do a lot of cocaine and change your mind endlessly about what synth sounds will make the biggest hit. Archaeologists believe this was a common social practice in Los Angeles circa 1983.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

awesome.

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Any use for the time code center track of a tape recorder ?

Any use for the time code center track of a tape recorder ?

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