Sync settings for audio layback in a postproduction suite

About This Task

These steps outline the process of “laying back” finished audio to the VTR. To configure Nuendo for this example setup, proceed as follows:

Procedure

  1. Make the connections as shown in the diagram above.

    Ensure that video sync and word clock are tied to the same generating source!

  2. Open the Project Synchronization Setup dialog and select either “ASIO Audio Device” or “MIDI Timecode” as the timecode source.

    Depending on your system’s configuration, the sound card might have an LTC reader built into it or you may have to use a LTC to MTC converter interface to get timecode into Nuendo.

  3. In the “Machine Control Output Destination” section, select 9-Pin Control 1 or 2.

    Nuendo’s transport buttons will send commands to the VTR over the 9-Pin RS422 connection.

  4. From the Studio menu, select the 9-Pin Device 1 or 2 option.

    Using the Auto Edit feature, you will be able to perform laybacks to the VTR via digital audio connections. VTRs with digital audio tracks use 48kHz as a standard sampling rate. Some decks only have 20 bit depth capacity so make sure to dither properly for the intended delivery format.

  5. Click the Online button.

    Now you can use the device panel to control the VTR.

  6. Test the transport with the 9-Pin Device panel.

    Ensure that all connections are working properly by testing the various transport buttons on the 9-Pin Device panel.

  7. Record-enable the audio tracks that you want to record to.

    Most professional VTRs have 4 audio tracks. Many high-definition VTRs have 8 for recording 6-channel surround sound plus a stereo downmix all on the same tape.

  8. Play back the project and look at the meters on the VTR to ensure that proper recording levels are set.

    That way you can also make sure that the digital audio connections are working properly.

  9. Set the left and right locators to the punch in and punch out points.

    Auto Edit uses the left and right locators to program the record in and out points of the VTR.

  10. Ensure that the pre-roll and post-roll times are appropriate for the VTR.

    In most cases, the default values will be sufficient for the VTR to get up to speed before punching in.

  11. On Nuendo’s Transport panel, activate the Sync button.

    This turns Nuendo into a timecode slave. Once the VTR starts to play, Nuendo will sync to incoming timecode.

  12. On the 9-Pin Device panel, click the Auto Edit button.

    This starts the Auto Edit process. The tape transport locates to the set pre-roll position (by default, 5 seconds before the left locator) and starts playback. When the left locator is reached, the VTR enters record mode.

  13. The Auto Edit is complete when the right locator is reached and the VTR goes out of record.

    After reaching the right locator, the VTR continues playing for the set post-roll time (by default 2 seconds) before it stops.