Analog Digital Clocking...So many questions

[Ren27]

Hi all......

I know this has probably been done to death......but can't find info.

I have an analogue, digital set up.

The kit
Trident 80b
Otari MTR 90 MKII
Lynx Aurora 16ch. AD/DA
Pro Tools 7.4 & 8
Euphonix Mc Mic & Control

That is the set up in its most basic form.

I am trying to understand what I need to tie it all together, so that when I push play or record in the tape machine it will start the sequencer going.

Also I would like to do this in the other direction so that when I push play or record in the sequencer it will start the tape machine ( I am aware that for this I need an Otari EC 101 - rare as rocking horse shit - let's imagine I have that for the purpose of this conversation)

Also I have midi to concider.

So I was looking at an Apogee Big Ben, or Digidesign Sync I/O (I believe the big ben is better). As well for the midi I was looking at the Motu Midi Express.

Argh!!!!!..........So confused HELP ME I'M DROWNING


Cheers all in advance who get involved.

Ren.

[psycho_monkey]

From experience, it's one way or the other in terms of control - either the sequencer or the tape machine can be the master (and it's very easy to have the computer chase the tape, but you need synchronisers for the other way round) but not both.

Big Ben and Sync I/o are 2 different products - the sync i/o can provide master clock (although the big ben is definitely better regarded in this respect), but also chase smpte, convert smpte to MTC, works standalone as well as integrated with PT, and can do VSO functions (ie slow down/pitch down a la tape).

Big Ben is a master audio clock only - something you might want in addition to the sync i/o, but not instead of.

Simplest dirty way to slave the sequencer to tape is to stripe code (from sync io) onto one tape track, then set PT to follow this smpte track (using LTC as positional sync).

Ideal way is to lock both a tape synchroniser and PT to an external clock, in addition to the above arrangement - this will means the tape machine speed is more regulated.