So, has anyone got an Alesis HD24XR to chase SMPTE via a MOTU MIDI Timepiece A/V?

**Remoteness** · 23rd May 2008

...And, I'm not talking for playback per say, but for live recording during a video shoot.

When you contact the manufacturers, both seem to blame each other when you address the fact that the machine (for a moment) locks, but drops out after about three minutes or so...

This sucks for the obvious reasons.

So, is the BRC the only way to make this work?
We got two HD24XRs to work with a BRC in the same scenario a while back.
Video sync, SMPTE TC and everything was everything.

Man, I can really use some help if you can spare the time (or a dime) for an "old" moderator in need.

Thank you in advance!

LX3 · 24th May 2008

Hi Steve

I've never tried it... because a) I don't have an MTP, and b) I know a lot of people have fought with this issue and never managed to get things working satisfactorily.

I haven't heard of the HD24 locking reliably to anything that isn't another Alesis product. Not sure why.

My workaround has been to write whatever brand of SMPTE I'm working with to a track while clocking the machine to a 48kHz clock that's locked to the timecode. Then digitally bounce the recordings into a DAW, or anything else that will simultaneously lock to the timecode from the HD24.

It's works, but it's time-consuming.

Obvious question... wouldn't your X-48's work better for this job?

Paul

**Remoteness** · 24th May 2008

Paul,

Thank you for the reply.

Yes, it seems like it was never designed to lock to OEM SMPTE timecode and that really blows.

I like the Alesis in many ways, especially for the smaller budget dates or when 24 track is plenty of space.

I appears that I must find a BRC somewhere out there on the Net.

We are doing the same workaround and it sucks badly due to the serious consumption of time for sure.

Our X48s work better for this job, but they weren't in the budget, so I figured the HD24XRs would work find with the MTP/AV. I was totally off point on that one.

We installed one of our "Dual X48" racks in "The Bread Mobile" for this project since we don't have an alternative I'm afraid. I'm eating the cost difference to make sure the client is getting what they asked for.

In any event, if someone has a fix for the MTP/AV and HD24XR dilemma, let me (us) know.
This would be invaluable information for the Remotester Nation.

LX3 · 24th May 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Remoteness

Paul,

Yes, it seems like it was never designed to lock to OEM SMPTE timecode and that really blows.

I agree. To make things worse, Alesis misled everyone by saying in the manual that it will lock to timecode using an MTP AV. I guess they assumed it would, but never actually checked.

Probably doesn't help that the HD24 only seems to think internally in 30fps code. I suspect that once they'd got two machines to lock to each other they felt their job was done. Locking to external code doesn't seem to have been in their design spec.

**Remoteness** · 25th May 2008

The MTP/AV is completely useless to us and there's no wonder why all five "similar threads" listed below the last post (of this thread) are FS listings for a MTP.

clusterchord · 26th May 2008

since my studio partner is looking a lot into HD24XR for some classical location rec, and given BRCs are so cheap on eBay, i was wondering if there's a link or more in depth info available somewhere, discussing how BRC works and interacts with HD machines?

pros/cons/pitfalls/requirements for BRC OS etc, things like that ??

so far, we're thinking a pair of HD24, master plus bkup, via ADAT thru or spliting analog +4 post pres. 12ch@88/96k.

fwiw, beside live apps, in the studio, id like to try doin some of my electronic scores by syncing a midi seq, like old atari, to HD24XR via smpte, and do OTB mix, stayin away from DAW sum and esp its crap midi timing.

thanks

Barry8Track · 21st August 2010

Whew! I'm glad I didn't know about the HD24 when I started putting together my a/v setup. But to clear up a few misconception I also shared, a BRC will indeed translate external time code between at least the ADAT XT and a VCR.

My solution (after a few days of pulling out my hair) is that it seems to like 30 fps non-drop more than anything. My scheme is as follows: Time code output on the VCR to SMPTE IN on the BRC, and don't try to use the video sync or the 48 kHz - it messes things up. The BRC sends the time code to the ADATs via the 9 pin connector.

Set the BRC on EXT SYNC (the button must be lit), with the external sync settings to use SMPTE for both locate reference and external sync. Of course, you need to have the VCR tape already striped with LTC time code to use as the SMPTE source, and the audio tape formatted with the ADAT time code (whatever that may be).

With the VCR stopped, press PLAY on the BRC and it should flash. Now you control all tape transports from the VCR. When you put the VCR into play, the ADAT should chase it and lock after a few seconds. Same for REW and FF functions, though of course the time code won't match up again until PLAY mode has again been engaged for a few seconds. This has been working very reliably for a few days now. For recording, simply press RECORD on the BRC with the VCR stopped, and this will set up everything for recording, all controlled from the VCR. Keep in mind that you have to reset the VCR menus to NOT record on the time code track, or you'll erase and replace the time code you've recorded and drive yourself crazy.

I know this is a little off topic; my main point is that the BRC, contrary to mine and many others' belief, DOES sync to external time code.

26th May 2008	#6
clusterchord Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 2,531	BRC plus HD24XR info ? since my studio partner is looking a lot into HD24XR for some classical location rec, and given BRCs are so cheap on eBay, i was wondering if there's a link or more in depth info available somewhere, discussing how BRC works and interacts with HD machines? pros/cons/pitfalls/requirements for BRC OS etc, things like that ?? so far, we're thinking a pair of HD24, master plus bkup, via ADAT thru or spliting analog +4 post pres. 12ch@88/96k. fwiw, beside live apps, in the studio, id like to try doin some of my electronic scores by syncing a midi seq, like old atari, to HD24XR via smpte, and do OTB mix, stayin away from DAW sum and esp its crap midi timing. thanks __________________ music for film/tvseries/theatre live psyhedelic ambient

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23rd May 2008	#1
Remoteness Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 7,405 Thread Starter	...And, I'm not talking for playback per say, but for live recording during a video shoot. When you contact the manufacturers, both seem to blame each other when you address the fact that the machine (for a moment) locks, but drops out after about three minutes or so... This sucks for the obvious reasons. So, is the BRC the only way to make this work? We got two HD24XRs to work with a BRC in the same scenario a while back. Video sync, SMPTE TC and everything was everything. Man, I can really use some help if you can spare the time (or a dime) for an "old" moderator in need. Thank you in advance!

24th May 2008	#2
LX3 Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,034	Hi Steve I've never tried it... because a) I don't have an MTP, and b) I know a lot of people have fought with this issue and never managed to get things working satisfactorily. I haven't heard of the HD24 locking reliably to anything that isn't another Alesis product. Not sure why. My workaround has been to write whatever brand of SMPTE I'm working with to a track while clocking the machine to a 48kHz clock that's locked to the timecode. Then digitally bounce the recordings into a DAW, or anything else that will simultaneously lock to the timecode from the HD24. It's works, but it's time-consuming. Obvious question... wouldn't your X-48's work better for this job? Paul

25th May 2008	#5
Remoteness Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 7,405 Thread Starter	The MTP/AV is completely useless to us and there's no wonder why all five "similar threads" listed below the last post (of this thread) are FS listings for a MTP.

21st August 2010	#7
Barry8Track Gear interested Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 2	Whew! I'm glad I didn't know about the HD24 when I started putting together my a/v setup. But to clear up a few misconception I also shared, a BRC will indeed translate external time code between at least the ADAT XT and a VCR. My solution (after a few days of pulling out my hair) is that it seems to like 30 fps non-drop more than anything. My scheme is as follows: Time code output on the VCR to SMPTE IN on the BRC, and don't try to use the video sync or the 48 kHz - it messes things up. The BRC sends the time code to the ADATs via the 9 pin connector. Set the BRC on EXT SYNC (the button must be lit), with the external sync settings to use SMPTE for both locate reference and external sync. Of course, you need to have the VCR tape already striped with LTC time code to use as the SMPTE source, and the audio tape formatted with the ADAT time code (whatever that may be). With the VCR stopped, press PLAY on the BRC and it should flash. Now you control all tape transports from the VCR. When you put the VCR into play, the ADAT should chase it and lock after a few seconds. Same for REW and FF functions, though of course the time code won't match up again until PLAY mode has again been engaged for a few seconds. This has been working very reliably for a few days now. For recording, simply press RECORD on the BRC with the VCR stopped, and this will set up everything for recording, all controlled from the VCR. Keep in mind that you have to reset the VCR menus to NOT record on the time code track, or you'll erase and replace the time code you've recorded and drive yourself crazy. I know this is a little off topic; my main point is that the BRC, contrary to mine and many others' belief, DOES sync to external time code.