Roland VS-880EX Synchronizing with Midi Sequencers, Items Necessary for Synchronization, 116

Chapter 9 Use with MIDI Devices

This chapter describes the MIDI messages that can be handled by the VS-880EX and the operations that the VS-880EX can perform using MIDI messages.

For more detailed information about MIDI, please refer to “About MIDI” (Appendices p. 4).

Synchronizing with MIDI Sequencers

The VS-880EX can be operated in synchronization with a MIDI sequencer. Refer to the owner’s manual for your sequencer in conjunction with this manual. There are two main ways to accomplish synchroniza- tion, one is method using MTC (MIDI time code) and the other one is method using MIDI Clock, with MIDI Clock further divided into two types, Sync Track and Tempo Map, either if which can be selected. Use the method that is appropriate for your situation.

MTC (Appendices p. 124)

•Using MTC (MIDI time code) (p. 116)

•Using the sync track (p. 119)

•Using the tempo map (p. 121)

Items Necessary for Synchronization

•VS-880EX (1)

•Internal IDE hard disk (HDP88 series)

•Audio equipment to be connected to the MASTER jack, or stereo headphones

•External MIDI sequencer or computer sequencer software (such as Cakewalk Pro Audio)

•MIDI cables

Master and Slave

When synchronizing the VS-880EX with a MIDI sequencer, the device that sends, or transmits MTC or MIDI Clock and acts as the reference device is referred to as the master. Conversely, the device that receives the MTC or MIDI Clock signals from the controlling device is called the slave.

When using MTC, you can choose whether to have the MIDI sequencer be the master that controls the VS- 880EX, or to have the VS-880EX be the master that con- trols the MIDI sequencer. In contrast, when you use MIDI Clock, whereas you can synchronize a MIDI sequencer from the VS-880EX (VS-880EX as master), it will not be possible to synchronize the VS-880EX from the sequencer (VS-880EX as slave).

Using MTC

This section explains how the VS-880EX can be syn- chronized with a MIDI sequencer that implements MTC (MIDI Time Code). When using MTC, you can choose to have the VS-880EX be the master that con- trols the MIDI sequencer, or to have the MIDI sequencer be the master that controls the VS-880EX.

MTC Type

The VS-880EX can work with the following types of MTC. Check the specifications of the MIDI devices that you are using, and select the appro- priate type of MTC on the VS-880EX.

30:30 frames per second non-drop format. This is used by audio devices such as analog tape recorders, and for NTSC format black and white video.

29N: 29.97 frames per second non-drop format. This is used for NTSC format color video.

29D: 29.97 frames per second drop format. This is used for NTSC format broadcast color video.

25:25 frames per second. This is used for SECAM or PAL format video, audio equip- ment, and film.

24:24 frames per second. This is used for video, audio devices, and film in the US.

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