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Subject: Re: [motm] midiclock output (was: Semi-random patch)

From: media.nai@...
Date: 2002-10-22

At 1:31 PM -0500 10/21/02, Paul Schreiber wrote:
>
>The MOTM-650 DOES have MIDI clock out, and in can do ∗some∗
>multiplication as well as division.

You mentioned MIDI clock out on a 1/4" jack, which I presume is a pulse
train driven by the MIDI Timing Clock at the MIDI IN jack.

What I meant is MIDI Timing Clock coming out of the MIDI OUT jack driven by
a pulse at the Ext Clock 1/4" jack.

Or are you saying it does both??

At 10:46 PM +0100 10/21/02, Sikorsky wrote:
>
>i think, what i meant was a unit that could specifically link a modular
>TO a digital audio workstation i like to jam on my MOTM but be able to
>>record loops in tempo currently i run a pre-determined tempo on my DAW
>and loop it back to my modular
>i'd much prefer that my MOTM could run things direct - in fact i'm certain
>it's the sort of thing that a lot of modular users would appreciate in
>general

Imho, MIDI Timing Clock, which only communicates tempo, does not have
sufficient resolution to sync audio.

MIDI Time Code communicates both "tape speed" and location, and can be used
to sync audio, but does not communicate tempo. So MTC cannot be generated
from MIDI clock, and MIDI clock cannot be generated from MTC, without
having more information about the "song".

While the simple pulses used by most hardware sequencers can be converted
to MIDI clock, they cannot be converted to MTC. Even if they could be
converted to MTC, it's generally not a good idea to sync a DAW to an
external clock anyway.

Both MIDI Clock and Roland DIN Sync24 use start and stop commands, and 24
pulses per quarter note, so they are easily converted into each other.
Btw, both MIDI Timing Clock and MTC may be used along with MIDI Song
Position Pointer.

If that's not confusing enough, MIDI Timing Clock and MIDI Time Code have
the same initials. Lucky for us, MTC only refers only to MIDI Time Code.
MIDI Timing Clock is also called "beat clock" or "MIDI Sync" although
neither term is in the specification. Regardless, that's what people mean
when they say "MIDI clock", although I think Paul S. might be referring to
a pulse output driven by MIDI clock.

Having a MIDI Clock output would be useful in syncing other MIDI devices
(sequencers, delays, keyboard arpeggiators, drum machines, etc.) to the Ext
Clock input. That way you could use your MOTM to "run things direct".