Having problems getting reliable timing when trying to sync 3-4 laptops via midi. The kit comprises of: 2xG4 titanium laptops running logic 4.7.3 1xG3 pismo 400 running logic 4.7 1xG3 pismo 500 running logic 5.5 1x phillip rees 1x4midi thru box 4x usb midi interfaces (differing manufacturers) 1x Alesis MMT8 (supplying the sync pulse) We can get all machines recieving MTC from MMT8 but tempos are fluctuating all over the place, with no apparent consistency. One machine will fluctuate by hundrenths of a bpm, another will fluctuate by upto 8 bpm. What is the best way to do this? Any help would be greatly appreciated Thanks Josh __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Everything you'll ever need on one web page from News and Sport to Email and Music Charts http://uk.my.yahoo.com

On 2/28/03 16:46, "Josh Ford" <joshuaford2001@...> wrote: > Having problems getting reliable timing when trying to > sync 3-4 laptops via midi. > The kit comprises of: > 2xG4 titanium laptops running logic 4.7.3 > 1xG3 pismo 400 running logic 4.7 > 1xG3 pismo 500 running logic 5.5 > 1x phillip rees 1x4midi thru box > 4x usb midi interfaces (differing manufacturers) > 1x Alesis MMT8 (supplying the sync pulse) > Why do you use 4 laptop ? Thanks in advance. Best regards Cyril Blanc France

--- In logic-users@yahoogroups.com, Josh Ford <joshuaford2001@y...> wrote: > We can get all machines recieving MTC from MMT8 but > tempos are fluctuating all over the place, with no > apparent consistency. One machine will fluctuate by > hundrenths of a bpm, another will fluctuate by upto 8 > bpm. Josh, I often sync a couple of machines like this. First, it's not clear from your message whether you're intention is syncing to Midi Time Code or Midi Clock. I've had problems as you describe when I've discovered that my sync source was generating both without my knowledge. MTC has nothing to do with tempo, btw. Randall

--- In logic-users@yahoogroups.com, Josh Ford <joshuaford2001@y...> wrote: > Having problems getting reliable timing when trying to > sync 3-4 laptops via midi. > 2xG4 titanium laptops running logic 4.7.3 > 1xG3 pismo 400 running logic 4.7 > 1xG3 pismo 500 running logic 5.5 > 1x phillip rees 1x4midi thru box > 4x usb midi interfaces (differing manufacturers) > 1x Alesis MMT8 (supplying the sync pulse) > We can get all machines recieving MTC from MMT8 but > tempos are fluctuating all over the place, with no > apparent consistency. One machine will fluctuate by > hundrenths of a bpm, another will fluctuate by upto 8 bpm. Hmmm, sounds to me like somebody is having a nerd jam session! :) The first thing you need to know is that the MMT8 does not output MTC (MIDI Time Code), it only outputs CLOCKS. That means on each laptop you'll want to set Logic to sync to external clocks, not MIDI Time Code. The thing that worries me is your "differing manufacturers" of USB MIDI interfaces. In my experience a lot of manufacturers are yet to get these things to be just right. I think your best bet would be to first figure out just which laptops are out and by how much. Don't rely on the BPM display on the transport bar - it means essentially nothing when Logic is synced to MIDI clocks, all it's doing is "guessing" the current tempo based on incoming pulses. Sequence something on the MMT-8 and something else on the laptop, and listen to determine whether they drift from each other. Use external MIDI instruments for this test, because the inherent latency of soft synths could mislead you here. Once you have figured out which laptops are offending, start swapping USB MIDI interfaces to see if the problems follow the interfaces or the laptops. BTW I don't recommend using OMS, but it might be necessary to get Logic to talk to some USB interfaces I suppose. With a USB MIDI interface I would be more inclined to use OS X (assuming drivers are available) than OMS. If you're smart and methodical about the way you do this, you should be able to find the culprits in less than an hour. Good luck! - Steve.