MachineControl Guide

Version 10.1

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Contents
Chapter 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
MachineControl Version 2.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
MachineControl Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
System Requirements and Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Conventions Used in This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
About www.avid.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Chapter 2. Installing MachineControl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Cables and Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Connecting Machines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Authorizing MachineControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Removing MachineControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Starting Up Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Chapter 3. MachineControl Communication Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Serial Deck Control Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Chapter 4. Setting Up Machine Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Online and Offline Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Transport Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Chapter 5. Serial Deck Control Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Configuring a MachineControl Device for Deck Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Preferences for Serial Deck Control Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Session Setup Window and MachineControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Additional Pro Tools Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Selecting Pro Tools or the Machine as the Transport Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Playback in Serial Deck Control Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Remote Track Arming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Contents

iii

Configuring Track Arming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Creating a Track Arming Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Arming Tracks Remotely for Layback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Chapter 6. Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Configuring Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Preferences for Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Playback in Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Recording in Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Track Arming in Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Chapter 7. Using a Paddle Device in Local Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Connecting a Supported Third-Party Paddle Device to Your Pro Tools System. . . . . . . . . . . 41
Allow Track Arm Commands in Local Mode Preference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Configuring Ports for a Deck and a Supported Third-Party Paddle Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Appendix A. Deck Control Key Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Appendix B. Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Appendix C. Machine IDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Appendix D. 9-Pin Cable Pinouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

iv

MachineControl Guide

Chapter 1: Introduction

MachineControl software option for

Pro Tools enables serial communication with
Sony 9-pin compatible synchronizers, and
video or audio machines.
Video captured in Pro Tools is intended only
for use in Pro Tools. It has not been tested
for import into other applications, and may
not be of standard broadcast quality.
Pro Tools should not be used for laying back
picture to video masters.

MachineControl Version 2.0

This guide provides installation and operational
instructions for MachineControl version 2.0 for
Pro Tools HD software with Avid HDX,
Pro Tools|HD, or HD Native hardware, on Mac
or Windows.
If you require documentation for other system
configurations, refer to earlier versions of this
guide, available in the Knowledge Base. You can
reach the Knowledge Base by clicking Help >
Pro Tools Knowledge Base in Pro Tools, or by
visiting www.avid.com/support.

MachineControl Components
Your MachineControl package includes the
following, based on your operating system:
Mac Systems

MachineControl Installer disc

Serial Deck Control cable: Male 8-pin miniDIN to male 9-pin cable
Remote 9-pin Deck Emulation cable: Male
8-pin mini-DIN to female 9-pin cable
MachineControl iLok Activation Card
Windows Systems

MachineControl Installer disc

Serial Deck Control cable: RS-232 to
RS-422
9-pin Turnaround adapter (for Remote
9-pin Deck Emulation mode)
MachineControl iLok Activation Card

Chapter 1: Introduction

System Requirements and

Compatibility
MachineControl requires a qualified Pro Tools
HD system with Avid HDX, Pro Tools|HD or
HD Native hardware.
Avid can only assure compatibility and provide
support for hardware and software it has tested
and approved.
For complete system requirements and a list of
qualified computers, operating systems, hard
drives, and third-party devices, visit:
www.avid.com/compatibility

Serial Deck Control Mode

Requirements
For Tighter Lockups
For Serial Deck Control, use of a SYNC
peripheral (SYNC HD or SYNC I/O) is
recommended.

For near sample accurate Serial Deck Control,

a SYNC peripheral is required.

If you are not using a SYNC peripheral with

Pro Tools, some features of MachineControl can
be used by connecting the deck to the computer
with the proper cable and adapter configuration.

See Connecting Machines for

Serial Control Mode on page 7.

MachineControl Guide

Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation

Requirements
A SYNC peripheral is required when running
MachineControl 9-Pin Remote Deck Emulation
mode, as it provides frame-accurate LTC.
Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation does not work
via the serial ports on a SYNC peripheral or
via the DigiSerial ports on a Pro Tools card.
Instead, you must connect the remote controller to your Pro Tools system using one of
the methods detailed in Connecting Machines for Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation
Mode on page 7.

Registration
Review the enclosed Registration Information
Card and follow the instructions on it to quickly
register your purchase online. By registering,
you become eligible to receive the following:
Technical support information
Software update and upgrade notices
Hardware warranty information

Conventions Used in This

Guide
All of our guides use the following conventions
to indicate menu choices and key commands:
:

Convention

Action

File > Save

Choose Save from the

File menu

Control+N

Hold down the Control key

and press the N key

Control-click

Hold down the Control key

and click the mouse button

Right-click

Click with the right

mouse button

The names of Commands, Options, and Settings

that appear on-screen are in a different font.
The following symbols are used to highlight
important information:
User Tips are helpful hints for getting the
most from your system.
Important Notices include information that
could affect your data or the performance of
your system.

About www.avid.com
The Avid website (www.avid.com) is your best
online source for information to help you get the
most out of your Pro Tools system. The following are just a few of the services and features
available.
Product Registration Register your purchase

online.
Support and Downloads Contact Avid Customer

Success (technical support); download software

updates and the latest online manuals; browse
the Compatibility documents for system requirements; search the online Knowledge Base
or join the worldwide Pro Tools community on
the User Conference.
Training and Education Study on your own using
courses available online or find out how you can
learn in a classroom setting at a certified
Pro Tools training center.
Products and Developers Learn about Avid
products; download demo software or learn
about our Development Partners and their
plug-ins, applications, and hardware.
News and Events Get the latest news from Avid

or sign up for a Pro Tools demo.

Shortcuts show you useful keyboard or

mouse shortcuts.
Cross References point to related sections in
this guide and other Pro Tools guides.

Chapter 1: Introduction

MachineControl Guide

Chapter 2: Installing MachineControl

Before you Begin

Cables

Before you install MachineControl, make sure

that you have already connected and verified operation of your Pro Tools system. If you are using a SYNC peripheral (SYNC HD or SYNC I/O),
refer to its guide to make sure your equipment is
installed and operating correctly.

MachineControl comes with the following cables and adapters, depending on your computer
platform:
Mac Systems
Serial Deck Control Cable Male 8-pin mini-DIN

to male 9-pin cable, for Deck Control.

Cables and Connections

MachineControl requires its own connections
between Pro Tools hardware, the computer, and
external machines. Connections differ depending on your Pro Tools audio interface, operating
system, and on which of the two MachineControl operational modes you want to use: Serial
Deck Control mode or Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode.
When using a supported third-party paddle
device with Pro Tools, you can use both
Serial Deck Control mode and Remote 9-Pin
Deck Emulation mode simultaneously. See
Chapter 7, Using a Paddle Device in Local
Mode for more information.

Remote Deck Emulation Mode Cable Male 8-pin

mini-DIN to female 9-pin cable, required for

Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation.
Windows Systems
Serial Deck Control Cable RS-232 to RS-422

cable, for serial timecode and all other

MachineControl functions.
Turnaround Adapter 9-pin adapter, used with
RS-232 to RS-422 cable, for Remote 9-Pin Deck
Emulation.

Do not substitute 9-pin or serial adaptors

for either MachineControl cable. Each cable
is specifically wired for one operation mode.

Chapter 2: Installing MachineControl

Serial Deck Control Mode

Serial Deck Control mode supports bi-directional communication between Pro Tools and a
compatible external machine. With this feature
you can:
Synchronize to serial timecode
Arm tracks on the machine remotely

Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation

Mode
This mode enables a form of deck emulation in
Pro Tools. When the Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode cable is used on a supported system,
Pro Tools can respond to record-arming, transport, and other standard 9-pin commands from
an external machine.

Control a transport from Pro Tools

Configure machine settings and options.
Avid HDX, Pro Tools|HD and
Pro Tools|HD Native Systems

With Pro Tools HD software and Avid HDX,

Pro Tools|HD, or Pro Tools|HD Native hardware, you can use a Serial to 9-pin connection or
a 9-pin to 9-pin connection for Serial Deck Control mode.
CPU to Deck Connection This type of connec-

tion yields the best performance, especially with

linear decks. Use the included Serial Deck Control cable for this type of connection.
SYNC Peripheral to Deck Connection This type

of connection is suitable for non-linear decks. If

you are using a SYNC peripheral, as many as two
machines can be connected to the two 9-pin Out
ports on the SYNC peripheral. You can control
one machine at a time, and switch between them
from within Pro Tools. These ports support all
MachineControl modes except Remote 9-Pin
Deck Emulation mode. For Remote Deck Emulation mode on Mac systems, a Keyspan USA28x
USB serial adapter is required.

MachineControl Guide

While in Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode,

Pro Tools always generates timecode, and can be
either the timecode master or a slave device.
On Mac systems, use the Remote 9-Pin Emulation Mode cable. This mode requires a Keyspan
USA28x serial adapter connected to a computer
USB port, and a properly wired configuration.
See Chapter 6, Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation
Mode for details.
On Windows systems, Remote 9-pin Deck Emulation mode uses an RS-232 to RS-422 cable
and a Turnaround adapter connected to an available serial or COM port on the computer.

Connecting Machines

Connecting Machines for Remote 9-Pin

Deck Emulation Mode

This section describes how to connect machines

for Serial Control Mode or Remote 9-Pin Deck
Emulation Mode.

To connect a machine for Remote 9-Pin Deck

Emulation mode (Mac Systems):

Connecting Machines for

Serial Control Mode

For Best Serial Deck Control

Connect a Keyspan USA28x USB serial adapter

(not provided) to a USB port on the computer.

Connect the provided male mini DIN-8 serial

to female 9-pin Deck Emulation cable to the end
of the adapter.

For best serial deck control, connect your deck

as follows:

To connect a deck to a Mac computer:

To connect a machine for Remote 9-Pin Deck

Emulation mode (Windows Systems):

Connect a Keyspan USA28x USB serial adapter

(not provided) to a USB port on the computer.

Connect the provided male mini DIN-8 serial

to male 9-pin D-sub Deck Control cable to the
end of the adapter.

Connect the end of the cable to the machine.

To connect a deck to a Windows computer:

Connect the computers COM port to the machine, using the provided 9-pin RS-322 to
RS-422 cable.

Connect the end of the cable to the machine.

Connect the Turnaround adapter to the

RS-322 to RS-422 cable, and connect them from
an available serial or COM port on your computer to the 9-pin output of the machine.

Do not use the DigiSerial port on your Avid HDX

card, Pro Tools|HD Core card, HD Native card,
or the 9-pin ports on the SYNC peripheral for
Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode. The DigiSerial port should only be used for SYNC peripheral connections, using a DigiSerial cable.

For Limited Serial Deck Control (Non-Linear

Decks Only)
Connect a standard 9-pin cable from one of
the 9-pin Out ports on the SYNC peripheral to
the 9-pin input of the machine. Due to performance limitations, this configuration should be
used primarily with non-linear decks.

Chapter 2: Installing MachineControl

Using a Rosetta Stone Adapter

with MachineControl
(Windows Only)

Using the Rosetta Stone adapter with MachineControl on Windows lets you increase reliability
for long cable runs for Serial Deck Control mode
or Remote mode.
A Rosetta Stone RS-232 to RS-422 adapter
(model 2/8 or 2/9) and additional RS-232
and RS-422 cables are required.

Authorizing MachineControl
MachineControl is automatically installed with
Pro Tools, but requires a valid MachineControl
option authorization in order to be enabled in
Pro Tools. The MachineControl feature set for
Pro Tools is automatically enabled if a valid MachineControl authorization is detected on your
iLok.
Software is authorized using the iLok USB Smart
Key (iLok), manufactured by PACE Anti-Piracy.

To increase reliability in long cable runs in Remote

mode:
Follow the instructions as described above for
setting up a Rosetta Stone convertor for an edit
controller.

To increase reliability in long cable runs in Serial

Deck Control mode:

Connect the RS-232 cable from your computers COM port into the RS-232 side of the
Rosetta Stone adapter.

Connect the RS-422 cable from the RS-422 side

of the Rosetta Stone to the deck or 9-pin patch
bay. If a longer run is needed, add more 9-pin
cable on the RS-422 end.
2

iLok USB Smart Key

You can use either the new version of the

iLok (shown above) or the previous version
of the iLok to hold your authorizations.

An iLok can hold over 100 licenses for all of your

iLok-enabled software. Once a license for a
given piece of software is placed on an iLok, you
can use the iLok to authorize that software on
any computer.
An iLok USB Smart Key is not supplied with
plug-ins or software options. You can use the
iLok included with certain Pro Tools systems
or purchase one separately.

MachineControl Guide

To authorize MachineControl:

If you do not have an iLok.com account, visit

www.iLok.com and sign up for an account.

Transfer the license for your software to your

iLok.com account by doing the following:

Visit www.avid.com/activation.

To ensure that the components of your

Pro Tools system communicate properly with
each other and your external machines, start
them in a particular order.

and

Start up your Pro Tools system in this order:

Input your Activation Code (listed on your

Activation Card) and your iLok.com User
ID. Your iLok.com User ID is the name you
create for your iLok.com account.

Transfer the licenses from your iLok.com

account to your iLok USB Smart Key by doing
the following:

Insert the iLok into an available USB port

on your computer.
Go to www.iLok.com and log in.
Follow the on-screen instructions for
transferring your licences to your iLok.
For more information, visit the iLok website
(www.iLok.com).
4

Starting Up Your System

Launch Pro Tools.

If you have any unauthorized software

installed, you are prompted to authorize it.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete
the authorization process.

Removing MachineControl
The MachineControl feature set for Pro Tools is
automatically enabled if a valid MachineControl
authorization is detected on your iLok. To disable the MachineControl option on your system,
transfer your MachineControl option authorization to another iLok (or simply remove the authorized iLok from your system).

For systems with an expansion chassis, turn on

the chassis.

2 Turn on any external hard drives. Wait approximately ten seconds for them to come up to
speed.

Turn on any external machines (VTR, ATR,

synchronizer, and monitors).

Turn on any MIDI interfaces, MIDI devices

and synchronization peripherals.

Lower the volume of all output devices in your

system.

Turn on Pro Tools audio interfaces. Wait at

least fifteen seconds for your system hardware to
initialize.

Turn on your computer.

Launch Pro Tools.

Machine Local and Remote Modes

Be sure to set your machine-controllable device

to remote or ext mode to receive the 9-pin
information (not local or front-panel mode).
With some supported machines, if all other
communication is established and the machine
is not in remote mode, Pro Tools will indicate
machine local mode.

Chapter 2: Installing MachineControl

10

MachineControl Guide

Chapter 3: MachineControl Communication

Modes

MachineControl supports two machine communication modes: Serial Deck Control mode and
Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode.

Serial Deck Control Mode

With Serial Deck Control mode, you can use the
Pro Tools Transport window to control an
external deck.

Cueing and Pre-Roll

Pro Tools Preference settings let you optimize
MachineControl operation, including adjustable
machine pre-roll, selectable edit and memory
location chasing.
Pro Tools sessions can be as long as 24
hours. MachineControl features are
disabled for the final minutes of the
24-hour period, to allow for pre-roll to
be used at the beginning of the session
without unwanted machine shuttling.

Track Arming

Transport Master selector in the Pro Tools Transport

window

Transport
The setting of the Transport Master (located in
the Pro Tools Transport window) determines
the type of Serial Deck Control, as follows:

When the Transport Master is set to Transport =

Machine, you can arm tracks of external machines from within Pro Tools for layback and
transfer. Features include individual record enables for up to 48 external tracks, with selectable
record protocol and mode. Machine profiles included with the software let you preconfigure
track arming for many machine types.

Transport = Pro Tools The Transport window

controls the Pro Tools Timeline. When online,

the deck locates relative to actions taken in the
Pro Tools Timeline.
Transport = Machine The Transport window
controls the machine. When Pro Tools is Online,
the Pro Tools Timeline chases the machine.
Chapter 3: MachineControl Communication Modes

11

Serial Timecode
When the Positional Reference is set to Serial
Timecode in the Session Setup window,
Pro Tools can control an external machine via
the Serial Deck Control cable. This setting also
enables Pro Tools to receive timecode directly
using only the Serial Deck Control cable.

Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation

Mode
With Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode (also
called Remote 9-Pin mode), an external synchronizer can take control over Pro Tools transport
and recording functions.

(This mode requires that the 9-pin device be capable of transmitting serial timecode. It also requires that the Pro Tools and the device receive
a common video reference.)

Pro Tools responds to commands sent by the

master 9-pin machine controller, but because
Pro Tools is in Remote mode, many of its transport commands are locked out.

Using a Paddle Device in Local

Mode

Remote and Remote/LTC Chase

Modes

When using MachineControl in Local mode with

or without an external synchronizer, you can
use a supported third-party paddle device to issue the following Pro Tools track commands:

When using an external machine controller to

control Pro Tools, you can configure Pro Tools
to emulate a 9-pin deck in either of the following
modes:

Input monitoring

Remote mode Pro Tools emulates a device that

Record Enable

can be the timecode master or timecode slave.

Record Safe

Remote/LTC Chase mode Pro Tools emulates a

device that receives track and transport arming
commands, while chasing incoming LTC.

Solo
Solo Mute
See Chapter 7, Using a Paddle Device in
Local Mode.

Track Arming
In Remote Deck Emulation mode, you can arm
Pro Tools tracks from an external machine.
Features include remote control of individual
record enables for up to 48 tracks, with selectable record protocol and mode. Included factory
and user programmable profiles let you configure track arming for any machine type.
For arming tracks during playback, refer
to the TrackPunch and DestructivePunch
feature description in the Pro Tools
Reference Guide.

12

MachineControl Guide

Chapter 4: Setting Up Machine Control

Online and Offline Operation

Pro Tools can remotely control, or be controlled
by, any approved enabled external device. You
can select a device by using the Transport Master selector in the Transport window.
Online button

The Online button in the Transport window

indicates online status. It flashes while enabled
and waiting for synchronization, and stays lit
when lock is achieved.

Transport Controls
With MachineControl, the Pro Tools Transport
window becomes a multi-function controller.
Counter Display

Transport Master selector

Transport Master selector in the Transport window

To trigger Pro Tools playback or recording from

an external source, the Pro Tools Transport
needs to be online. There are four ways to put
the Pro Tools Transport online:
Click the Online button in the Transport
window.

The Pro Tools Edit window counter displays the

current machine (9-pin) or session timecode location, depending on which device is the Transport Master, plus any current Session Start Time
Offsets being applied. (See External Timecode
Offsets on page 24 for more information.)
The Incoming Time display in the Session Setup
window always shows absolute incoming timecode, without any offsets.

Choose Options > Transport Online.

Press Control+J (Windows) or Command+J
(Mac).
Press Alt+Spacebar (Windows) or
Option+Spacebar (Mac).
Pro Tools can generate LTC while the
Transport is online, but only when Positional Reference is set to Serial Timecode.

Chapter 4: Setting Up Machine Control

13

Selecting a Transport Master

Transport = Machine

To select a Transport Master:

In this mode, the controls in the Transport window are focused on the machine connected and
enabled for Serial Deck Control mode. Record
commands are sent to the machine only.

1 Click the Transport Master selector to display

the Transport pop-up menu.

When the transport is online, Pro Tools slaves

to the machine. The Transport window controls
the machine, and Pro Tools chases and locks to
it.

Transport pop-up menu

Selecting the Transport Master

From the Transport pop-up menu, select

Pro Tools, Machine, or Remote (or
Remote/LTC).

You can also press Control+backslash (\)

to toggle between Pro Tools, the Machine,
and Remote transport (or, on a Pro Tools
control surface, press EXT TRANS).
Transport = Pro Tools

In this mode, the controls in the Transport

window are focused on Pro Tools playback and
recording.
When the transport is online, the machine
slaves to Pro Tools, and the session locks to the
machines timecode. The machine follows Preferences for Machine Chase and Online Record.
When the transport is offline, the Pro Tools
Transport window controls Pro Tools only.

14

MachineControl Guide

In addition, when -Spot is turned on, clips are

spotted to the current machine time, and the
Trim tool trims to the current machine time.
See the Pro Tools Reference Guide for
details on Auto-Spotting.
When the transport is offline, the Pro Tools
Transport window controls the machine only.

Toggling the Transport while Online

When the Transport window is online, toggling

the Transport Master selector between
Pro Tools and your machine will also toggle
their master/slave relationship.

Toggling the Online Status of a Device

Online Display Information

Use the Online pop-up menu in the Transport

Master selector to toggle the online status of a
Machine (or MMC) device.

Several display elements of the Edit and Transport windows provide machine status information during MachineControl use, as follows:

To take a device offline:

1

Click the Transport Master selector.

2 Click on the Online pop-up menu and select or

deselect the device (Machine or MMC). Device
choices depend on the current Transport Master
and which devices have been set up in Pro Tools.

When Pro Tools is online, the Transport Online button flashes. Waiting for Sync will be
displayed in the status box in the lower left
corner of the Edit window.
The Transport Online button continues to
flash until you click Play and timecode lock
occurs (all devices locked and responding in
sync).
The Timecode display in the Edit window
shows the Machine Time when the machine is
Master.
Upon lockup, the Timecode display switches to
show the session time.

Online menu in Transport window

The Online pop-up menu will only display

devices that have been properly set up in
Pro Tools.
To set up machine devices, see Chapter 5,
Serial Deck Control Mode.
To set up MIDI devices, see the Pro Tools
Reference Guide.

Chapter 4: Setting Up Machine Control

15

Remote Mode

In Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode, you put

Pro Tools in Remote mode to enable Machine
Control operation.
When you put Pro Tools in Remote mode, it
responds to commands sent by the master 9-Pin
machine. Many Pro Tools commands, including
transport controls, are inactive in the Transport
window.
When you take Pro Tools out of Remote mode,
it operates in Local mode and ignores commands
from the 9-pin machine controller. Pro Tools responds only to requests from the 9-pin machine
controller for machine type and status, and returns that it is in Local mode.

To put Pro Tools in Remote mode:

1

Choose View > Transport > Synchronization.

Click the Remote button in the Transport

window.

Remote button in the Transport window

For more information on Remote mode in

Pro Tools, see Chapter 6, Remote 9-Pin Deck
Emulation Mode.

16

MachineControl Guide

Chapter 5: Serial Deck Control Mode

Serial Deck Control mode is available whenever

MachineControl is connected using the Serial
Deck Control cable. For more information about
connecting Pro Tools for Serial Deck Control
mode, see Chapter 2, Installing MachineControl.
When connected for Serial Deck Control mode,
MachineControl enables all Pro Tools track
arming, synchronization, and Transport features, as available on your system. Serial Deck
Control mode also supports 9-pin serial timecode (see Using Serial Timecode for Positional
Reference on page 19). Some features require a
SYNC peripheral, as noted throughout this
chapter.

Configuring Pro Tools for Serial Deck

Control (Overview)
To configure Pro Tools for Serial Deck Control, do
the following:

Open an existing session or create a new

session.

2 Set up a MachineControl device. (See Configuring a MachineControl Device for Deck Control on page 18.)

Configure Pro Tools Machine Control preferences and Online Options in the Preferences dialog. (SeePreferences for Serial Deck Control
Mode on page 20.)

Configure Pro Tools session settings in the

Session Setup window. (SeeSession Setup Window and MachineControl on page 22.)

For information on track arming, see

Remote Track Arming on page 29.

In the Pro Tools Transport window, select

Pro Tools or Machine as the Transport Master.
(See Selecting Pro Tools or the Machine as the
Transport Master on page 26.)

Use the Transport window to play back material. (See Playback in Serial Deck Control
Mode on page 27.)

Chapter 5: Serial Deck Control Mode

17

Configuring a
MachineControl Device for
Deck Control

7 Set machine pre-roll for use when Transport =

Pro Tools. (See Machine Pre-Roll on page 18
for more information.)

Machine pre-roll is different from the

main Transport pre-roll that is set in the
Transport window.

To set up a MachineControl device:

1 In Pro Tools, choose Setup > Peripherals, and
click the Synchronization tab.

If you are using a SYNC peripheral

connected to your DigiSerial port,
and your machine has timecode
reader capability, you can use serial
timecode for Positional Reference.

2 Configure your synchronization peripheral as

necessary. If you are using a SYNC peripheral,
select Enable SYNC Peripheral.
3 Click the Machine Control tab in the Peripherals dialog.

In the 9-pin Machine Control (Deck Control)

section, select Enable.

Configuring MachineControl for Serial Deck Control

5

Select the 9-pin MachineControl port from the

Port pop-up menu.

Do not use the designated machine serial

port for any other function (such as timecode or MIDI metronome). Make sure that
9-pin is the only communication on the
selected port.

Choose the appropriate machine profile from

the Machine Type pop-up menu.

Pro Tools lets you define and save custom

machine profiles. See Remote Track Arming on page 29 for more information.

18

MachineControl Guide

Click OK to close the Peripherals dialog.

Machine Pre-Roll
You can set a variable amount of machine preroll to account for the time it may take the machine to achieve servo lock. Shorter pre-roll values are usually better for non-linear machines.
Longer pre-roll values are usually better for
older tape transports.
The Machine pre-roll value is added to any preroll specified in the Pro Tools Transport window.
To set MachineControl pre-roll:
1 In Pro Tools, choose Setup > Peripherals, and
click the Machine Control tab.

In the 9-pin Machine Control (Deck Control)

section, type the number of frames of pre-roll in
the Preroll box.

Click OK.

Selecting Machines in Serial

Deck Control Mode
When using a SYNC peripheral with machines
connected to each of its two 9-pin ports, or to serial ports on the computer, use the Peripherals
dialog to choose which machine to control.

To enable Serial Timecode:

1

Choose Setup > Session.

2 Choose Serial Timecode from the Positional

Reference pop-up menu.

To choose a machine for Serial Deck Control

mode:
1 In Pro Tools, choose Setup > Peripherals, and
click the Machine Control tab.

In the 9-pin Machine Control (Deck Control)

section, select Enable.

Choose SYNC 9-Pin Out 1 or SYNC 9-Pin Out 2,

or an available serial port from the Port pop-up
menu.
3

Choose the appropriate machine profile from

the Machine Type pop-up menu.

Click OK to close the Peripherals dialog.

Using Serial Timecode for

Positional Reference
If you are using a SYNC peripheral connected to
your DigiSerial port, and your machine has 9pin serial timecode capability, you can use serial
timecode for positional reference. This will help
achieve faster lockup times.

Choosing Serial timecode in the Session Setup

window
To regenerate LTC when locking to Serial
Timecode:
1

Choose Setup > Session.

2 Choose Serial Timecode from the Positional

Reference pop-up menu.

In the Transport window, click the Gen LTC

button.

Gen LTC button in Transport window

To use serial timecode for positional reference,

a Video Reference signal must be present, as indicated by the Ref Present indicator in the Session Setup and Edit windows. Both the SYNC peripheral and the external machine should be
locked to the same video reference signal.
When using Serial Timecode for positional reference, you can regenerate LTC.

Chapter 5: Serial Deck Control Mode

19

Preferences for Serial Deck

Control Mode
You can configure preferences for MachineControl playback and recording in Pro Tools.

Playback Options
Machine Control Section
Machine Chases Memory Location When se-

lected, navigating to a specific location in a session with a Memory Location causes a connected
transport to chase to that location.
Machine Follows Edit Insertion/Scrub When selected, navigating to a specific location in a session by moving the selection point or by scrubbing a track will cause a connected transport to
chase to that location.
When the connected device is a linear device
(such as a tape deck), select Linear Devices (jog)
to set Pro Tools to send jog commands.
When the connected device is a non-linear device (such as a random-access video recorder or
another Pro Tools system), select Non-Linear Devices (cue) to set Pro Tools to send cue commands.

20

MachineControl Guide

Machine Cues Intelligently When selected, if you

navigate to a cue point that is more than 10 seconds from the current location, Pro Tools will
command a connected transport to fast wind to
the new location at full speed to within 10 seconds of the cue point. Cueing will then slow to
normal speed until the point is reached. This
can significantly speed up tape cueing with
certain video transports.
Stop at Shuttle Speed Zero Causes Pro Tools to

send a Stop command whenever you stop shuttling. This is useful if you have a machine that
requires an explicit stop command to park
correctly.
Non-Linear Transport Error Suppression When
Transport = Pro Tools, keeps Pro Tools from
sending a Stop command when taken offline.
This prevents Pro Tools from stopping any
other 9-pin devices connected to the system.

Synchronization Section

Recording Options

Minimum Sync Delay Sets the amount of time (in

Record Online at Timecode (or ADAT)

Lock When selected, online recording begins as

frames) for devices to achieve synchronization

lock. This amount varies for each device.
Pro Tools lock up delay is set by entering a value
for Minimum Sync Delay in the Synchronization
page of the Preferences dialog. The lowest value
available is 15 frames. Find the shortest possible
lock-up time that your equipment can operate at
consistently, and set this as the delay value.
Delay Before Locking to Longitudinal Timecode

Sets the amount of time (in frames) for

Pro Tools to lock to incoming LTC. Use this option when locking Pro Tools to a stable timecode
source (such as a non-linear machine or LTC
generator) and not a linear tape machine.

soon as Pro Tools receives and locks to incoming timecode.

Record Online at Insertion/Selection When selected, online recording begins at the edit cursor
location. Recording continues until Pro Tools
stops receiving timecode. If you make a selection, Pro Tools records online for the length of
the selection.
To set Serial Deck Control mode recording
options:

Choose Setup > Preferences, and click the

Operation tab.
1

Select or set the above Online options in the

Record section.

Delay Before Locking to Serial Timecode Sets

the amount of time (in frames) for Pro Tools to

wait before attempting to lock to machines that
issue servo lock messages. This setting allows
time for the servo mechanisms to achieve stable
lock.

Click OK to close the Preferences dialog.

To set Machine Control playback options:

1 Choose Setup > Preferences, and click the Synchronization tab.
2

Select or set Machine Control options.

Click OK to close the Preferences dialog.

Chapter 5: Serial Deck Control Mode

21

Session Setup Window and MachineControl

Clock Source

Session Format
and settings
Show/Hide button

External
Timecode
Offsets

SYNC Setup

Sample
offset
Pull Up/
Pull Down
settings

Show/Hide button

Timecode
Settings

Freewheel settings
Figure 1. Session Setup window

The Session Setup window has three sections.

To show SYNC Setup and Timecode Offsets:

Format Includes displays and controls for time-

code-related settings on your system, as well as

certain session format settings (such as bit
depth, pan depth, audio format, and interleaved).
SYNC Setup & Timecode Offsets Lets you set

Clock Reference and Positional Reference,

Video Reference format, and Video Input
format.
Timecode Settings Lets you configure Timecode
Freewheel settings and Audio and Video Pull
Up/Down amounts.

22

MachineControl Guide

Click the SYNC Setup and Timecode Offsets

show/hide button.

To show Timecode settings:

Click the Timecode Settings show/hide button.

Session Settings for

MachineControl

Clock Source, Clock and Positional

Reference Settings

Use the steps in this section to quickly configure

the basic session settings for MachineControl.

The Session Setup window provides selectors for

the system Clock Source, as well as Clock Reference and Positional Reference. These settings
must be configured based on the signal connections between Pro Tools, the SYNC peripheral,
and external devices.

Basic Session Settings

Confirm the following settings for each session.

To configure a session for MachineControl:
1

Open an existing session or create a new one.

To configure Clock Source and Reference

settings:

Choose Setup > Session.

In the Format section, do the following:

Set a Session start time.

and
Set the session Timecode Rate and
Feet+Frames Rate.

Choose Setup > Session.

In the Format section, select a Clock Source (a

SYNC peripheral or an Pro Tools HD audio interface) from the Clock Source pop-up menu.

In the SYNC Setup section, select a Clock Ref-

erence and Positional Reference.

4

In the SYNC Setup section, set the appropriate

Video Reference and Video In formats.

Session Start Time
Timecode Rate
Feet+Frames Rate
Video Ref format
Video In format

Basic session settings in the Session Setup window

Video Ref and Video In format selectors

See the SYNC HD Guide for more information

on setting Clock Reference, Positional Reference, Video Reference, and Video In formats.

Chapter 5: Serial Deck Control Mode

23

Testing Session Settings

Sample Offset

To check your session and MachineControl settings, place the machine in Local mode and
manually start playback on the external machine. If Pro Tools is receiving timecode, the
current location will be shown in the Incoming
Time display. Be sure to reset the machine to
Remote mode when finished.

This field lets you set an offset value for incoming timecode (up to the equivalent of plus or minus one frame at the current session sample
rate). This lets you create a permanent offset to
fine-tune the point at which Pro Tools synchronizes relative to incoming timecode. For example, a value of 50 makes an event in Pro Tools
occur 50 samples before the same event in the
incoming timecode. Use this to compensate for
timing differences between various SMPTE-toMIDI Timecode converters or analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog converters.

Incoming Time display

External Timecode Offsets

In the External Timecode Offsets section,

Pro Tools lets you compensate for devices that
are consistently offset by a fixed number of
frames (such as some colorcorrected video
masters), or for material that starts at a different time than the session.
Pro Tools provides four different External
Timecode Offset settings:

Offsets and SYNC Timecode Display

The timecode display on the front panel of the

SYNC peripheral continues to display actual incoming timecode, regardless of any External
Timecode Offset applied in Pro Tools.
To apply an offset to an external timecode source:
In the Session Setup window, enter an offset
value time in an offset field.

MMC (MIDI Machine Control)

9-Pin (Deck Control)
Synchronization peripherals such as the
SYNC HD, SYNC I/O, or other peripherals
(such as MIDI interfaces that provide MIDI
Timecode).
Satellite (Pro Tools with Satellite Link or
Video Satellite)
Unique values can be defined for each of these
types of offsets, or you can link all to adjust in
unison.
Positive and negative offset values can be entered to offset Pro Tools timecode display later
or earlier, respectively.

24

MachineControl Guide

External Timecode Offsets in the Session Setup

window
To apply the same timecode offset to all devices:
In the Session Setup window, select Link to
apply the same offset value to all devices.

Timecode Settings

To redefine the current timecode location:

The Timecode settings control timecode generation, Freewheel, and session Pull Up and Pull
Down options.

Configure these settings as appropriate for the

current project and situation. (For complete instructions, refer to the Pro Tools Reference Guide
and the SYNC HD Guide.)

Additional Pro Tools

Commands
The following commands are available in all MachineControl operating modes.
Current Timecode Position

Use this command to redefine the current timecode position and session start time. By creating
an insertion point (or Edit selection), and then
entering the desired new timecode position for
that location, the session start time will be recalculated based on the new, relative timecode
location.
For example, if you place an insertion point at
01:02:04:11, choose Setup > Current Timecode
Position, and enter 01:00:08:00 to correspond to
the first frame of film, this adjusts the session
start time such that the insertion point location
is now 01:00:08:00.

Enable Link Edit/Timeline.

Click the Grid mode selector. This ensures that

your selection is on a frame boundary.

Locate Pro Tools to the beginning of the relevant material (usually the first audio of a scene,
a 2 pop, or similar).
If appropriate, cue the external timecode
source to the location where you want to align
the current Pro Tools insertion point. Note the
timecode location, or copy it to the clipboard.

Choose Setup > Current Timecode Position.

Type the new timecode position in the

Desired Timecode Position text box, or paste the

the timecode position into the text box, if you

copied it to the clipboard.
7

Click OK.

Current Feet+Frames Position

Use this command to redefine the Feet+Frames

position at the current insertion point (or the
Timeline Selection In Point).
Redefining Feet+Frames does not redefine
the session start time.

Chapter 5: Serial Deck Control Mode

25

Typically, this command is used for integrating

test tones, pre-roll, and similar pre-program
material into the Pro Tools session ahead of the
first hour timecode position on the Timeline. In
most cases when working on reels of film, the
user will want to set the first hour mark in the
session to equal 0+0 feet and frames, to line up
properly with the start of the Academy leader
for each reel of film.
To set a relative frame position for a session
(Feet+Frames):
1

Enable Link Edit/Timeline.

Click the Grid mode selector. This ensures that

your selection is on a frame boundary.

With the Selector tool, click in a track (or

make a selection) where you want to redefine the
position.

Choose Setup > Current Feet+Frames Position.

Enter a Feet+Frame position in the Desired

Feet+Frames Position text box.

6

Click OK.

Create Machine Track Arming Profile

The Create Machine Track Arming Profile command lets you create and save machine descriptions as Machine Profiles. Profiles are provided
for an ever-increasing list of common machines,
or you can customize profiles for specific situations and requirements. Options include the
ability to emulate a different machine type, remap and rename audio tracks, and choose to include or exclude the video and timecode tracks,
when available. For more information, see Creating a Track Arming Profile on page 30.

26

MachineControl Guide

Selecting Pro Tools or the

Machine as the Transport
Master
In Serial Deck Control mode, the deck is always
the timecode master. However, the start of machine playback changes based on the Transport
Master mode you are using.
The setting of the Transport Master (located in
the Pro Tools Transport window) determines
where the deck will start playback when the
Pro Tools Transport sends a play command to
the deck Control, as follows:
Transport = Pro Tools

In this mode, the Transport window controls the

Pro Tools Timeline position (playback and recording). When you click Play in the Transport
window while it is online, the deck locates relative to the current Pro Tools Timeline.
When the Transport window is online, the machine locates to a position ahead of the current
Timeline insertion point. This location ahead is
equal to the sum of the machine pre-roll and the
Transport pre-roll. Once the machine has located to this total pre-roll position, it plays,
sending timecode to Pro Tools, which chases
that incoming timecode. The machine follows
the Preferences settings for Serial Deck Control.
(See Preferences for Serial Deck Control Mode
on page 20.)
When the Transport window is offline, the
Pro Tools Transport window controls Pro Tools
only.
All record commands are sent to Pro Tools,
not the machine.

Transport = Machine

From the Transport Master pop-up menu, select Pro Tools or Machine.

In this mode, the Transport window controls the

machine connected and enabled for Serial Deck
Control mode. Record commands are sent to the
machine only. When online and a Play command
is given, the machine plays from its current location, feeding timecode to Pro Tools, which
chases that incoming timecode from the deck.

Toggling the Transport while Online

When the Transport window is online,

Pro Tools chases the timecode coming from the
machine. The Transport window controls the
machine, and Pro Tools chases and locks to it.

When the Online button is highlighted, toggling

the Transport Master between Pro Tools and
Machine also toggles their master/slave relationship.

All record commands in this mode are directed to the deck only.

When Auto-Spot is turned on, clips are spotted to the current machine time, and the Trim
tool trims to the current machine time.

For details on Auto-Spotting, see the

Pro Tools Reference Guide
When the Transport is offline, the Pro Tools
Transport window controls the machine only.

To select a Transport Master:

1 In Pro Tools, click the Transport Master selector to display the Transport Master pop-up
menu.

Press Control+backslash (\) (Windows) or

Command+backslash (\) (Mac) to toggle
between available Transport Master
choices.

Playback in Serial Deck

Control Mode
To play or cue your machine independently of
Pro Tools:
1 Select Transport = Machine in the Pro Tools
Transport window.

Make sure Pro Tools is not online (the Online

button in the Transport window is not flashing).

Click any of the buttons in the Pro Tools Transport window to control your machine.

Pro Tools always displays incoming LTC or

9-pin time in the incoming time field in the
Session Setup window during fast-wind, and
switches during playback to display the current
positional reference.
To automatically locate your deck to pre-roll into
your current Timeline insertion time each time you
play back:

Select Transport = Pro Tools in the Pro Tools

Transport window.

Transport Master selector in the Pro Tools Transport

window

Put Pro Tools online.

Click Play in the Transport window.

Chapter 5: Serial Deck Control Mode

27

If the tape in the machine is striped with timecode that matches your Session time, the machine will locate to the total pre-roll position
ahead of the Pro Tools on-screen selection/insertion point or memory location, and begin
playing back. Pro Tools will chase its timecode
output.
Machine Remote Setting

If the Transport Master selector will not stay set

to Machine, or if it switches to Pro Tools from
Machine, check your machines Local/Remote
setting. It should be set to Remote to receive
commands from the Pro Tools Transport.

Machine Cueing
MachineControl provides two Cue modes for remote machine operation: Search and Hi-speed.
In Search mode, the tape remains laced during
Fast Forward or Rewind.
In Hi-speed mode, the tape is unlaced before
fast-forward/rewind. The Transport window indicates the status of the tape as described below.

Search Mode

To fast forward and rewind in Search mode:

1 Select Transport = Machine in the Transport
window.

Click Play in the Transport window or press

the Spacebar to begin machine playback, then
press the Spacebar again to pause the machine
(this is to ensure that the tape is laced).

3 Click Fast Forward or Rewind in the Transport

window to search the tape.

Some devices, including several popular

VHS decks, do not support a shuttle mode in
which the tape stays laced. These decks unlace the tape before shuttling. Refer to your
tape machines guide for more information.
Hi-Speed Mode

In Hi-speed mode, the tape is unlaced, and all

Transport window buttons are dark. When you
cue in this mode, only the selected Fast Forward
or Rewind button lights.
To fast forward and rewind in Hi-speed mode:
1 Select Transport = Machine in the Transport
window.

To unlace the tape, click Stop in the Transport

window or press Command+period(.).

In Search mode, the tape is laced against the

heads when the machine is paused or searching,
and the Stop button stays lit (it does not flash)
and the Play button flashes. When cueing in this
mode, the Fast Forward or Rewind button also
lights when searching in either direction.

3 Click Fast Forward or Rewind in the Transport

window. The Pro Tools cursor indicates the current machine location.
4

Press the Spacebar to pause the machine.

Some devices may not support all shuttle
modes, and may not accept the above shuttle commands. In these cases, the Fast Forward and Rewind buttons in the Pro Tools
Transport window flash, and clicking them
places the device in true Fast Forward /
Rewind mode.

28

MachineControl Guide

Spotting to the Machine

To spot clips to the machines current location,
use Pro Tools Spot mode or Auto-Spot (if using
VITC).
See the Pro Tools Reference Guide for information on using Spot and Auto-Spot mode to spot
clips to incoming SMPTE timecode locations.
Auto-Spot mode uses incoming VITC for
location information. Therefore, Auto-Spot
mode will force the clip to be spotted to the
current incoming machine timecode
location, not the current insertion cursor
location. To spot your elements directly to
the current cursor location, Control-drag
(Mac) or Right-click and drag (Windows)
the elements.

Remote Track Arming

Configuring Track Arming

Pro Tools provides automatic, direct support for
track configuration of most common video
decks. If your deck is supported, MachineControl identifies and displays your machines track
layout.
Even if your machine is not directly supported,
the Track Arming window lets you arm tracks,
set the Record Protocol and configure the Record mode for the machine.
You can also define, save, and load customized
device profiles. (See Creating a Track Arming
Profile on page 30.)
Not all machines support independent arming of their audio tracks locally or remotely,
and some machines require a separate utility menu selection. Pro Tools remote track
arming cannot operate in these situations.

Pro Tools with MachineControl provides the

ability to record-arm audio, video, or timecode
tracks on external decks, and rehearse an edit.
On MachineControl-equipped systems, the Machine Track Arming command is available in the
Pro Tools Window menu. The Machine Track
Arming window lets you configure track arming
during sessions using the settings appropriate
for the current Track Arming Profile. (See
Identifying Your Machine on page 30.)
To display the Machine Track Arming window:

Choose Window > Machine Track Arming.

Chapter 5: Serial Deck Control Mode

29

Identifying Your Machine

When you configure Pro Tools for MachineControl, it automatically loads the track arming profile for the identified machines.
For more information on basic Pro Tools
settings for MachineControl, see Configuring a MachineControl Device for Deck
Control on page 18.

If Pro Tools does not recognize your machine,

or if you want your machine to emulate a different type of device (for example, to use a different track layout), you can load a generic machine profile.
If you are using a generic machine profile,
be sure to double-check record behavior
using non-essential tapes before using
MachineControls remote track arming
functions.

For maximum flexibility, use Track Arming Profiles to create, customize, and manage multiple
machine descriptions (see Creating a Track
Arming Profile on page 30).

Creating a Track Arming

Profile
The Create Track Arming Profile dialog provides extensive control over Pro Tools track
arming. You can customize arming, track naming, and mapping, and save configurations for
different machines as Track Arming Profile
files. These Profiles can be imported to quickly
reconfigure Track Arming as needed for future
projects. You can also test track mapping, and
remap tracks if needed.
Use the Create Track Arming Profile feature to
create profiles for machines that may not be included with Pro Tools, and to manage multiple
profiles.
To create a machine Track Arming Profile:
1

Choose Setup > Machine Track Arming Profiles.

When you create a new Track Arming
Profile, a Stop command is sent to any
connected machine to protect elements
on tape.

Choosing a Machine ID
To recognize your machine:
In the Create Machine Track Arming Profile
dialog, click Identify Machine.

MachineControl queries the connected machine

for its machine ID, which is then displayed below the Identify Machine button.
You can edit or replace the ID manually if
needed. See Entering a New Byte Code on
page 31 for more information.

30

MachineControl Guide

Configuring a Profile
The Create Track Arming window lets you specify track names and track mapping.
Customizing Names for Track Arming
Buttons

You can rename the Track Arm buttons displayed in each Track Arming Profile to better
describes the recording taking place. For example, an eight track profile might be easier to use
with tracks named Dx-L, Dx-R, FX-L, FX-R, MxL, Mx-R, Lt, and Rt, for eight tracks comprised
of stereo Dialog, stereo FX, stereo Music, and an
Lt-Rt mix.
To edit the name of a track arming button:

In the Create Machine Track Arming Profile

dialog, double-click the Track Arm button you
want to rename.

Enter a new track name in the dialog, and click

OK.

Remapping Tracks

You can remap track buttons to target different

tracks on the machine.
To remap tracks:

In the Create Machine Track Arming Profile

dialog, click the Track button you want to remap
to display its remap pop-up menu.

Reassigning the Byte Value for a Track

In a remote machines firmware, each record

track on the machine has a unique hexadecimal
byte code that tells the machine which track
should be armed when an arm command is received from a remote master. The standard profile (the default setup) corresponds to the Sony
P-2 protocol, but many decks have their own
unique mapping of byte codes to track numbers
for a particular deck.
If an audio or video track, or the deck timecode
track do not arm when you click its corresponding track arming button, you may need to assign
a different hex value to the button.
To select a different hex value for an individual
track arm button:
Select another hex value byte code from the
Byte Code sub-menu for the appropriate track
arm button.

Entering a New Byte Code

As the Sony P2 protocol continues to expand,

more manufacturers add specific byte code commands that may be listed in the current byte
code list. Pro Tools lets you create entirely new,
custom byte codes. This lets you enter additional byte commands as needed to support new
features as they are added to decks.

Do one of the following:

Choose a new target track.
or
Choose a different machine profile from the
Load Configuration selector.

Chapter 5: Serial Deck Control Mode

31

Choosing a Record Protocol

Choosing a Record Mode

The Machine Track Arming window provides

the following two choices for configuring the
recording protocol of the target deck:

The Machine Track Arming window provides

two choices for Record mode:

Auto Edit

This mode is a highly accurate way to ensure

that the target deck will record only within the
boundaries of an on-screen selection. (If your
deck does not support Auto Edit, use Punch
In/Punch Out, as explained below.)
In Auto Edit mode, the record in/out points are
downloaded to the target deck (along with any
pre- or post-roll), and the deck is responsible for
performing the insert punch in/out at the specified times (see Rules for On-Screen Selections
on page 33 for details).
Because this protocol removes the vagaries of
CPU timing from the remote recording process,
Auto Edit is frame-accurate. It is also the best
way to ensure that your machine will punch out
correctly and avoid accidental erasure of audio,
even in the event of a CPU error.
Punch In/Out

This mode uses Pro Tools to control the process

of punch in/out. Instead of downloading the
punch points (as in Auto Edit), Pro Tools actually performs them during the record pass. Because serial communication has inherent delays,
timing with Punch In/Punch Out mode cannot
guarantee frame-accuracy (though it will almost
always be within 2 to 3 frames).

Insert

Insert mode is used to perform insert editing

(punching in individual tracks) where one or
more audio tracks is replaced by new material
and the video material is retained.
Assemble

Use Assemble mode when you want to:

Begin recording program onto a completely
blank tape (unformatted)

or
Append program to the remainder of a tape
which already has program you want to keep

Assemble mode is not appropriate for audio laybacks to video masters.

Assemble mode should be used carefully because it arms all tracks on the target deck for recordingincluding the video track, timecode
track and control track. When performing an
Assemble edit, all material on all tracks after the
edit in point will be replaced. Because a break in
the control track will result at the edit out point,
any remaining program material after an Assemble edit may be unusable.
To avoid accidentally recording over program
material, experiment with Assemble and Insert
modes on a dispensable tape to familiarize yourself with the edit capabilities of your deck.
Assemble mode replaces all the elements on
the target tape deckaudio, video and
timecode. Use this mode with caution.

32

MachineControl Guide

Rules for On-Screen Selections

The Record Protocol buttons allow you to

choose between the two different record protocol choices described above (Auto Edit and
Punch In/Punch Out). Regardless of which
choice is used, however, Pro Tools follows these
rules for record selection:
If there is an on-screen selection, recording
will take place over the period of the selection
and punch out at the out point of the selection.
If pre- or post-roll is enabled, recording takes
place only in the selection area, not during preor post-roll.

If there is no selection (only a start location),

recording will continue until it is manually
stopped.

If you make a selection in Pro Tools that

crosses the midnight boundary (00:00:00:00),
make sure your deck can handle this situation.
Experiment with a dispensable tape to familiarize yourself with the crossover capabilities of
your deck.

Rehearsing a Layback to an
External Device
Before laying back audio to an external device,
you can rehearse the layback using Edit Preview
(Rehearse) mode. In Edit Preview mode, instead
of performing an edit insert (recording) on
armed remote tracks, the input is monitored
without recording.
While in Edit Preview mode, the Transport Record button flashes yellow when armed and
lights solid yellow when rehearsing. Armed
tracks are indicated by yellow track buttons in
the Track Arming window.
To rehearse a layback:

In Pro Tools, select the audio you want to rehearse for layback, or place the playback cursor
at a start point.

Choose Window > Machine Track Arming.

In the Track Arming window, select

Edit Preview.

In the Track Arming window, arm the tracks

you want to rehearse by clicking the corresponding buttons. The buttons light yellow to indicate
armed status.

In the Pro Tools Transport window, select

Transport = Machine.

In the Pro Tools Transport window, click the

Online button to put Pro Tools online.

In the Pro Tools Transport window, click Record. The button flashes yellow to indicate Edit
Preview (Rehearse) mode.

In the Pro Tools Transport window, click Play.

The machine cues to the selection in point or insert point and starts playing back. Pro Tools
then syncs to the deck, and the deck records as
determined by the settings for Record Protocol
and Record mode in the Track Arming window.

Chapter 5: Serial Deck Control Mode

33

Arming Tracks Remotely for

Layback
To arm tracks remotely for layback, you need to
first configure Track Arming for your machine.
To configure Track Arming:

Make sure your machine is properly connected

and configured to slave to Pro Tools.

Open the Track Arming window.

Select a Record Protocol (Auto Edit or Punch

In/Out).

Select a Record mode (Insert or Assemble).

Once the Track Arming options are
configured, you can change the Track
Arming window to small view and
still see the track arm buttons.

To perform a layback:

In Pro Tools, select the audio to lay back, or

place the playback cursor at a start point.

2 In the Remote Track Arming window, arm the

appropriate tracks on the machine.
3 Select Transport = Machine in the Pro Tools
Transport window.
4

Make sure the Pro Tools Transport is online.

Click Record in the Transport window to arm

recording.

Click Play in the Transport window.

Your machine will cue to the selection start minus all relevant pre-roll, then begin to play back.
Pro Tools will then sync to the deck, and the target deck will record as determined by your settings for Record Protocol and Record mode. If
you did not create an on-screen selection, deck
recording will continue until you manually stop
playback.
34

MachineControl Guide

Chapter 6: Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation

Mode

Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode makes

Pro Tools operate as a virtual tape deck, supporting most standard Sony P2 9-pin commands. For a list of supported commands, see
9-Pin Commands on page 40.

Configuring Remote 9-Pin

Deck Emulation Mode

By default, Pro Tools emulates a Sony BVW-75

model video deck. You can also configure
Pro Tools to emulate other machines. For more
information, see Alternate Machine Types on
page 37.

For instructions on connecting Pro Tools for

Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode, see
Chapter 2, Installing MachineControl.

To configure Pro Tools for Remote 9-Pin Deck

Emulation mode:

Choose Setup > Peripherals, and click the

Synchronization tab.
2

Choose SYNC from the Device pop-up menu.

Click the Machine Control tab in the Peripherals dialog.

In the 9-Pin Remote (Deck Emulation) section,

select Enable.
4

Generating Timecode in Remote 9-Pin

Deck Emulation Mode

Pro Tools with MachineControl and a SYNC

peripheral can generate frame-edge aligned
timecode at 1x play speed while in Remote 9-Pin
Deck Emulation mode.

Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode settings

5

Select the 9-pin MachineControl port from the

Port pop-up menu.

Choose the appropriate machine profile from

the Machine Type pop-up menu.

If you want Pro Tools to ignore transport commands and just chase LTC, enable Chase LTC.

Chapter 6: Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode

35

Click OK to close the Peripherals dialog.

In the Transport window, click the Remote

button to put Pro Tools in Remote mode.

Selecting Full Remote Mode or

Remote/LTC Chase Mode
Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode lets a master device control Pro Tools track and transport
arming.
When Pro Tools is in Remote mode, Remote
9-pin Deck Emulation operates in Full Remote
mode or in Remote/LTC Chase mode.

Remote button in Transport window

10 Choose Setup > Session, and ensure that the
following settings are configured:

The Clock Source should be set to SYNC.

The Clock Reference should be set to Video
Reference.
If you did not enable Chase LTC, the Positional Reference should be set to Generate.
This is required for Pro Tools to lock to the
video reference with frame edge accuracy.
If you enabled Chase LTC, the Positional
Reference should be set to LTC.
11 If you will be recording, select a Record mode
by right-clicking (Windows or Mac) or Controlclicking (Mac) the Record button in the Transport window.
12

Begin machine playback.

See also Optimizing Playback in Remote
9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode on page 39.

36

MachineControl Guide

When Pro Tools is not in Remote mode, it ignores commands from the 9-pin machine controller. Pro Tools responds only to requests from
the 9-pin machine controller for machine type
and status, and responds that it is in Local mode.

Full Remote Mode

In Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode, when

Pro Tools is in Remote mode and Chase LTC is
not enabled, Pro Tools is in one of the two following states:
When the Delay after Play Command preference is set to zero, Pro Tools is set to function as the timecode master. Pro Tools
locates, then plays when it gets a play
command.
When the Delay after Play Command preference is set towards 30 frames, another machine is the timecode master. Pro Tools
locates, sends timecode position
responses, and when its timecode lines up
with the timecode master device, goes into
play in sync with the timecode master
device.

To set the timecode master in Full Remote mode:

Choose Setup > Preferences, and click the

Synchronization tab.
1

In the Remote Mode section, do one of the

following:

Set the Delay after Play Command preference to zero, to set Pro Tools to behave as
the timecode master.
Set the Delay after Play Command preference towards 30 frames, to set Pro Tools to
behave as a timecode slave device, by delaying playback until its timecode can properly synchronize.
Generally, delay should only be added if
Pro Tools is having problems starting and
locking to a machine during playback or record. For example, if Pro Tools tries to lock,
and the Transport window lights go from
play to shuttle or fast-forward to rewind
many times before locking, you should increase the Delay After Play setting by a few
frames.
Remote/LTC Chase Mode

When Chase LTC is enabled, Pro Tools can still

respond to track arming and record commands.
However, Pro Tools will chase incoming LTC instead of behaving as a master or slave device
with the machine controller. By slaving
Pro Tools to the LTC source instead of slaving
the machine to Pro Tools timecode, you can
avoid the waiting (and tape wear) that occurs
while a machine transport locates and bumps
tape to the cue point.
In Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode, when
Pro Tools is in Remote Mode and Chase LTC is
enabled, it communicates record status to the
machine.

Receiving Commands While Chase LTC is

Enabled or Disabled
When Chase LTC is enabled, Pro Tools waits
until it receives only specific transport record
and track record commands from the machine.

When Chase LTC is not enabled, Pro Tools listens to all transport commands coming through
the serial connection, including bump and crawl
commands necessary for a tape machine to locate.

Scrubbing and Chase LTC

The Chase LTC option does not affect scrubbing. Pro Tools video playback will always respond to locate and scrubbing command, even if
Chase LTC is enabled.

Alternate Machine Types

By default, MachineControl lets Pro Tools emulate a Sony BVW-75. If you use a machine that
follows a different 9-pin command set, you can
configure Pro Tools for that machines description.
To configure Pro Tools for an alternate machine:

Choose Setup > Peripherals, and click the

Machine Control tab.
1

In the 9-Pin Remote (Deck Emulation) section,

choose a machine profile from the Machine Type
pop-up menu.
2

Click OK.

Special settings have been created for specific

machine controllers (such as the Soundmaster
ION). When under the control of a specific machine controller, first check if there is a specific
setting for that machine controller.

Chapter 6: Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode

37

Preferences for Remote 9-Pin

Deck Emulation Mode

Punch In Frame Offset Sets an offset in frames

to compensate for punch-in timing advances or
delays.

Pro Tools provides the following preference settings to configure Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation
Mode options.

Punch Out Frame Offset Sets an offset in frames

Remote Mode Section

Delay After Play Command Sets the amount of

time (in frames) for Pro Tools to wait after receiving a Play command before starting the audio engine. This can prevent false starts when
locking to synchronizers that are not fully supported by Pro Tools.

Ignore Track Arming Sets Pro Tools to ignore in-

coming track arming (record enable) commands. This is useful if you are using a master
controller to arm tracks on other machines, but
you do not want to arm tracks in Pro Tools.

to compensate for punch-out timing advances or

delays.

See Selecting Full Remote Mode or

Remote/LTC Chase Mode on page 36
for more information.

Set Servo Lock Bit At Play Enable this option

when using a synchronizer to control Pro Tools

in Remote mode to minimize lock-up times during recording.
Allow Track Arm Commands in Local Mode En-

ables a supported third-party paddle device to

issue the following Pro Tools track commands
while in Local mode:

Choose Setup > Preferences, and click the

Synchronization tab.
1

Input monitoring

Select or set Machine Control options in the

Remote mode section:

Record Enable

Record Safe
Solo
Solo Mute
See Using a Paddle Device in Local Mode
on page 41.

38

To set Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode

preferences:

MachineControl Guide

Click OK to close the Preferences dialog.

Playback in Remote 9-Pin

Deck Emulation Mode

Recording in Remote 9-Pin

Deck Emulation Mode

Pro Tools plays back audio only when the received command requires audio playback at 1X
speed in the forward direction. Reverse playback and varispeed playback are not supported
in Pro Tools.

MachineControl lets Pro Tools support Auto

Edit (selection-based) and Punch-in/Punch-Out
(QuickPunch) commands.

Optimizing Playback in Remote 9-Pin

Deck Emulation Mode

When using Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation

mode with an unsupported synchronizer, clicking Play may display multiple nudge and bump
messages caused by Pro Tools attempting to
achieve lock before the master device has stabilized.
The Delay After Play Command preference lets
you configure a short delay before Pro Tools attempts to lock with the master device. This allows the master device to stabilize before
Pro Tools locks with it in order to avoid nudge
and bump messages.
See Preferences for Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode on page 38 for more information.

Pro Tools must have QuickPunch or TrackPunch with tracks enabled when recording in
Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode with an
edit controller.
Preview Edit and Rehearse modes are not
supported by Pro Tools.
Auto Edit Recording

When a machine sends Auto Edit commands to

Pro Tools in Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation
mode, the edit in and out points are converted to
a Pro Tools Timeline selection. This selection,
with offsets options, will then be used to record
on all armed tracks when Pro Tools receives the
Perform Auto Edit Record command.
Punch In/Out Recording

Punch-In/Punch-Out Recording supports

punch-on-the-fly, with Pro Tools in QuickPunch mode. In this mode, tracks are armed before the record pass, and recording begins and
ends when Punch-In and Punch-Out commands
are received form the master machine.
QuickPunch must be enabled and the required
voices must be available in Pro Tools for PunchIn/Punch-Out recording commands to work.
This mode must be set manually in Pro Tools.

Chapter 6: Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode

39

Track Arming in Remote

9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode
In Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode,
Pro Tools can be configured to either respond
to, or ignore, track arming (record enabling)
commands. Pro Tools communicates track record status back to the control machine.
9-Pin Commands

In Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode,

Pro Tools with MachineControl can respond to
the following 9-pin commands from compatible
workstations, synchronizers, and other devices:
Play
Stop
Pause
Rewind
Forward
Cue To
Poll Timecode
Record Arm Track
Set In/Out Point (for Auto Edit)
Set Pre/Post Roll (for Auto Edit)
Perform Auto Edit Record
Perform Punch-In/Punch-Out Record
(requires QuickPunch mode and voices)
Return Status-Online, State, Tracks Armed
Servo Lock
Clear In Point

40

MachineControl Guide

Ignore Track Arming Commands

You can set Pro Tools to ignore incoming track

arming (record-enable) commands. Use this to
record-safe Pro Tools if, for example, you are
using a master 9-pin transport controller to arm
tracks on several other machines, but not
Pro Tools tracks. You can still manually arm
Pro Tools audio tracks, as needed.
To have Pro Tools ignore remote track arming
commands:

Choose Setup > Preferences, and click the

Synchronization tab.
1

In the Remote Mode section, select Ignore

Track Arming.

Chapter 7: Using a Paddle Device in Local

Mode

When using MachineControl in Local mode

(with or without an external synchronizer), you
can use a supported third-party paddle device to
issue the following Pro Tools track commands:
Input monitoring
Record Enable
Record Safe
Solo

Connecting a Supported
Third-Party Paddle Device to
Your Pro Tools System
To connect a supported third-party paddle
device to your Pro Tools system, use the same
method you would use to connect a deck for
Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode.
See Chapter 6, Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Mode for detailed information on
connecting a machine to Pro Tools.

Solo Mute
Using these features involve the following steps:
Connect the supported third-party paddle device to your system.

Make sure the Allow Track Arm Commands in

Local Mode preference is enabled.

Serial Deck Control and Remote 9-Pin Deck

Emulation ports must be configured simultaneously.

Allow Track Arm Commands

in Local Mode Preference
The Allow Track Arm Commands in Local Mode
preference must be enabled in order to control
Pro Tools with a paddle device in Local mode.
To enable the Allow Track Arm Commands in Local
Mode preference:

Choose Setup > Preferences, and click the

Synchronization tab.
1

Select Allow Track Arm Commands in Local

Mode.

Chapter 7: Using a Paddle Device in Local Mode

41

Choose the appropriate machine profile from

the Machine Type pop-up menu.

Configuring Ports for a Deck

and a Supported Third-Party
Paddle Device

10

Make sure Chase LTC is not selected.

Before connecting a paddle device and a deck to

Pro Tools simultaneously, both the Serial Deck
Control port and the Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation port may be configured.

11

Click OK to close the Peripherals dialog.

To set Pro Tools to Local mode:

In the Pro Tools Transport window, make sure
that the setting is Transport = Pro Tools.

To configure Serial Deck Control and Remote 9-Pin

Deck Emulation ports to operate simultaneously:

Choose Setup > Peripherals, and click the

Synchronization tab.
1

Choose SYNC from the Device pop-up menu.

Click the Machine Control tab.

In the 9-pin Machine Control (Deck Control)

section, select Enable.

Configuring MachineControl for Serial Deck Control

5

Select the 9-pin MachineControl port from the

Port pop-up menu.

Choose the appropriate machine profile from

the Machine Type pop-up menu.

See Chapter 5, Serial Deck Control Mode

for detailed information about configuring
and using Serial Deck Control mode.

In the 9-Pin Remote (Deck Emulation) section,

select Enable.
7

Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode settings

8

Select the 9-pin MachineControl port from the

Port pop-up menu.

42

MachineControl Guide

Setting Transport = Pro Tools

Appendix A: Deck Control Key Commands

Command

Mac

Windows

Rewind

Shift+<

Shift+<

Fast Forward

Shift+>

Shift+>

Shuttle Backward

Option+comma

Start+comma

Shuttle Forward

Option+period

Start+period

Toggle Transport Master

Command+\

Control+\

All Transport Buttons Off/Unthread Tape

Command+period

Control+period

Search Mode Toggle (Play-Pause/Stop)

Spacebar/
Command+period

Spacebar/Ctrl+period

Cue to Selection In Point

Command+Left Arrow

Control+Left Arrow

Cue to Selection Out Point

Command+Right Arrow

Control+Right Arrow

Cue to Selection In Point Minus Preroll

Option+Left Arrow

Alt+Left Arrow

Cue to Selection Out Point Minus Preroll

Option+Right Arrow

Alt+Right Arrow

When Transport = Machine:

Appendix A: Deck Control Key Commands

43

44

MachineControl Guide

Appendix B: Troubleshooting
Installation
Problem:

MachineControl options are not available in

Pro Tools.
Possible Solution:

Make sure MachineControl is installed and authorized correctly (see Chapter 2, Installing
MachineControl.)

Machine Not Recognized

Problem:

The session was saved with MachineControl, but

now opens without it being selected in the
Transport window. When opening a session
saved with MachineControl, a dialog warns that
there were problems initializing MachineControl. When spotting a clip, the Capture Machine Time button is grayed out.

Pro Tools Transport Not

Controlling Machine
Problem:

Though the MachineControl dialog indicates

that Pro Tools recognizes the machine, nothing
happens when you use the Transport in
Pro Tools (the machine doesnt respond to commands). When spotting a clip using the Capture Machine Time button, an incorrect time is
entered.
Possible Solutions:
Most controllable transports need to be placed
in a Remote or Ext mode to allow them to be
slaved to other devices. Verify that the device is
in this mode. Refer to the documentation that
came with your device for more information on
Remote and Local modes.
In the Transport window, check the status of
the Transport = Pro Tools or
Transport = Machine setting.

Possible Solutions:
Choose Setup > Peripherals, click the Machine
Control tab, and confirm that the correct 9-Pin

Serial port is chosen for your MachineControl

operating mode. Make certain that all cables are
securely connected at both ends.

Verify that the machine is powered on. Choose

Setup > Peripherals, and click the Machine Control tab. Reset the 9-Pin Serial port, and close the

dialog. This causes Pro Tools to scan the serial

port for 9-pin devices.
Appendix B: Troubleshooting

45

Timecode Inaccuracy

Changing Session Start Time, Dropped

Frames, and Drop Frame Timecode

Problem:

The timecode locations shown in the Selection

and Position Indicator boxes do not match machine timecode.
Possible Solutions:
For best performance with Serial Deck Control
mode, connect the machine to an available serial
or COM port (or serial adapter connected to a
USB port) on the host computer. Use the 9-pin
ports on a SYNC peripheral for non-linear video
decks only.
In some cases, the timecode values reported
by machines are not in sync with the timecode
that is played from their timecode ports. (One
example of this is when the machine's timecode
reader is looking at VITC while Pro Tools is
chasing LTC.)

If the values get progressively farther and farther apart, check the frame rate. Make sure you
have set Pro Tools to the same frame rate as the
movie/machine frame rate. Also check the frame
format (drop or non-drop).

If the values differ by a significant margin

(such as an hour or more), the Start Frame number may be set incorrectly. Open the Session
Setup window and check the Session Start Frame
number.

46

MachineControl Guide

When you change the session frame rate from a

non-drop to drop rate, or from drop to nondrop, the session start time and material in the
Timeline may be affected.
Non-drop Changed to Drop: The Session Start
Time is changed to the next possible supported
frame if the current one is not supported in DF.
For example, changing from non-drop to drop
frame in a session that starts at 00:59:00:00 will
change the sessions start time to 00:59:00:02
(due to the method by which frames are dropped
in each rate and format).

Every event in the Timeline is moved back two

frames, maintaining each events relative timecode location (relative to the start of the session).
Drop Changed to Non-drop When going from

drop to non-drop, no compensation is applied to

the session start time. This is done because all
frames in drop exist in a non-drop Timeline (a
drop rate Timeline is a subset of its corresponding non-drop rate Timeline). So, when changing
from a drop rate to a non-drop rate, Pro Tools
keeps events at the same location relative to the
start of the session.

Appendix C: Machine IDs

The following table lists the machine profiles

supported in MachineControl by their Pro Tools
hexadecimal ID.

Machines, by ID number
ID number

Machine

0x2022

BVW-95

For special IDs to support 48-track arming, see

48 Track Profiles on page 48.

0x2023

BVW-96

0x2024

BVW-70

Machines and Hex ID Numbers

0x2025

BVW-75

0x2125

BVW-75P

0x4000

DVR-10

0x4003

DVR-18

0x4002

DVRC-10

0x4020

DVR-20

0x4022

DVR-28

0xF019

AJ-D350 (D3)

0x3011

DVR-2100

0x3000

DVR-1000

0x0010

BVH-2000

0x0011

BVH-2000

0x0110

BVH-2000 PS

0x0111

BVH-2000 PS

0x0018

BVH-2180

0x0020

BVH-2500

0x0120

BVH-2500 PS (UI wrong)

0x0030

BVH-2700

0x0040

BVH-2800

0x0048

BVH-2830

0x0050

BVH-3000

The first 0x signifies hex value. The next four

numbers signify the machine ID. The name of
the associated machine follows.
Machines, by ID number
ID number

Machine

0x0000

Generic 1

0x0001

Generic 2

0x1000

BVU-800

0x101C

BVU-950

0x1019

BVU-920

0x1080

BVU-900

0x104C

VO-9850

0x1048

VO-9800

0x102C

SVO-9600

0x2000

BVW-10

0x2001

BVW-40

0x2002

BVW-11

0x2003

BVW-15

0x2010

BVW-35

0x2020

BVW-60

0x2021

BVW-65
Appendix C: Machine IDs

47

Machines, by ID number
ID number

Machine

0x0060

BVH-3100

0x0150

BVH-3000 PS

0x0160

BVH-3100 PS

0x2041

PVW-2800

0x1211

ASC Virtual Recorder

0x1011

Fostex D-10

0xF027

Otari R-DAT

0x7001

PCM-7030

0x7001

TASCAM DA-88

0x7003

Tascam DA-88 and other decks can be set to

emulate other machines. If a deck is set to
emulate another type of machine, the machine type being emulated will be displayed.
48 Track Profiles

The following are special IDs to support 48track arming.

Machines
IDs for 48-Track Capable Machines
ID

Machine

PCM-800

0x6007

3348HR

0x7000

PCM-7000

0x6005

3348HRV

0xA088

AG-DS555

0x6003

3324

0xA084

AG-DS770

0x0001

AG-DS7750

0xF033

AJ D640

0x2051

UVW-1800

0xB000

DVW-500

0xB010

DVW-500

0xA050

V1

0x1021

SVP-5600

0x2124

BCB-70

0x2101

BVW-40P

0x8017

DSR-1500A

0x6007

3348HR

0x6005

3348HRV

0x6003

3324

0xA0A1

SoundMaster ATOM

0xD0E1

Pro Tools

0x20E0

HDW-500

0x20A0

SRW-5000

Pro Tools

48

MachineControl Guide

IDs for 64-Track Pro Tools Arming

ID

Machine

DX01

Pro Tools

Appendix D: 9-Pin Cable Pinouts

Serial Deck Control Mode Cable:
D Sub 9-Pin Male to D Sub 9-Pin Female (Windows Only)

Appendix D: 9-Pin Cable Pinouts

49

MachineControl Master/Slave Adapter

50

MachineControl Guide

Serial Deck Control Cable:

Mini DIN 8 Male to D Sub 9-Pin Male (Mac Only)

Appendix D: 9-Pin Cable Pinouts

51

Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation Cable:

Mini DIN 8-Pin to D Sub 9-Pin Female (Mac Only)

Shielding

The outside shielding of the D-Sub 9-pin (female) should be wired to the outside shielding of the Mini
DIN 8-pin (male).

52

MachineControl Guide

Index

Allow Track Arm Commands in Local Mode option

41
arming
safe (ignore) 40
Assemble mode 32
authorizing MachineControl 9
Auto Edit 32, 39
Auto-Spot 14, 27, 29

IDs (machine) 47
Ignore Track Arming option 38, 40
Incoming Time 24
Insert mode 32
installing MachineControl 8

L
layback 34
Local/Remote 28

C
cables
included cables 1
wiring diagrams 51, 52
Chase LTC mode 37
compatibility 2
configuring a paddle device 42
control track 32
Create Machine Track Arming Profile 30
cueing
hi-speed mode 28
search mode 28

Delay After Play Command option 38

Delay Before Locking to LTC option 21
Delay Before Locking to Timecode option 21

E
External Timecode Offsets 24

machine
pre-roll 18
profiles 30, 47
Transport Master 14, 27
Machine Chases Memory Location option 20
Machine Cues Intelligently option 20
Machine Follows Edit Insertion/Scrub option 20
machine IDs 47
midnight boundary 33
Minimum Sync Delay option 21

Non-Linear Transport Error Suppression option 20

O
Online (Transport window) 13
Online options 21
On-Screen Selections 33

H
hi-speed mode 28

Index

53

paddle device 41
configuring ports for 42
connecting to a Pro Tools system 41
preferences
Remote mode 38
pre-roll
compensating 18
machine 18
setting for machine from Pro Tools 18
Pro Tools
Transport Master 14, 26
Punch In Frame Offset 38
Punch In/Out 32
Punch Out Frame Offset 38

Sample Offset (Sync Offset) 24

search mode 28
Serial Deck Control mode 9
serial timecode 19
servo lock 18
start time 23
Stop at Shuttle Speed Zero option 20
Sync Offset 24
system requirements 2

R
record modes 32
Record Online at Insertion/Selection option 21
Record Online at Timecode (or ADAT) Lock option
21
record protocol 32
Auto Edit 32
Punch In/Out 32
recording
Remote mode 39
Redefine Current Timecode Position 25
Remote 9-Pin Deck Emulation mode 9
Chase LTC 37
connections 7
preferences 38
see also Remote mode
Remote LTC mode
Transport Master 16, 36, 37
Remote mode
and track arming 40
Auto Edit 39
commands 40
playback 39
recording 39
Transport Master 16, 36, 37

T
timecode
quick signal test 24
redefine current 25
track 32
track arming
48-track IDs 48
and Remote mode 40
create machine profile 30
IDs 47
ignore 40
remapping tracks 31
tracks
remapping 31
Transport Master 11, 14, 27
machine 14, 27
Pro Tools 14, 26
Remote 16, 36, 37
Remote LTC 16, 37
selecting 13
toggling 14
transport master 26
Remote LTC 36
toggling 27
Trim tool
when Transport = Machine 14, 27

V
video track 32

W
website 3

54

MachineControl Guide

Avid

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Product Information

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