Chapter 21 Time Code
Time code is used to synchronize Vibe events with the internal timeline or external SMPTE linear timecode (LTC) or MIDI timecode.
This feature is under development and this section is preliminary.
The following is covered in this section:
21.1 Timecode and Timeline basics
Vibe uses a philosophy of Timeline Tracks. There is no practice limit to the number of Timeline Tracks that may be recorded in a show but graphic performance may suffer with more than 16 Timeline Tracks. Each timeline may have its own timecode source.
Vibe can read the following sources:
Virtual Local - Internally generated timecode.
Physical Local - SMPTE or MIDI timecode received at the SMPTE audio input or via the DIN 5 pin MIDI connector on the back of the console.
USB MIDI class compliant timecode.
MIDI over Ethernet via Compulite VC protocol.
Input sources from remote multi-User consoles and devices
Unlike some consoles, Vibe can record data from multiple controllers simultaneously. Additional timeline subtracks will be created on a per controller basis. There is no need to create event lists. Vibe also supports fader automation on timeline tracks.
Vibe automatically matches frame rates to the incoming source.
Supported frame rates are:
24 FPS
25 FPS
29.97 FPS drop-frame
30 FPS
21.2 Create a Timeline View
When starting a new show any Timeline views stored in Layouts will be empty and no timecode devices will be connected to the Timeline View. If no layout contains a Timeline view, a view must be added to a blank page. Virtually unlimited timecode views may be created but they will all be synchronized and show the same tracks and options.
Timeline view with two timeline tracks, the cursor, and a marker
To add a Timeline view to a page:
Tap {Vibe} on the monitor that will display the Timeline - Vibe menu will open.
Tap {Pages} - Page display will open.
Add a blank page from either the {Programming} or {Playback} work space templates - A blank workspace will open.
Tap the Lock/Unlock icon to enable adding a new view.
On the screen with the blank workspace, open the {Vibe} menu again and select}
⟶ {Display Objects} ⟶ {Timeline View} - A blank timeline view will appear on the workspace.
Size and drag the Timeline view as required then tap {unlock/lock} icon to lock the Topo from further adjustment - The Timeline view is now ready to add tracks to.
21.3 Configuring Timecode
Vibe has Timecode connectors for the following:
Audio input Combi Jack with:
Female unbalanced line level input on 1/4” Phone jack
Female 3 pin XLR balanced line level input.
5 Pin DIN connector for MIDI and MIDI timecode input.
Additionally, the following general purpose ports may be used for Timecode:
USB 2 and USB 3 ports can be used for USB class compliant MIDI over USB.
Compulite devices that support MIDI over Ethernet can also be used.
Recommended quality and level for SMPTE:
SMPTE is very sensitive to distortion and also requires adequate gain. A clean audio signal with a gain ranging between 0db to +5db is recommended.
As the console SMPTE input is high impedance, If long runs are to be used, it is recommended to send a 150 - 600 ohm balancing line level feed to a transformer close to the console and convert to high impedance.
1/O Settings Pop-up in Timecode Tab
Enable Timecode:
From the patch toolbar tap {I/O Settings}
For Tap {General} tab and select:
{Local MIDI} to enable the DIN connector MIDI.
{External MIDI} to enable USB MIDI or MIDI over Ethernet.
Tap the {Timecode} tab, the Timecode pop-up will appear.
Enable {MTC In} to enable any type of MIDI timecode input.
Enable {SMPTE In} to receive LTC audio timecode. (Frames are automatically matched to the incoming frame rate}
Currently, Vibe is only capable of being a timecode Slave but will be able to be the MIDI timecode Master in future releases.
21.4 Recording Timeline Tracks
After a Timeline View has been created, timeline tracks may be recorded. Currently, timeline events are recorded in “real time” and then edited.
To create a timeline track:
Open a Time Line View.
Tap {
} - The “Create New Timeline” pop-up will open.Select a timeline number and name.
Choose Start from {Blank} Timeline as an option.
Tap the {Select Clock} drop down in the top left corner and select the timecode source.
Virtual Local - Use internal timecode clock.
Physical Local - Use the SMPTE or MTC timecode inputs on the console.
Additional options will populate the list depending on the interfaced timecode device.
Enable the red {Record} button or the {+ Record} button.
Record overwrites existing events.
(+) Record adds events to existing events.
If using internal TC, press Play.
If using external TC start the timecode source.
The timeline will start to move and all controller presses and motorized fader moves will now be recorded on sub-tracks, one for each controller’s events.
When all recording is done, either stop the external timecode source or press the Stop button if the clock source is internal.
👉 Disable the Record button to prevent accidental overwrite of events.
Timeline Features
To trigger Timeline commands via the panel and Editor Toolbar there is an “Active Timeline View” indicator:
Grid View Filters
In the grid view of the Timeline, it is now possible to see all events from all timelines (as before) and in addition to filter events by Timeline and see only its own events.
21.5 Executing and Editing Events
To Execute timeline events:
If the source is external MIDI or SMPTE timecode, press [Play] on the timecode source. The events will synchronize to the source timecode.
If the source is internal, tap {Play} on the timecode view’s control bar. The internal timecode will start and events will execute.
The control bar may be used to stop and rewind events when the source is internal Editing timecode events
Record may be enabled and disabled “on the fly” to overwrite sections of a timeline track.
Events may also be moved forwards and backward using the Set Delta pop-up in the Actions drop down.
Moving Events
It is possible to change selected event times via the physical wheels.
There are 2 new buttons to assign the delta time for the selected events to the physical wheel and then move it.
This option is available under the Move Selection sub-menu of the Timeline view (Wheel On, Wheel Off).
Then there will be 2 physical wheels that are available for use:
The left one is for moving the selected events.
The right one is to change the time resolution for the current time movement.
Events Selection
To Select timeline events:
Tap on a single event – toggles the event selection
Tap on a playback box – toggles the playback selection
Tap on a marker – toggles the marker selection
Rectangle draw using touch and drag – toggles all the events inside the rectangle
Double-tap an empty area – clear the selection
Double tap on the time bar – sets the current time to the selected time
Long click an event and drag – moves the position of all the selected events
Double finger vertical scroll on the view – will scroll the Timelines
Double finger horizontal scroll on the time bar – will scroll the time bar
Important!
Selecting one object type (i.e. Playback, Event, Marker…) will clear all other objects selection.
Selection can have only one type of objects at a time.
State Machine Support
To trigger Timeline commands via the panel and Editor Toolbar there is an “Active Timeline View” indicator:
If there are more than 1 Timeline Views on the layout, only 1 of them can be the “Active” one.
Tapping the white header of the view will select the current view as the “Active” and will remove the Active sign from the other views.
Important!
Each Timeline View has an active clock. All Timeline Views that have the same clock will be automatically synced.
The available commands from the panel or the Editor Toolbar are split into 2 levels:
Commands for the View
These commands will affect the Active Timeline View.
Go to idle state
Press Timeline from the panel
You see on the Editor Toolbar the available commands:
Commands for Timelines
These commands will affect the selected timelines in the sequence. Some sequences will affect the selected timelines regardless of their current view and some will affect them on the “Active Timeline View”.
Go to idle state
Press Timeline # (+#, ⟶#, etc.)
You see on the Editor Toolbar the available commands:
Sequence may also end with:
a. Store – will create the timelines if they are not already created
b. Delete – will delete the timelines if they exist
c. Text – will open text box to give a name to the selected timelines
d. Copy – will add the timelines to the clipboard
e. Paste – will paste the copied timelines from the clipboard
21.6 Markers
To aid in timeline navigation, Markers may be inserted.
To insert a marker:
Press the + at the desired location when the timeline is running. A marker will be inserted.
Press ⟵ to move backwards through the markers.
Press ⟶ to move forwards through the markers.
Press 🗑️ to delete a marker
