Setting up Source-LTC and Pro Tools to use Generator Mode

Setting up Source-LTC and Pro Tools to use Generator Mode

Required Setup before you Start

Before configuring Source-LTC, you will need to enable an audio driver called “IAC Driver” on the Audio MIDI Setup on your Mac, if it is not already enabled.

In order to do so:

1. On your Mac, press cmd + space and search for the “Audio MIDI Setup” application. Otherwise, simply look for the application on your launchpad.
2. Go to Window > Show MIDI studio.
3. There should be a tile called “IAC Driver”. If the icon is enabled, skip this configuration.
4. Double click on the tile.
5. Check the “Device is online” box.

The IAC Driver will now show up on your DAW.

Configuring your Applications for Generator Mode

There are three applications you will need to configure:

• Source-LTC
• Your DAW (in this case, we will illustrate this with Pro Tools)
• Source-Connect.

Please note that if you will be using Source-Connect together with Pro Tools and Source-LTC, you will probably need to use Source-Nexus I/O. Download and install the application before starting this tutorial.

Configuring Source-LTC

When using LTC in Generator mode, you will be configuring LTC to generate the code you will be using in Pro Tools. There are three settings you will need to configure:

• MODE: Generator
• MTC Input: when using it together with Pro Tools, you will need to select IAC Driver > Bus 1.
• LTC Output: the output that Source-LTC will create the timecode in. It needs to correspond with the audio driver you selected in your application/DAW. For Source-Nexus I/O, use Source-Nexus A > Channel 2.

If needed, you can also set the offset, compensation and sync mode. You can read more about those settings in the previous article (Source-LTC Settings).

Configuring Pro Tools

In Pro Tools, you will need to take three steps:

1. Make sure that both the generator and the reader side of the connection have matching frame rates (fps) in Pro Tools. You can ensure this by opening up Pro Tools and going to Setup > Session:
2. Go to Setup > Peripherals > Synchronization, and make sure that “MTC Generator Port” is set to Predefined > IAC Driver, Bus 1, as pictured below.
3. In the Synchronization controls located in Pro Tools’ main navigation bar, click the “MTC” (Generate MTC) button.
4. Make sure Pro Tools displays the timecode in timecode instead of the default Min:Secs format.

Whenever ready, press the play button on Pro Tools. You will see the timecode going into LTC, matching the counter and sample rate coming from Pro Tools.

Configuring Source-Connect

In Source-Connect, you will need to make sure you are in Stereo mode and that the input is set to Source-Connect A > Input 1 and 2.

If all is correctly configured, you will see volume level on channel 2 indicating the LTC is going through.