Sync Setup - Steinberg Cubase on a separate computer (Windows)
About DAW Sync
To play video in sync with Cubase, Video Sync needs a way to follow the Cubase transport - knowing when it plays, stops, and where the playhead is located at any moment. This connection between Video Sync and Cubase is called DAW sync.
About This Configuration
This chapter covers syncing Video Sync with Steinberg Cubase running on a separate Windows computer, using MIDI Timecode (MTC) and MIDI Machine Control (MMC) over network MIDI.
Note: The following explanation and screenshots are related to Cubase 12, but the steps will be similar for other versions.
Understanding MTC and MMC
This chapter covers setting up two MIDI-based protocols that work together to provide synchronised playback:
MTC (MIDI Timecode) transmits a continuous stream of timecode on a dedicated MIDI port during playback, allowing Video Sync to track the current position and play at the correct speed.
MMC (MIDI Machine Control) sends transport commands and locate messages on a separate dedicated MIDI port. When navigating to a specific timecode position in Cubase (such as clicking in the timeline or using markers), MMC sends locate commands to update Video Sync's position without requiring playback.
Setup
When Video Sync and Cubase are on separate computers, a network MIDI connection is needed to transmit MTC and MMC data between them. Since MIDI has a very low data rate, network MIDI works reliably even over Wi-Fi, although a cabled ethernet connection is preferred for reliability.
If the Cubase computer is a Windows PC, rtpMIDI by Tobias Erichsen is a free network MIDI implementation that is compatible with Apple's network MIDI protocol. Download & setup instructions can be found here: http://www.tobias-erichsen.de/software/rtpmidi.html
If the Video Sync computer is also a Windows PC, install rtpMIDI on both machines. If the Video Sync computer is a Mac, use the built-in Audio MIDI Setup network MIDI on the Mac side - rtpMIDI and Apple's network MIDI are compatible and can communicate with each other.
Our thanks to Tobias Erichsen for this invaluable tool.
Configuring rtpMIDI on the Cubase Computer
Open the rtpMIDI application on the Cubase computer.
In the My Sessions section, click + to create a new session.
Rename it to something descriptive, e.g. Cubase MTC/MMC Send.
Enable the session by clicking the checkbox next to its name.
MTC & MMC can share the same session - separate sessions are not required.
Configuring Network MIDI on the Video Sync Computer
On the Video Sync computer, set up a corresponding network MIDI session:
If the Video Sync computer is a Windows PC, open rtpMIDI and create a new session (e.g. Video Sync MTC/MMC Receive). Enable it.
If the Video Sync computer is a Mac, open Audio MIDI Setup → Window → Show MIDI Studio, then open the MIDI Network Setup. Create a new session (e.g. Video Sync MTC/MMC Receive), enable it, and set Who may connect to me to Anyone.
Connecting the Sessions
With both sessions created, connect them by selecting the remote session from the Directory list and clicking Connect. The remote session should appear in the Participants list.
This connection may need to be re-established after rebooting either computer.
Video Sync MTC / MMC Setup
Launch Video Sync.
If Video Sync was open already, use the "Rescan Available MIDI Ports" button in the SYNC preferences.
To show the MIDI I/O options in Video Sync, first navigate to the SYNC tab of the Preferences / Settings window.
Set the Sync Source field to Other.
Next, set both MTC In & MMC In fields to the network MIDI session created for receiving (e.g. the rtpMIDI or network MIDI session named Video Sync MTC/MMC Receive).
Cubase MTC (MIDI Timecode) Setup
Go to Transport>Project Synchronization Setup.
In the Sources tab, confirm that Activate External Sync is not enabled.
In order for Cubase to transmit timecode, external sync must be disabled.
In the Timecode Source section, select Internal Timecode.
For earlier versions of Cubase where the Timecode Source option is not available, set SYNC to INT from the transport panel.
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In the Destinations tab, under the MIDI Timecode Destinations section, enable the tick box to the left of the rtpMIDI session (e.g. Cubase MTC/MMC Send).
In the MIDI Timecode Preferences section, make sure the MIDI Timecode Follows Project Time option is enabled.
Cubase MMC (MIDI Machine Control) Setup
In the Machine Control tab under the Machine Control Output Settings section, enable MMC Master Active.
Set MIDI Output to the same rtpMIDI session (e.g. Cubase MTC/MMC Send).
Click OK to close the window.
Matching Frame Rates
For MTC sync to work correctly, the Cubase project frame rate must match the timeline frame rate in Video Sync.
In the TIMELINES tab, locate the active timeline and check its frame rate in the summary section. If video is present on the timeline, the frame rate is derived from the video file. If no video is present, the frame rate can be set manually by clicking the pencil icon next to the timeline name and selecting the required frame rate from the TC Frame Rate menu.
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Ensure your Cubase project is set to the same frame rate as the Video Sync timeline.
Enabling Synchronised playback
When hitting play or scrubbing within Cubase, both the incoming timecode field should now be seen incrementing & the timecode rate displayed within the Incoming TC section to the left of the main timecode counter in Video Sync.
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If the Sync button to the left of the transport buttons isn't already blue, click on it to activate it to follow external sync.
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Video Sync MTC/MMC sync is now online & ready to go. Hit play in Cubase® and Video Sync will play back in sync.
High Frame Rate Content
Video Sync supports timelines running at up to 60 frames per second. However, MTC was designed around SMPTE broadcast standards and only supports frame rates up to 30fps (24, 25, 29.97, and 30). The specification has never been updated to include higher frame rates.
To sync high frame rate timelines via MTC, set the Cubase project frame rate to half the timeline frame rate. For example:
- 48fps timeline → set Cubase to 24fps
- 50fps timeline → set Cubase to 25fps
- 60fps timeline → set Cubase to 30fps
Video Sync will automatically match the incoming timecode at half its frame rate.
Troubleshooting
If incoming timecode is not showing in Video Sync:
- Check that MTC generation is enabled in Cubase
- Check that the correct MTC port is selected in Cubase's synchronization/MIDI settings
- Check that the rtpMIDI sessions are connected on both computers
If incoming timecode is showing but playback is not syncing:
- Ensure the Sync button is enabled (blue) in Video Sync
- Check that frame rates match (see Matching Frame Rates above)
- Check that timecode ranges match - if the Cubase session starts at 01:00:00:00 but the Video Sync timeline starts at 10:00:00:00, playback will not begin until Cubase reaches 10:00:00:00
If Video Sync's position only updates during playback but not when navigating in Cubase:
- This indicates an issue with MMC (MIDI Machine Control) setup
- Check that the correct MMC port is selected in Video Sync
- Check that MMC is enabled and configured correctly in Cubase
If playback is jumpy or frames are being skipped:
- This is often caused by mismatched frame rates between Cubase and Video Sync - ensure both are set to the same frame rate (see Matching Frame Rates above)
- Try increasing the TC Freewheel value in Preferences → MISC. This defines a number of freewheel frames to keep playback running through unexpected timecode values. Note that higher values will make Video Sync less responsive to external timecode changes.
- If using Wi-Fi, try switching to a cabled ethernet connection for more reliable MIDI transmission.
If synchronised playback still does not work after following these steps, please contact support@non-lethal-applications.com.