Sync Setup - Presonus Studio One on the same computer

About DAW Sync

To play video in sync with Studio One, Video Sync needs a way to follow the Studio One transport - knowing when it plays, stops, and where the playhead is located at any moment. This connection between Video Sync and Studio One is called DAW sync.

About This Configuration

This chapter covers setting up DAW sync with Presonus Studio One running on the same computer as Video Sync. The setup uses virtual MIDI ports to establish MTC (MIDI Timecode) and MMC (MIDI Machine Control) connections between the two applications.

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 Studio One (such as clicking in the timeline or using markers), MMC sends locate commands to update Video Sync's position without requiring playback.

Setup

Video Sync features virtual MIDI ports, which mostly removes the need to create network MIDI sessions in Audio MIDI Setup in order to connect to Studio One on the same computer. When Video Sync is launched, it will create virtual MIDI ports named Video Sync MTC In, Video Sync MMC In & Video Sync Trigger In - which will automatically be pre-selected in Video Sync, & visible in Studio One.

MIDI I/O with virtual ports selected {width=70%}

For this reason, it is advised to always launch Video Sync before launching Studio One. Failure to do so, may cause some of these settings to be reset to default - such that they need to be re-configured in Presonus Studio One again.

Note: If Studio One does not reconnect to the virtual ports automatically when Video Sync is opened after Studio One, it may be better to consider setting up ports via Audio MIDI Setup on the same computer.

Video Sync MTC / MMC Setup

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, make sure that all the ports are set to their default values Video Sync MTC In (virtual) & Video Sync MMC In (virtual) as per the image below:

MTC/MMC In Settings {width=70%}

Studio One MTC (MIDI Timecode) Setup

Before enabling MTC and MMC output from Studio One, the timecode rate and the timecode start position of the song first need to be set up. With a song opened, go to Song → Song Setup. The Song Setup window is shown.

Studio One Song Setup Window {width=70%}

In the General tab, Match the timecode Frame Rate & the Song Start to that of the Timeline in Video Sync.

Note: It is imperative that these match for stable playback performance.

Set the Timebase setting to Seconds.

Note: Unfortunately there is no option to display timecode in the project timeline, so Seconds is the next best choice to confirming the timecode position matches that of the current Video Sync Timeline.

To have Studio One send MTC and MMC to Video Sync, a new MIDI device must be created. To do that, go to Preferences and select the External Devices panel.

Studio One - External Devices Preferences {width=70%}

Click the Add button. In the window, select a New Instrument on the left and call it Video Sync.

Studio One - Add Device Window {width=70%}

Non-Lethal Applications may be addded to the Manufacturer field - though this step is entirely optional.

In the Send To dropdown box, select Video Sync MTC In (virtual).

Enable the Send MIDI Timecode checkbox at the bottom.

Studio One - External Devices Preferences {width=70%}

Lastly, go to the Advanced preferences panel, and in the MIDI tab- make sure that the checkbox Timecode follows loop is enabled.

Studio One - Advanced Preferences {width=70%}

Click OK to close the window.

Presonus Studio One MMC (MIDI Machine Control) Setup

Studio One seems to always send MMC commands to all attached devices. The new MIDI device that was created above for MTC will suffice to also send MMC to Video Sync. This means that no additional setup is required to send MMC to Video Sync.

Matching Frame Rates

For MTC sync to work correctly, the Studio One 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.

Timeline frame rate display {width=50%}

Ensure your Studio One project is set to the same frame rate as the Video Sync timeline.

Enabling Synchronised playback

When hitting play or scrubbing within Studio One, 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.

Video Sync's SYNC Preference showing incoming timecode {width=70%}

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.

Video Sync sync online button {width=40%}

Video Sync MTC/MMC sync is now online & ready to go. Hit play in Studio One® 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 Studio One project frame rate to half the timeline frame rate. For example:

48fps timeline → set Studio One to 24fps
50fps timeline → set Studio One to 25fps
60fps timeline → set Studio One 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 Studio One
Check that the correct MTC port is selected in Studio One's synchronization/MIDI settings
Ensure Video Sync was launched before Studio One so the virtual ports are available (if using virtual ports)

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 Studio One session starts at 01:00:00:00 but the Video Sync timeline starts at 10:00:00:00, playback will not begin until Studio One reaches 10:00:00:00

If Video Sync's position only updates during playback but not when navigating in Studio One:

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 Studio One

If playback is jumpy or frames are being skipped:

This is often caused by mismatched frame rates between Studio One 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 synchronised playback still does not work after following these steps, please contact support@non-lethal-applications.com.