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Hello,

I'm Running Logic Pro 9 with a Tascam TSR-8

The TSR-8 has both a 37 pin D-sub, and a 15 pin D-sub.

What I am after is a machine that will allow me to control the TSR-8 with logic (throuh Midi Machine Control MMC), then... after recording, all me to dump my tape tracks into logic with a striped smpte on the tape converting to MTC and slaving the daw so no drift.

I had another thread on here where the JL cooper PPS-2 was suggested as a Sync for SMPTE <=> MTC, but I'm curious if there is a unit out there that will also allow logic transport to control my Tape machine as the tape and the Daw both have the capability. Will a 15pin D-sub breakout cable to MIDI work?

Thank you kindly,

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Boswell Thu, 09/05/2013 - 13:59

I haven't been able to find a website with either the pinout or the signal specification for MIDI interface on the TSR-8, so I don't know whether you would get MMC working from your Focusrite Saffire 56. If you have the operators' handbook for the TSR-8, you should be able to find the pinouts, but whether that has MIDI signal specification is another matter.

If the TSR-8 MIDI interface is standard opto-coupled, you would chain the TSR-8 in line with your logic controller and whatever box you get for the SMPTE - MTC operations.

Since you want to get more MIDI functionality than just SMPTE, I would draw your attention to the [[url=http://[/URL]="http://cdn-data.mot…"]MOTU Digital Timepiece[/]="http://cdn-data.mot…"]MOTU Digital Timepiece[/], which is a very versatile box for handling this sort of tape <-> DAW syncing.

Viceroy is a cat Fri, 09/06/2013 - 01:10

Well, the clasp by endless analog is essentially doing what I want. BUT! The tsr-8 is a 2 head machine so the clasp wouldn't work as intended and it's not compatible with Logic (Also, its very expensive). But logic does receive/send MMC and the TSR -8 does send/receive midi signals (as its compatible with midiizer) so i need a machine that will convert the transport commands rom logic into a format the TSR understands.

audiokid Fri, 09/06/2013 - 10:20

Boswell, post: 407176 wrote: I haven't been able to find a website with either the pinout or the signal specification for MIDI interface on the TSR-8, so I don't know whether you would get MMC working from your Focusrite Saffire 56. If you have the operators' handbook for the TSR-8, you should be able to find the pinouts, but whether that has MIDI signal specification is another matter.

If the TSR-8 MIDI interface is standard opto-coupled, you would chain the TSR-8 in line with your logic controller and whatever box you get for the SMPTE - MTC operations.

Since you want to get more MIDI functionality than just SMPTE, I would draw your attention to the [[url=http://[/URL]="http://cdn-data.mot…"]MOTU Digital Timepiece[/]="http://cdn-data.mot…"]MOTU Digital Timepiece[/], which is a very versatile box for handling this sort of tape <-> DAW syncing.

I'm with Bos on the MTP, it's what I've been using since 1998 right up to current. However, I have no idea if this will solve your needs.

My setup was, Pro Tools, Mac, MTP AV . I SMPTE PT to an MPC 60 via the MTP. The MPC 60 then connected all my midi gear and MMC PT. It was a bit clunky but it worked.
I now only use the MTP as a router. But what a rock solid router it is!

Hope this helps.

Viceroy is a cat Fri, 09/06/2013 - 10:27

audiokid, post: 407186 wrote: I'm with Bos on the MTP, it's what I've been using since 1998 right up to current. However, I have no idea if this will solve your needs.

My setup was, Pro Tools, Mac, MTP AV . I SMPTE PT to an MPC 60. The MPC 60 then connected all my midi gear and MMC PT. It was a bit clunky but it worked.

I now only use the MTP as a router. But what a rock solid router it is!

Hope this helps.

don't you get drift if its not reconciled with a word clock?

audiokid Fri, 09/06/2013 - 10:50

Its been years since I used that system ( I no longer use Apple or PT) but if I recall, smpte started to drift noticeably only during programming after about 6 min in real time. I got through that by working in segments. Once I was done programming, I re recorded all the MIDI tracks, then edited it to taste as audio tracks. It was a big process. I always blamed PT back then as the midi was very poor/ basic compared to using an MPC 60 as the main sequencer.
I am a very MIDI dependent/savvy engineer from the 80's, Yup, when MIDI was so awesome compared to now. Nothing has ever matched a rack of hardware connected to the MPC. When computers/ DAW's and VSTi came it, it all became latency and sync hell.

I am going back to hardware again via hybrid. My old MPC died so I've now just replaced that with the new MPC Renaissance. It does a fine job keeping track of the drums for both programming and editing. I dumped all my old hardware and bought a Korg Kronos X88 which does everything I ever need for sounds.
I use a Nord Lead for the basic Nord sound and as a basic controller for myself and the Kronos for keyboard artists that demand the full size and feel. The Kronos is all you need. It was a matter of rethinking the old ways and finding new ways to keep moving ahead.
The MTP will allow 8 in's/outs to be masters or slaves. Its rock solid.