2 The <dfn>Transport Masters</dfn> dialog allows selecting a transport master
3 (a timecode source) for Ardour to sync to, as well as tweaking additional
8 <img style="width:75%;" src="/images/transport-masters.png" alt="Transport Masters">
15 Supported protocols are:
19 <li>JACK Transport</li>
20 <li>MIDI Time Code (MTC)</li>
21 <li>Linear (or Longitudinal) Timecode (LTC)</li>
22 <li>MIDI Beat Clock, or MIDI Clock</li>
26 For each type of supported protocol it's possible to select the port
27 to read timecode signal from, view sync position and drift (delta), see
28 when any message was received the last time, and toggle additional
32 <h2>Selecting a Transport Master</h2>
35 The dialog collects all transport masters information and settings in one
36 place, however Ardour can sync only to one timecode source at a time.
37 Clicking the radio button to the left of the master's name selects that
42 It is neccessary to also select an audio or MIDI port (depending on the
43 protocol) to read timecode data from. Relevant ports are listed for each
44 transport master in the dropdown list in the <dfn>Source</dfn> section.
47 <h2>Keeping Track of The Sync</h2>
50 <dfn>Format</dfn> displays the timecode format for each transport master
51 depending on the specifics of that master's protocol. E.g. while MTC and
52 LTC will display a frame rate such as 25 fps, MIDI Clock will be
53 transmitting tempo such as 120 beats per minute.
57 <dfn>Sync Position + Delta</dfn> displays current location as per timecode
58 as well as the difference between current location in Ardour and the
59 location per timecode source. This difference (delta) accumulates as long
60 as Ardour's transport isn't rolling.
64 <dfn>Last Message + Age</dfn> displays the latest location transmitted
65 by the timecode source, as well as the time since the last transmission
69 <h2>Setting Additional Options</h2>
72 It's possible to set several additional options.
76 <dfn>Active Commands</dfn> makes it possible to perform certain types
77 of actions in Ardour at the cost of decoupling from the transport master.
78 Supported options are:
82 <li>Accept start/stop commands (displays 'Start/Stop' on the button)</li>
83 <li>Accept speed-changing commands (displays 'Speed' on the button)</li>
84 <li>Accept locate commands (displays 'Locate' on the button)</li>
88 When only one command is enabled, its short name will displayed at the
89 button's caption (see above). When two out of three are enabled,
90 the button's caption will be 'Complex'. When all three options are enabled,
91 the caption will be 'All'.
95 The easiest way to select two or three options at a time is to open the
96 drop-down menu, use arrow up/down keys to navigate to the option of interest,
97 the press <kbd class="button">Spacebar</kbd> to toggle that option without
98 subsequently closing the drop-down menu.
102 <dfn>Clock Synced</dfn> — when this option is enabled, the external
103 timecode source is assumed to be sample-clock synced to the audio interface
104 that is being used by Ardour
108 <dfn>29.97/30</dfn> — when this option is enabled, the external timecode
109 source is assumed to use 29.97 fps exactly rather than 30000/1001 (which is
114 Both <dfn>Clock Synced</dfn> and <dfn>29.97/30</dfn> options are not
115 applicable to <dfn>MIDI Beat Clock</dfn> that operates in the musical time
116 domain and transmits beats per minute rather that seconds and frames.
119 <h2>Adding and Removing Custom Transport Masters</h2>
122 It is possible to <dfn>add</dfn> additional masters of the same type, e.g.
123 two difference sources of LTC.
127 Clicking <kbd class="button">Add a New Transport Master</kbd> opens a new
132 <img style="width:50%;" src="/images/add-transport-master.png" alt="Add a new transport master">
134 Add a new transport master
139 It's usually a good idea to give the custom transport master a descriptive
140 name, especially if there are multiple ones available using the same
145 The next step is selecting the audio or MIDI port where the timecode signal
150 Additional transport masters can be <dfn>removed</dfn> with a single click.
151 Every custom transport master has a button with a crosshair icon
152 <kbd class="button">X</kbd> to the right of the window. No confirmation
153 will be asked upon clicking this button.