Follow a DAW or console (timecode in)
Make ShowKontrol follow LTC, MTC or Art-Net timecode from a DAW, video server or lighting desk. Cue lists and outputs run on that clock.
A timecode input shows up as one virtual deck. Wire it like a player: it can feed timecode outputs, the Viewer, routers and a track's cue list.
1. Add the input#
Right-click the Patch → Add Source, then set the Source's Type:
| Type | Set up |
|---|---|
| LTC In | Audio Input Device and Input Channel. Decodes forwards and backwards at any level. macOS asks for microphone access the first time. |
| MTC In | The MIDI Input: an interface, a network MIDI session, or an IAC bus from a DAW on this Mac. |
| Art-Net TC In | UDP 6454. Interface limits which network it listens on. Timecode sent by this Mac is ignored unless Accept From This Computer is on. |
2. Wire it#
Source → Device (the input's Deck Number) → whatever should follow. The deck plays while timecode runs and pauses when it stops.
Set Deck Number to a number no real player uses. A real deck on the same number takes priority.
3. Choose how it locks#
- Offset is subtracted. With an offset of 10:00:00:00, an incoming 10:00:00:00 is position 0.
- Freewheel (ms) sets how long the deck keeps rolling through a dropout (default 500 ms).
- Jam:
- Continuous follows the incoming timecode closely.
- Jam Once locks at the start, then runs on its own clock.
- Jam + Run On is like Jam Once, and it also keeps going through dropouts.
4. Run a cue list on it#
Set Track Title on the input and give a Track List track the same title. That track's cue list now runs on the incoming timecode.
Check the lock#
The deck carries tcin.status (LOCKED 25 fps, FREEWHEEL, STOPPED at …), tcin.locked, tcin.dropouts and more. Put a Trigger on tcin.locked State Off to raise an alarm when the timecode is lost.