New to Timecode

I have some free time coming up and I was wanting to play around with syncing a cuelist with some kind of timecode. I've read through the manual and I gather that there are many different types of timecode out there. I have a Road-Hog Full Boar so I think my options are SMPTE and Midi but not directly from a cd track (like on the original Hog 3). I am attempting to sync to an audio track but I don't know what I need to be able to get the hog to trigger off the audio track. What I'm wondering is what devices typically generate timecode and how do I tie that in with my audio playback. Thanks in advance for your help with this and I look forward to hearing what the experts have to say.
:hogsign:

0 mbialek over 13 years ago

I usually get timecode from the video guys and sync my lighting to the timecode off the video. If you are just having an audio track, you could add a SMPTE audio track to the audio file (put the music on the left channel and the SMPTE on the right). I have never used MTC, so if you have any questions about the SMPTE stuff let me know. I also have a 30 minute SMPTE file if you need something to practice with.
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0 kevinj.lawson - Former HES Forum Member over 13 years ago

I actually found a 60 minute clip of SMPTE to play with and did just as you suggested. Everything worked like a champ and I was surprised how incredibly easy it was to get my light show programed. Out of curiosity how would I go about generating my own clips of timecode. My show is over but after such a good experience using timecode I'm more interested in it now. If anyone has any resources they could share I would appreciate it.
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0 mbialek over 13 years ago

You can purchase a SMPTE LTC generator, which is a physical piece of hardware if you want, it may be a bit costly. Look here for some examples: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Time-Code-Generators-Readers/ci/6940/N/4264951405

Recently some people developed a couple different iPhone/iTouch apps that can generate SMPTE timecode. They work pretty good and they are pretty cheap in comparison. They aren't guaranteed to be perfect, but are great for little one offs, and short clips.
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0 extest - Former HES Forum Member over 13 years ago

I use the M-audio USB-midi adapter plugged into a laptop and just use software that sends out timecode and sync the hog to my mp3 that way
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0 hg siegenthaler over 12 years ago

Hi there
Is there a software to generate some smtpe timecode files? it would be cool if I can create for 10 different videos 10 different timcode files. (I know, that i can use a 60 or 90min file and cut it. But i prefereto generate 10 different single files).
Cheers
Hg
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0 mbialek over 12 years ago

You can look at some Apps for an iPod/iPhone/iPad and find that there's a couple different SMPTE generator options. While it works quite well, there's no guarantee that it will be perfect timecode...but for lighting, it should be just fine. While they aren't free, they are definitely reasonalbly priced.
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