Steinberg Nuendo SyncStation Operation Manual

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Menu Reference
P2 Out menu
The P2 Out menu determines how the RS422 output han-
dles various aspects of the 9-Pin device.
P2out 01 - Record Tracks
P2out 01-Record Tracks
>Off >8 >16 >24 >32 >40 >48 >56 >64
The user can set the amount of record tracks available 
from the 9-Pin device if the SyncStation has not automat-
ically determined the number from polling the device.
The amount of record tracks determines how many record-
enable buttons are available on the SyncStation 9-Pin de-
vice panel in Nuendo. Due to the menu structure of the 
SyncStation, you are limited to nine choices:
>Off
No track arming buttons will be available on the Sync-
Station’s 9-Pin device panel when this is set to off.
>8 … >64
Use these settings to set the corresponding number of 
tracks.
P2 audio track count in Nuendo
64 tracks is the maximum for track arming through the 
SyncStation. Even though you are limited to eight choices 
in the SyncStation, in Nuendo you can set any amount of 
record tracks by clicking in the audio track count field of the 
“Machine Control Output Settings” section in the Project 
Synchronization Setup dialog.
Entering the amount of tracks for the RS422 output device.
P2out 02 - Position Request
P2out 02-Position Request
>LTC >VITC >L+V >Tim-1 >L+T+V
The RS422 protocol uses a question-and-answer polling 
system to determine the location of the connected device. 
When asking the question “Where are you?” to the 9-Pin 
device, it can use several internal sources to get an an-
swer. That answer is then returned via the RS422 con-
nection to the SyncStation.
In certain cases, it might be necessary to instruct the de-
vice to only answer using specific internal sources. This 
menu setting determines what those internal sources are.
>LTC
Most VTRs have an LTC source as part of the tape format. 
It can be read internally and then communicated back via 
RS422 to the SyncStation.
>VITC
This is the most accurate form of timecode since it is 
physically tied to the video frame signal.
>L+V
This uses a combination of LTC and VITC.
>Tim-1 (Timer 1)
Timer 1 is yet another source of location information inside 
VTRs. Only in certain circumstances would you want the 
position request to come only from the Timer 1 source.
>L+V+T
This is the default setting and uses a combination of all 
three sources for a position request.
!The SyncStation will normally determine the amount 
of record tracks automatically for you by polling the 
device and using its internal reference of machine 
descriptions. 
						

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Menu Reference
Position request setting in Nuendo
In Nuendo, you can access this setting by selecting an op-
tion from the “Position source” pop-up menu in the Sync-
Station Settings pop-up window.
Selecting the RS422 position request sources.
P2out 03 - Position From
P2out 03-Position From
>Serial >Serial+LTC Reader
This is an extension of the position request setting, allow-
ing you to also use the LTC reader in the SyncStation as a 
source of position information when the timecode source 
is set to RS422 Out. While the serial 9-Pin connection 
can communicate position using LTC internally, the addi-
tion of the SyncStation’s LTC reader can be useful in cer-
tain situations where there is an issue.
>Serial
This uses the serial 9-Pin RS422 connection exclusively 
for position requests.
>Serial+LTC Reader
This allows the LTC reader to be used as another source 
of position information for the SyncStation when RS422 is 
set as the timecode source.
Position from setting in Nuendo
In Nuendo, this setting can be changed from the Sync-
Station Settings pop-up window with the “Position from 
RS422-Out+LTC” check box. When deactivated, the 
SyncStation will use the serial port only.
P2 In menu
The RS422 input is used to remotely control the Sync-
Station as a virtual machine from an external master con-
troller. When enabled, the SyncStation will appear as 
another 9-Pin device to the external controller.
P2in 01 - Device ID
P2in 01-Device ID
>RS422-Out >Nuendos >Nuendot >3324 >A500
The external controller will identify the SyncStation by the 
ID set in this menu.
>RS422-Out
When set to RS422-Out, the SyncStation will identify it-
self to the controller as the same type of device that is 
connected to the SyncStation’s 9-Pin out connector.
>Nuendos
Identifies the SyncStation as “Nuendo SyncStation”.
>Nuendot
Identifies the SyncStation as “Nuendo Timebase”.
>3324
Identifies the SyncStation as a Sony 3324 DASH Digital 
Multitrack machine.
>A500
Identifies the SyncStation as a Sony A500 VTR, a very 
common 9-Pin profile.
Setting the P2 In device ID in Nuendo
The P2 In device ID can be set in Nuendo from the Sync-
Station Settings pop-up window by selecting an entry 
from the Device ID pop-up menu.
Setting the P2 In device ID to A500. 
						

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Menu Reference
P2in 02 - RS422-In Track Arming
P2in 02-RS422-In Track Arming
>Nuendo >RS422-Out >MIDI Out
Since the Virtual Master of the SyncStation does not have 
any tracks that can be record-enabled, those commands 
received from the external controller are diverted to an-
other destination. Additionally, when a “record” command 
is received, it will also be routed to the destination set in 
this menu.
>Nuendo
Record and track arming commands will be sent to 
Nuendo via USB.
>RS422-Out
Record and track arming commands will be sent to the 
device connected to the RS422 Out.
>MIDI Out
Record and track arming commands will be routed to the 
MIDI output.
P2 In track arming in Nuendo
The track arming can be set within Nuendo from the 
“Track Record Arming Routing” section in the Sync-
Station Settings pop-up window.
Setting the RS422-In track arming routing to MIDI Out.
MIDI menu
This menu contains settings regarding the MIDI input and 
output configuration.
MIDI 01 - MTC -> MIDI Out
MIDI 01-MTC -> MIDI Out
>On >Off
This determines if MTC is being sent via the MIDI output.
MIDI 02 - Full Position -> MIDI Out
MIDI 02-Full Position -> MIDI Out
>Off >MMC Full >Full on change >Locate
This setting deals with how MTC is relayed to the MIDI 
output. MTC has two basic messages, quarter-frame and 
full-frame. Full-frame messages are SysEx data that con-
tain the complete timecode number. Full-frame messages 
are used to locate devices to specific points.
Quarter-frame messages are only used during playback 
and only contain a partial timecode number. It takes 8 
quarter-frame messages for the complete timecode num-
ber to be transmitted. Quarter-frame messages are used 
during playback to maintain sync.
This setting determines what message is sent when the 
timecode source changes position in Stop mode.
>Off
No full-frame messages will be sent at all.
>MMC Full
Full-frame messages will be sent constantly.
>Full on change
This is the default setting and should work for most cases. 
Full-frame messages are sent when the position of the ma-
ster changes, such as when locating to a new position. 
During playback, only quarter-frame messages will be used.
>Locate
The MMC locate command is slightly different from “Full 
on change”. Some devices will react to this mode better 
than others. 
						

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Menu Reference
MIDI full position setting in Nuendo
MTC, Full Position and MIDI Device ID can all be set 
within Nuendo from the SyncStation MIDI section in the 
SyncStation Settings pop-up window.
The MIDI settings in the SyncStation Settings pop-up window
MIDI 03 - MIDI In Track Arming
MIDI 03-MIDI In Track Arming
>Nuendo >RS422-Out
This setting is independent of the RS422 In record and 
track arming, but performs the same function for MMC 
commands from the MIDI input.
>Nuendo
Routes all record and track arming commands to Nuendo 
via USB.
>RS422-Out
Routes all record and track arming commands to the 
RS422 output.
MMC record and track arming in Nuendo
The MIDI track arming can be set from the “Track Record 
Arming Routing” section within the SyncStation Settings 
pop-up window.
Changing the routing for MIDI track record arming
MIDI 04 - MIDI ID
MIDI 04-MIDI ID
>0 >1 >2 >3 >4 >5 >6 >7 >8 >All(7f)
This determines the MIDI device ID used by the com-
mands sent out via the MIDI Out.
Changing the MIDI device ID in Nuendo
You can change the MIDI device ID by selecting a value 
from the Device ID pop-up menu in the SyncStation Set-
tings pop-up window.
Changing the MIDI device ID. 
						

							35
Menu Reference
USB menu
This menu deals with the USB connection to the Nuendo 
host computer and the MIDI communication between the 
SyncStation and Nuendo.
USB 01 - MTC -> Nuendo
USB 01-MTC -> Nuendo
>On >Off
This determines if MTC is transmitted to Nuendo via USB. 
If this is set to Off, Nuendo cannot start playback because 
the SyncStation will not transmit incoming timecode.
USB 02 - Full Position -> Nuendo
USB 02-Full Position -> Nuendo
>Off >MMC Full >Full on change >Locate
This determines the usage of full-frame MTC messages 
going to Nuendo. Just as with the MIDI Out setting, the 
“Full on change” setting will work for most conditions, but 
the others are available for certain circumstances.
>Off
No full-frame messages will be sent.
>MMC Full
Constant full-frame messages will be sent.
>Full on change
Default sends full-frames only when position changes and 
not during play. Using this option is recommended since it 
allows you to avoid generating too much MIDI traffic.
>Locate
MMC locate commands will be sent.
USB 03 - Nuendo Track Arming
USB 03-Nuendo Track Arming
>RS422-Out >MIDI Out
This setting is independent of the MIDI and RS422 track 
arming settings. Track arming buttons on the SyncStation 
9-Pin device panel will be routed according to this setting. 
Also, record commands sent by Nuendo’s transport when 
sync is enabled will be routed to the same destination. 
This can be used to perform remote layback on any con-
nected device.
>RS422-Out
All record and track arming commands will be sent to the 
connected 9-Pin device.
>MIDI Out
All record and track arming commands will be sent to the 
MIDI output.
Changing the USB track arming in Nuendo
You can change Nuendo’s track arming by selecting a 
value from the Nuendo pop-up menu in the “Track Record 
Arming Routing¨ section in the SyncStation Settings pop-
up window.
Setting the Nuendo track arming to MIDI Out.
USB 04 - Nuendo MIDI ID
USB 04-Nuendo MIDI ID
>0 >1 >2 >3 >4 >5 >6 >7 >8 >All(7f)
Sets the MMC ID number for Nuendo for receiving MMC 
commands from the MIDI input.
Setting the USB MIDI device ID in Nuendo
The MIDI ID, MTC and Full Position settings can be made 
in the SyncStation Settings pop-up window from the 
SyncStation USB section.
Choosing a MIDI ID for Nuendo. 
						

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Menu Reference
USB 05 - USB Driver
USB 05-USB Driver
>MIDI Class >Steinberg
This determines which driver the SyncStation will use to 
connect to the host USB bus. The default setting is “Stein-
berg” but it may be necessary on some systems to use the 
MIDI Class driver.
ÖYou cannot change the USB driver from within 
Nuendo.
!Changing the USB driver requires a restart of the 
SyncStation.
!Windows XP will not allow Nuendo to recognize the 
SyncStation when set to the MIDI Class driver. Al-
ways use the Steinberg setting with Windows XP 
systems. 
						

							5
Example Studio Setups 
						

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Example Studio Setups
Using three example studios, we will go step-by-step 
through the process of connecting the SyncStation in 
each system.
Composer’s home studio
In this first example, a personal project studio that func-
tions as a composer’s suite for film and television music 
will be used. System Link is used to connect two audio 
workstations; a main Nuendo system for editing and mix-
ing and a Cubase system for running VSTi instruments 
and external MIDI devices. A Digital Betacam VTR is used 
to layback finished cues to videotape. Additionally, an Ale-
sis HD 24 hard disk recorder is used to print stems to mix 
at a dubbing theater.
• Nuendo system
• Cubase VSTi system
• Alesis HD 24 hard disk recorder
• Digital Betacam VTR
In this example, the SyncStation will be used as the ma-
ster clock source for all the audio equipment in the studio. 
Each of the word clock outputs is connected to the two 
audio cards for the Nuendo and Cubase systems plus an-
other word clock connection to the HD 24. Since there is 
no other video equipment involved besides the Betacam 
deck, video sync will come from the VTR.
Example connections for a composer’s home studio
Machine control is used to control and sync with the Beta-
cam VTR via RS422. Also, MMC is used to remotely arm 
tracks on the HD 24. Since a Digital Betacam deck is 
standard definition, only bi-level video sync is used as the 
frame reference. Timecode from the Betacam is communi-
cated over the RS422 protocol and will be used as the 
timecode source in the SyncStation.
Extended System Link connections
Notice that there are two System Link connections, the 
extended connection used by the SyncStation for sample-
accurate positioning and the normal connection between 
Steinberg DAWs via the SyncStation.
ÖNote that the extended System Link connection only 
goes one way, from the audio card in the Nuendo system 
to one of the three digital inputs of the SyncStation.
In order to use one of the digital outputs of the Sync-
Station to pass System Link on to other Steinberg DAWs, 
Menu Clock 09 or 10 would be set to SLink I/P in order 
for System Link signals to pass through the SyncStation.
SyncStation settings for home studio example
• Master & Timecode Source = RS422 Out
• Frame Reference = Video
• Clock Reference = Use Frame Ref
•Wordclocks = 1x
• Precision Alignment System Link = On
• Track Arming Routing = Nuendo > RS422 or MIDI
• Nuendo Machine Control Output = SyncStation (RS422)
!When using the extended System Link connection to 
the SyncStation, all System Link settings must be 
made via the SyncStation’s front panel or the Sync-
Station Settings pop-up window in Nuendo. The 
Nuendo System Link setup in the Devices menu can-
not be used while the extended System Link is en-
gaged. 
						

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Example Studio Setups
Mid-level post-production suite
This example involves a dedicated audio for video post-
production studio that is involved in audio editing, foley 
and voice recording, multi-channel mixing, and DVD au-
thoring. This studio includes a high-quality computer video 
card that is used to capture video and audio from a Digital 
Betacam VTR. A master video clock generator is used to 
ensure frame edge accurate operation from the Digital 
Betacam, video card, and Nuendo.
• Nuendo system
• Virtual VTR computer with BlackMagic card
• House tri-level video sync generator
• Various VTRs via machine room router
A mid-level post-production studio with a central machine room
In this example, tri-level video sync is used to synchronize 
Nuendo’s playback to the house sync generator in the ma-
chine room of the facility. The SyncStation’s RS422 out-
put is fed into the router where it can be connected to any 
VTR in the machine room.
SyncStation settings for post suite example
• Master & Timecode Source = RS422 Out for video capture 
and layback or Nuendo for editing
• Frame Reference = Video
• Clock Reference = Use Frame Ref
•Wordclocks = 1x
• Machine Control Output = SyncStation (RS422)
• Precision Alignment System Link = On
• Track Arming Routing = Nuendo > RS422
Film dubbing theater
The most complex example is a fully-fledged dubbing 
stage where feature films and high-profile television 
shows are mixed. This example involves dedicated video 
playback for a large projection system, multiple Nuendo 
and other DAW systems to handle audio playback and 
surround mixing, plus a large, multi-seat control surface 
for mixing including machine control and track arming for 
dubbers.
• Nuendo system
• Pro Tools system
• Console’s 9-Pin controller
• Nanosync tri-level video sync and word clock generator
• Bonsai HD video player
A sample dub stage setup using a RS422 master controller
In this example, Nuendo is synchronized with a Bonsai HD 
video player and a Pro Tools system. All of this is controlled 
by the main console’s RS422 controller, allowing the 
transport controls of the console to run the entire system.
In this setup, the SyncStation is the Virtual Master, gener-
ating timecode for all devices. Both the console and 
Nuendo can start and stop playback or locate the system. 
The Nanosync generator is used for both the frame refer-
ence input and the word clock input. A 256x word clock is 
being fed to the Pro Tools system along with MTC. Pro 
Tools is also connected via RS422 Out for record-arming 
tracks and punching in. The Bonsai locks to LTC and is 
video gen-locked to the tri-level sync. 
						

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Example Studio Setups
SyncStation settings for dub stage example
• Timecode Source = Virtual Master
• Frame Reference = Video
• Clock Reference = Word clock
• Wordclocks = 1x and 256x
• Machine Control Output = SyncStation (RS422)
• Machine Control Input = SyncStation
• SyncStation P2 In = A500
• Precision Alignment System Link = On
• Track Arming Routing = Nuendo > RS422