Audio time code

Alex Raskin · February 22nd, 2010, 10:16 AM

Shooting a music video.

Planning to roll music multiple times for the singer lipsync takes.

Playback will NOT start from the beginning of the song every time, but rather from different cued positions for different parts of video.

I'm trying to devise a robust workflow that would let me quickly sync all the video takes in post on top of the original soundtrack.

Thinking, if I can record an audio timecode of playback into the video file, and then display that timecode in NLE, then I can always be sure which video clip belongs where on the timeline. Theoretically, all I have to do is line up all clips so they'd match the underlying original playback layer's audio timecode positions.

Mind you, I don't care for the video timecode - just for the arbitrary audio playback timecode, as this is going to be basis of the sync between the clips.

Here's what I've done so far:

- Prepared the audio score stereo file with Left channel as mono mix for the amplified playback on set, and Right channel as LTC timecode generated by Nuendo.

- Played that out via laptop, split stereo cable to two mono: Left went to the amp for playback, Right went into the R audio channel input on the video camera and was recorded as regular video track. (Left camera audio channel recorded ambient reference track for safety.)

- So far so good: I get video clips with Right audio channel containing my LTC time code from audio playback.

- However... how do I display that LTC code in NLE? Using Premiere Pro 2.0 for EDL assembly, and it does not appear to natively pick up "aux TC".

How can I make NLE (PPro 2.0 in my case) show the LTC from the AUDIO channel?

Alex Raskin · February 22nd, 2010, 06:23 PM

Found a solution that does not require jamming to audio LTC:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/silicon-...ml#post1489532

However, am still interested to learn how to display audio LTC in Premiere, if possible.

Thanks.

Edward Carlson · February 22nd, 2010, 07:20 PM

I think you might be able to sync with PluralEyes, too. You won't need to use LTC, because PluralEyes analyzes the audio and syncs with the video camera's audio. It's worth a look.

Alex Raskin · February 22nd, 2010, 07:32 PM

Yes, i looked at it about a year ago, and the PE software maker noted that it is not magic and can produce errors.

I do need guaranteed results though, and the visual ref produced by BWF soft just did the trick for me.

February 22nd, 2010, 10:16 AM	#1
Alex Raskin Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,435	Audio time code - how to display in NLE? Shooting a music video. Planning to roll music multiple times for the singer lipsync takes. Playback will NOT start from the beginning of the song every time, but rather from different cued positions for different parts of video. I'm trying to devise a robust workflow that would let me quickly sync all the video takes in post on top of the original soundtrack. Thinking, if I can record an audio timecode of playback into the video file, and then display that timecode in NLE, then I can always be sure which video clip belongs where on the timeline. Theoretically, all I have to do is line up all clips so they'd match the underlying original playback layer's audio timecode positions. Mind you, I don't care for the video timecode - just for the arbitrary audio playback timecode, as this is going to be basis of the sync between the clips. Here's what I've done so far: - Prepared the audio score stereo file with Left channel as mono mix for the amplified playback on set, and Right channel as LTC timecode generated by Nuendo. - Played that out via laptop, split stereo cable to two mono: Left went to the amp for playback, Right went into the R audio channel input on the video camera and was recorded as regular video track. (Left camera audio channel recorded ambient reference track for safety.) - So far so good: I get video clips with Right audio channel containing my LTC time code from audio playback. - However... how do I display that LTC code in NLE? Using Premiere Pro 2.0 for EDL assembly, and it does not appear to natively pick up "aux TC". How can I make NLE (PPro 2.0 in my case) show the LTC from the AUDIO channel?

February 22nd, 2010, 06:23 PM	#2
Alex Raskin Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,435	Found a solution that does not require jamming to audio LTC: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/silicon-...ml#post1489532 However, am still interested to learn how to display audio LTC in Premiere, if possible. Thanks.

February 22nd, 2010, 07:20 PM	#3
Edward Carlson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA, United States Posts: 807	I think you might be able to sync with PluralEyes, too. You won't need to use LTC, because PluralEyes analyzes the audio and syncs with the video camera's audio. It's worth a look.

February 22nd, 2010, 07:32 PM	#4
Alex Raskin Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,435	Yes, i looked at it about a year ago, and the PE software maker noted that it is not magic and can produce errors. I do need guaranteed results though, and the visual ref produced by BWF soft just did the trick for me.