MIDI clock timing is way out

[nathanscribe]

Running T5, most recent build. I'm trying to sync an external drum machine via MIDI clock. Unfortunately, it is consistently running slow, but in different ways depending on the circumstance, as though Tracktion is becoming confused in transmitting the clock pulses.

FWIW, I tested exactly the same gear with exactly the same MIDI ports and cables and setup in Logic (Express 9), and it runs perfectly and consistently.

Here's the problem:

If I start the track from the very top and don't use Loop mode, timing initially seems more stable, though there are still clock dropouts that force the drum machine to lag. If I use Loop mode, or start the track anywhere part way through, timing suffers major drift, in two ways:

1) External sync does not begin till after at least 1 whole beat of playback.

2) The drum machine gradually slows down, lagging further and further behind as Tracktion runs.

I have confirmed that sync on my external machine is set correctly and all connections are solid. Again, this does not happen with Logic Express. Using that, I can start my track on the nose and the drum machine keeps perfect time.

Why is Tracktion doing this, and can it be fixed? Does 6 do this?

(As a side note, timing is also thrown out by activating/deactivating Click while the track is running. If it's set one way or the other at the start, no problem, seemingly. If it's clicked on during running, timing goes out the window.)

[phledo]

I had a similar problem. Experimented with different settings and parameters and then it worked.
I changed the pre-delay parameter on the 'Settings' -> MIDI Devices -> MIDI Output Properties panel.
(Send MIDI Clock - (green) button enabled)

Then I changed the 'Time Adjust' parameter of the Audio Input from external hardware.
You have to experiment which (negative) value fits your setup.

Additionally I disabled the metronome click!

I hope it helps a little.
Cheers

[Rattykins]

No offense intended, but I'm not willing to accept timing offsets as a fix.

For the record, I was just about to post a similar inquiry -- My efforts to consistently sync to a drum machine are always met by:

1) Delayed playback: the drum machine picks up at least a beat after the sequencer starts;

2) Timing glitches when turning the click on and off.

Bottom line is, other software packages, namely Ableton, keep the drum machine in DEAD SYNC using an identical setup. This suggests to me that Tracktion is the problem, not latency issues, timing offsets, or other system wide problems.

Anyone out there have a solution?

[chico.co.uk]

No offense intended, but I'm not willing to accept timing offsets as a fix.

For the record, I was just about to post a similar inquiry -- My efforts to consistently sync to a drum machine are always met by:

1) Delayed playback: the drum machine picks up at least a beat after the sequencer starts;

2) Timing glitches when turning the click on and off.

Bottom line is, other software packages, namely Ableton, keep the drum machine in DEAD SYNC using an identical setup. This suggests to me that Tracktion is the problem, not latency issues, timing offsets, or other system wide problems.

Anyone out there have a solution?

All the ideas he suggested are settings changes in Tracktion.

If you're not prepared to try changing things in Tracktion, what do you imagine someone is going to suggest, as a solution?

[nathanscribe]

Thanks for the replies. To clarify, Rattykins is correct in that the issue is not going to be solved by an offset. Firstly, the long lag only seems to occur when starting playback somewhere other than the top of the track – an offset would apply from any start point and therefore playback from the start would be affected. Secondly, the timing drifts further out of sync as the track progresses, with the lag gradually accumulating into greater quantities.

I should add the clock is being piped down the same MIDI port as MIDI notes, and the track is made up of two-bar regions that I have copy-pasted and edited. Interestingly, there is no problem at all with the timing of any MIDI notes, it's just the clock that's going wrong.