Remote Transport Sync (RTS)

 

CONTENTS

  • 1. Basic use and installation
  • 2. Getting Pro Tools ready for RTS
  • 3. Using RTS in ADR sync mode
  • 4. Using RTS in Review/Mix sync mode (Pro)
    5. Troubleshooting RTS

     

    5. TROUBLESHOOTING RTS

    This page the most common reasons why RTS may not be working for you. The advice below is the same advice that would be provided to you by support. We encourage you to follow this guide before contacting support as most issues are easily resolved.

    Follow the RTS checklist

    Please ensure both sides of the connection have followed the RTS checklist completely.

    RTS Messages

    Source-Connect provides feedback about its RTS status below the Receive Meter:

    RECEIVER MESSAGES:
    Waiting for Play There is no RTS activity
    In Remote Sync The Receiver is placed into Play via the Play button in the Sender's RTS panel
    In Local Sync The Receiver is placed into Play via the Play button in the Sender Pro Tools Transport

    SENDER MESSAGES:
    IdleThere is no RTS activity
    Waiting for Sync PlayThe Sender has pressed Play in the RTS panel but their local system has not yet chased the Receiver's system. Note this message is often only shown rapidly. If this message remains on the Source-Connect window see comment #1 below.
    In Local SyncThe Sender presses Play in the RTS panel and is now chasing the Receiver's system
    In Remote SyncThe Sender presses Play in the Pro Tools Transport and the Receiver is assumed to be chasing the Sender's system. See Receiver's messages for feedback.

    It is important to note that these messages clearly identify, from each user's perspective, who is in sync (remote or local).

     

    1. Nothing happens when pressing play with RTS enabled

    It is quite common that a Pro Tools session will 'lose' any ability to send or receive ReWire commands. The reason for this is not known. The symptom of this is when you are on Send or Receive, and the Pro Tools transport does not go into play. The only known solution is to create a completely new session from scratch, and create one new aux track for Source-Connect and one for the Se ReWire plug-in. Once you have done this try reconnecting and testing RTS again. Usually this resolves the problem, and you can import your tracks from the previous session.

     

    2. We are out of sync by 10 hours or 60 minutes etc

    To avoid or alleviate unavoidable offsets, make sure that both users start with a new Pro Tools session with a zero Session Start Time in the session startup window. In addition, no options (wait for note, MIDI countdown, etc) should be selected in the Pro Tools Transport.

    The most common reasons for session being out of sync are:

  • Session start time is not the same on both sides
  • Framerate is not the same on both sides
  • Time code offset is not the same on both sides
  • Pre- or post-roll is enabled
  • Pull up/down is not the same on both sides

    A less common problem which is harder to find but easily fixed is to open the 'Time Operations' window, go to the 'Move song start' menu, and make sure you set the 'Move start to' box to zero ('0'). You can open the Time Operations menu by pressing the Option key and the number 1 key on the number pad.

     

    3. When I select send or receive I do not see the same timecode value in the RTS panel as in Pro Tools

    This is a symptom of a corrupt Pro Tools session. Follow the advice for comment #1 above.

     

    4. Known Issues

  • To close Pro Tools either disconnect first or turn off both Send and Receive. If not, Pro Tools will not allow you to close or quit the session.

  • Note for users with TDM: If Source-Connect is on an Aux Track, ensure that the TDM Checkbox in the RTS panel is checked. If Source-Connect is on an Audio Track, uncheck this option.

  • Source-Connect RTS is currently not compatible with Multi-Connect. Only one plug-in can be in sync with another user.

     

    5. None of the above advice has helped me

    We have seen the following issues and offer solutions:

  • External SMPTE controller interferes with Pro Tools and ReWire transport. Contact Digidesign for support or disconnect your SMTPE controller.

  • Insufficient CPU resources cause RTS problems. Make sure you are on 1 RTAS processor under Setup->Playback engine and drop the number of DSP voices as low as possible. A high DSP voices value can disrupt the behaviour of RTAS plug-ins in TDM systems.

  • Insufficient RAM leads to CPU errors. Upgrade your RAM or remove all other RTAS plug-ins from your session.

  • On Windows XP you get a lot of CPU errors: clean up your Windows installation, disable anti-virus.

  • Follow the Digidesign support guide for improving Pro Tools performance.