MIDI Clock and your DAW: How To Sync Your Synths

I see a lot of reports on the forums where people are having issues with their synths synchronizing to their DAW, particularly when trying to "print" audio from a synth, recording it into the DAW. I explain about MIDI clock, how it used to work when MIDI first came out, how our modern synths deal with it, and how to fix sync issues with your DAW.

[freddiesamples]

The clock can just drive us nuts! Thanks for this. We synth nerds can learn so much from each other!

[RasMix]

Ive been making electronic music for close to 20 years took classes at my community college and I still learned something new in this video. Thanks a bunch.

[dfxmonkeyhead]

This is an excellent tutorial and problem-solving vid. With proper understanding, the principles covered here can extend to correcting sync issues with instruments beyond just the ones shown.

[Fluxwithit]

Just as an update (great video Scott) The Hydrasynth has been updated since this video, 2.0 clock is much faster to sync now :)

[TheOneMonk]

This is brilliant. Never knew what the prob with my Summit was - until now. Thanks!

[Optical_Ollusion]

I was so surprised when this worked hahaha on my drum machine too, I would have never thought of it. Good stuff!

[jorge-keys]

The first demonstration on the Wavestate actually grooves! Nice video as always :)

[unclejerrysworld]

Again Super informative and easy to follow!! This helps so much.... I thought I'd mention here that I am awaiting a MIDRONOME (which was a Kick Starter pgm) I bought into... It's basically a Universal Master Clock for literally my studio isn't quite ready to make a video or anything but if you google midronome, it's all over.... Thought I'd share with you and your followers to check While I'm here I'd also love to give a shout out to Steinberg and their Cubase iC Pro (remote control capability with iPads/iPhones, etc). I know you're a Cubase user and I am too and I wanted to be able to hit RECORD from anywhere in my studio without being tied to the computer.... I was amazed... I downloaded it, installed it and it asked what computer from a list, I l clicked and BAM! There it was on my iPad.... I happened to have a project open and IT JUST WORKED!!! (Sorry... just wanted to share these since I know they may be of

[rocketshiptoaltair]

I was trying to do this with a Novation Supernova module and it was miles out. I have had success before but wasn't sure why not this time. Of course I usually have a bar or two free at the start in case I want to jump an intro before the track. Your video was really helpful in confirming that this is probably the reason why. Thanks very much for your help.

[cmddelete]

Cheers for this. Have exactly the same issue with my Peak and wondered what the issue was. Much appreciated.

[PylonRecordsdotcom]

If you are using Logic Pro, Apple is still writing a proper USB Driver for the Unitor 8 and you will not have these issues, but us Cubase folks are a bit screwed as midi in cubase is not what it used to be, anything with USB/Midi these days without a proper driver (class compliant is not sufficient) is going drift, been doing this since Atari 1040st which was super tight, the only other solution for me was to go to CV, control voltage, which is dead on all the time. You can also just insert the external instrument as an audio channel, and cubase can compensate the latency, I dont like to print audio right away, so this is another way to get super tight timing, Great Video. Cheers

[liviou]

Again, a so interesting, useful and well explained video. Thank you Scott.

[ispahan]

Best explanation of this I have seen on the internet! Thanks... Subscribed :)

[aaronmclain]

Hey there. I have a Moog Matriarch. When it's not connected to Nuendo, the sequence plays what I programmed. But when I connect the midi, it plays extra notes, but not the sequence that I programed. Is there something I should check in Nuendo/Cubase? Thanks so much!

[amackclassic]

There is a timing issue with the Moog Grandmother too. I'll try what you showed here about the bar early technique. Thanks for sharing this

[georgegeez]

Just discovered this video. Definitely helpful when I finally buy today's synths. I use an Akai MPC to sync all of my synths and never have a problem. Great video. Just became a sub. Thanks. 👍👍👍👍👍

[BishopEddie]

Just the man I needed to subscribe to Scott! GREAT SCOTT! 🤖

[dvclassic]

Thank you, my set up with Mpc one, Modx and Korg M50 seemed to fumble the notes for that first bar. I smoothed it down in settings but this should solve it completely. Major Thanks in advance!

[marcump]

I've got some vintage Roland to configure sync. Roland SBX, MSQ700, JU-06A, Yamaha S80 and Behringer RD8. Korg DW8000 Other vintage without direct sync; Roland D50, Yamaha TX802, DX21, REV5. I aquired everything but before I got a chance to experiment I suddenly got arthritis badly in my left leg.. which threw everything in my life off.. I'm adjusting now and ready to get back to it. Besides these items, I have Ableton Live on the computer, Steinberg MOTU midi patch bay, Mackie 12 channel mixer. I have all the manuals etc.. Where to start now is the question.. back when I bought all of this I had a plan.. but it's been a minute.

[Danifd]

That was very useful Scott, thank you.