MIDI TIME CODE DISPLAY
What Does It Do?
This device displays MTC (MIDI Time Code) sent via MIDI from a host device like a sequencer, DAW, or workstation. Sometimes this needs to be enabled on the sending device. MTC is different from MIDI clock.
The readout is in Hours, Minutes, Seconds and Frames — HH:MM:SS:FF.
Power
Any DC 2.1mm power supply, 7–12V, tip positive. Can also use a USB cable to power from 5V (not supplied).
Operation
Upon power up, the device waits for an MTC signal over MIDI. If no cable is connected, the LED display will show a decimal-point animation ("……") while waiting.
The flashing decimal points indicate MTC is being received, and the clock should advance. If the device cannot detect MTC, or it is stopped, the decimal points will stop flashing and the clock will remain at the last reading.
A short press of the function button (P) will pause the display — the leftmost decimal point will rapidly flash when paused. A long press (1 second) cycles through 4 different LED brightness levels, and this setting is retained on power down.
Pressing button F switches to clock view mode — it will show if clock is being received, and the approximate BPM. Press again to return to timecode.
Once MTC is received (and also at first startup), the display will briefly show the received frame rate, then proceed with the clock display: 24fps, 25fps, 29.97fps (drop-frame or non-drop-frame, depending on the timecode), or 30fps. Non-standard frame rates will drive the clock, but the rate may not be detected on startup.
A long press (2 seconds) will reset the device.
This simply mirrors the incoming signal thru to the MIDI thru port — handy if you want to insert the MTC display in-line with other MIDI gear.