You can use SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) timecode to synchronize Adobe Audition’s transport controls with a MIDI sequencing application or an external hardware device, such as a videotape machine. (See Synchronizing with SMTPE.)

Adobe Audition sends and receives SMPTE timecode via MIDI timecode (MTC), which Windows transmits through your system’s MIDI Out and MIDI In ports. MTC is a digital signal; to convert analog SMPTE timecode from a video or audio tape deck to digital MTC, you must use an appropriate MIDI interface.

In the Preferences dialog box, click the SMTPE/MTC tab to access options for timecode ports and synchronization.

SMPTE/MTC Output And Input

The following options configure input and output ports for timecode:

MIDI Output Device (Send MTC To This Port)

Specifies the device to which Adobe Audition sends MIDI timecode.

MIDI Input Device (Receive MTC From This Port)

Specifies the device from which Adobe Audition receives MIDI timecode.

Use Internal Timestamps

Stamps incoming MIDI messages based on their arrival time in Adobe Audition, ignoring timestamps provided by Windows. (Some Windows systems provide uneven timestamps, causing imprecise synchronization.)

SMPTE/MTC Synchronization

The following options apply only to incoming timecode.

Lead Time (To Prepare Audio Driver)

Specifies the amount of time (in milliseconds) in which Adobe Audition establishes synchronization with incoming timecode. Lower settings (200 and lower) result in faster transport response but may prevent Adobe Audition from establishing synchronization. Settings of 500 to 1000 are sufficient on most systems.

Stopping Time (Freewheel ‑ Audio Stops After No Input Detected For This Time)

Specifies the amount of time (in milliseconds) that Adobe Audition continues playing if it encounters a dropout in timecode.

Lag Time (Constant Time Difference Between Sound Card Driver’s Reported Position And Actual)

Specifies the number of samples between incoming timecode and outgoing audio data. This value accounts for discrepancies introduced by sound card buffers. The default value is 10 samples.

Slack (Time Error Allowable Before Repositioning Play Cursor)

Specifies the number of frames that can fall out of sync with timecode before either repositioning the start‑time indicator to match the code or performing a full resynchronization. A setting of up to 2.5 frames is recommended, because faulty timecode is usually corrected on the next frame sent. The default value is one‑quarter (.25) of a frame.

Clock Drift Correction Time (Crossfade Length To Use When Adjusting Playback Position)

Specifies the number of samples to crossfade when making time corrections to chase audio to timecode. The default value is 250 samples.

Reposition Playback Cursor When Shuttling

Readjusts the playback position if synchronization is off by the Slack value.

Full Re‑Sync When Shuttling

Performs a full re‑synchronization if synchronization is off by the Slack value.