Resolume Forum

Hi everyone, i‘m trying to get SMPTE Timecode from my Mac into my Lenovo Legion 5 Pro but somehow it’s not working as it should. Here short overview of my Setup:

•2019 MacBook Pro with the latest OS for Showkontrol ( Club Version- Sending SMPTE out over the 3.5 mm jack)

• Lenovo Legion 5 Pro with windows 11 (latest Resolume Arena version - trying to receive the SMPTE Timecode over the 3.5mm audio out/mic in jack).

Resolume is allowed to have access to the Mic. All firewalls are off.

Also wrote with the Resolume support (which is great btw) who gave me the advice to check if some sounds are coming from the build in mic…and that was right. But I’m not sure how to turn off the built in mic or if that is even possible.

I’ve already got to the point where Resolume displayed some numbers but they did not match with the Timecode of SK at all (for example showing an Offset of 45 hours on the SMPTE display in Arena but I did not set 45 hours offset in SK)

Maybe the level of Smpte signal is to loud and The Lenovo can’t hear it?

And does someone know if it’s possible to use Prodjlink Bridge together with showkontrol in the same network?
Seems like those two software’s interrupting each other when they run simultaneously.

If someone got similar problems and solved it, don’t hesitate to give me some nice advices.

Thank you all,
Daniel

Hi Daniel,
Not to be rude (just direct <3 ), Ditch the 3.5mm and use pro gear. You're spending a LOT of $$ on SK, spend just a little bit more on a proper interface. I recommend the MOTU M2 or a Focusrite 2i2. Both will get you up and running for only a hundred bucks or so. (You will need TRS to XLR cables for the outputs). And has physical encoders and led feedback for signal strength. (Ebay and FB Marketplace has deals for days)

Another option would be to use a Dante virtual sound card and send your LTC out over ethernet. (Something like $65 a machine)

Both options above will get you up and running (Use the ASIO driver mode for whatever DAC you choose). The 3.5mm can work, but I use the term "work" loosely as you'll be troubleshooting that every show. If you're already spending several thousands on SK a year, what's another $100-200 to ensure you're entire show doesn't come to a hault. Worth the investment <3

Hey Arvol,

first of all thank you for your reply and honesty!

I was already thinking about a gear you suggested, but I thought if it could go a way easier why not.
I will definitely try the first way you offered (as you said the 100-200€ for some good equipment won’t be the problem in my case. Apart from that I recently bought the Lenovo laptop which wasn’t that cheap aswell).

I‘ve never worked with some interfaces for Timecode setups. So here a very stupid question: the dj players are connected to the Showkontrol laptop via Ethernet and will send the Smpte signal (coming from the 3.5mm port) to the MOTU M2 and goes on to the Resolume laptop (in between the TRS to XLR Kabels). Is that correct?
If not, I welcome every explaining Video or tutorial existing in the www

I work for a club in Austria and there is some similar problem aswell… the way of the Timecode signal there is like: DJ-> Showkontrol Laptop -> 3.5mm Jack from the Apple Laptop to the 3.5mm MIC input Jack of the Windows computer. Somehow I managed to get the Smpte signal working there but I have to be very careful with the Smpte level coming from SK. Sometimes it works really good, sometimes not.

Best regards,
Daniel

No stupid questions here (other than how to pirate or steal lol).

I would have a DAC interface (MOTU, Focusrite, Etc) on each computer. Ditch the 3.5mm all together.

So you would go ShowKontrol Laptop> SK DAC> Resolume DAC> Resolume Laptop.
You can go Male TRS to Male XLR Cable from the SK DAC output to the Resolume DAC input via will Male XLR. (Most likely with a 300' XLR in between)
Both devices will have LED indicators for level and clipping. You get a good 90% of your LTC problems with levels. Clipping (square waves) or low level's will be the downfall of your LTC based show. So having LED indicators on the in and out (MOTU does in and out, which is why I prefer the M2 for this) will help you Quickly troubleshoot signal on site.

If you want to really go full nerd ahead. The Dante driver's are my goto for tours for less equipment to setup, get damaged, or loose. If you are planning to only use this on House gear and don't need others to integrate in, check out this driver:
https://www.audinate.com/products/softw ... -soundcard
It's $80 per machine (transferable), or $50 if you don't plan to transfer.
You will need 2 copies (just like you need 2 DAC's) so at most, you're out $160.
You can now send Dante audio down the same network line as SK and just use a single ethernet between both computers. That 1 ethernet line will carry LTC and SK-OSC.

If you go Dante or a physical interface, be sure to use the ASIO drivers for these devices for better performance and stability.

On a side note, Have you played with SK's TCNET integration with Arena?

Aaaah ok now I got it. Sollst screw all the 3.5mm cables and go over usb.Perfect.

Thanks for your explanation of the circuit diagram that helps a lot! I think a optical reference of the audio level will be very helpful but I will try Dante first (as you say less equipment and there might not alsways be so much space at the front of house). I think for the club there will be the motu m2 Perfect for.

I guess dante will also work fine if the 2 laptops are connected over a 4 Port switch?

And yeah, to be honest I’m not shure if I played over the TC NET

Yeah, if both computers have the Dante driver installed and are on the same network you have unlimited i_o you can send. Be sure to check out the youtube videos on how to use the software, it's very basic but sometime setup can get people.

On a side note, if you ever want to use Dante but still need a physical connector, they make these and they are pretty cheap too
https://www.audinate.com/products/devices/dante-avio

Awesome!
Already started watching YouTube videos

Thank you!

By the way, after getting the Dante audio drivers for both laptops I did not manage to make the Smpte signal work properly. Anyway I then got 2x motu m2 and now it works perfectly.
So thank you a lot for your advice