Ambient Master Lockit User manual

Firmware Version 8.0

02Lockit Users manual |
Table of contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 03
2. Unit Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 05
3. LED Blink Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 06
4. Powering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07
5. Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08
6. Basic Button Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 09
7. Operation Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
7.1 C-Jam Mode (Continuous Jam) ..................................10
7.2 TX Mode (Transceiver Mode) ...................................11
7.3 ACN Receiving Mode ..........................................13
7.4 Single Jam Mode .............................................13
8. Special: Wireless TC & Sync Oset. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
9. LockitToolbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
10. Useful Links. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
11. Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
11.1 ACN Channel Frequencies ....................................18
11.2 Connector Pinouts ...........................................19
11.3 Internal Buer Battery .......................................19

03Lockit Users manual |
1. Introduction
The Lockit (ACN-CL)
Lockit Timecode by Ambient
Since we released the very rst mobile timecode and sync generator ever
already in 1992 our devices became the industry standard for timecode and
synchronization on set. Lockits provide frame-accurate synchronized video
and audio clips for Hollywood blockbusters, TV series and independent
productions.
Highly Accurate Timecode and Sync Generator
Ambient Timecode is synonymous with precision and reliability. The Lockit
provides all timecode frame rates and sync (wordclock / genlock) formats
and full ACN compatibility.
Zero Drift (C-Jam)
Lockits are based on a highly accurate temperature-compensated crystal
oscillator. Once set, the Lockit boxes stay on time - and drift less than 1
frame apart within 24 hours. With active C-Jam (continuous jam) mode via
ACN, any drift is even completely excluded.
More Options
Two push-pull connectors: ACN (outputs Timecode & Metadata) and Sync
(outputs Timecode & Sync)
TX Mode
Lockits can be started in the so-called TX mode to become a timecode bridge.
The TX Master will automatically adapt its speed to the external timecode
source and broadcast TC start and stop via ACN to all other Lockits. This is
especially relevant if you want your audio recorder to be the master clock on
set, in playback situations or in virtual production setups.
Midi Timecode
Connect your Lockit via USB to your PC/Mac. The Lockit will show up as midi
timecode Interface - ready for use in any digital audio workstation (DAW). This
way you can broadcast playback timecode through ACN to other Lockits.

04Lockit Users manual |
Plug & Play
Instead of using the graphical menu of the Lockit or the LockitToolBox - feed
in timecode and frame rate externally. Just plug one Lockit to the TC Out port
of another device (e.g. your sound recorder) and it’s automatically set and
ready to sync – without any additional apps.
LED Display
No external app needed. Display menu easily operated via buttons.
ACN stands for Ambient Communication
Network and is our own wireless network.
It utilizes an extremely reliable, proprietary 2.4GHz network with
16 selectable channels for communication to minimize lag and
interference with other radio sources. All gathered information
is buered until it is successfully received and stored.
The ACN is used to interchange timecode related information
including time, frame rate and user bits as well as device meta-
data between Lockits or third-party devices with built-in Lockit
Module.
Learn more about the beauty of ACN here:
https://ambient.de/en/acn-technology

05Lockit Users manual |
2. Unit Description
Front
1 ACN antenna, SMA RP 2.4GHz, keep attached to unit
2 RGB status LED
3 OLED display
4 TC & ACN connector (LEMO-compatible)
5 TC & Sync connector (LEMO-compatible)
6 Power button
7 Red button
8 Green button
9 Battery door, NP-50 Li-Ion type batteries only
10 USB-C socket (Power & Midi timecode)
1
678
2
4
5
10
9
3

06Lockit Users manual |
3. LED Blink Code
Mode 1sec 2sec
ACN Jam (C-Jam, TX, Single)
Jam transmitted / sent
Jam received
Lockit, NanoLockit, LockitSlate Take2,
Lockit+ (in standby) or LockitModule
TC out mute; will start with preference
TC out mute; will start from fallback zero
TC out active
TC out active; output level reduced
TC out active; low battery
Lockit+ with WiFi active
TC out mute; will start with preference
TC out mute; will start from fallback zero
TC out active
TC out active; low battery
TX Mode Warnings
TC out mute; no initial LTC source
TC out active; LTC source lost/stopped
Charging Mode, Unit o
ext. Power, charging
ext. Power, fully charged
blinkash

07Lockit Users manual |
4. Powering
Only use certied NP-50 compatible Li-Ion batteries and power sources
in compliance with USB BC1.2 and EN 62368-1 for external power and
charging.
4.
3.
2.
1.

08Lockit Users manual |
5. Display
456
3
1
2
1 Timecode
2 Project Rate (FPS)
3 Battery Status / Ext. Power
4 Unit ID* / Unit Name
5 ACN Mode
6 ACN Channel
* Note: Unit ID can be set via
the ACN Radar of the Lockit+

09Lockit Users manual |
6. Basic Button Operations
Turn On: Press and hold Power until LED lights green to start unit.
Turn O: Press and hold Power for 5 seconds until power o menu
appears. Conm shutdown with Power.
Access Menu: While the unit is running you can access the menu
by pressing Red & Green simultaneously.
There you can easily set:
• Project Rate:
23.98 / 24 / 25 / 29.97 / 29.97 DROP / 30 / 47.95 / 48 / 50 / 59.94 / 59.94 DROP / 60 FPS
• Sync Output:
o / P / PsF / i / 48 kHz / 96 kHz / 192 kHz
• ACN Channel:
11 – 26 / o
• TC Start Preference:
RTC / RTC-12 / zero / one / manual
• LED Brightness:
1 – 10
• TC Out Level:
-68 / -58 / -50 / -6 / 0 / +6 dB
• Auto Power
• TC&SyncOset:
-10.00 ... +10.00 frames
Tap Red to decrease or Green to increase a parameter value.
Tap Red & Green simultaneously to conrm and proceed.
Tap Power to cancel or to leave the menu.
Applied settings will be persistent over a reboot until reset or changed.
Reset: When switched o, press and hold Red & Green
simultaneously to perform a factory reset of the Lockit Module.
Note: RTC-12 automatically sets Start TC to
RTC in the mornings or RTC-12 after 1pm.
Note:ndmoreinformationin
chapter 8.Special:WirelessTC&SyncOset

10Lockit Users manual |
7. Operation Modes
Within the ACN there is always one Lockit device acting as timecode transmit-
ter, broadcasting timecode and frame rate to the Receivers. You can choose
between C-Jam, TX and Single Jam Mode.
7.1 C-Jam Mode (Continuous Jam)
In C-Jam Mode we utilize our ACN network to completely prevent any drift. In
this mode one Lockit device acts as a C-Jam Master. It sends a pulse through
the ACN every six seconds to constantly align with all other Lockit boxes.
To start the unit as C-Jam Master press and hold Green, then tap Power.
Press and hold Green to conrm the timecode and start the C-Jam.
The icon on the display will switch to M.
All other Lockits (that are on the same ACN channel) will now automatically
follow the C-Jam Master and display an ACN icon at the lower right of the
display.
Since even in C-Jam Mode every unit still uses its own VCO (voltage-controlled
oscillator) to generate timecode (and sync), they don’t necessarily have to be
in range of the C-Jam master constantly to be accurate.
On the display you will see an (M)
appear, indicating that the device
is ready to go.