JLCooper Electronics MMC/9Pin+ Interface User manual

MMC/9Pin+ Interface
MIDI Machine Control to
Sony 9 Pin Interface
Users Manual

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MMC/9Pin Interface and MMC/9Pin+Interface are trademarks of JLCooper
Electronics. All other brand names are the property of their respective owners.
MMC/9Pin+Interface User’s Manual, Second Edition, Part Number 932085
2003 JLCooper Electronics, 142 Arena Street, El Segundo, CA 90245 USA
[phone] ¬[phone] www.jlcooper.com

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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................... 4
Unpacking and Setup.................................................................... 5
Connecting the MMC/9Pin+ Interface ....................................... 6
Communications ........................................................................... 6
MMC/9PIN+ Interface Setup ...................................................... 7
NTSC/PAL................................................................................... 7
MIDI Machine ID ....................................................................... 7
Still Timecode.............................................................................. 8
Locate Mode................................................................................ 8
Servo Lock Flag.......................................................................... 9
Fast Wind Mode.......................................................................... 9
Machine Emulation..................................................................... 9
Technical Reference.................................................................... 12
Electrical Connections.............................................................. 12
Additional Technical Notes....................................................... 13
References................................................................................. 14
Troubleshooting........................................................................ 15
Care and Service....................................................................... 15
JLCooper Electronics Limited Factory Warranty.................. 16

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Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the MMC/9PIN+ Interface. This is a
truly unique product, integrating the world of MIDI to the world of
professional video.
This compact unit receives MIDI Machine Control (MMC) and
translates it into Sony 9 Pin / P2 protocol, which is supported by
most professional video recorders and certain audio recorders.
A hardware controller or software application that sends MMC is
connected to the MMC/9PIN+ Interface, which is connected to the
video tape recorder. Now the MIDI device can act as an
“autolocator” for the video tape recorder, sending transport, locate,
and track enable commands.
In addition, the MMC/9PIN+ Interface reads tape position and
video sync, and derives from that information both SMPTE
timecode and MIDI time code. That means that the MMC/ 9PIN+
Interface will produce a SMPTE tone resolved to video, without
the need to stripe a longitudinal timecode (LTC) track. The ability
to output both SMPTE and MTC means that you can synchronize a
sequencer or machine synchronizer to the video without the need
for striping the tape with SMPTE. The MMC/9PIN+ Interface also
features a unique “tapeless” operation mode. In this mode, the
MMC/9Pin+ Interface will generate SMPTE and MTC in response
to an MMC Play command, without any 9 Pin device connected.
The performance of the MMC/9Pin+ Interface depends largely
upon the users knowledge of the software or hardware being used
as the source of MMC, and the 9 Pin device. You will probably
need to be thoroughly familiar with this equipment before
attempting to use the MMC/9Pin+ Interface.

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Unpacking and Setup
When you receive your MMC/9Pin+ Interface, you should receive
the following items:
• MMC/9Pin+ Interface.
• This Users Manual
• 4 adhesive rubber feet
• Warranty Card
Please take a moment to fill out the warranty card and send it in.

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Connecting the MMC/9Pin+ Interface
1. Connect the supplied power supply. The power supply is rated
at 9 volts DC at 500 mA. Center is positive.
2. Connect MIDI In and MIDI Out to the source of MMC
commands. If the source of MMC commands is a computer
software package, connect the MIDI In and MIDI Out to the
computer’s MIDI interface.
3. Connect the 9 Pin connector of the MMC/9Pin+ Interface to
the 9 Pin connector input of the 9 Pin device. Use a standard 9
Pin D-sub connector cable. Do not use a null modem cable.
4. Connect black burst or video sync the BNC connector on the
rear of the MMC/9Pin+ Interface. The unit must have a stable
source of video sync. While a composite video signal may
work, we cannot guaranty that it will work in all cases. This
should not be connected to a source of SMPTE time code.
5. Optionally, connect the SMPTE output of the MMC/9Pin+
Interface to the SMPTE input of additional slave devices. This
connection may be made through a distribution amp if multiple
outputs are needed.
Communications
Apply power to the MMC/9Pin+ Interface by pressing the power
switch. Power is indicated by a lit LED next to the power switch.
The green LED on the right of the front panel indicates sync
activity on the MMC/9PIN+ Interface. If you see the green light,
then your module is transmitting timecode on the SMPTE output.

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MMC/9PIN+ Interface Setup
NTSC/PAL
The MMC/9Pin+ Interface automatically detects NTSC or PAL
video and configures itself accordingly.
MIDI Machine ID
Most MMC supporting sequencers may have the ability to select a
MIDI Machine ID number. The MMC/9PIN+ Interface may be set
to respond to a specific MMC Machine ID number. From the
factory, the unit has been set to Machine ID 1. To change the ID
number, you can easily access the rear panel to adjust a DIP
switch.
The 9 Pin protocol is a master/slave protocol which does not define
a method of addressing multiple devices. To control more than
one device, you will need a separate MMC/9PIN+ Interface for
each device with each MMC/9Pin+ Interface set to its own unique
ID number. Switches 1 through 3 set the MIDI Machine ID
number as follows:
Switch 3 Switch 2 Switch 1 MIDI ID
Down Down Down 1
Down Down Up 2
Down Up Down 3
Down Up Up 4
Up Down Down 5
Up Down Up 6
Up Up Down 7
Up Up Up 8

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Still Timecode
When this option is enabled, the unit returns MTC (MIDI
Timecode) continuously. Specifically, a burst of 4 MTC messages
are sent one frame apart. This burst of timecode occurs one a
second.
Switch 4
Down Return MTC only when 9 Pin device is in motion
Up Continuously returns last valid timecode
Locate Mode
The MMC/9PIN+ Interface has two locate modes, Standard and
High Speed.
In Standard mode, the reception of an MMC locate command
results in the MMC/9Pin+ Interface sending a 9 Pin locate
command.
In High Speed mode, the reception of an MMC locate command
results in the MMC/9Pin+ Interface sending a 9 Pin Fast Forward
or Rewind command. The MMC/9Pin+ Interface then continually
polls the device, requesting position tally. When the device is
within 1 minute of the locate, the MMC/9Pin+ Interface issues a
STOP and a locate command.
Standard mode will be more compatible and may actually operate
very fast on most devices. Many modern 9 Pin devices have the
capability of setting their chase speeds depending upon how far
away the locate point is from the current tape position. Most
devices will also make a decision to automatically disengage the
tape before a chase to locate occurs.
Switch 5
Down High Speed Locate Mode
Up Standard Locate Mode

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Servo Lock Flag
This option determines if the unit uses the Servo Lock flag from
the device or not. Typically, hard disk devices should be set to
ignore this flag while tape based devices should be set to use this
flag.
Switch 6
Down Use Servo Lock
Up Ignore Servo Lock
Fast Wind Mode
This option determines how the MMC/9Pin+ Interface responds to
Rewind and Fast Forward commands. When the switch is set to
the up position, the MMC/9Pin+ Interface will always send
Rewind or Fast Forward to the 9-pin device in response to an
MMC Rewind or Fast Forward. When the switch is set to the up
position, the MMC/9Pin+ Interface will send a Shuttle command
in response to the first MMC Rewind or Fast Forward command
and then send a Rewind or Fast Forward command in response to
the second MMC Rewind or Fast Forward command.
Switch 7
Down Send Shuttle then Rewind/Fast Forward
Up Send Rewind/Fast Forward
Machine Emulation
When external DIP switch number 8 is up, the MMC/9Pin+
Interface will send SMPTE and MTC in response to an MMC play
command. The starting time is set by first sending the MMC/9Pin+
Interface an MMC locate command. This allows the source of
MMC to remotely start any SMPTE or MTC driven hardware or
software, without requiring a tape to be rolling. When switch 8 is
up, normal MMC to 9 Pin conversion is disabled.
Switch 8
Down Use timecode from 9 Pin device
Up Machine Emulation

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Commands
The MMC/9Pin+ Interface converts the following MMC
commands into 9 Pin commands:
Stop
F0 7F device_ID 06 01 F7 -> 20 00 20
Play
F0 7F device_ID 06 02 F7 -> 20 01 21
Deferred Play
F0 7F device_ID 06 03 F7 -> 20 01 20
Fast Forward
F0 7F device_ID 06 04 F7 -> 20 10 30
Rewind
F0 7F device_ID 06 05 F7 -> 20 20 40
Record Strobe
F0 7F device_ID 06 06 F7 -> 20 02 22
Record Exit
F0 7F device_ID 06 07 F7 ->
Chase
F0 7F device_ID 06 0B F7 ->
Shuttle
Forward
F0 7F device_ID 06 47 03 sh sm sl F7 -> 21 13 n
Reverse
F0 7F device_ID 06 47 03 sh sm sl F7 -> 21 23 n
Note: sh, sm and sl are defined as Standard Speed in the MIDI 1.0
Recommended Practice RP-013.