Creating tempo, sync points, punches and streamers

[Chris Alpiar]

Not that many folks are probably using punches and streamers today, but what technique are you using to first determine tempo(s) /meter(s) and then sync points for hits etc? I wish I was still using DP since they have the only decent computerized system that I know of for making those suggestions. While I have tape machines with SMPTE I generally just capture and encode video/film as quicktime and then import to Cubase. I have always used my gut (and a mighty one it is!) to feel out tempo and meter and then change it manually if hits dont make sense, but I am looking for a defined process on how to do this better.

[DACH]

In the late 80's early 90's we used to use either Dr T's or Masterpiece as sequencers or to make "tempo click maps". SMPTE was taken from the decks (usually the sony 1" or 3/4") and ran through an SBX90 to generate MTC - anyone remember those? what a f***ing pain in the ass... I also used to do sound fx with a rack of samplers using the SBX... lucky if I did 2-3 minutes in a day.... now that I look back, that was much worse than cutting and assembling tape - assuming you didn't "misplace" any segments. It's a total breeze these days...

All ADR was cut to one of a pair of Sony APR5000's, then recorded to a multitrack - one line/track at a time.... then everything was eventually synched back up to (mixed to) the other 5000. It was not uncommon after slicing all day to have piles of tape 3' high surrounding you 360 degrees...

please excuse the phrase... but there is just no excuse for sucking these days.. it's so easy from a technical standpoint and the "required minimum" for sound quality is at an all time low... I'm certainly guilty of slackness every once in a while - sometime more....

back to the original question, I usually try to find a tempo that allows me to hit what needs to be hit. A couple of frames won't ruin the day but any more means you need to work a little harder.

[phil Kelly]

Yo DACH:

Yikes! I sure recall those days ..especially when the SMPTE code provided on the clients work print cassette either dropped out someplace or had to be regenerated ( replaced )

..and then there was the hassle of figuring out the "offsets" for each cue, allowing sufficient run up time to grap the sync ..ARRRGH!

Thats why when Auricle appeared , it was such a relief to everyone! In addition to its ability to generate streamers and punches, it was able to generate a master SMPTE code that easily tied the VCR and the recording
deck together with very little diddling necessary.

Again back to the question: When I would find an approximate tempo for a given scene, as a rule ,I wouldn't worry about finding an "exact" click
to hit a cue point. I'd just use the method of using an odd metered bar to get close ..and then just tweak the click for the last couple bars prior to the hard hit a couple eighths of a frame to pull it in tight.