The XR300 is a dedicated micro computer which functions as the central control station of any recording system using audio tape and MIDI sequencer recording techniques and drum machines. It will prove invaluable in any MIDI/multi-track recording set up from home music systems to professional studios because it provides full compatibility between SMPTE and MIDI.
The XR300 both reads and writes a selection of standard time codes and sends MIDI clock, start, stop and song position pointer information in accordance with the MIDI 1.0 Spec. Time code type, tempo and start times can all be defined as well as synchronisation delays and inflight tempo changes. Even MIDI and DIN clock sync. can be changed to 24, 48, or 96 ppqn. to suit non standard equipment.
The following pages explain how to set up, program and use the XR300. The 'Quick User Guide' will be useful once you are fimiliar with the functions available.
The XR300 is first used to stripe one track of audio tape with SMPTE time code. It then reads back the time code and generates MIDI control codes as you play the tape. These MIDI codes will then control any sequencers or drum machines connected to the XR300 and keep then synchronised and co-located with music subsequently recorded on any other of the tape recorder tracks.
Once the system is set up and operating the XR300 will carry on providing master clock, start, stop, and auto-locate MIDI control codes continuously and automatically as you start, stop, rewind, fast forward, and restart your tape recorder.
Now you can record more music on both audio tape tracks and sequencer tracks, building up a complete composition - half recorded on tape and half played live from drum machines and keyboards (via the sequencer).
The XR300 will allow you to make full use of your sequencer and multi-tracker by recording, overdubbing, punching-in, and even mixing down from both machines together.