Synchronization allows a drum machine or other sequencer to play along precisely with FreeStyle. You can also do it the other way around and make FreeStyle follow the drum machine. In either case, the two will remain tightly in sync. They will start, stop, rewind, and locate together, and their playback won’t drift over time.
(2) The Sync command
To get sync going, choose Sync from the Setup menu. Implementations of MIDI have evolved over the years. As a result, not all devices transmit and send MIDI clock signals in the same way. FreeStyle provides several options for maximum synchronization compatibility with your master device. The default settings reflect the most commonly used MIDI standards. It is best to leave them set this way unless you experience problems when synchronizing.
(3) clocks per metronome click/24 clocks per quarter note
Some manufacturers have begun to make devices which send 24 clock signals per beat (one click of the device’s metronome) instead of the standard 24 clocks per quarter note. This new method is very useful when there are meters which do not use the quarter note as the beat unit: 3/8, 5/16, etc. In 6/8, for example, there might be a metronome click every three eighth notes; in 4/1, the metronome would click once every whole note. If you were using a less common meter such as 5/32 or 3/16 + 4/16, using the quarter note as the timing base would not be very useful. Instead, use the 24 clocks per metronome click option.
(4) Start on any clock
When this option is checked, FreeStyle will automatically start if it receives a time clock even if no start or continue command was received. This option is necessary when using some early MIDI devices which don’t send start or continue commands, only timing clocks.
(5) First clock is time 1
When this option is checked, FreeStyle interprets the first MIDI clock signal it receives as the second timing clock of the sequence, 1/24th of a beat after the beginning. Devices manufactured recently send the first clock signal (time 0) after the start command for the sequence. Some earlier devices assume the start command to be the first clock signal. The first clock signal they send would be 1/24th of a beat after the beginning. If you are using one of these devices, you should check this option.
Since manufacturers rarely explain this aspect in their documentation, you may not know if your device behaves this way. The best way to find out is to experiment: set the metronome to the slowest possible tempo, play both devices (with FreeStyle as slave) and listen for discrepancies in attacks and beat alignment. The difference of 1/24th of a beat is very audible at a slow tempo. If FreeStyle seems slightly behind the master device, try checking this option.
(6) About MIDI synchronization
MIDI Beat Clocks: consist of a continuous stream of real-time messages. They are produced by most MIDI compatible drum machines and sequencers, and by some synthesizers (particularly those with built-in sequencers). MIDI beat clocks are transmitted 24 times per beat. If the master device changes tempo, the MIDI beat clocks slow down or speed up accordingly; any slave device will follow this tempo change.
Start, Stop, and Continue: Most devices that generate MIDI beat clocks also send Start, Stop, and Continue messages; slave devices will start playback, pause, rewind, or play from the current location according to the combination of these messages received.
Song Position Pointer: In addition, many devices send Song Position Pointer data. These messages set the current location for playback, much like setting the Counter in FreeStyle.
