What Is MIDI MTC?
The professional standard for multi-device sync
MIDI Time Code is a widely supported synchronization protocol that expresses position as hours:minutes:seconds:frames. It's the standard way that video software, digital audio workstations, lighting consoles, and show control systems communicate timing to each other. When a video player sends MTC over a MIDI connection, every device that's slaved to it stays locked to the same frame position — even after scrubbing, pausing, and resuming.
LSS4 can receive MTC from any MTC-capable device. This makes it straightforward to integrate LED lighting into productions that already use MTC for video or audio synchronization. You don't need a specialized or proprietary interface — just a standard MIDI connection and an MTC source.
- Receives MIDI MTC from any connected MIDI device or software
- Show timeline slaves to the incoming timecode position
- Stays locked after scrub, pause, and resume operations
- Standard MIDI connection — no proprietary hardware required
- Works alongside LSS4's internal clock and music sync modes
Production Use Cases
Lock LEDs to video, audio, or your lighting console
The most common use case for MIDI MTC in LED productions is synchronization to video. When a broadcast event plays a pre-produced video segment, the LED installation needs to follow exactly. MTC from the video playback system drives LSS4, so the LED show moves in perfect step with the video — even if the video is paused mid-show or rewound for a second take.
MTC sync also appears in live concert productions where a central timecode source — typically a DAW running the backing track or click track — drives multiple departments simultaneously: audio, video, lighting, and LED. LSS4 slots into this workflow without requiring changes to the existing timecode infrastructure.
- Sync LED show to video playback systems (QLab, VLC, broadcast playout)
- Lock to DAW timecode in live concert productions
- Receive MTC from Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Logic, or any MTC-sending DAW
- Integrate with lighting consoles that output MTC
- Broadcast and TV production sync via video playback server
