How to Work With Timecoded Markers
Learn how to effectively utilize timecoded markers in your work to improve efficiency and organization in your projects.
Table of Contents
What are timecoded markers?
Remoto Playback offers the ability to enter timestamped markers that reference the timecode fed by the DAW or NLE. If sync is established between Remoto Playback and the source DAW/NLE, timecoded markers will be associated with the SMPTE timecode at which it was entered. Thus, the timecode of the comment entered in the stream in Remoto Playback will match that of the source timeline in the DAW/NLE. The comments can then be exported from Remoto Playback and imported into the DAW/NLE as markers, automatically appearing in the correct timeline location.
How to Work With Timecoded Markers
There are a few different steps to working with timecoded markers:
- Make sure your host DAW/NLE is set up to generate MTC and can send to “remoto_out”
- Make sure Remoto Playback Session Settings > Timecoded markers is configured (it's a required setting)
- When in a live Remoto Playback session, make sure timecode is chasing
- Create markers while in a live Remoto Playback Session
- Export markers before live session is closed
- Import into host/NLE
Make sure your host DAW/NLE is set up to generate MTC and can send to “remoto_out”
This process will vary depending on your host DAW/NLE. For in-depth guides on how to generate MTC from your host (if possible), please view the appropriate article HERE.
Make sure Remoto Playback Session Settings > Timecoded markers is configured
This is a require setting when setting your your session settings for a Remoto Playback Session.
In the timecoded markers tab of session settings, select “Remoto MIDI Device Input Port” to ensure Remoto Playback is receiving MTC from the desired software or hardware source.
When in a live Remoto Playback session, make sure timecode is chasing
In the lower left hand corner of the Remoto Playback Studio window, below the viewer, make sure timecode is chasing.
Create markers while in a live Remoto Playback Session
Remoto Playback allows any stream participant (Organizer or Guest) to create a timecoded marker. Timecoded markers are separate from the participant chat function and are entered in the comments window located below the stream viewer in Studio view:
Clicking into the entry field, will display the timecode of the marker in the timecode window to the left. Enter text and click “Add” to submit the marker; click “Cancel” to cancel the entry.
To enter a marker at a specific timecode location, click directly into the time code counter and enter the desired timecode value.
Export markers before live session is closed
When a session is closed, a .csv copy of any markers entered will be automatically exported and sent via email with the automatic “Session has Ended” email. MIDI markers are not included in this export.
In order to export your markers as MIDI or .csv and save them locally, it's important to do so before the session is ended “finished”. Once the session is closed, it's not possible to access markers entered for that session.
To access timecoded markers that have been entered for the streaming session, click on the “notepad” button above the stream status button in the lower right corner of the streaming video window:
The marker list window appears:
This window displays a list view of the markers that have been entered with their creation date, timecode location, and author info.
Timecoded markers can be exported as MIDI or .csv format for importing into a DAW or NLE. Export markers as MIDI if you intend to import them into Pro Tools, Logic, Reaper, or Nuendo; export as .csv for other programs (Media Composer, Adobe Premiere, Final Cut, DaVinci Resolve, etc.)
To export markers, click on the grid next to the Markers title at the top left of the Markers window:
If “Export to MIDI” is selected, the following window will appear:
If “Exporting to .csv” is selected, the following window will appear:
You will be prompted to choose a name and destination for the file with either option you choose.
Import into host DAW/NLE
Follow your host program's protocol for importing media/data.