Send timecode from a deck
Turn a CDJ's playhead into LTC, MTC or Art-Net timecode for lighting desks, video servers and DAWs. It follows pitch, loops and scratching.
ShowKontrol generates timecode from the deck's actual playback speed: pitch, sync, master tempo, nudges and scratching all count. Timecode keeps running through loops and cue-play.
The chain#
Source (ProDJ Link) → Device (the deck) → LTC / MTC / Art-Net TC
- Add a ProDJ Link source and a Device for the deck you want (see the first lesson).
- Right-click the Device → Add Output → the Timecode group → LTC (audio), MTC (MIDI) or Art-Net TC.
- Set up the output:
- LTC: pick the audio output device. The list is live, so an interface plugged in after launch shows up.
- MTC: pick a MIDI destination, or use the virtual source ShowKontrol creates.
- Art-Net TC: pick the network interface. Keep lighting traffic off the ProDJ Link network card.
The node shows a live readout (HH:MM:SS.FF) while it runs.
Follow whichever deck is on air#
Put a Router between the Device nodes and the timecode output. Wire each deck's Device into a router input, and the router into LTC/MTC. Switch the input with keys 1–8 (router selected), a Routing action, the Live screen, or the web REMOTE page.
Shift the time#
- A Timecode Offset node (Add Processor) shifts everything after it by ± HH:MM:SS:FF, for all decks, one deck, or each deck separately.
- Each timecode output also has its own Offset, which affects only that output.
No decks? Use the generator#
A Source with Type = Timecode Generator is a clock that behaves like a deck. It runs Free Run from a start time, or Time of Day from the Mac's clock. Wire it the same way: Source → Device (its Deck Number) → LTC/MTC.