Work and Viewing Tape Preparation Instructions

When scoring music or designing sound to video we can work with 1/2" VHS, S-VHS and Quicktime formats. Here's a Microsoft Word document of these instructions available for download (40K).

If delivering VHS work tapes, please prepare as follows:

1. Record all temp/production audio except temp music onto the LEFT (Channel 1) HI-FI audio track only. Please reference signal to 0 dB VU.

2. Record SMPTE Longitudinal Time Code (LTC) onto the RIGHT (Channel 2) HI-FI audio track only. Do not record SMPTE onto the NORMAL/ANALOG audio track(s). Please reference signal to -3dB VU and specify frame rate of time code. (Drop Frame, Non-Drop, etc.)

If delivering S-VHS work tapes, please prepare as follows:

1. Record all temp/production dialogue onto the LEFT (Channel 1) HI-FI audio track. Record all temp/production sound effects onto the RIGHT (Channel 2) HI-FI audio track. Another option is to record a stereo composite of dialogue and effects onto the LEFT and RIGHT HI-FI tracks. If desired, a temp music track can also be recorded onto the LEFT (Channel 1) NORMAL/ANALOG audio track.

2. Record SMPTE Longitudinal Time Code (LTC) onto the RIGHT (Channel 2) NORMAL/ANALOG audio track only. Do not record LTC onto the HI-FI audio tracks. Please reference signal to -3dB VU and specify frame rate of time code. (Drop Frame, Non-Drop, etc.)

For both VHS and S-VHS work tapes, please prepare as follows:

1. A window burn of SMPTE time code located at the bottom center of the screen that matches the Longitudinal Time Code (LTC).

2. Please record at least 30 seconds of LTC and window burn (pre-roll) before the first frame of picture and after last frame of picture (post-roll).

3. If possible, record SMPTE Vertical Interval Time Code (VITC) that matches both the LTC and the window burn.

If providing VHS or S-VHS viewing tapes please prepare as follows:

1. Record all temp dialogue, music and sound effects onto HI-FI channels 1 and 2. Please reference signal to 0 dB VU.

2. Provide a window burn that matches both the window burn and LTC of the work tapes.

 

 

©2001 MarcoCo. Studios. All Rights Reserved. Comments and Questions?