Retro LTC Pro - User Guide

Professional SMPTE Timecode Generator for macOS

Quick Start

Generate a Single LTC File

  1. Launch the app
  2. Select frame rate - Click the frame rate button (e.g., "30 fps", "29.97 DF")
  3. Set start timecode - Use ↑/↓ arrows to adjust hours, minutes, seconds, frames
  4. Set duration - Use +/- buttons to set minutes and seconds
  5. Optional settings - Toggle 2-pop, reference tone, or 14kHz filter if needed
  6. Click "Generate LTC File" - Wait for progress to complete
  7. Share your file - Use Save, AirDrop, or Email options

Generate Multiple Files (Batch)

  1. Click "Batch Generation" button on main screen
  2. Set parameters:
    • Number of files (1-99)
    • Start timecode
    • File length (minutes/seconds)
    • Offset between files (gap)
  3. Click "Generate" - Monitor progress as files are created
  4. Export - Files are compressed into a zip for easy sharing

Use Live LTC Output

Option 1: Real-Time System Clock LTC

  1. Select frame rate - Choose your desired frame rate
  2. Click "Live LTC" (left half of button) - Starts real-time timecode output using current system time
  3. Connect audio - Use headphones, speakers, or audio interface
  4. Monitor - Watch the live timecode display update
  5. Click "Stop Live LTC" when finished

Option 2: Custom Live LTC (User-Defined Times)

  1. Select frame rate - Choose your desired frame rate
  2. Click "Custom" (right half of Live LTC button) - Opens custom live sheet
  3. Set start timecode - Define your starting time (unlinked from system time)
  4. Set end timecode - Define when playback should stop
  5. Use transport controls:
    • PLAY - Plays from start to end time (stops at end)
    • STOP - Stops and resets to start time
    • LOOP - Plays continuously, looping from start to end
  6. Monitor - Watch the rolling clock display update in real-time
  7. Click "Close" when finished

Note: Custom Live LTC pre-caches the first 2 seconds of audio for smooth playback start.

Frame Rates

Choose the frame rate that matches your project:

  • 24 fps - Film production standard
  • 25 fps - PAL/European video standard
  • 23.976 fps - Film transferred to video
  • 29.97 fps Drop Frame - NTSC/US broadcast (most common for TV)
  • 29.97 fps Non-Drop Frame - NTSC alternative
  • 30 fps - High-end digital video production

Quick Guide:

  • Film projects → 24 fps
  • US broadcast/TV → 29.97 Drop Frame
  • European broadcast → 25 fps

Controls Explained

Main Screen Controls

Frame Rate (Fs/FPS)

  • Click to open frame rate picker
  • Affects both file generation and live output

Start Timecode

  • ↑/↓ arrows adjust each component (hours, minutes, seconds, frames)
  • Display shows current timecode in HH:MM:SS:FF format
  • End timecode automatically calculated and displayed

Duration

  • +/- buttons adjust minutes and seconds
  • Minimum: 1 second

Options

  • 2-Pop - Adds sync pop 2 seconds before LTC starts (with pulsing glow)
  • Reference Tone - Adds 50-second 1kHz tone at start (with pulsing glow)
  • 14kHz Filter - Applies low-pass filter for equipment compatibility (with pulsing glow)

Generate Buttons

  • GENERATE LTC FILE (green) - Creates single file with pulsing glow
  • BATCH GENERATION (green) - Opens batch series builder with pulsing glow
  • LIVE LTC / CUSTOM (split button, orange):
    • Left half - Real-time system clock LTC output
    • Right half ("Custom") - Custom Live LTC with user-defined start/end times

Share Options (appears after generation)

  • Save - Save to your Mac's file system or iCloud Drive
  • Export - AirDrop, email, or other apps
  • Email - Send as attachment

File Organization

Single File Naming

Files are automatically named with all parameters:

LTC_[SampleRate][BitDepth]_[FrameRate]_Start[HHMMSS]_Dur[MMSS]_[Options].wav

Filename Components:

  • [SampleRate][BitDepth] - e.g., 48k24, 44.1k16, 48k8
  • [FrameRate] - e.g., 30fps, 2997DF, 24
  • Start[HHMMSS] - Start timecode in hours, minutes, seconds
  • Dur[MMSS] - Duration in minutes and seconds
  • [Options] - Optional suffixes:
    • _2pop - 2-pop sync tone enabled
    • _50s1kHz - 50-second 1kHz reference tone enabled
    • _14kFilter - 14kHz low-pass filter enabled

Examples:

  • LTC_48k24_2997DF_Start010000_Dur000100.wav - Basic 1-minute file
  • LTC_48k24_24_Start020000_Dur001000_2pop_50s1kHz.wav - With 2-pop and tone
  • LTC_44.1k16_25_Start033000_Dur003000_14kFilter.wav - With filter, 44.1kHz/16-bit
  • LTC_48k24_30fps_Start010000_Dur000100_2pop_50s1kHz_14kFilter.wav - All options enabled

Batch File Organization

Batch files are:

  1. Generated as individual WAV files
  2. Automatically compressed into a zip file
  3. Named: LTC_Batch_YYYY-MM-DD_48k_30fps_10files_5m.zip
  4. Individual WAV files are deleted after compression to save space

Tips & Best Practices

For Best Results

  • Large files: Files over 100MB will show a warning - consider shorter durations
  • Storage: Check available space before generating large batches
  • Sharing: Use AirDrop for fastest transfer to nearby devices
  • Live mode: Use headphones or audio interface for best audio quality

Professional Workflows

Film Production:

  • Use 24 fps
  • Set start time to 01:00:00:00
  • Enable 2-pop for sync reference

Broadcast Production:

  • Use 29.97 Drop Frame
  • Include reference tone for level setting
  • Generate batch files for multi-camera shoots

Equipment Testing:

  • Use Live LTC mode with current system time
  • Generate reference files for calibration
  • Test with your LTC reader/decoder

Technical Details

  • File Format: Configurable sample rate (48 kHz or 44.1 kHz) and bit depth (24-bit, 16-bit, or 8-bit) WAV (mono)
  • Live Output: 48 kHz, 24-bit for real-time generation
  • Email Format: Automatically includes file format details (sample rate first, then bit depth)
  • Standard: SMPTE 12M compliant
  • Storage: Documents directory (accessible via Finder)
  • Platform: macOS

Troubleshooting

Generation fails?

  • Check available storage space
  • Try a shorter duration

File won't share?

  • Wait for generation to complete (100%)
  • Check file size isn't too large for email
  • Try saving to disk instead of direct share

Live LTC no audio?

  • Check your Mac's volume
  • Verify audio routing (headphones/speakers/audio interface)
  • Ensure no other app is using audio
  • Check System Settings > Sound

Email won't send?

  • Check Mail app is configured
  • Verify file size isn't too large
  • Try Export button for other options

Features

  • Professional LTC Generation - SMPTE-compliant files
  • Live LTC Output - Real-time system time generation
  • Custom Live LTC - User-defined start/end times with transport controls (play/pause/stop/loop)
  • Audio Pre-Caching - Smooth playback start with 2-second pre-cache for Custom Live LTC
  • Batch Generation - Create up to 99 files at once
  • All Standard Frame Rates - Complete broadcast compatibility
  • Smart Filenames - Automatic naming with all parameters (sample rate, bit depth, options)
  • Pulsing Glow Effects - Animated glow on buttons and checkboxes
  • Custom Selection Sheets - Beautiful full-screen sheets for parameter selection
  • Haptic Feedback - Tactile confirmation for all actions
  • Progress Tracking - Real-time progress with milestone haptics
  • Smart Compression - Batch files automatically zipped
  • macOS Integration - Finder, AirDrop, email, and more
  • Retro Aesthetic - VT323 font with scan lines and glow effects

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