Free Running and Jamming

If you want to use your :pulse independently or in a third-party system instead of a BLINK network, you will need to set it to run in Free Run/Jam Ext mode. This is because for synchronisation with Timecode Systems products, :pulse uses our proprietary RF protocol and master-slave relationships, and these are not recognised by other systems. In Free Run/Jam-Ext mode, your :pulse can run in a more traditional 'external jamming' workflow, where synchronisation is achieved by connecting devices and jamming to a timecode signal.

To use your :pulse in an external jamming workflow, you need to:

1. Set up your :pulse for Free Running and Jamming
2. Jam your :pulse to the External Timecode Source.
   
   

Note: RF is automatically disabled in Free Run/Jam-Ext mode. To preserve battery life, it also makes sense to disable the other features that won't be used in an external jamming workflow, such as Wi-Fi and Ethernet.

 

Set up your :pulse for Free Running and Jamming

To set up your :pulse so that it is ready for free running and jamming:

1. Switch on your :pulse unit (see Switch :pulse On and Off).

2. Press the control knob.

3. Turn the control knob to scroll to Timecode Mode.

4. Press the control knob.

5. Turn the control knob to scroll to the Free Run/Jam-Ext option.

6. Press the control knob to confirm your selection.

Note: Disabling Wi-Fi and Ethernet support is not essential to free running and jamming, but turning them off will help to preserve battery life.

 

When you have your :pulse set to run in Free Run/Jam-Ext mode, your next step is to Jam your :pulse to the External Timecode Source.

 

Jam your :pulse to the External Timecode Source

When you have your :pulse in Free Run/Jam-Ext mode, you can synchronise it with an external timecode source, such as a camera. To do this, you will need to connect the timecode source to the :pulse via the TC port. You can then set the :pulse to start jamming to the timecode source.

1. Connect the external timecode source to the TC LEMO 5 socket on your :pulse.

2. Switch on your :pulse unit (see Switch :pulse On and Off).

3. Press the control knob.

4. Turn the control knob to scroll to the TC Generator option.

5. Press the control knob.

6. Turn the control knob to scroll to the Jam EXT T/C option.

7. Press the control knob.

   Your :pulse will now attempt to synchronise with the timecode source by jamming to the signal. You will see Jamming T/C appear on the main screen as the attempt to jam to the signal takes place.

   If your :pulse can't synchronise to the signal, the message Jam Failed No Signal is shown. This usually indicates that the timecode source is not connected properly or is not outputting a timecode. Check the connections and make sure the timecode source device is set up to output its timecode.

   When the jamming is successful, the :pulse is synchronised with the external timecode source. You can now disconnect the external timecode source. But you will need to re-connect the external timecode source and re-jam at regular intervals (typically 1-2 times per day).