For legacy Sync-Gen IILS / LE / PRO hardware users looking for the latest Sync-Gen II plugin releases go here :-
Sync-Gen II
For current Sync-Gen 3LX / MX hardware users looking for the latest Sync-Gen 3 plugin releases go here :-
SYNC-GEN 3LX EXPANDED DEsktop
SYNC-GEN 3MX MODULAR
Software generated MIDI is susceptible to jitter.
The reasons are complex and beyond the scope of this basic introduction.
Driving external hardware with unstable sync results in poor tempo stability, loss of rhythmic feel and problems maintaining accurate DAW grid alignment when jamming or tracking.
Other than significantly reduced time and financial outlay to get it right, the core fundamentals of synchronisation in music production have not really changed from the days of analogue 24 track tape and using reference click tracks, printed FSK or SMPTE / LTC and various convertors to create outgoing tempo-sync.
You can have the best drum machines / sequencers available but if the sync from your master recording system is sloppy, or the hardware start lag and the native audio system introduced latency is not compensated for, then your external hardware is not going to deliver what it’s capable of.
Sound is only half the story.
Rhythmic feel is just as important as sonic fidelity in the final mix. Probably more so.
Think AKAI MPC-60 - 12bit / 18kHz
Many drum machines and sequencers use older Din-Sync or Voltage Clock pulse synchronisation methods and integrating these devices in a DAW studio environment almost always requires conversion, adding further latency and potentially more timing jitter.
Accurate MIDI over WiFi and Bluetooth?
Despite the tantalising promise of a cable free studio, let’s not go there.
DAWs don’t slave to external tempo-sync accurately or reliably as a general rule so the only pain-free option if you want to save your remaining sanity is to make the DAW the tempo-sync master to your external hardware and do it properly.
So how can we make the DAW an accurate tempo-sync master without sacrificing workflow, timing stability and consistency ?
We bypass the DAW and the host computer internal software MIDI Clock generator and create our own that is hard-locked to the audio interface and the quantize-grid and is 100% immune to jitter regardless of project track count or computer processor capacity.
The result is your external tempo-synchronized hardware recordings have the performance feel and rhythmic focus they are capable of delivering.
Important Note: To use the latest Sync-Gen plugins you will need to provide us an iLok account ID for your license to be deposited. The licence is permanent and there is no charge for the software. You don’t need a physical iLok USB key if you don’t have one already. If you require additional licenses for multiple computers just let us know. Plugin updates as released will work automatically using your original license. Download the update and install. If you don't already have an iLok account, visit iLok.com, create one and install the iLok License Manager software.
It’s easy and there is no charge to you.
Once you have your unique iLok User ID email us together with the hardware serial number of your physical unit to sync@innerclocksystems.com and we will deposit your permanent licence so you can get synchronised straight away.
For macOS Users
With many Sync-Gen users upgrading their studio computers to the latest Silicon processors and / or migrating a Time Machine backup of their previous working system, it can be a good thing to clear out any previous Sync-Gen plugin files / folders before upgrading to avoid any potential conflicts.
There are four locations:
1: The AU / VST / VST3 Plugins
Location: Macintosh HD > Library > Audio > Plugins > Components (AU) / VST / VST3
2: The ProTools AAX Plugin
Location: Macintosh HD > Library > Application Support > Avid > Plugins
3: The Application Support Folder
Location: Macintosh HD > Library > Application Support > Innerclock Systems
4: The User ( Hidden ) Library Preferences Folder
Location: Finder > Go > Hold down [ Options ] > Library > Preferences > Innerclock Systems
After manually deleting these files / folders - reboot and run the latest Sync-Gen installer.
Reboot again to confirm / access the AU plugins.
Some users have reported AU plugins not being available in Ableton Live after clean install. For new AU plug installs to be recognised by the macOS a full reboot is required.
Occasionally this still won’t fix the issue.
This could be for a few reasons - no iLok driver, no active software license or the wrong version installed on Live launch and this can blacklist any unauthorised AU plugins from being scanned correctly.
Hold down the Alt / Option key and force full rescan.
Important Update for Mac Users - 12 March 2024
There are widespread reports across the industry of AU plugin operation being negatively impacted with a combination of Sonoma macOS 14.4 running under M2 / M3 processors specifically.
M1 processor hardware combinations do not seem to be affected at this point.
VST2 / VST3 and ProTools AAX plugins also seem to be unaffected.
We believe Apple are aware of the issue and expect an update shortly. In the meantime we have beta updates of our plugins to patch the issue and so far all reports are positive. Let us know if you are having issues with M2 / M3 Apple hardware and latest OS builds.
Important Update for Mac Users - 26 March 2024
We are happy to report that Apple released an update to macOS Sonoma with a patch for the issue above.
Users affected should upgrade to macOS 14.4.1
