Frequently Asked Questions

I'm trying to sync MovieSlate to a timecode device over a cable plugged into the iPad's headphone jack, but I'm not getting any signal or sync. What am I missing?

The most common cause is using the wrong cable type. To receive LTC into an iPad or iPhone, the 3.5mm cable or adapter at the iPad end must be TRRS (4-band: Tip, Ring, Ring, Sleeve). A standard TRS (3-band) cable will not work because the iPad uses the fourth ring to detect and switch to the external microphone input.
Important note about the Deity TC-1: The adapter included with the TC-1 is TRS-to-TRS, not TRRS — it will not input LTC into an iPad. You need a separate TRRS cable. Remote Audio manufactures TRRS timecode cables; links to tested cables are on MovieSlate's Timecode Cables page.
To diagnose your connection:

1. First, confirm MovieSlate has permission to access your Microphone: go to iOS Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and make sure MovieSlate is listed with permission on.
2. Open MovieSlate, go to Settings > Timecode + Sync > Test Headphone Connection. You should see signal in the meter. Clap your hands — if the meter reacts to clapping rather than to the timecode device, your cable does not have the MIC input ring and the iPad is using its built-in microphone instead.
3. If you see signal but sync won't lock, the input level may be wrong. Most timecode devices have a MIC / LINE output switch — try setting it to MIC level. If that is too low, you may need an in-line pad that brings LINE level down to MIC level; the Remote Audio cables have this built in.