The universal language of synchronized show production — how hours, minutes, seconds, and frames keep audio, lighting, and video locked together.
SMPTE timecode is a standardized time-addressing system developed by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. It assigns every moment a unique address in the format HH:MM:SS:FF — hours, minutes, seconds, and frames.
Originally created for film and television editing in the 1960s, SMPTE timecode has become the backbone of all synchronized production — from recording studios to live concert tours, broadcast facilities, and DJ-driven light shows.
The frame rate determines how many frames exist per second. Common SMPTE frame rates include:
For DJ show control, 30fps is the most common choice — it provides smooth resolution while maintaining simple math (no drop-frame compensation).
TimecodeLink maps each track in a DJ set to a unique timecode start position. When the DJ plays "Track A" starting at 01:00:00:00, the current playhead position is added to produce a running absolute timecode.
This means lighting designers and VJs can program shows to specific timecode addresses — when the DJ plays a particular track, the visual show automatically syncs to the correct position in the timeline.
DJs adjust pitch faders to beatmatch tracks — speeding up or slowing down playback by a few percent. TimecodeLink follows these pitch changes, running the output timecode at the same adjusted speed.
If a DJ plays a track at +3% pitch, the timecode runs 3% faster than real-time. This keeps programmed visual cues musically aligned with beats even when tempo changes.
Timecode output tracks the DJ's playhead with frame-level precision — every beat drop, build, and transition triggers at exactly the right moment.
TimecodeLink outputs SMPTE timecode via MTC (MIDI), Art-Net, and LTC (audio) — compatible with all major show control systems.
Unknown tracks fall back to a designated default timecode region with generic content, so the show continues seamlessly even with unplanned tracks.
TimecodeLink bridges your DJ software with show control systems using professional timecode output.