Quick Start

LTCast plays audio files and simultaneously outputs LTC, MTC, MIDI Clock, Art-Net, and OSC from a single clock. Every protocol stays frame-locked to the same source — there is no secondary sync to configure.

Step 1 — Install

Download the Windows installer or the macOS DMG (for Apple Silicon Macs) from the LTCast website. The macOS build is notarized and gatekeeper-safe. A 30-day Pro trial starts the first time LTCast can reach the license server — no account is needed, but that first launch has to be online. If LTCast cannot connect, the title bar shows a Start Trial button; click it once you are online. After the trial has started it keeps counting without an internet connection.

Step 2 — Set up a virtual cable

LTC and MTC travel on audio and MIDI connections. If you are sending to software on the same computer, you need virtual cables. Art-Net and OSC travel over the network and require no additional setup.

LTC audio (Windows) — install VB-CABLE; select it as the LTC output device in LTCast
LTC audio (macOS) — install BlackHole; select it as the LTC output device in LTCast
MTC / MIDI Clock (Windows) — install loopMIDI; create a virtual port and select it in LTCast
MTC / MIDI Clock (macOS) — use the built-in IAC Driver (Audio MIDI Setup app); enable it and select the port in LTCast
Art-Net — no cable needed; enter the target IP address in Settings → Outputs
OSC — no cable needed; enter the target IP address and port in Settings → Outputs

Step 3 — Load a track

Drag an audio file onto the LTCast window — it is added to the setlist and loaded. LTCast draws the waveform and scans the file for an LTC channel. Supported formats: WAV, AIFF, MP3, FLAC, OGG, M4A.

The large timecode display shows dashes until playback starts. If the file has an LTC channel, LTCast reads the timecode from it while the song plays and shows the detected frame rate. If no LTC is found, LTCast switches to its TC Generator and counts timecode from the song's Start TC (00:00:00:00 unless you set another).

Planning to follow an external clock with Chase? Chase finds the song and the position inside it from the LTC inside each song's audio file, found by the LTC scan. A song without LTC in its file can't be chased yet. See Chasing external LTC.

Step 4 — Pick your outputs

Open Settings (the gear in the title bar) and configure each protocol:

LTC output device — in Devices, choose your virtual audio cable or audio interface for LTC Output (it starts as Muted) and tick the output channel
MIDI port — in Devices, choose your virtual MIDI port as MTC Output (MIDI); MIDI Clock uses the same port and is switched on in Outputs
Art-Net — in Outputs, enable the toggle and enter the target IP address; LTCast sends OpTimeCode packets on port 6454
OSC — in Outputs, enable the toggle, enter the target IP and port, and choose a template (Generic, Resolume Arena, Disguise (d3) or WATCHOUT)

All outputs share the same internal clock. You do not need to configure sync between them.

Step 5 — Play

Press Space or click the Play button. LTC, MTC, MIDI Clock, Art-Net, and OSC all begin streaming simultaneously from the moment playback starts. The timecode display, waveform playhead, and all protocol outputs advance together.

Press Space again to pause. To stop, click Stop (it cuts at once and returns to the start) or press Esc — the fade-out key, which fades the music first if Esc fade-out is switched on in Settings → Outputs and otherwise stops at once. While paused or stopped, LTCast sends no LTC — the LTC output is silent, so receiving devices see the signal stop until you press Play again.

Before doors

Run Pre-Show Check before the audience arrives: click CHECK in the status bar at the bottom of the window. It lists the loaded file, whether every song in the setlist still exists on disk, each output you have switched on (and whether a missing Pro licence is stopping it from sending), the LTC signal and a few more items such as the trigger MIDI port, markers and offsets. A tick means OK, a dash means take a look, a cross means a problem, and a dot means there is nothing to check, such as an output you are not using. When nothing needs a look, the bottom line reads All systems GO.

Next What each protocol does