Song offset

Song offset is a per-song timecode correction. It shifts the displayed timecode, and the timecode sent on MTC, Art-Net and OSC, by a fixed number of frames for that song only, relative to the audio file's own embedded timecode or its position in the audio. Like the global offset, it does not change the LTC audio that LTCast plays out.

When to use song offset

Use song offset when:

The timecode in the audio file starts at an unexpected SMPTE address and you need it to start at a specific address for that song
A song's timecode needs a one-off correction that should not affect any other song in the setlist
You received a new version of an audio file where the timecode has shifted slightly

Song offset and the global offset in the transport row are both measured in frames (the song offset from −9999 to +9999, the global offset from −999 to +999). They serve different purposes — song offset is for per-song corrections; global offset is for a consistent show-wide shift applied to every song.

Setting the offset

Click the chevron on the song card to expand it. The Offset row has − and + buttons (hold one down to repeat), a number box, and ↑ / ↓ keys inside the box. Enter the value in frames. Positive values shift the output timecode later relative to the audio; negative values shift it earlier.

Example

If an audio file's embedded LTC begins at 01:00:00:00 but you need the cue to start at 01:00:05:00, and the show runs at 25 fps, set a song offset of +125 frames (5 seconds). The timecode shown and sent on MTC, Art-Net and OSC will read 5 seconds ahead of what is in the file.

Clearing the offset

Click the ✕ next to the offset value in the expanded card (or empty the number box) to remove the per-song offset. LTCast reverts to the global offset for that song when it next loads.

Interaction with global offset

When a song is loaded, a per-song offset replaces the global offset for that song. The two offsets do not stack — per-song offset replaces global offset, it does not add to it. The offset is read when the song loads, so if you edit the song offset of the song that is already loaded, the change takes effect the next time it loads. Moving the global offset while a song plays replaces the offset in use straight away, until that song loads again.

Song offset badge

When a per-song offset is set (and not 0), a small badge such as +50f on the song card shows the value. It is display-only: click the chevron to edit the offset. The badge lets you see at a glance during a show which songs have timecode corrections applied without expanding any card.

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