Timecode (LTC)

CueStack can output SMPTE LTC timecode alongside the music, so other gear in your rig can chase the track's position. Timecode and music ride on separate output channels — see Audio output for routing.

Striped or generated

Striped — your audio file already carries LTC on one channel. On import, declare which channel holds the timecode (Left or Right), or let CueStack auto-detect it. Auto-detect sets both the channel assignment and the start timecode. The waveform always shows the music channel, not the LTC channel.

Generated — your file is plain music and CueStack synthesizes the timecode. You set the frame rate, start timecode, and an optional pre-roll.

Generated settings

Per track, stored in the .cuestack bundle:

• Frame rate — 24, 25, 29.97, or 30 fps.
• Drop-frame — available at 29.97 fps only. Selecting any other rate clears drop-frame automatically. Drop-frame keeps frame numbering aligned to wall-clock time for broadcast-style workflows.
• Start timecode — where the counter begins, entered as HH:MM:SS:FF (drop-frame displays the last separator as ;FF).
• Pre-roll — an optional count-in before the music starts, 0–10 seconds in 0.5-second steps. Pre-roll only runs when you play from the top; cue jumps, scrubs, and resume skip it.

Speaker safety

LTC is muted on the built-in speaker, Bluetooth, and AirPlay. The app shows an informational banner:

"Timecode is muted on the speaker — connect a USB interface or an L/R splitter to send it."

The on-screen timecode clock keeps counting even when the signal is muted, so your position display stays accurate. Tap Set up output in the banner to go directly to the routing screen.