How to Use Tentacle for Timecode Synchronization

Before you start

Tentacle timecode synchronization usually works locally through a mobile app and the physical sync devices. You typically need a Tentacle Sync E, Sync E MKII, Track E or another compatible Tentacle device, the Tentacle Sync app for setup, and a cable or wireless link that matches the target camera or audio recorder.

Make sure the Tentacle device is charged and that the app recognizes it. For wired jam-sync, use the correct Tentacle cable for your camera or recorder input. For wireless sync, confirm that Bluetooth is available on the phone or tablet and that the Tentacle device is within range. Keep firmware and app versions compatible, but check the current compatibility notes for your specific device before starting.

Step-by-step instructions

Set up one Tentacle as the timecode master unless your workflow already has a master clock. Open the Tentacle Sync app, select the device, and set the frame rate to match the project. Apply the timecode so the device starts generating a stable time-of-day or arbitrary timecode value.

To sync a camera, connect the Tentacle output to the camera timecode input or microphone input if the camera does not have a dedicated timecode port. Set the camera to receive external timecode where available. If you are recording timecode as an audio signal on a microphone track, keep the input level controlled and avoid applying processing that could distort the signal.

For a Tentacle Track E or Sync E used as a wireless timecode source, follow the app workflow to link the master and receiver devices. Let the receiver lock to the master before you start recording. If the device is mounted on a camera, leave it connected or synchronized for the duration of the shoot.

For an audio recorder with timecode input, connect the Tentacle output and set the recorder to external timecode mode. If the recorder stores timecode as an auxiliary audio track, keep that track clean and do not mute or process it unless the recorder documentation says that is safe for timecode.

Repeat the process for each camera or recorder. Sync devices again after power cycles, long gaps, battery changes, or frame-rate changes because these events can interrupt timecode generation or reception.

Check the output

Confirm that each camera or recorder shows the same timecode value as the master during playback or monitoring. A useful check is to roll all devices while the master is running and compare the displayed values at the same moment. Small differences can still occur when devices enter record at slightly different times, so also check how the editing software interprets the recorded timecode.

Be aware of format and quality limits. Timecode recorded on a microphone input may need to be decoded by the editing application, and some camera audio modes may compress or filter the signal in a way that makes timecode unreliable. Verify the recorded file properties in the editing tool before relying on automatic synchronization.

Common problems and next steps

If cameras do not match after import, confirm that all devices used the same frame rate and that no device was set to free-run after sync. If the timecode drifts during long takes, check that the receiving device is actually using the external timecode instead of its internal clock.

If a camera records timecode on an audio track but the editing software does not recognize it, check the audio level, routing, and file format. In some setups the timecode track must be assigned a specific channel or identified manually in the editing tool. If wireless sync is unstable, reduce distance or interference and reconnect the devices before recording.

For a reversible workflow, keep an internal or scratch timecode option enabled when the camera supports it. This lets you compare or fall back to camera timecode if the Tentacle signal was not recorded correctly. After changing sync settings, record a short test clip and confirm the metadata before the main take.

If the result is still incorrect, stop and verify the device settings rather than continuing with an uncertain sync. The next step is usually to test with one camera isolated from other devices, then add each recorder or camera back one at a time so a cable, input or wireless connection problem is easier to identify.