| Abbreviation for MIDI Time Code. Developed in 1987 as a means of synchronization using an absolute time reference scheme (hours, minutes, seconds, frame number), just like SMPTE time code. Originally, there was no time code-like system for specifying absolute time with MIDI. It was more common for MIDI-based musicians to refer to the X-th beat of bar Y than to X minutes, Y seconds, frame Z. However, MIDI became increasingly used in the fields of video and recording. Professionals began to demand a SMPTE-like absolute time reference scheme for MIDI. Many different messages are specified in the MTC standard, but the actual time code is the quarter frame message. Different frame types are also supported. MTC involves transmissions of large amounts of data, so MTC-specific input connectors are normally provided. Other non-MTC MIDI data (such as control change messages) is received separately, allowing for stable synchronization. (The master equipment does not send non-MTC data when running.)
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