SMPTE on Ion via USB Device

How is the SMPTE-Source connected to your Console? 

Currently coming out of abelton interface via xlr to 1/4” input into motu. Then usb from that into a USB port on the back of the ion. The motu sees the timecode coming in. 

That won't work. There is no standard for SMPTE over USB. And probably would also need a driver to be installed on the Ion which isn't recommended.

To get SMPTE into the console you will need to use a ETC Response SMPTE Gateway or a ETC Net3 ShowControl Gateway.

The marketing summary of the microexpress says it converts SMPTE-LTC into MIDI Timecode, but it wasn't clear to me where the timecode actually comes out.

Unfortunately it looks like the MOTU microexpress uses custom drivers, if that's actually the case then this device is not a supported MIDI device.
The Win 7 consoles only support USB MIDI devices that use the standard Windows 7 MIDI drivers.

That said - if you have a Classic Ion you may be able to connect the MIDI Out of the MOTU into the MIDI In of the Ion, if you can configure the microexpress to route the timecode out of that port.

I'd suggest getting in touch with MOTU to find out whether it can use the standard Windows 7 USB MIDI drivers, and how to configure the timecode routing.

The marketing summary of the microexpress says it converts SMPTE-LTC into MIDI Timecode, but it wasn't clear to me where the timecode actually comes out.

Unfortunately it looks like the MOTU microexpress uses custom drivers, if that's actually the case then this device is not a supported MIDI device.
The Win 7 consoles only support USB MIDI devices that use the standard Windows 7 MIDI drivers.

That said - if you have a Classic Ion you may be able to connect the MIDI Out of the MOTU into the MIDI In of the Ion, if you can configure the microexpress to route the timecode out of that port.

I'd suggest getting in touch with MOTU to find out whether it can use the standard Windows 7 USB MIDI drivers, and how to configure the timecode routing.