Zaxcom Nomad (The "Non-conjecture" thread)

[Chris Durfy]

I thought it might be nice to see a separate thread free of 8 pages of conjecture... I must say the Nomad looks interesting and the price point/s attractive. As well as it's upgrade-ability. 

My initial thoughts:

1) It would very tempting to me to buy one if the Nomad and my 788t were able to link together.

2) I wish the AA backup batteries were of some sort of rechargeable battery like the 788t that recharges when external power is connected

3) I can't wait to hear from NAB folks from BOTH camps (SoundDevices Users / Zaxcom Users) about the new device.

4) I wonder if Sound Devices will lower it's price on the 788t to be more competitive.

Below is a copy/paste from the Zaxcom "Why Nomad" & "Specifications" page:

Nomad Nomad is a complete location sound recording solution for film and television productions. Specifically designed for over the shoulder use, it provides all the functionality necessary to mix, record and monitor audio in a power efficient space-saving package. Nomad seamlessly integrates with Zaxcom Digital Wireless, IFB and ERX systems to provide unique functionality in the sound bag.

Features | Nomad Model Comparison Chart | Specifications | Photos | Why Nomad?

  [img height=175 width=553]http://zaxcom.com/images/NomadKF.jpg[img alt=Nomad height=487 width=625]http://zaxcom.com/images/Nomadp1jpg.jpg

[img height=356 width=625]http://zaxcom.com/images/Nomadp2.jpg 

 

  Nomad Photographs:

Nomad

[img alt=Nomad height=164 width=625]http://zaxcom.com/images/Nomad_med.jpg

Nomad Left Side View

[img alt=Nomad Left View height=226 width=625]http://zaxcom.com/images/Nomad_Lft.jpg

Nomad Right Side View

[img alt=Nomad Right height=236 width=625]http://zaxcom.com/images/Nomad_Rt.jpg

Nomad Rear View

[img alt=Nomad Rear height=191 width=625]http://zaxcom.com/images/Nomad_R.jpg

  Why Nomad?

•     Nomad can record up to 12 isolated tracks from its18 analog and  digital inputs.

• Nomad is upgradeable, so your system can grow with you when the need arrises.
  
• Nomad is very power efficient and gives off no heat.
  
• Nomad uses Zaxcom's MARF (Mobile Audio Recording Format) file system giving you ultimate reliability. If power is lost during  your recording  session there's no  file loss or memory corruption.
  
• Nomad is very ergonomic with 6 XLR inputs that fit within the  footprint of the mixer.
  
• Nomad contains a SMPTE timecode  reader/generator system that maintains time accuracy even with power off.
  
• Nomads color LCD graphic user interface is the most intuitive of any  small footprint mixer/recorder.
  
• Nomads internal RF transceiver seamlessly integrates ZaxNet remote control, timecode and  audio transmission.
  
• Nomad has the most inputs outputs and monitor returns of any small  footprint mixer or recorder.
  
• Nomads internal AA battery pack can run Nomad for one to three hours and  functions as an non-interruptible power source in the case of an unexpected  external power loss.
  

Nomad Specifications: [table][tr][td]

  [table][tr] [td][/td][td]Analog In[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Analog inputs[/td] [td]6 Mic/line-level with 48V phantom power

4 line-level (camera return or mix inputs)[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Connector[/td] [td]6 x XLR-3F

2 x TA5[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Input Range

            Mic-level

            Line-level[/td] [td]

-56 to -26 dBu

-10 to +8 dB[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Distortion[/td] [td]0.0015%[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]ADC Bit-depth[/td] [td]24 Bits[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]ADC Dynamic Range[/td] [td]115 dB[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Clipping Level[/td] [td]+28 dBu[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Frequency Response[/td] [td]20 Hz to 22 kHz (48 kHz sampling-rate)[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]THD + Noise[/td] [td]0.0015%[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Slate Mic Input[/td] [td]External balanced / unblanced with bias[/td] [/tr][/table] 

[table][tr][td]

  [table][tr] [td][/td][td]Digital In - Nomad 6, 8 & 12 Only [/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Digital Inputs

[/td] [td]8 (3 AES pair with SRC, 1 AES42 pair with SRC)[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Connector[/td] [td]DB-15 mini[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Sample-rate Converters[/td] [td]4 pairs[/td] [/tr][/table] 

[table][tr][td]

  [table][tr] [td][/td][td]Analog Out[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Analog Outputs[/td] [td]4 Balanced XLR, 0dBu, -10dBu and -30dBu

3 Balanced TA5 (6 bus) 0dBu, -10dBu and -30dBu[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Tape/Mono Output[/td] [td]2 unbalanced 3.5mm, 0dBu, -10dBu and -30dBu[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Headphone 1[/td] [td]1/4 inch stereo bus[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Headphone 2[/td] [td]3.5mm stereo bus[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Output Level[/td] [td]0 dBu @ -20 dBFS[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Clipping Level[/td] [td]+20 dBu[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]DAC Bit-depth[/td] [td]24 Bits[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]DAC Dynamic Range[/td] [td]115dB[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Impedance[/td] [td]30 ohm[/td] [/tr][/table] 

[table][tr][td]

  [table][tr] [td][/td][td]Digital Out - Nomad 6, 8 & 12 Only[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Channel Count[/td] [td]4 AES pairs (8 channels)[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Connector[/td] [td]DB-15 mini (DE-15)[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Source[/td] [td]Mix/Direct[/td] [/tr][/table] 

[table][tr][td]

  [table][tr] [td][/td][td]Recording[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Track Count[/td] [td]4, 6, 8 or 12 - model dependent[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Bit-depth

            Primary

            Mirror(s)[/td] [td]

24

16 / 24[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Sample-rates (kHz)[/td] [td]44.1, 47.952, 48, 48.048[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Head Room[/td] [td]12 to 20 dB[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Format[/td] [td]Int. Slot-1:  MARF II

Int. Slot-2:  FAT32

Ext USB. Device:  FAT32 - Nomad 8 & 12 Only[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]File Format[/td] [td]Int. Slot-1:  .ZAX

Int. Slot-2:  BWF-P

Ext. Device:  BWF-P or MP3 - Nomad 8 & 12 Only[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Dual Disk Recording[/td] [td]YES[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Max Pre-record Duration (seconds)[/td] [td]10 seconds[/td] [/tr][/table] 

[table][tr][td]

  [table][tr] [td][/td][td]Data Storage[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Internal[/td] [td]2 x CompactFlash[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]External - Nomad 8 & 12 Only[/td] [td]USB 2.0 High Speed[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]External Media - Nomad 8 & 12 Only[/td] [td]Flash / Hard Drive[/td] [/tr][/table] 

[table][tr][td]

  [table][tr] [td][/td][td]Internal Mixer[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Mixer Type[/td] [td]32 bit floating point DSP[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Mixer Cross Point[/td] [td]16 input x 16 output  (Pre-fader / Post-fader / Phase Inversion)[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]A-D / D-A Conversion size[/td] [td]24 bit[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Head Room[/td] [td]Selectable 12 to 20 dB[/td] [/tr][/table] 

[table][tr][td]

  [table][tr] [td][/td][td]Effects[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Delay[/td] [td]0 to 60 mS in .1mS steps[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Notch Filter[/td] [td]2 band, 20 Hz to 20 kHz  frequency range adjustable[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Compressor Type[/td] [td]Soft Knee[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Compressor Adjustments[/td] [td]Attack, Release, Threshold,  Ratio, Make-up Gain[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]High Pass Filter[/td] [td]20 Hz to 230 Hz[/td] [/tr][/table] 

[table][tr][td]

  [table][tr] [td][/td][td]Timecode Reader/Generator[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Timecode Type[/td] [td]SMPTE[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Connector[/td] [td]BNC[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Input Voltage[/td] [td]1-4VPP[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Output Voltage[/td] [td]2VPP[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Clock Accuracy[/td] [td]1.54 PPM (1 frame out in 6 hours)[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Timecode Frame-rates[/td] [td]23.98, 24, 25, 29.97NDF, 29.97DF, 30NDF, 30DF[/td] [/tr][/table] 

[table][tr][td]

  [table][tr] [td][/td][td]Zaxnet RF interface - Nomad 6, 8 & 12 Only[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]2.4 Ghz Transmitter[/td] [td]50mW output power[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Frequency Range[/td] [td]2.403 to 2.475 GHz[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Modulation type[/td] [td]Spread spectrum[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Bandwidth[/td] [td]1MHz[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Connector[/td] [td]SMA female[/td] [/tr][/table] 

[table][tr][td]

  [table][tr] [td][/td][td]Power[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Internal[/td] [td]6AA 7-9 VDC, 1-3 hours of usage (NiMh)[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]External[/td] [td]10 to 18 VDC [/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]External Power[/td] [td]8 to 18 VDC @ 300mA[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Power Connector[/td] [td]Switchraft L712[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Battery Meter[/td] [td]on LCD display[/td] [/tr][/table] 

[table][tr][td]

  [table][tr] [td][/td][td]Physical[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Size (H x W x D)

while looking at screen[/td] [td]2.0" x 9.9" x 7.0"[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Weight[/td] [td]3.8 pounds with internal batteries[/td] [/tr][/table] 

[table][tr][td]

[table][tr] [td][/td][td]Misc[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Display[/td] [td]Full color sunlight readable LCD[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Meters[/td] [td]Output / Input / Card[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Slate Mic[/td] [td]Internal[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Serial/RS-422[/td] [td]1 x 4-Pin USB style[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Internal Slate Mic[/td] [td]YES[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Serial Port[/td] [td]Zaxcom Proprietary[/td] [/tr] [tr] [td]Compatible with Mix-8[/td] [td]YES[/td][/tr][/table]

[/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][/table][/td][/tr][/table]

[pvanstry]

Looks like a setup that was influenced by a lot of different machine.  You can see some Cantar/Sonosax feature, some SD 552, Some Deva/Fusion.  Very interresting so far. 

ALl features on paper look great but as always, How is it going to work in the field?  Is it ready and FULLY functional?

SO far two things for me would need some improvement:

1- THe construction is the usual Zaxcom standard, i find it to be to delicate and really usually not quite up to the environment a BAG system is to be used.

2- Quick instant access to gain knobs ( trims ).  When booming you need to be able to do this while holding the boom with one hand, no time to press buttons or navigate.  Maybe i am missing the point and there is already something there but i am not seing trim knobs.

Good stuffs, it is really a game changer but i would say only for the Southern clientele of this world.  Overhere in MOntreal we have Rain, snow, Cold and humidity.  For these reasons, i would like to see a much more robust, weatherproof package and not have to rely on my bag to protech my investment.

But again, scalable, timecode, small, recessed connector, 6 faders etc...  THis is a bunch of great ideas hitting the mark dead on.  Right in bethween a 788/CL8 and a 552 setup.

Pascal

[Audio Daddyo]

There is a lot of cool invovative features being offered in this new recorder.  I am curious how it will perform and hold up in a run and gun situation.  Another concern was that while watching Coffey Sound's video the headphone nob seemed to make a very loud click when adjusting. It would be hard to use the headphone matrix if when making adjustments there was a loud click in a quiet room when set up close to mics.  Does someone know if this actually the case.

Andy

[Actualsizeaudio]

So, I was hoping for a machine that would let me rid myself of constantly switching my bag setup between my 788T, and my 442. I feel like they came OH so close here, with a few things that stand out as biggies:

No preamp trim knobs. Not sure how I would adjust to that. I'll wait till I get my hands on one to decide if this is a negative or not.

No Word Clock. With someone who owns a 5 unit Ambient Lockit setup, this is HUGE negative. Just last week I jammed 5 cameras about 2 hours before roll, and then we rolled for 4 hours since it was it was a concert. The fact that my 788T is tuneable via my ACC501 master clock means that it runs within 1/10 of a frame to my lockits within that time. Close enough baby. My zaxcom transmitter does not run that close. Now I have to tune my lockits to this machine, which is OK, but this has ramifications that could have been avoided with a WC input. I see this as a HUGE miss, especially since I want to incorporate this rig into a multi unit ULN-8 setup. Argh! Why couldn't they have just used the same clock stuffs that ambient and SD have been using and make everyone's lives easier? I can't lock this on a long roll to my ACC501. ugh.

Also a negative: white knobs and front panel. Guys, I almost always have to lend a hand to lighting and grip or camera dept. My hands are always dirty on set. If I get one of these things (which I'm leaning towards) it's going to look just gross within 2 weeks. This is just one of those areas where I wonder how much down and dirty ENG experience the fine fellows at Zaxcom really have.

On the plus side I see 8 digital outputs. This will help incorporate this unit to my ULN-8. This is a major plus over my 788T for me.

Also plus are the cam returns and the TA5 balanced output for my TRX900AA setup. Very nice.

No built in stereo transmitter option. I was really, really hoping for that, but I guess that was a pie in the sky wish.

All in all, a very welcome addition to the field of recorders, and one which will make deciding between 788T and this one or a fusion, even more arduous and painful.

[Jack Norflus]

Another concern was that while watching Coffey Sound's video the headphone nob seemed to make a very loud click when adjusting. It would be hard to use the headphone matrix if when making adjustments there was a loud click in a quiet room when set up close to mics.  Does someone know if this actually the case.

Andy

As far as I remember - No.

[glenn]

A feature of the Nomad is auto-trim TM  Patent Pend. The channel-trim you need to adjust is automaticly routed to the menu knob based on the last fader that was adjusted.

This eliminates the need to have seperate input knobs. In fact, a single accessable input knob is much more intuitive and faster to use than the traditional bank of input fader knobs that require push-up functionality and are too close together to be always accessable without  interference.

The transport functions are accessable as shifted or non shifted functions as a user selection.

The knobs can be set up as no overlay (all metal), all white or multi color for easy identification. The unit ships with insertable labels.

The internal clock is auto tuned to match whatever is used to calibrate it.  Word clock is almost always totaly unneccessary. Also timecode is also transmitted and received via zaxnet and is always subframe locked.

Off to show.

Glenn

[greg sextro]

A feature of the Nomad is auto-trim TM  Patent Pend. The channel-trim you need to adjust is automaticly routed to the menu knob based on the last fader that was adjusted.

This eliminates the need to have seperate input knobs. In fact, a single accessable input knob is much more intuitive and faster to use than the traditional bank of input fader knobs that require push-up functionality and are too close together to be always accessable without  interference.

Off to show.

Glenn

I too come from the gang that would prefer individual trim knobs per input - but I could be proven wrong!  I can't wait to check out how this will work.  My only fear would be that it could be too easy to adjust the gain on the wrong input channel...

-greg-

[Boomboom]

It's compatible with Mix-8; is it with Mix-12, which got more functions ?

Another silly question ...  :-)

[Max Dumesnil]

MSRP? Glenn?

Thanks.

[OscarL]

I would not say that the Zaxcom stuff is delicate, I have used my Deva V for some time (since -06), from warm summer days with rain to a couple of weeks ago with three days in -36C and had waterdrops freeze on the surface of the display, the Deva ran 6h+ on one NP1 battery without hiccups in that cold. It might look fragile but that's not my experience...

[greg sextro]

It's compatible with Mix-8; is it with Mix-12, which got more functions ?

Another silly question ...  :-)

i actually doubt it will be.  it doesn't say so on their website, and looking at the box, it doesn't have the serial port that the devas do.  (it does have a USB serial port, but I assume that's for a keyboard)

-greg-

[Rasmus Wedin]

As I understand it, there is only one chassi for the nomad and the 4, 6, 8 and 12 versions only represent the number of tracks you are able to record. Everything else including inputs, outputs and other specs stays the same. is this right?

[Derek H]

It has a touch screen right??  No mention of this anywhere.  I don't see how you would easily operate the routing matrix with out one.

Looks pretty sweet.  Though with the Deva/fusion I often miss the ability to pan a channel left or right mid-recording.  Perhaps it is now possible to adjust routing while in record?

[Jack Norflus]

As I understand it, there is only one chassi for the nomad and the 4, 6, 8 and 12 versions only represent the number of tracks you are able to record. Everything else including inputs, outputs and other specs stays the same. is this right?

No

Go to the Zaxcom site for the full list of features:

http://www.zaxcom.com/Nomad.html

[Alexis Clement]

MSRP? Glenn?

Thanks.

According to Coffey Sound:

Nomad 4: $3300

Nomad 6: $4400

Nomad 8: $5500

Nomad 12: $6800

http://www.coffeysound.com/Zaxcom-Nomad.html

I was considering a 744 to go with my SQN, now I'm very tempted to sell the SQN (even though I love its sound and ergonomics) and get a Nomad 4, that would make my bag much lighter. I love the fact that it's upgradeable so that I'd be able to add more tracks should the need arise without having to buy a whole new unit.

Assuming the preamps are the same than those in the Fusion, how do they sound compared the preamps in the SD units? What about the SQN? (I know, very subjective)

[Jack Norflus]

It has a touch screen right??  No mention of this anywhere.  I don't see how you would easily operate the routing matrix with out one.

Looks pretty sweet.  Though with the Deva/fusion I often miss the ability to pan a channel left or right mid-recording.  Perhaps it is now possible to adjust routing while in record?

It does not have a touch screen.

I thought that routing would be difficult without pan pots as well. But once you get use to the menu - it really isn't bad at all.

[Jack Norflus]

would  the  mixer work without main( marf) card inserted as a mixer only  ?

Yes

[Rasmus Wedin]

No

Go to the Zaxcom site for the full list of features:

http://www.zaxcom.com/Nomad.html

I see. But its all in the same chassi right?

[Jack Norflus]

I see. But its all in the same chassi right?

Yes

[Solid Goldberger]

What is the visual timecode slate?

E.

[Jack Norflus]

the auto mixer , do you have threshold menu  for each input or its one threshold for all ?

I haven't really played with the auto-mix feature. But there is a variable priority levels for each channel.

[justanross]

XLR inputs on the back = Fail.

[Jack Norflus]

What is the visual timecode slate?

E.

the entire screen displays the TC - and it is inverted so a "dinky" camera can shoot the slate.

[justanross]

haha, thats the best thing on that one  for ergonomics - at least for petrol bag users :-)

I use and love Petrol.  I guess once I think about it, it wouldn't be so bad.  But I've had no problems with my 552 and having the inputs on the left with my petrol bags.

Gheez Oleg I'm trying to find reasons to hate this thing and not buy it

So far it's not working.

[cmassey]

Joining in the non-conjecture zone!  For you folks out there, a couple of questions.  When I need a mixer can I just mix and leave the recorder part off?  When I need a simple two track transcription recorder is that easy.  When I need to do 6 isos and mix, is that easily doable.  Wondering if essentially there are USER PRESETS so I just turn it on, run thru the menus and it operates as I need it for that particular job. 

Must say I LOVE the XLR ins, like on a Cantar...and nothing on the bottom is also nice. 

gracias....cleve