Actualsizeaudio

I actually really enjoyed the entire thing, and found it to be a valuable service. Just good to get all of the hysterical question asking out of the way in the second post.

I fried an IFB100 and a RX900 all in one fell swoop because of a faulty D-tap. That sucked. You are not alone my friend.

I've always preferred "sound has speed" to "sound is speeding". Am I the only numbskull running around the country saying that? Maybe I'll make my own T-shirts and popularize it.

I think he would agree. It doesn't seem to me like he meddles in here. I really only notice his input coming into a thread when it is asked for (which it is often).

I was on the sideline when it happened. My job during the week was ENG audio for CBS. On game day I was basically a camera assist, so I didn't have any audio duties. I can tell you that the audio tent right next to me on Champions plaza during pre-game WAS on UPS power. I'm very confident that for at least 10-15 minutes or so the wireless mic receivers were probably up and running on the field set as well. Why the booth was quiet I'm curious. As for the outage itself I have a theory: I think it was one of the giant rats they have there shorting something out up where the power comes into the stadium. From where I was on the sideline you could hear a loud "pop" as the lights went out. It really sounded like a short. The report has been an abnormality where the main power meets the stadium. Abnormally sized rodent if you ask me. Earlier that week the 4K cameras were faxing out on the field. One of them got amazing footage of this HUGE rat running across the field like out was in some sort of race. It kept getting played over and over again in the truck. It was incredible footage. You could see every hair on the thing moving in the breeze. I wish I had a copy of that. Would freak out my wife.

I have Nomad production model #1. I was expecting issues since it was the first one sent to a store. There were a few things to iron out in the first month I had it. Since then, I haven't had a single issue and have used it in very, very cold weather, as well as hot humid weather. I think the build quality on both of them is fantastic. My personal feeling is the cards you use in them have a lot to do with stability. For me, it's sandisc or bust. I'd let feature set dictate your decision over build quality. I think the build quality of the Nomad is excellent, as is the build quality of the 664. As for feature set, consider the zaxnet features. I could not live without my ERX units. Between using them to send TC to DSLR cameras for AuxTC syncing, and having one ready to hand to a producer or director as a listening device, I couldn't live without them. being able to put my IFB100 on a camera and get wireless TC is also a beautiful thing.

The experience the OP is having sounds like he doesn't quite have them seated on his head correctly. Since the drivers face upwards, if ultrasones are not on one's head just right, you can loose all of the bass and top end. After a while, you get the hang of how they need to sit a little lower on your head. Once you become familiar with the placing that works for you, it becomes a non issue. That's been my experience. I have different 3 pair of ultrasones, and they all have slightly different sweet spots so to speak head placement wise.

Hmmm... Maybe. It simply drifts like crazy when the unit powers off. It's a real PITA. I'll contact Zaxcom about it. BTW, One frame in 6 hours is pretty mediocre. My lockit boxes don't even drift half of a frame in that amount of time. I'll take it at this point though. Thanks for the heads up, I assumed it was still a bug. Also, thanks for the tip on the batteries. They are working great for me.

Great, both of those are good news. My biggest concern now is keeping TC when turning the unit on/off.

Machine looks great. I'm curious what screen is in there, and if it beats out the Nomad screen, which to date is that machine's biggest flaw, though one I'm fine living with (once I cut the plastic cover off). The other great feature of this machine, that I think gets overlooked is the Ambient clock. I've tested my Nomad vs. my Ambient master clock and my old 788T. Simply put, the Ambient clocks are amazingly accurate, especially if you tune them periodically. This machine basically has a lockit box built in, and will stay in perfect sync with an ambient locket, slate, or pix 240 for hours and hours. That's nice. As of now the Nomad looses sync when you turn the unit off, which is a drag, unless you are using zaxnet, in which case it doesn't matter. Regardless, it's great to see the 2 companies keeping each other on their toes. Great stuff!!!

The input stage of the Nomad has much more dynamic range than the 302, and the limiters implemented on the Nomad are much more effective, adjustable, and transparent. Plus, I've listened to signals that hit digital zero on the Nomad and the unit actually does a good job of leveling off the signal with very little artifacts. I can effectively capture extremely dynamic program material on my Nomad that would distort on any of my analog mixers. This is why I would personally say the dynamics are superior.

Yeah, sometimes a DP, who isn't overly technical will say it's 24, when in fact it's 23.98. I always get a clarification, and am often ridiculed for it, since so few "video" cameras can do true 24fps shooting. I will from now on pull up this thread when someone gives me attitude about me being a nerd, or thinks I'm needlessly breaking their stones. So, why are they doing that anyway? I'm curious.

I am still curious to find out about the ability to auto load from RF once the stereo transmitter option is installed. I'm completely on board with the explanation of why there is not an IFB transmitter option for the unit, but I'm still very curious about the IFB receiving, since they are able to fit that into such tiny (trx transmitters) units. While my combo of my 302 trx900AA is a great B-unit to my Nomad, the dynamics on the Maxx will be so much better than the 302 (if it's like the Nomad) that it will be a very compelling option. However, I don't know if I'm ready to abandon the auto load feature. It really bails me out on run and gun shooting, and adds a serious level of confidence to going wireless to camera. -Mike

Do the threads on the 1/8 inch connector stick out more? I really like how on my STA100 the connector threads stick out enough so I can use a locking 1/8inch connector. For applications where these are used for camera hops or for jamming cameras this would be great.

Yeah, and the ERX sounds way, way better than the TRX return. Still, I'm surprised that they would have that functionality in a TRX, and not in the Maxx. Looks like my SD302/TRX combo (which I never use) will remain intact for gigs where I need to be lightweight. Thankfully the Nomad really is quite light itself, and It's been my daily horse since I got it. Thanks for posting the link to the battery. I've really needed a rechargeable solution for my RX900 I've worked the past 3 days, all on different jobs, yet I was somehow able to post 100 words on a message board. Flexing my superior intellect and multitasking skills I am. Man, I amaze even myself sometime

I have the IFB return option installed in my TRX900AA. With this option I can have my TRX auto load, and also receive a low-res return from camera. I use it with the IFB100. The audio quality is not good enough for actual monitoring, but it's great to make sure the thing is working in high stress environments, like when I'm in a locker room post game when I work at an NFL game, etc. Ooohh. I want to see this. Can you pm me a link if you ever get the time? I'm going to hit google right now actually. 7 hours sounds great. I only get 3.5 on AA rechargeable batts with the RX900, and 5 with lithiums, but with lithiums thats $20 a day! So, will the Maxx auto load, and have this same confidence monitoring when being used in conjunction with an IFB100 or QRX?

Thanks for the answer Glen. *EDIT* Glen was answering another Mike* That is a super cool way of doing things I agree. If I didn't have a Nomad already that setup right there would push me to the Maxx. I've been thinking of getting a QRX, but since I still use my Stereoline receiver as well as my RX900ST receiver, I've hesitated, especially since many of the shoots I do are with cameras like the Cannon C300 which has no power tapping. The ability to power those units with AA batts has been a godsend. Still, another receiver couldn't hurt *EDIT* I realize as an owner of RX900 and IFB 100 already I could make this same setup happen if I had a Maxx, very cool. My question is about monitoring return from camera, and for remote roll of the recorder. I still use that feature on my TRX900AA from time to time. I looked through the thread, and I didn't see that addressed. I'm sorry if it was covered. I'll come down to the shop for a visit on my way to LBI soon. I wish I could make it to AES. I love San Francisco. -Mike

Oh, and I'd like to add. I recorded some NY Rangers practice today, and boy is that stuff dynamic. It's absolutely amazing how dialed in you can get the dynamics, and how much headroom the thing has. That's a HUGE advantage for the Maxx over any analog mixer. It's the best part of the unit for me. Now, if I could only cut out that plastic that keeps me from seeing anything on the LCD when shooting outside......

It's funny, as a Nomad user I'm not sure if I want one or not. I have a 302 for stuff that doesn't require as much as the Nomad, but one of the reasons I bought the Nomad was so that I could stop changing out my bag all the time. I can't tell you how many times I pulled over on the highway in a panic thinking I forgot to pack some critical part of my bag back in my 302, 442, 788T days. Now, I just bring the Nomad and 3 wireless to every gig. If someone needs more than that I always get notice anyway. As it is my 302 just sits on the bench when I thought I would be taking it out all the time. Really hasn't happened. So, if I get a Maxx, I'm just opening up that can of worms again. On the other hand.......it sure is cute, small, and compact! A question though: With my SD302/TRX900AA to RX900ST/IFB100 camera hop combo the camera can trigger a record on my transmitter. Is that scenario out of the question with the Maxx? Can it receive TC from an IFB100?

No worries. I think I know what you are talking about. Sometimes the tone of a lot of these posts is such that suggestions sound derogatory. Like if I had said something like: "It would be stupid and crazy if Zaxcom doesn't offer the stereo transmitter option for the Nomad as well!! What the heckzzzz". I think the harping on SD for good work Zaxcom is doing kind of approaches that. I for one think their stuff is great the way it is, and I know a lot of engineers wouldn't want them to change a thing with a lot of their products. They have a lot on their plate right now with the Pix240, and I wish them well with that venture. If they come out with more mixer products all the better, but to suggest that what Zaxcom is doing now makes them look "dated" or "out of touch" does border on insulting IMHO. You can call me Mike BTW

Jeff, Obviously, I really respect your opinion on things, or else I wouldn't come here. I'm quite curious exactly which comments you are referring to. Isn't it the feedback from users in the field that keeps these products moving forward? I own the first production Nomad, and when I met with Glenn he took a few of my suggestions to heart, and in fact implemented one of them. The suggestion was based on experience of actually using the unit in the field. My suggestion/inquiry about a transmitter built into the Nomad was in no way meant out of disrespect, but in fact was the type of feedback a company relies on to know which products their clients might pay money for, and which ones they would not. Which ones are rubbing you the wrong way exactly?

So, I went through the thread to see if this question has been broached, and it doesn't look like it has (my apologies if it has). Will there be a retrofit option for the Nomad to add a stereo transmitter? That would be huge for me. I, for one, use zaxnet about as often as I use my trx camera hop, and often at the same time. If what Glenn says is true, and by having it in the unit much of the frequency spray is taken care of, I would be so happy to lay down the CC and add that option. It would make the bag a little neater/lighter, and take away any issues that can arise from bad cabling. My TRX didn't pass frequency inspection the last time I worked at the Super Bowl, so for events that are strictly coordinated, a camera hop not occupying 5 frequency spots would be great (useful). Of course there would have to be another antenna out, as well as a way to have the board fitted in the Nomad, but seeing that this could be very profitable for Zaxcom I'm wondering if it might become an option eventually.

Just a note, 6.11 works fine for me in Lion without having to jump through the hoops described above. However, converting directly to an MP3 file doesn't work. Am I missing a codec or something? Is there another download I need to do to make .MP3 files?

Shooting with a red one and 3 EX3s today. The DP says he is awaiting his Epic. I get so mad just looking at my lockit on that camera knowing I've got to make yet another beeping cable when he gets his new rig. If they wanted genlock in on the Lemo, then they should have kept the 5pin Lemo, and instead of pin 5 being tune, it could have been genlock. This way we could have TC out. Rrrrraaaaraggfhhrrtttaathpt! What a bunch dick heads.

I've been banging on my menu knob for about 4 months. It's not any quieter than it was in the beginning. Should I start hitting it harder to break it in? It's loud IMHO. That's a great tip with the rename function in Wave Agent BTW. Thanks for that one!