Unveiling of ZAX-NET at the Local 695 Seminar

[Steven at Coffey Sound]

Unveiling of ZAX-NET at the Local 695 Seminar

By Kristie Moran

Anyone see the Zax-Net portion of the 695 Seminar on Saturday?  For those that missed it, we saw another first for production sound recording. 

The new Zax-Net software allows for a revolutionary multi-faceted system that is free to those who already have a Deva or Fusion recorder and will come in future Devas and Fusions.  It allows for several new functions:

The first feature Zaxcom showed was a demo where five wireless microphones were put on audience members.  Then the "actors" talked and were recorded to their SD cards without being recorded on the Deva.  Afterwards, the record button was pushed on the Deva and all the microphones were played and mixed onto the Deva simply by telling the internal recording SD cards on each wireless to begin transmitting the "scene".  The Deva then seamlessly recorded the whole "scene", in perfect sync, as though it was hearing it for the first time. It's an amazing feature that can be an answer for times when actors get out of range, take a wireless hit, unexpected ad lib or the sound mixer simply wants to take another crack at re-mixing it better than on the actual take.  Mixers using the Zaxcom panel can do this.  Those without a Zaxcom panel can use the Deva to re-record it, by simply assigning the input gain controls to do the mixing.  It's a very useful tool that allows the sound mixer to mix again at their convenience, anytime later that day.  Ever work on a show where they don’t give enough or any rehearsals?  Now you can take your best shot at it with confidence and then if you don’t like it, just consider it your rehearsal and mix the printed take again.  It may not need to be looped or “fixed in post”, when the production sound mixer gets a free do-over card at “fixing it on the set”.

Denecke also showed how they put the Zax-Net software in their slates to offer a new feature for slating.  It is not necessary for the camera assistant to mark the slates anymore.  When they open the slate, the scene and take number come up for an adjustable period of time, then it automatically shifts into the usual running time code and meta data. 

The script supervisor's IFB receiver also will allow them to read and freeze the slate info in the future.

Cell phone calls are being scanned these days and it is only a matter of time before the more aggressive Paparazzi begin to listen in on actor’s  wearing wireless mics and the IFBs that transmit freely over the airwaves for anyone with a scanner to hear.  Zaxcom has now closed that dangerous exposure loop by providing encryption protection for both their wireless and IFB units. So, even the video assist and EPK feeds can now be controlled by encryption. 

Zax-Net will also allow controls at the cart for the wireless, without touching the actor.  It allows internal 12 hour recording cards in the wireless to be turned on and off as needed, or when rolling, so they are not constantly recording, unless told to do so.

Amazing stuff.