Zaxcom Nomad User Manual
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Zaxcom Nomad User Manual

Nomad portable multitrack digital audio mixer recorder
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  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    File Type ..............................................23 File Resolution ............................................ 24 File Name ............................................. 24 Mirror Options ............................................. 24 Format Mirror Card ..........................................24 Mirror Drive - Nomad 12 Only ....................................25 ......................................26 ADER SSIGN ATRIX Setting a Cross point ........................................26 ........................................
  • Page 3 PFL Routing ............................................34 MP3 Support ............................................35 CHAPTER 1 ................................35 MP3 Mix ............................................... 36 Auto-Mixer - Nomad 6, 8, 10 and 12 Only ................................37 A-Mix Mode ............................................37 Mic On Threshold ..........................................37 Attack ..............................................37 Decay ..............................................37 Noise Reduction ..........................................
  • Page 4 Mono & Tape Output Bus Levels ....................................46 LCD Brightness ........................................... 47 LED Brightness ........................................... 47 Transport Keys ........................................... 47 Tone Frequency ..........................................47 Tone Level ............................................47 AES 42 ..............................................47 ........................................48 DVANCED ETUP Scroll for additional menu items ....................................48 Prevent Empty Pan ..........................................
  • Page 5 AutoTrim ............................................70 Virtual Fader ............................................70 MEDIA RECOMMENDATIONS ............................. 71 SYNCING NOMAD TO A DENECKE SLATE ........................72 NOMAD CONNECTOR ASSIGNMENTS ......................... 73 Audio Input / Output Connectors (XLR-3) ................................73 Audio Input / Output Connectors (TA-5) ................................73 Mono &...

  • Page 6: Know Your Nomad

    • When a “D” for user-bits is required, double click it. 8. PFL / 5 / E – multi-function key • Pressing from any Home Page put Nomad into pre-fader listen mode. • When a number is needed in a data entry field, press it for the number/channel 5.
  • Page 7 NOMAD LAYOUT Front Panel 9. SETUP / TONE / 6 / F – multi-function key • In Stop mode, pressing it opens the Analog Input Setup page. • Pressed alone & hold for one second, toggles tone generation on/off. • When a number is needed in a data entry field, press it for the number/channel 6.

  • Page 8: Left Side

    NOMAD LAYOUT Left Side Panel Left Side Battery Carrier (w/ 6 batteries installed) Always observe the correct battery polarity. The negative contact on the battery is always connected to the spring contact in the carrier. Battery Compartment Area (behind the door view) Battery Connector (far end) 1.
  • Page 9 2. AES Input/Output connector (DE-15F) Nomad has four AES input pairs and four AES output pairs. The Input has a sample-rate conversion, allowing each input to have a different sampling-rate. Nomad will accept any unlocked AES signal with a sampling-rate of 44.1 to 96 kHz.

  • Page 10: Right Side

    NOMAD LAYOUT Right Side Panel Right Side 1. Outputs 1 – 6 (TA-5M) Outputs 6 channels of audio via output buses 1-6 TA5 out 1/2 carries output bus 1 and 2 TA5 out 3/4 carries output bus 3 and 4 TA5 out 5/6 carries output bus 5 and 6 2.

  • Page 11: Back Side

    NOMAD LAYOUT Back Back Side 1. Mic/Line-level Inputs 1 – 6 (XLR-3F)

  • Page 12: Home Screen / Meters

    NOMAD LAYOUT Meters Home Screen / Meters There are several selectable Home meter screens from which to choose. You can toggle through the different screens by pressing the Star key – or by pressing the MENU knob and the SLT or COM key at the same time.
  • Page 13 NOMAD LAYOUT Meters Yellow ISO Attenuation Enabled Indicators Red Record Enabled Indicators – Show which tracks will be recorded Card Meter Tracks Yellow Strike Through – Represents that these tracks will not be recorded Card Track Home Screen Output Busses 1 and 2...

  • Page 14: Store/Recall A Home Screen Configurations

    NOMAD LAYOUT Meters Output Busses 1-4 Inputs 1-4 4 Out over 4 In 6 Output Busses Auto Trim Meter 6 Output Busses with Input Trim Output Bus 1 (Auto-Mix Output) Auto-Mix Inputs - “A” designates inputs assigned to Auto-Mix. Blue dot shows which inputs are “open”...

  • Page 15: Home Screen Explained

    Save Indicator A moving pixel on bottom of screen moving right to left indicates that the Nomad is saving a parameter setting to its memory. If you power down while the pixel is moving the settings will not be saved.

  • Page 16: Main Menu

    To adjust the META DATA select one of the data fields and press the MENU knob. Meta Data can be edited and changed before Nomad starts recording a file or even while Nomad is recording if you are in Continuous Mirror Mode. If Changes are made after stop is pressed the file will need to be re-mirrored for the changes in the Meta Date to be reflected in the mirror file.

  • Page 17: Playback Control

    MAIN MENU Meta Data / Playback Playback Control This menu controls playback of recorded files. Segment Timecode Segment Currently Playing Playback Shuttle Control Turn the MENU knob to adjust Press and turn for 10X adjustment Playing Segment Meta Data Folder Playing NOTE: While in this menu, the STOP key and PLAY key function immediately, even if the Transport Keys are set to shifted mode.

  • Page 18: Record Routing - Nomad Lite Only

    The record routing in Nomad Lite is slightly different from the card routing in Nomad 10 or 12. Nomad Lite doesn’t have a record enable matrix or a card routing matrix. With Nomad Lite, you can route all your inputs and all your record busses to any one of the 10 record tracks.

  • Page 19: Record Enables - Nomad 10 And 12

    MAIN MENU Recording Setup Record Enables – Nomad 10 and 12 This menu controls which of the recorder’s tracks are enabled and recorded on each Compact Flash Card “X” indicates which tracks will be recorded on the primary and Mirror CF card NOTE: If sample-rate is set to 88.2 kHz or 96 kHz, only eight Primary and Mirror tracks can be selected and recorded...

  • Page 20: My Nomad Menu

    Bus Assignments Cross Points, Compressor Enables (input, output and card), High Pass Filters and Notch Filters. Write Sound Report When you select this, Nomad will create a Sound Report and write it on the Mirror CF card. The sound report contains the Meta Data information for what was recorded.

  • Page 21: Primary Compact Flash Card Menu

    In the event of a power loss at power-up, Nomad automatically closes any open files to the point the audio recording was interrupted with no loss of audio up to that point. Even though Nomad uses a proprietary file system, it is 100% compatible with Mac or PC by using the free file conversion utility ZaxConvert.

  • Page 22: Erase Current Primary Folder

    MAIN MENU Recording Setup / Primary Card Erase Current Primary Folder This menu allows you to delete an entire folder on the recording media WARNING: If you have mirrored a folder and need to erase it to make room for more recording files on the primary card, REMOVE the MIRROR card before doing the erase.

  • Page 23: Iso Attenuation Enable

    MAIN MENU Recording Setup / Primary Card ISO Attenuation Enable This menu sets which record tracks will be attenuate. Edit Current Folder To edit the folder name 1. Scroll down to the Edit Current Folder Name. 2. Press the MENU knob to highlight the folder name and to access the Enter Text page Shows current Folder Name...

  • Page 24: Mirror Settings Menu

    • ON: Nomad will start to mirror a file after stop is pressed. • CONTINUOUS: Nomad will mirror while the unit is recording. The audio is copied to the mirror card immediately after it is written to the primary card. Depending on the track count, the mirror card may lag behind a bit. Not to worry, after you go into stop mode, the mirroring will catch up.

  • Page 25: File Resolution

    Mirror Options This setting allows Nomad to stay in mirror mode after it has been powered off. If this option is set to OFF, any time Nomad is powered down it changes the MIRROR MODE to OFF.

  • Page 26: Mirror Drive - Nomad 12 Only

    MAIN MENU Recording Setup / Mirror Card Mirror Drive - Nomad 12 Only This menu selects if Nomad will mirror to a Compact Flash card or USB Drive.

  • Page 27: Fader Assign Matrix

    Number Because Nomad is a digital mixer, no actual audio is going through the Nomad Fader controls allowing for complete flexibility for the mixing hardware faders. Any one of the analog inputs 1-8, digital inputs 1-8, analog trim controls or ZaxNet trim can be routed to any hardware fader.

  • Page 28: Memory Menu

    Mirror CF Card Store / Recall using Memory From this menu, Nomad can save and recall three full recorder setups for different work scenarios. All user set parameters are saved and can be recalled as needed. WARNING: If you do a factory restore, all of the saved memories will be erased.

  • Page 29: Factory Reset

    Note and Track presets. To do a full restore - including Note and Track names hold the stop key on boot up. Store / Recall using Mirror Card Nomad also has the option to save settings to (and restore settings from) the mirror Compact Flash card. This allows settings to be exchanged between multiple Nomads.

  • Page 30: About Nomad Menu

    MAIN MENU About Nomad About Nomad Menu This menu provides information about Nomad Software Version ZaxNet Software Version Indicates current CPU Usage. Normal operations should be 55 - 80%...

  • Page 31: Mode Menu

    Prerecord This allows Nomad buffer the audio in a prerecord buffer. You can choose to buffer up to 10 seconds of audio. From the point the Nomad is powered up, it is always processing data, any sound coming in from any input is always being processed.

  • Page 32: Autotrim Tm

    IMPORTANT: If the Input Configuration is changed, you NEED to re-boot Nomad The factory default is set up so that Nomad can handle one pair of AES inputs. If more than one pair of AES inputs are required or need to use ZaxNet IFB, then the Input configuration must be changed.

  • Page 33: Transport Keys

    “ON” allows Nomad to use a remote switch to start and stop recording. To operate you will need to connect a toggle switch to the serial port closest to the back of Nomad. Do not connect the switch to the USB port. For pin configuration please see the Connector Assignments in the back of this manual.

  • Page 34: Vfader Mode

    MAIN MENU Mode Settings VFader Mode This lets you choose to control the Fader only or alternate between Fader and Trim for the inputs that you chose to be active in the VFADER CYCLE. When the virtual fader is active the bottom meter on the ENG Meter Screen will display what you will be controlling. Either fader only or fader and trim for an input channel.

  • Page 35: Meter Peak Hold

    If you turn on the Rec/Stop warning option in the ENG Home screen, there will be an audible beep when a new file is created. The beep is heard in the main headphones only. NOTE: Regardless of this setting Nomad will create a new file when the current file reaches 2GB in size. PFL Routing This sets what will be listened to when the PFL key is pushed.

  • Page 36: Mp3 Support

    NOTE: If you turn MP3 SUPPORT to ON and you didn’t format the primary card with MP3 SUPPORT turned ON Chapter 1 Nomad will not know where to write the MP3 files to and you will see “???” error where the MP3 Indicator is on the meter screen.

  • Page 37: Mp3 Mix

    “LAST” that will be the first or last track that is record enabled in the PRIMARY RECORD ENABLE matrix. So for example if you have a Nomad 10 and you are recording to primary tracks 1, 4, 6, 8, 10 and select FIRST TWO in the MP3 MIX you will create an MP3 of tracks 1 and 4 if you choose LAST TWO you will create an MP3 of tracks 8 and 10.

  • Page 38: Auto-Mixer - Nomad 6, 8, 10 And 12 Only

    Nomad’s Auto-Mixer has no limit on the number of microphones that can be active at one time. The Auto-Mixer also has a last microphone on feature; this means that even if no one is speaking there will always be one microphone included in the mix, which will be the last active microphone.

  • Page 39: Attenuation

    MAIN MENU Mode Settings Attenuation Sets how much each microphone is attenuated when it is closed. • Attenuation can be set between -10dB and -80dB NOTE: When a microphone is closed the level of that input is actually attenuated rather than muted. The level of attenuation is adjustable by the Attenuation setting.

  • Page 40: Using The Auto-Mixer

    • The Auto-Mixer menu can be accesses from the Main Menu. After the Auto-Mixer is enabled you can the access the menu by pressing the A-MIX key on Nomad. Unless MP3 support is turned on, in that case the A-Mix key toggles the MP3 recording marker.

  • Page 41: Zaxnet Setup Menu

    To use ZaxNet you will need to set the INPUT CONFIGURE to 8 or higher. Click on: Input Configure page TX Channel Changes which frequency (2.403 – 2.475 GHz) Nomad will use to transmit IFB audio and ZaxNet commands on. RX Channel Sets the ZaxNet IFB receive channels frequencies you can chose up to six frequencies.

  • Page 42: Group Code

    Sets which Group ID number Nomad will control. This allows Nomad to control specific transmitters. For example, setting a Group Code to 1 allows you to control all Group 1 transmitters. Setting it to 2 allows you to control all Group 2 transmitters. Group codes can be set from 1 to 99 TX Power This adjusts the transmit power of the ZaxNet transmitter.

  • Page 43: Eng Setup

    Nomads’ time can be used as time code and date can be used as user-bits. NOTE: Nomad contains an internal battery that keeps accurate time even if Nomad is powered down for an extended time. The internal battery should last between two to three years. When replacing the battery you will need a 3 volt CR2320 coin cell battery.

  • Page 44: Input Compressor Parameters

    MAIN MENU ENG Setup / Advanced Setup Input Compressor Parameters This menu sets the parameters for the Input Compressor settings. The Input Compressor settings are global, meaning that the settings adjusted here will the same for all Input Channels. Output Compressor Parameters This menu sets the parameters for the Output Compressor settings.

  • Page 45: Monitor Names

    MAIN MENU ENG Setup / Advanced Setup Monitor Names This menu allows you to customize the headphone monitor names that appear in the home screens. Once you click on a particular HP number, you will be taken to the Enter Text menu.

  • Page 46: Note Presets

    MAIN MENU ENG Setup / Advanced Setup Note Presets This menu allows for the creating a preset list of notes. There are 20 note presets available. The existing notes can edited and new notes names can be created. The notes can be up to 22 characters long. Warnings Setup See NOTE below.

  • Page 47: Input Levels

    MAIN MENU ENG Setup / Advanced Setup Input Levels This menu manages the audio input levels for the internal slate, external slate, camera returns and digital inputs. Scroll for additional menu items Internal & External Slate Levels This allows you to adjust the internal slate microphone level and the external slate mic connected to External Slate Microphone Input.

  • Page 48: Lcd Brightness

    ENG Setup / Advanced Setup LCD Brightness Adjusts the brightness of the LCD Screen. LED Brightness Adjusts the brightness of Nomad’s LEDs. This is a global setting meaning that all LED lights will be set to the same brightness. Transport Keys SHIFTED If you press the TC, A-MIX or ZNET key, the pages associated with those keys will open.

  • Page 49: Advanced Setup

    Burn Boot loader The boot loader is part of the software that helps boot up Nomad. Generally, you wouldn’t need to update this. If the boot loader needs to be updated there will be a note released with the software to do so. The boot loader software is already contained within Nomads software.

  • Page 50: Dynamic 48V

    Nomad will shut off the internal phantom power supply. • Auto Kill – turns off 48V when Nomad is running on a low voltage power source (below 10V) to prevent possible damage to the 48V supply.
  • Page 51 ENG Setup / Advanced Setup Nomad Input Trim Calibration Software version 6.01 and higher adds an Input Trim Calibration for Nomad’s 6 XLR inputs. This will allow the input trims to be more accurate and align with each other. Caution:...
  • Page 52 13. Quickly press BACK (HP) knob to get back to the home screen (the one containing 2 outs and 6 input meters). 14. Let Nomad sit for about 2 to 4 minutes. You should see levels on the input meters creeping up every second as it calibrates the input trim level.

  • Page 53: Pressing The Timecode Key

    • JAM TC – Jams Nomad’s TC from an external source, such as a camera or a master TC unit. • JAM UB – Jams Nomad’s user-bits from another source, such as a camera or a master TC unit.

  • Page 54: Enter Timecode

    NOMAD OPERATIONS Timecode Key Enter Timecode Manually Entering Timecode 1. Press the MENU knob to highlight the TC. 2. Rotate the MENU knob to select the desired entry position. 3. Press the numeric function keys to enter a numeric value.

  • Page 55: Timecode Setup

    TC Displayed This sets what timecode that Nomad displays • GENERATOR – TC displayed is from Nomad’s internal TC generator. • CARD – TC displayed from the file being recorded or played back. • While in Playback – TC at the current point in the Take.

  • Page 56: Pressing The A-Mix Key

    When you are in this menu, if you press a multi-function channel key you will change which ZaxNet transmitter's parameters you adjust. TRX Frequency Sets and changes the frequency of the Zaxcom wireless transmitter that is routed to this channel. Trim This adjusts the corresponding transmitter’s input gain.

  • Page 57: Pressing The Bus Key

    NOMAD OPERATIONS Bus Routing Key Pressing the Bus Key Output Bus Assign Busses These matrixes assign your Analog and Digital inputs to your output buses Analog Inputs 1-6 Returns Slate Com Tone Output Buses Digital Inputs When the Input is in that means that the input is unavailable.

  • Page 58: Setting A Crosspoint

    Tape/IFB Out This Matrix sets what audio is routed to the Tape out connector. The Tape out matrix also routes what audio is sent to the IFB feed. The IFB feed can be received by a Zaxcom ERX receiver. Card Tracks...

  • Page 59: Card Tracktone Enable

    NOMAD OPERATIONS Bus Routing Key Headphone-2 This matrix sets what audio is routed to the Headphone-2 connector. Card TrackTone Enable This matrix assigns TONE to the record tracks. Card Track Slate Enables This matrix assigns the SLATE to the record tracks.

  • Page 60: Card Routing - Nomad 10 And 12 Only

    Bus Routing Key Card Routing – Nomad 10 and 12 Only This controls which inputs are routed to which output buses on Nomad 10 and 12. (For Nomad Lite, see Record Routing page – Nomad Lite To toggle to the next matrix, press the BUS key.

  • Page 61: Pressing The Pfl Key

    Pre Fader Listening Pressing the PFL key puts Nomad into Pre Fader Listen mode. Once the PFL key is pressed, the name in the Headphone Monitor field is replaced with PFL alternating with the selected channel number(s) that are being monitored.

  • Page 62: Pressing The Setup Key

    • Input Delay – Variable from .0MS to 100MS in .0MS increments • Mix 8 Trim – Choose between Normal and ZaxNet • Normal – The trim knobs on the mix 8 adjust the input trim of the nomad or the digital trim if the mix8 mode is set to digital.

  • Page 63: Main Headphone Setup

    • Card tracks (C) • Output Buses (OUT) • Camera Returns (RET) • ZaxNet Wireless (ZNET) (not available in Nomad Lite) To set up your headphone selects: 1. To access the headphone setup matrix - simultaneously press MENU knob and HEADPHONE knob.

  • Page 64: Setting Up And Engaging Tone

    NOMAD OPERATIONS Tone Setup Setting Up and Engaging Tone Assigning Tone to Output Busses To assign tone to an output bus, press the Bus key and go to the ANALOG ASSGN MATRIX to select which output bus will receive tone when tone is engaged.

  • Page 65: Enter Text

    NOMAD OPERATIONS Enter Text Enter Text This menu allows alphanumeric data entry for all parameters that require data input. • To enter a character, turn the MENU knob until the character is highlighted and then press the MENU knob to select it.

  • Page 66: False Start

    NOMAD OPERATIONS False Start False Start Pressing the ZNET key can mark a Take as a False Start or just delete it. After you press STOP, if you press and hold the ZNET key for 1 second, the False Start page will be displayed.

  • Page 67: Zaxnet Quick Start Guide For Trx Transmitter Control

    Press the MENU key to go to the TC Jam Mode. Make sure that it’s set to Auto-Load. c. Press the MENU key to go to the TC Source. Set it to IFB (RF) so that it is receiving TC wirelessly from Nomad.

  • Page 68: Zaxnet Quick Start Guide For Qrx Audio Receive Operations

    Now when you select that HP matrix you will be monitoring the audio being sent from that QRX. If you have your IFB Mode set to TX+RX, Nomad will temporarily stop transmitting over ZaxNet and receive signal while you are in...

  • Page 69: Zaxnet Quick Start Guide For Erx Ifb Audio Receive Operations

    If the camera has trouble receiving timecode, advance to the TC OUTPUT LEVEL and adjust the voltage until the camera recognizes the timecode. 3. In Nomad go to the BUS Routing menu, select Tape/IFB Out and select what you’d like to send to the ERX. You can use any combination of card tracks, outputs or returns.

  • Page 70: Eng /Efp Bag Operation

    NOMAD OPERATIONS ENG / EFP Bag Operations ENG /EFP Bag Operation This Mode was created to aid in mixing and recording when you are involved in a “run and gun” situation. This mode makes panning and mixing all 10 inputs easily accessible right from the ENG Home screen.

  • Page 71: Autotrim Tm

    NOTE: The trim indicator’s position does not relate to a specific value. It is used for relative adjustment only. Virtual Fader Nomad has 6 hardware faders and 10 inputs. To mix inputs 7-10 from the ENG Home screen you need to activate the VFader Mode in the Mode Menu.

  • Page 72: Media Recommendations

    SanDisk and Transcend cards, it is not necessary to use cards with “double write speed” features. Any cards, 4 – 64 GB, should be fine. Also 133X cards are fine - a faster card will not make Nomad write any faster - the only advantage of a faster card is faster downloads.

  • Page 73: Syncing Nomad To A Denecke Slate

    Syncing Nomad to a Denecke Slate The LTC stream out of the Nomad has a “jitter” in the TC signal at 29.97 fps and 23.976 fps. This can result in the Denecke TS-C or the TS-3 slates identifying the wrong code, if you set the slate to “Auto Set” (position 5). In addition, if you use “Auto Set”...

  • Page 74: Nomad Connector Assignments

    Zaxcom Nomad User’s Manual Connector Pin Assignments Nomad Connector Assignments Audio Input / Output Connectors (XLR-3) Pin 1 – Ground Pin 2 – Signal (+) Pin 3 – Signal (-) Audio Input / Output Connectors (TA-5) Pin 1 - Ground...

  • Page 75: Aes Digital Input / Output Connectors (Db-15)

    Connector Pin Assignments AES Digital Input / Output Connectors (DB-15) Nomad uses a mini DB-15 (AKA: DE-15) connector for the AES (digital) input and output connectors. Top row pins: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Middle row pins: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6...

  • Page 76: Updating Firmware

    3. Insure that a set of fully charged batteries are installed or a stable power supply is connected. 4. With Nomad powered down, insert the CF card containing the .bin file into the mirror slot. Make sure only one .bin file is on the card.

  • Page 77: Product Support

    Zaxcom Nomad User’s Manual Product Support Product Support Register your Nomad with Zaxcom: http://www.zaxcom.com/product-registration Download the latest Firmware from: http://www.zaxcom.com/software-updates Download the latest User Manuals from: http://www.zaxcom.com/instruction-manuals Submit Technical Questions at: http://www.zaxcom.com/submit-a-technical-question Submit information for Repair Services at: http://www.zaxcom.com/repairs Join the Zaxcom Forum at:...

  • Page 78: Nomad Specifications

    Zaxcom Nomad User’s Manual Specifications Nomad Specifications Hardware Analog Inputs Channel Count Mic / Line Line only 4 (camera return or line level inputs) Connector Mic / Line XLR-3F Line only TA-5F Input Range Mic-level –56 dBu to –26 dBu Line-level –10 dBu to +8 dBu...

  • Page 79: Other Connectors

    Zaxcom Nomad User’s Manual Specifications Other Connectors External Storage 1 x USB 2.0 (Nomad-8 & 12 only) External Storage Power 5 watts Serial/RS-422 1 x 4-pin USB style (Zaxcom proprietary) Timecode Input 1 x BNC Output 1 x BNC External Power...

  • Page 80: Software

    Zaxcom Nomad User’s Manual Specifications Software Internal Mixer Mixer Cross-points 16 in / 16 out (pre-fader, post-fader, phase inversion) Internal Processing 32-bit floating point DSP Effects Input Limiter (A x 10, D x 8) Type Soft Knee Attack 1 to 100 ms...

  • Page 81: Zaxcom Warranty Policy And Limitations

    Distributers may sell Products to resellers who then sell Products to end users. Please see below for warranty information or obtaining service. No warranty service is provided unless the product is returned to Zaxcom Inc. or a Zaxcom dealer in the region where the Product was first shipped by Zaxcom.

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