Zaxcom Nomad ND12 - 12 Track Recorder / USB / AES / ZaxNet

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The Digital Mixing Advantage
Nomad's digital mixing engine provides zero distortion, zero noise, and far greater dynamic range than is possible with an analog mixing solution. Nomads digital mixer always provides a phase and time coherent audio path for every analog input to each output.
The mixer has a special feature that ensures that the headphone monitor is always a true reflection of the Nomad output busses and recording tracks. If any bus is over-driven the headphone will always correctly mirror the condition no matter the volume of the headphone or the output level of the bus output. All of Nomad's DSP based mixing functions are cross faded. This eliminates the clicks and pops common to hardware control of analog mixers.

NeverClip  (Patent Pending)
A sound recording engineer is always judged by the quality of the recorded mix tracks. The tracks must be as high dynamic range as possible without clipping. Often tracks do not have enough level or contain a high degree of limiter distortion.

NeverClip features a dual A-D converter design that extends the dynamic range of the Nomad input to an unmatched 137 dB. NeverClip eliminates the need for hard input limiters that can distort the track before it can be mixed. This provides a better dynamic range and lower distortion than is possible with analog mixers. With NeverClip, input trim adjustment pots are not needed during a live production and audio can be recorded at a higher level to ease post-production.

Soft Knee Compressor
Nomad 12's Soft Knee Compressors with look-ahead processing capability and fully user adjustable parameters allow for precise control of output and recorded track levels. Use just the right amount of compression required to keep the audio tracks sounding natural while limiting them to the desired dynamic range.The 32 bit DSP compressor algorithm is ultra smooth and totally consistent from channel to channel. A side-chain input is used to link compressor action when appropriate. This is necessary for MS and Surround microphone recording. A Soft Knee Compressor is also included on every input for artistic effect.

ZaxNet
The Nomad 12 contains an integrated Zaxnet radio frequency transceiver. This ground breaking feature integrates 4 main functions into Nomad. Via Zaxnet, an IFB audio channel is transmitted to multiple Zaxcom ERX2TCD audio monitor receivers. Personal audio delay capability is included to keep picture and sound monitoring in perfect sync for all on-set clients. Digital IFB audio quality and the ability to instantly route the source from any combination of 16 busses will make the Zaxnet IFB system a standout for both production sound mixers and their clients.Zaxnet simultaneously distributes SMPTE time code and audio to ERX2TCD receivers. When the ERX2TCD receiver is connected to camera there is no need to manually jam time code. All Zaxnet time code is free from timing errors and drift. This feature eliminates the need for separate TC sync boxes and separate RF time code transmission systems. Zaxcom's wireless microphones are directly controlled from the Nomad 12 via Zaxnet transmission. Audio gain, wireless frequency, RF power level and transmitter recording control are all seamlessly integrated into the system.

IFB monitoring from camera mounted receivers is integrated directly into the headphone monitor system. When utilized with the Zaxcom QRX100 (with IFB option) allows for direct wireless monitoring of confidence audio from up to 6 cameras.

Auto-mixer
A 10 channel auto-mixer will aid in the mixing of unscripted dialog. Control of 10 channels of audio under any circumstance is a daunting task. The auto-mixer provides a constant noise floor to make a seamless automatic mix.

Input Delay
Nomad 12's input delay feature is key to turning in tracks that are properly timed. Only the sound mixer on location knows the proper delay on each microphone input due to microphone position and inherent delay of wireless microphones vs hard wired microphones. Proper use of the input delay feature can eliminate comb filter effects common to multiple channels that mix together with the same audio content. The Nomad always maintains its audio outputs and recorded tracks in a perfect phase and time relationship eliminating mixing problems in post.

Notch filters
Each input channel has 2 adjustable Notch filters. This powerful tool when activated can eliminate AC power hum, lighting noise and other unwanted sounds before they can find their way to the client. The filters are very narrow and do not effect the quality of the recorder audio. Notch filters can often make an unusable track usable.

Integrated timecode slate (Patent Pending)
Nomad 12 has a time code slate feature that can eliminate the need for external time code slates. Just press the time code button and large time code display characters are instantly displayed on the LCD display in the correct orientation to be photographed by the video camera. A beep tone is inserted into the designated audio tracks when the slate function is activated. The integrated time code slate is all that is needed for post to verify sync between picture and sound. Because the slate is generated directly from the Nomad's timecode generator there is never any timing error between the two.

Headphone Monitoring
The headphone output can drive any headphone with a powerful ultra low-noise output. The headphone is specially designed to always reflect the distortion of any output or recorded track. The Nomad 12′s headphone monitoring system provides 12 user definable configurations. Any combination of output busses, record tracks and camera returns can be monitored and identified with user defined labels. A second headphone output with independent routing is also provided.

Com and Slate
The "Com" and "Slate" communication channels are used to control the internal or external  slate microphone input. Each of the two functions are independently routable to each card track and bus output.  The external mic input is compatible with both powered and dynamic microphones.

Surround and MS Recording
The six hardware faders can be routed to any or all of the six mic/line inputs. This makes Nomad 12 the perfect choice for recording of surround microphones where precise gain control of multiple channels is required often by a single rotary fader. When multiple channels are set up for multi channel microphones the Nomad 12's soft knee compressors will be linked via a side chain. This keeps the gain equal on all channels even when one of the microphone inputs is in compression. This keeps all audio channels in their proper gain and phase relationships. Since all of Nomad 12's processing is in the digital domain the compressors will always act with exactly the same gain reduction and timing parameters. This yields results not possible with analog mixers with hard limiters.

MARF
Nomad uses Zaxcom's MARF (Mobile Audio Recording Format) file system. The MARF system is the most reliable way to record audio files with battery powered hardware. If power is lost during your recording session there is never any audio loss or memory corruption. Open files are properly closed and recording can continue when power is restored. Media directories are written only when needed therefore MARF dramatically increases the reliability of the recordings over FAT32 file systems. MARF is directly compatible with PC and MAC for file transfer when using the free ZaxConvert utility.

Nomad 12 Control Surface
Nomad 12′s control surfaces improves on the pots and switches used on analog mixers. With NeverClip, input trim controls are no longer needed to control input levels during a live mix and are not present on the control surface. The PFL function remembers the last state of the PFL mix so any combination of channels can be monitored pre-fader with the push of a single button. Bus routing to the 6 output busses is instantly viewed and controlled via the home screen. This replaces the multiple push pots and routing menus necessary to do the same job on hardware/software based mixers. All settings can be stored and recalled for instant and total configuration of the Nomad. The control surface of Nomad is an intuitive space-saving open design that is in step with the technology it controls.

Mix-8 Linear Fader Control Surface
Nomad 12 supports control from Zaxcom linear fader control surfaces. At home in either the sound bag or on the sound cart, Nomad's value is enhanced by its flexible use on any production sound job. With Mix-8 compatibility Nomad 12 is a perfect backup recorder for the Deva or Fusion.  (Mix-12 has limited support, you can utilize it's faders, input trim and input meters)

The Nomad system
The Nomad 12 is a cost effective and time tested solution. Just as analog recording is no longer used in location sound, analog mixing will be phased out due to its inherent shortcomings relative to all digital mixing and effects processing. Nomad's digital design is key to its future value and longevity in the market place. We at Zaxcom are proud to bring Nomad 12 to you and the location sound industry.

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Analog In Analog inputs:  6 Mic/line-level with 48V phantom power 4 line-level (camera return or mix inputs) Connector:   6 x XLR-3F & 2 x TA5 Mic level input range:  -56 to -26 dBu Line level input range: -10 to +8 dB Distortion:  0.0015% ADC bit-depth:  24 bits ADC dynamic range:  125 dB Clipping level:  +28 dBu Frequency response:  20 Hz to 22 kHz (38 kHz sampling-rate) THD + noise:  0.0015% Slate mic input:  External balanced / unbalanced with biasDigital In Digital Inputs: 8 (3 AES pair with SRC, 1 AES42 pair with SRC) Connector: DB-15 mini Sample-rate converters: 4 pairs     Analog Out Analog outputs:  4 Balanced XLR, 0dBu, -10dBu and -30dBu 3 Balanced TA5 (6 bus) 0dBu, -10dBu and -30dBu Tape/mono output:   2 unbalanced 3.5mm, 0dBu, -10dBu and -30dBu Headphone 1:  1/4 inch stereo bus Headphone 2:  3.5mm stereo bus Output level:   0 dBu @ -20 dBFS Clipping level:   +20 dBu DAC Bit-depth: 24 Bits DAC Dynamic Range: 115dB Impedance: 30 ohm Digital Out Channel count: 3 AES pairs (6 channels) Connector: DB-15 mini (DE-15) Source: Mix/Direct Recording Track count: 12 tracks Bit-depth (primary card): 24 bits Bit-depth (mirror card): 16 / 24 bits Sample rates (kHz):  44.1, 47.952, 48, 48.048, 96 Head room: 12 to 20 dB Primary Card Format: MARF II / .ZAX Mirror Card Format: FAT32 / BWF-P External Device Format: FAT32 / BWF-P or MP3 Dual disk recording: Yes Max Pre-record duration: 10 seconds Data Storage Internal: 2 x Compact Flash External: USB 2.0 High Speed

Internal Mixer Mixer Type: 32 bit floating point DSP Mixer Cross Point: 10 input x 6 output (Pre-fader / Post-fader / Phase Inversion) A-D / D-A resolution: 24 bit Head room:  Selectable 12 to 20 dB     Effects Delay: 0 to 60 mS in .1mS steps Notch filter: 2 band, 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency range adjustable Compressor type: soft knee with side chain High Pass Filter:  20 Hz to 230 Hz Timecode Reader/Generator Timecode type: SMPTE Connector: BNC Input Voltage: 1-4VPP Output Voltage: 2VPP Clock Accuracy: 1.54 PPM (1 frame out in 6 hours) Timecode Frame-rates: 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97NDF, 29.97DF, 30NDF, 30DF ZaxNet RF Interface 2.4 Ghz Transmitter: 50mW output power Frequency Range: 2.403 to 2.475 GHz Modulation Type: Spread Spectrum Bandwidth: 1MHz Connector: SMA female Power Internal: 6AA 7-9 VDC, 1-3 hours of usage (NiMh) External: 10 to 18 VDC External Power: 8 to 18 VDC @ 300mA Power Connecter: Hirose Battery Meter: Yes, on LCD display Physical Size (H x W x D) while looking at screen: 2.0″ x 9.9″ x 7.0″ Weight: 3.8 pounds with internal batteries Misc. Display: Full color sunlight readable LCD Meters: Output / Input / Card Slate Mic: Internal / External Serial/RS-422: 1 x 4-Pin USB style Serial Port: Zaxcom Proprietary Compatible with Mix-8: Yes USB Keyboard support: Yes