Zaxcom Nomad Audio Recorder
Zaxcom Nomad Audio Recorder is a complete location sound recording system designed specifically for soundbag use, Nomad provides all the functionality necessary to mix and record in a power-efficient space-saving package.
There are three models of Nomad available to fit individual needs: Nomad Lite, Nomad 10 and Nomad 12.
Features:
- All include 10 Analog Inputs with 6 Mic pres (inc Neverclip)
- Nomad 10 & 12 include 3 Pairs of AES digital inputs – one pair can configure to AES42
- All have 6 output busses – 4 x XLR & 3 x TA5 (Two busses per TA5)
- Each output can be configured – line, mic & consumer output levels
- Mono & Tape output
- 4 x Balanced Camera returns
- Record 10 or 12 tracks on dual CF cards- Model dependent
- 24 bit/96KHz and dynamic range of 137dB
The Digital Mixing Advantage
Nomad’s digital mixing engine provides zero distortion, zero noise, and a 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.
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.
Soft Knee Compressor
Nomad 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.
Integrated Timecode Slate (Patent Pending)
Nomad 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.
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 headphone monitoring system provides 12 user-adjustable configurations. Any combination of output busses, record tracks and camera returns can be monitored and identified with user-defined labels.
Surround and MS Recording
The six hardware faders can be routed to any or all of the six mic/line inputs. This makes Nomad the perfect choice for the 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 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.
MARF
Nomad uses Zaxcom’s MARF (Mobile Audio Recording Format) file system. The 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.
Nomad Control Surface
Nomad control surfaces improve 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. 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. The control surface of Nomad is an intuitive space-saving open design that is in step with the technology it controls.
