Nagra Nagra-D User manual

· ( 0:1 ~ r
I
l IIII I IIII

NAGRA-D
Setting the new
standard
in digital audio
recording
NAGRA -jor decades the quintessence oj technolo-
gical innovation; a classic name jor perjection in
analogue recording.
The NAGRA-D continues the tradition oj leader-
ship also into the digital audio recording domain.
NAGRA-D is notjusta new recorder, but the beginning
ojthe
nell' era in digitalaudio quality Now, projessio-
nal sOllnd recordists can have the quality and
reliabili(y they have been searchingjor.
NAGRA-D has:
~ oren reel II ;' tape
~ 24 hits per sample
~ 2 or 4 channels
which bring real henefits
~ A lifetime oj 50 years or morejor the original master
recordings - especially importantjor archives.
~ Important extra beadroom -guaranteesatmel6 hits
dynamic range jor the jinished product .
~ PrOl ' ides the versatility demanded by projessiollals
e.g. the recording oj apair oj ambience microphones
jorpostproduction mastering
~ Easy editing oj tape.
~ A jactor 4 reduction in the cost oj tape and tape
storage space compared wit/) analogue recordings
~ Ajormat which will allow immediate lise oj tbe C01/-
tinuing evolution in electronics technology.
And the NAGRA-D is ready to operate in hostile envi-
ronments.
NAGRA-D .
More than just a need.

V4" tape format - a truly professional
approach to digital audio recording
NAGRA chose the digital Y4" tape format for the
NAG R A- D to give you the performanceyou have come 10
expect in audio recording.
TAPE FOOTPRINT
direction of tape travel I
Three all.1:iliary tracks have been created to give you
more information nOw and in the fllture. TheCU E track
can receive a mix of the 4audio channels, or commen-
tary from the external CUE microphone; the TIME
CODE track hasfultSMPTE/EBUlimecodeinformation
for
both I'ideo and cinema applications; whiLst the
CONTROL track could, in the future, record bursts of
additional data.
CUE TRAcK
I
---------l
- - -- -_ . ---+
TIME CODE TRACK
CONTROL TRACK
ONE FRAME
I' ,,I" ,I' ,,I" ,I' ,,I' " I' ,,I' ,,I' ,,I' ,,I' " I" I I'" I' ,,I' ,,I' ,,I' ,,I' ,,I" ,I' ,,I
n I " I! II . 10 ~ . 1,~ \! 11'1 III II ,le ~! 'h {,II { 'I 1>Ii -! -f. )( 1)
....
....
ST , IRT Bit Numher
E,\[)
fR ·I)IE C ol nr Fr am e Bit
Drop-Frame Bit
TIME CODE TRACK
Full SMPTE/EBU time code
,
-! l1lJL H
-- - - -- ---- --- - -------=
fR ,I. IIE
TIMF. -- -- ~

The four channel recording system consists of pairs of
tracks. DataforchannelsI&2 are on one track ;thatfor
channels 3& 4 on the other. This configuration allows
simple lockout 0/ either pair. Auxiliary information
such as faderpositions, drop outfiles etc. are recorded
in the 48 samples / track reserved for this purpose.
HELICAL TRACKS
, _ .-. - .-. _;;- .-. -.- .- .- . ---t
. 0~ ,
I ~ I
t ~~ j
\
/ /
The Yi" tape format has several important features
which make it especially rugged :
Azimuthed recording (± 6°) and large track gap
(~/Oj.Jrn) ensure low track - to-track crosstalk.
Wide tracks ( ~ 70 j.Jrn) reduce tracking difficulties
caused by vibration .
Stife wavelength (!.2IBfJrn) avoids self demagn eti -
sation.
RUGGEDNESS OF THE FORMAT
I ;%::; ,:%0
+-- · ---- -·- "'· - ·--· -·- ·T
I °0 0
;::::;::: 0:%:;;~0
- --- -- - - -- -------- - -- ---- - ---t

}
I

Two-way communication
Tbe NAGRA-D is versatile enougb tiS a completely self
contained
unit, but connect it to Ibe outside world and
tbe potenNal is unlimited.
Tbe extension a1ul reference sockets providefor mul-
tiple synchronisation possibilities; Video (PAL, SECAM,
NTSC), EXT (32 kHz , 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz); AES; Time
Code (SMPTE/EBU).
Tbe RS 422 serialcommunicationport can be lIsed to
connect a PC for extern£il control or editing.
Tbe four analogue audio channel inputs 011 XLR carmec-
tors are indillidually switcbable ; line, "]'"12 V, Pb + 12 T;"
Pb +48 V. Current(y tbey are digitized to 18 bit resolu-
tion, and can be cbanged to 20 bits wben lower con -
sumption AID
conl / erters become available .
Tbe NAGRA-D also incltldes, as stant/ard, one AES
INPllT/OllTPUT for eacb pair of cbarmels allowillg
24 bits per sample /0 be recorded.
External monitoring
Continuous selectable monitoring of alljour cbannels
or tbe CliE track is made possible L'iaa bigb levelmoni-
torillg amplifierjed to two 1,( /" beadpbone jacks.
Four cbannel, symmetrical,jloatillg, and tran~former
less analogue audio outputs provide practical connec-
tion to external analogue equipment.
To ensure a IOTig life oj tbe internal batterypack, tbe
i\AGRA-D CtII1 be connected to an external intelligent
NAGRA current control cbarge1:

NAGRA-D ...
designed jor the practical sound recordist.
Because we have been yourpartner in
the recording ojsoundjor many years we
understandyour needs .
TRANSPORT
ACCESSIBILITY
}
The rugged, open reel NAGRA-D format gives you
easy access to the tape transport mechanism. Visual
checking , cleaning, and rough scissor editing are pos-
sible .
ROTARY HEAD
CONFIGURATION
The scanner is equipped with four heads , Iwo for
recording and two for playback. Tbis advanced
technology gives an improvement in signal level
compared to stationary headformats, and allows
full confidence playback.
I
Portability
Not allsound recordings can be made in the comfor-
.j
table environment of a studio and so the recorder
needs to be able to go to the source . This can mean
anytbingfrom
hot anddusty to cold and dry condi-
tions .
The NAGRA-D is designed to go anywhere you can
go, giving the possibility to maketruly professional,
4 channel, digital recordings in the field.
~ weighs only 7 .5 kg without battery
•
all metal case with corners protected by rubber
shock absorbers
• protected connectors

Tapes
INTERNAL
BATTERY PACK
TAPE QUALITY
SURVEILLANCE
The NAGRA-D uses standard 1jq" metal oxide tape as
in PD and DASHjormats. Metal oxide tapes are jar
less sensitive to corrosive oxidationthanmetal par-
ticles ,a very importantjactor when tapes are to be
stored jor long periods.
One hour aruJ jortyjive minutes continuous
recording in the jield is achieved by use oj a
"Betacam nt" baltery pack. Most recording units will
already have chargers jor this battery aruJ it has the
addedadvantage that,Jorvideo applications, only
one type oj battery pack is needed on location .
During recording or playback, continuous tape
quality surveillance takes place. A drop outjile is
established and recorded on the tape (overloads,
drop outs etc.). Later consultation oj this injorma-
tion will give the operator vital details about tape l
recording quality.
Playback Signal ProceSSing
From Read After
Wr i te
Management Processor
To Tape
Error File

SPECIFICATIONS
TAPE FORMAT/TRANSPORT
Recording system:
Monitoring :
Tape type :
Tape speed:
Recording time:
Variable speed:
Search possibilities:
Start up time :
Winding speed :
Rotary head and3Longitudinal
tracks
Read after write
Y., " (635 mm) Digital tape
49 .6 mm/ sfor 2 channels
99.2 mm / sfor 4 channels
5"reel{j60m} 2Ch=2h
4 Ch= 1h
7" reel (720 m) 2 Ch = 4h
4 Ch=2h
±10 %
Using longitudinal analogue CUE
track
From "READY" to "REe" <2 secs
~ 90 secs (for 5" reel)
AUDIO PERFORMANCE
No of channels:
Sampling frequencies:
Analogue IN / OUT
Signal/noise ratio :
Frequency response:
Total Harmonic
distortion:
Channel separation:
Digital IN / OUT
Error correction:
2 or4
32 kHz, 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz
18 bits
>98 dB
20 Hz to 20 kHz ± 0.5 dB
(48 kH z samplingfrequency)
<0. 05 %
> 80 dB
24 bits (AES)
Reed Solomon (38,34, 5) (12,9, 4)

INPUTS/OUTPUTS
Analogue inputs:
Switcbable Line or Microphone
Microphone:
4 XLR (switchable, 12 V "r';
Phantom + 12 V, Pbantom + 48 V,
dynamic microphones can also be
usedlor high soundlevel)
Line: Symmetrical, translormerless
(Zin>8kO)
Analogue outputs: Symmetrical, transjormerless on
XLR C01mectors 3.1 Vmax
(Zoul=500)
Digital
I/O:
AES {standard mode)
Time code 1/0:
SMPTE/EBU
External sync :
PAL / SECAM/NTSC/EXT (32 kHz,
44.1 kHz, 48 kHz)/AES/ TC
Serial communication: RS4229pin
Headphone outputs: 2x
Stereo with stepped level
adjustment
GENERAL
Power requirement: Internal batterypack
Battery
type:
BetacamTM (4.5Ah 12 V)
Autonomy:
Ih45min
Consumption:
24 W "STOP" mode
29 W "REC" mode
External dimensions
13 !iJ 6x 131! 1 Jx 55;;,"
(LxDxH):
(332 x 347 x 143 mm) without
. handle
13 ~ x1]'+ J6 x5 Ya "
(350x351x143mmJ with handle
Weight (without battery): 15 .81bs (7.2 kg) witbout handle
16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) with handle
© Copyright reserved for all countries.
NAGRA, KUDELSKl, NEOPILUt, NEOPILOTTON, NAGRASTATIG,
NAGRAFAX, NAGRAVISJON are registered trade-marks,property of
KUDELSKl . S:A., NAGRA Tape Recorder Mamifactllrer.
The specificati-Ons contained in thispublication are subject to change
at any time withoutprior noticefollowing improvements and
mOdifications
of tbe equipment.
Printed in Switzerland,
Octobc>r 199 2. KSA PIN 20/0002141