Zaxcom Nomad User manual

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USER MANUAL
Published October 2014
Software Version Nomad 7.20
Zaxcom Nomad
Sound bag audio redefined

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KNOW YOUR NOMAD ................................................................................................................................... 7
FRONT PANEL ............................................................................................................................................................ 7
LEFT SIDE ..................................................................................................................................................................9
RIGHT SIDE ..............................................................................................................................................................11
BACK SIDE ...............................................................................................................................................................12
HOME SCREEN /METERS...........................................................................................................................................13
Store/Recall a Home Screen Configurations.................................................................................................... 15
HOME SCREEN EXPLAINED .........................................................................................................................................16
MP3 Indicator .................................................................................................................................................. 16
Time Code ........................................................................................................................................................16
Headphone Selection.......................................................................................................................................16
Battery Indicator ..............................................................................................................................................16
Save Indicator .................................................................................................................................................. 16
Card Information Field..................................................................................................................................... 17
MAIN MENU ................................................................................................................................................18
METADATA PAGE .....................................................................................................................................................18
PLAYBACK CONTROL MENU........................................................................................................................................19
PRIMARY CARD RECORD ROUTING -NOMAD LITE ONLY .................................................................................................20
MIRROR RECORD ENABLES -NOMAD LITE ONLY............................................................................................................20
PRIMARY CARD RECORD ROUTING –NOMAD 10 AND 12 ...............................................................................................21
MY NOMAD MENU ..................................................................................................................................................22
Mirror Mode Options....................................................................................................................................... 22
Write Sound Report ......................................................................................................................................... 22
Primary Compact Flash Card Menu .................................................................................................................23
Choose Primary Folder..................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Delete Last Primary Segment........................................................................................................................................................... 24
Erase Current Primary Folder........................................................................................................................................................... 24
Format Primary Card........................................................................................................................................................................ 24
ISO Attenuation................................................................................................................................................................................ 25
ISO Attenuation Enable.................................................................................................................................................................... 25
Edit Current Folder Name ................................................................................................................................................................ 25
Mirror Settings Menu ...................................................................................................................................... 26
Mirror Mode .................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Folder to Mirror ............................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Start Segment .................................................................................................................................................................................. 26
End Segment .................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
File Type Select ................................................................................................................................................................................ 27
File Resolution Select ....................................................................................................................................................................... 27
File Naming Protocol........................................................................................................................................................................ 27
Mirror Options ................................................................................................................................................................................. 27
Time Code Offset ............................................................................................................................................................................. 28
Format Mirror Card .......................................................................................................................................................................... 28
Mirror Drive Select - Nomad 12 Only............................................................................................................... 29
FADER ASSIGN MATRIX..............................................................................................................................................30
Setting a Cross point ........................................................................................................................................30
EXTERNAL FADER ASSIGN...........................................................................................................................................30
MEMORY MENU ......................................................................................................................................................31
Store / Recall Memory ..................................................................................................................................... 31
Clear Fader Assigns .......................................................................................................................................... 31
Factory Reset to Default Settings ....................................................................................................................32
Store / Recall using Mirror Card ...................................................................................................................... 32

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ABOUT NOMAD MENU..............................................................................................................................................33
MODE MENU ..........................................................................................................................................................34
Sample Rate Select...........................................................................................................................................34
TC Transport..................................................................................................................................................... 34
Slate Source Select...........................................................................................................................................34
Prerecord ......................................................................................................................................................... 35
AutoTrim .......................................................................................................................................................... 35
AutoPan ...........................................................................................................................................................35
Input Configure Set .......................................................................................................................................... 36
Transport Keys .................................................................................................................................................37
GP Remote Roll Enable ....................................................................................................................................37
Pan Copy .......................................................................................................................................................... 37
VFader Cycle.....................................................................................................................................................37
VFader Mode ................................................................................................................................................... 38
Folder Change ..................................................................................................................................................38
Meter Peak Hold Set ........................................................................................................................................ 39
Punch-In ........................................................................................................................................................... 39
PFL Routing ...................................................................................................................................................... 39
MP3 Support .................................................................................................................................................... 40
MP3 Mix...........................................................................................................................................................41
Auto-Mixer – Not available in Nomad Lite ...................................................................................................... 42
A-Mix Mode .....................................................................................................................................................42
Mic On Threshold............................................................................................................................................. 42
Attack............................................................................................................................................................... 42
Decay................................................................................................................................................................ 42
Noise Reduction............................................................................................................................................... 42
Attenuation......................................................................................................................................................42
Auto-Mix Enables.............................................................................................................................................43
Using the Auto-Mixer.......................................................................................................................................44
ZAXNET SETUP MENU ...............................................................................................................................................45
IFB Mode ..........................................................................................................................................................45
Input Configure ................................................................................................................................................ 45
TX Channel ....................................................................................................................................................... 45
RX Channel ....................................................................................................................................................... 45
RX Audio Gain .................................................................................................................................................. 46
TX Audio Gain...................................................................................................................................................46
Group Code ......................................................................................................................................................46
TX Power .......................................................................................................................................................... 46
Transport Commands ...................................................................................................................................... 46
Power-Roll Mode ............................................................................................................................................. 46
TRX Off-On .......................................................................................................................................................46
ZaxNet TC Out ..................................................................................................................................................46
IFB Test Tone.................................................................................................................................................... 47
Burn ZaxNet Software...................................................................................................................................... 47
IFB Debug ......................................................................................................................................................... 47

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ENG SETUP .............................................................................................................................................................48
Headphone 1 Volume ...................................................................................................................................... 48
Headphone 2 Volume ...................................................................................................................................... 48
Set Time and Date............................................................................................................................................ 48
Compressor Enable ..........................................................................................................................................48
Input Compressor Parameter Adjust ...............................................................................................................49
Output Compressor Parameter Adjust ............................................................................................................49
Card Compressor Parameters..........................................................................................................................49
Monitor Names................................................................................................................................................ 50
Track Names.....................................................................................................................................................50
Track Name Preset Edit.................................................................................................................................... 50
Note Presets Edit ............................................................................................................................................. 51
Warnings Setup................................................................................................................................................ 51
Input Levels Adjust...........................................................................................................................................52
Internal & External Slate Levels ....................................................................................................................................................... 52
Return 1-4 Input Levels / Line Level Inputs 7-10 .............................................................................................................................. 52
Digital Inputs 1-8 Levels ................................................................................................................................................................... 52
Extra Input Gain ............................................................................................................................................................................... 52
Output Levels Adjust........................................................................................................................................ 53
XLR & TA5 Output Bus Levels ........................................................................................................................................................... 53
Mono & Tape Output Bus Levels...................................................................................................................................................... 53
LCD Brightness ................................................................................................................................................. 53
LED Brightness ................................................................................................................................................. 53
Transport Keys .................................................................................................................................................54
Tone Frequency Adjust .................................................................................................................................... 54
Tone Level........................................................................................................................................................ 54
AES 42 Enable................................................................................................................................................... 54
ADVANCED SETUP.....................................................................................................................................................55
Prevent Empty Pan...........................................................................................................................................55
Display Speed................................................................................................................................................... 55
AES -42 Hi voltage ............................................................................................................................................55
Burn Boot loader.............................................................................................................................................. 55
Debug Bits ........................................................................................................................................................ 55
Dynamic 48V .................................................................................................................................................... 55
Processor Speed...............................................................................................................................................55
USB Status........................................................................................................................................................ 56
Allow Logging ...................................................................................................................................................56
Log Screen........................................................................................................................................................ 56
Upgrade Code .................................................................................................................................................. 56
Trim Calibration Channels / Trim Calibrate .....................................................................................................56
Slate Always On................................................................................................................................................ 56
Headphone Phase ............................................................................................................................................ 56

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NOMAD INPUT TRIM CALIBRATION ..............................................................................................................57
PRESSING THE TIME CODE KEY .....................................................................................................................59
TIME CODE SLATE.....................................................................................................................................................59
TIME CODE JAM .......................................................................................................................................................59
ENTER TIME CODE ....................................................................................................................................................60
Manually entering time code........................................................................................................................... 60
Manually entering user-bits.............................................................................................................................60
TIME CODE SETUP MENU ..........................................................................................................................................61
TC Mode........................................................................................................................................................... 61
TC FRAME RATE .......................................................................................................................................................61
TC DISPLAYED ..........................................................................................................................................................61
TC OUTPUT .............................................................................................................................................................61
INCREMENT UBITS....................................................................................................................................................61
UB DATE STYLE........................................................................................................................................................61
AUTO DATE JAM ......................................................................................................................................................61
PRESSING THE A-MIX KEY.............................................................................................................................62
PRESSING THE Z-NET KEY..............................................................................................................................63
ZAXNET TRANSMITTER CONTROL .................................................................................................................................63
TRX FREQUENCY ......................................................................................................................................................63
TRIM ......................................................................................................................................................................63
PRESSING THE BUS KEY ................................................................................................................................64
OUTPUT BUS ASSIGN BUSSES .....................................................................................................................................64
Setting a Cross-Point........................................................................................................................................ 64
MONO OUT MATRIX.................................................................................................................................................65
TAPE/IFB OUT .........................................................................................................................................................65
HEADPHONE-2.........................................................................................................................................................65
CARD TRACKTONE ENABLE.........................................................................................................................................66
CARD TRACK SLATE ENABLES ......................................................................................................................................66
CARD TRACKS COM ENABLES......................................................................................................................................66
CARD ROUTING –NOMAD 10 AND 12 ONLY ................................................................................................................67
Setting a Cross-Point........................................................................................................................................ 67
PRESSING THE PFL KEY .................................................................................................................................68
PRESSING THE SETUP KEY.............................................................................................................................69
ANALOG SETUP MENU ..............................................................................................................................................69
ADJUSTABLE PARAMETERS .........................................................................................................................................69
INPUT COMPRESSOR LINKING .....................................................................................................................................69
MAIN HEADPHONE SETUP............................................................................................................................70
TO SET UP YOUR HEADPHONE SELECTS..........................................................................................................................70
HEADPHONE MATRIX SETUP TO DECODE MS STEREO ......................................................................................................70
SETTING UP AND ENGAGING TONE...............................................................................................................71
ASSIGNING TONE TO OUTPUT BUSSES..........................................................................................................................71
ASSIGNING TONE TO CARD TRACKS...............................................................................................................................71
ENGAGING TONE ......................................................................................................................................................71
ADJUSTING THE TONE FREQUENCY AND LEVEL................................................................................................................71

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ENTERING TEXT............................................................................................................................................72
FALSE START ................................................................................................................................................73
ZAXNET QUICK START GUIDE........................................................................................................................74
TRX TRANSMITTER CONTROL ......................................................................................................................................74
QRX IFB AUDIO RECEIVE............................................................................................................................................75
ERX IFB AUDIO RECEIVE ............................................................................................................................................76
ENG /EFP BAG OPERATION...........................................................................................................................77
ENG PANNING.........................................................................................................................................................77
AUTOTRIM ..............................................................................................................................................................78
AUTOPAN ...............................................................................................................................................................78
VIRTUAL FADER ........................................................................................................................................................78
Operating virtual faders................................................................................................................................... 78
USB KEYBOARD SUPPORT ............................................................................................................................79
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................................79
ATTACHING A USB KEYBOARD ....................................................................................................................................79
USING THE KEYBOARD ...............................................................................................................................................79
LOCKING THE KEYBOARD............................................................................................................................................79
KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS..............................................................................................................................................80
COMPACT FLASH CARDS...............................................................................................................................81
SYNCING NOMAD TO A DENECKE SLATE .......................................................................................................82
NOMAD CONNECTOR ASSIGNMENTS............................................................................................................83
AUDIO INPUT /OUTPUT CONNECTORS (XLR-3) ............................................................................................................83
AUDIO INPUT /OUTPUT CONNECTORS (TA-5) ..............................................................................................................83
MONO &TAPE OUTPUT CONNECTORS (1/8” TRS OR 1/8”TS).......................................................................................83
SLATE MICROPHONE INPUT CONNECTOR (1/8” TRS).....................................................................................................83
HEADPHONE OUTPUT CONNECTORS (1/4” TRS OR 1/8” TRS)........................................................................................83
POWER CONNECTOR (HIROSE-4 CONNECTOR) ..............................................................................................................83
GPI REMOTE ROLL (USB TYPE A) ...............................................................................................................................83
USB TO MIX 8(USB TYPE ATO DB9M)......................................................................................................................84
AES DIGITAL INPUT /OUTPUT CONNECTORS (DB-15) ...................................................................................................84
UPDATING FIRMWARE .................................................................................................................................85
UPGRADING THE FIRMWARE.......................................................................................................................................85
NOMAD SPECIFICATIONS .............................................................................................................................86
HARDWARE .............................................................................................................................................................86
SOFTWARE ..............................................................................................................................................................88
PRODUCT SUPPORT .....................................................................................................................................89
ZAXCOM WARRANTY POLICY AND LIMITATIONS...........................................................................................90

NOMAD LAYOUT Front Panel
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Know Your Nomad
Front Panel
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
14 15 16 17
1. Primary/Mirror Record LEDs
Indicates Nomad is in record mode and which card is being written to (Primary Card, Mirror Card).
The mirror LED is intentionally dimmer than the primary LED
2. TC / REC / 1 / A – multi-function key
•In shifted mode
•A quick press opens the time code slate - additional presses will open the time code menus.
•Pressed and hold for one second, puts Nomad into record.
•In unshifted mode
•A quick press will put the unit into record.
•When a number is needed in a data entry field, press it for the number/channel 1.
•When an “A” for user-bits is required, double click it.
3. Play LED
Indicates Nomad is playing back.
4. A-MIX / Play / 2 / B – multi-function key
•In shifted mode
•When Auto-Mix is engaged, and MP3 support is off, pressing will access the Auto-Mix menu
•When Auto-Mix is off and MP3 support is off pressing will access the Meta-Data page.
•Pressed and held for one second, puts the unit into playback mode.
•In unshifted mode
•A quick press will put Nomad into playback.
•When a number is needed in a data entry field, press it for the number/channel 2.
•When a “B” for user-bits is required, double click it.
•When MP3 support is turned on and recording press it to toggle for MP3 marking.
5. STOP LED
Indicates Nomad is in stop mode and Nomad is neither recording nor playing back.
6. ZNET / STOP / 3 /C – multi-function key
•In shifted mode
•A quick press will open up the ZaxNet adjust menu.
•Pressed and held for one second, will stop recording or stop playback.
•In unshifted mode
•A quick press will stop recording or playback.
•After stopping recording press & hold for one second, opens the false start page.
•When a number is needed in a data entry field, press it for the number/channel 3.
•When a “C” for user-bits is required, double click it.
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NOMAD LAYOUT Front Panel
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7. BUS / 4 / D – multi-function key
•When in the ENG home page a single press allows you to adjust the quick pan matrix.
•A second press or a press from any other home page takes you into the bus routing menu.
•When a number is needed in a data entry field, press it for the number/channel 4.
•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.
•When an “E” for user-bits is required, double click it
•Pressing from the metadata menu or track naming menu will open the list of presets.
9. SETUP / TONE / 6 / F – multi-function key
•Pressing it opens the analog input setup page.
•Pressed and hold for one second, toggles the tone generation on/off.
•When a number is needed in a data entry field, press it for the number/channel 6.
•When an “F” for user-bits is required, double click it.
10. COM / 7 / 9 – multi-function key
•Press and hold to activate the com mic.
•When auto-pan is enabled pressing it will change the pan assignment.
•When a number is needed in a data entry field or need to select a channel number:
•Press it for the number/channel 7
•Double click it for the number/channel 9
11. Color LCD Screen
Daylight-readable color LCD screen,
12. Headphone knob / Back knob
•Press it to back out of a page to the previous page.
•Turn it to adjust headphone #1 volume.
•Press and hold will enter user inputted data
13. Star key
•From the any home page, it advances to the next home page.
•In the bus routing matrix, head phone setup matrix, and card mix matrix pressing it you will add phase
reverse to your cross point options
•In the fader assign matrix pressing it will add trim and ZaxNet to your cross point options.
•If pressed while powering-up, Nomad will start the software update process.
14. Fader 1 (of 6 total)
Each of six faders can be assigned to any channel or combination of channels, or act as a fader, hardware
trim knob or a ZaxNet control knob.
15. Auto-TrimTM LED (of 6 total)
Indicates which fader is active for AutoTrim and Auto PAN.
16. SLT / 8 / 0 key
•Press and hold it to activate the slate mic.
•When a number is needed in a data entry field or need to select a channel number:
•Press it for the number/channel 8
•Double click it for the number/channel 0
17. MENU knob / SHIFT key
•From the Home page press it to access the main menu.
Note - If you have virtual fader engaged you have to push and hold to access the main menu.
•Turn it to scroll through the items on a page.
•Press to select a page item.
•Shortcut - While scrolling through a parameter with a long list, pressing the MENU knob while turning it
will of speed up the scroll speed by 10 times.

NOMAD LAYOUT Left Side Panel
9
Left Side
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9
1. External Power Connector (Hirose-4F)
10 to 18 VDC {1/2 A @ 12 VDC}
WARNING: Do NOT connect the external power connector to a source higher than 18.0 VDC.
This is the ABSOLUTE upper limit. You can damage the unit’s power supply and require it to be sent in
for maintenance and will not be covered under the warrantee.
2. AES Input / Output connector (DE-15F)
Nomad has four AES input pairs and three 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. The dynamic range of the sample-rate conversion is 124 dB, offering
completely transparent conversion of digital audio from one sample-rate to another.
The DB-15 connector can be wired with separate XLR-3 style inputs / outputs four inputs and three
outputs. Each is a stereo pair - 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8.
3. Time Code Output connector (BNC)
4. Time Code Input connector (BNC)
5. Internal Battery Door
The Silver knob rotates clockwise to lock the battery compartment door.
WARNING: Use ONLY NiMH rechargeable or Lithium batteries. If you use ANY other chemistry, they will
EXPLODE and can SEVERLY damage or DESTROY the unit.
6. ZaxNet RF connector (SMA-F)
7. Serial connector
Connection for Zaxcom FP8 fader panel or Mix 8 control panel.
8. Compact Flash Card Mirror Media Slot
9. USB port Nomad 8 and 12 only
Used for recording to USB drives or attaching a USB keyboard (Nomad 8 and 12 only).

NOMAD LAYOUT Left Side Panel
10
Battery Compartment Area (behind the door view)
10. Micro SD Media Slot - For factory use.
11. Compact Flash Card Primary Media Slot
12. Internal Battery Compartment
NOTE: Insert the battery carrier correctly. If you insert with the contacts reversed it will do no harm to
the unit, Nomad just won’t turn on.
Always observe the correct
battery polarity. The negative
contact on the battery is
always connected to the spring
contact in the carrier.
10 11 12