Zaxcom Nomad User manual

Table of Contents
KNOW YOUR NOMAD .................................................................................................................................................5
LEFT SIDE .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
RIGHT SIDE.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
BACK SIDE .................................................................................................................................................................................................................10
HOME SCREEN /METERS..........................................................................................................................................................................................11
Store/Recall a Home Screen Configurations........................................................................................................................................................13
HOME SCREEN EXPLAINED ........................................................................................................................................................................................14
Transport Status field.....................................................................................................................................................................................................14
Timecode field....................................................................................................................................................................................................................14
MP3 Indicator ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................14
Headphone Selection......................................................................................................................................................................................................14
Battery Indicator...............................................................................................................................................................................................................14
Save Indicator ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................14
Card Information Field ...................................................................................................................................................................................................14
MAIN MENU .............................................................................................................................................................15
PLAYBACK CONTROL..................................................................................................................................................................................................16
RECORD ROUTING –NOMAD LITE ONLY ...................................................................................................................................................................17
RECORD ENABLES –NOMAD LITE ONLY....................................................................................................................................................................17
RECORD ENABLES –NOMAD 10 AND 12 ..................................................................................................................................................................18
MY NOMAD MENU...................................................................................................................................................................................................19
Mirror Mode .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................19
Write Sound Report ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................19
PRIMARY COMPACT FLASH CARD MENU...................................................................................................................................................................20
Choose Primary Folder.......................................................................................................................................................................................................20
Delete Last Primary Segment..........................................................................................................................................................................................20
Erase Current Primary Folder..........................................................................................................................................................................................21
Format Primary Card .........................................................................................................................................................................................................21
ISO Attenuation.................................................................................................................................................................................................................21
ISO Attenuation Enable.....................................................................................................................................................................................................22
Edit Current Folder...........................................................................................................................................................................................................22
MIRROR SETTINGS MENU .........................................................................................................................................................................................23
Mirror Mode .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................23
Folder to Mirror ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................23
Start Segment ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................23
End Segment.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................23
File Type................................................................................................................................................................................................................................23
File Resolution....................................................................................................................................................................................................................24
File Name .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................24
Mirror Options .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................24
Format Mirror Card............................................................................................................................................................................................................24
Mirror Drive - Nomad 12 Only....................................................................................................................................................................................25
FADER ASSIGN MATRIX .............................................................................................................................................................................................26
Setting a Cross point.......................................................................................................................................................................................................26
MEMORY MENU........................................................................................................................................................................................................27
STORE /RECALL USING MEMORY..............................................................................................................................................................................27
CLEAR FADER ASSIGNS ..............................................................................................................................................................................................27
FACTORY RESET.........................................................................................................................................................................................................28
STORE /RECALL USING MIRROR CARD......................................................................................................................................................................28
ABOUT NOMAD MENU .............................................................................................................................................................................................29
MODE MENU ............................................................................................................................................................30
SCROLL FOR ADDITIONAL MENU ITEMS ......................................................................................................................................................................30
SAMPLE RATE............................................................................................................................................................................................................30
TC Transport .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................30
Slate Source.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................30
Prerecord..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................30
AutoTrimTM ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................31
INPUT CONFIGURE ..........................................................................................................................................................................................31

2
Transport Keys...................................................................................................................................................................................................................32
GPI Remote Roll ................................................................................................................................................................................................................32
Mix-8 ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................32
Pan Copy...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................32
VFader Cycle .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................32
VFader Mode......................................................................................................................................................................................................................33
Folder Change....................................................................................................................................................................................................................33
Meter Peak Hold...............................................................................................................................................................................................................34
Punch-In................................................................................................................................................................................................................................34
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 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................37
Attenuation.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................38
Auto-Mix Enables .............................................................................................................................................................................................................38
Using The Auto-Mixer ....................................................................................................................................................................................................39
ZAXNET SETUP MENU ...............................................................................................................................................40
IFB Mode ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................40
Input Configure..................................................................................................................................................................................................................40
TX Channel...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................40
RX CHANNEL ..................................................................................................................................................................................................40
RX Audio Gain ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................40
TX Audio Gain.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................40
Group Code..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................41
TX Power...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................41
Transport Commands.....................................................................................................................................................................................................41
Power-Roll Mode..............................................................................................................................................................................................................41
TRX Off-On...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................41
IFB Test Tone ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................41
BURN ZAXNET SOFTWARE ..............................................................................................................................................................................41
IFB DEBUG PAGE ............................................................................................................................................................................................41
ENG SETUP ...............................................................................................................................................................42
HEADPHONE #2 VOLUME.....................................................................................................................................................................................42
SET TIME &DATE PAGE ............................................................................................................................................................................................42
COMPRESSOR ENABLE ...............................................................................................................................................................................................42
INPUT COMPRESSOR PARAMETERS............................................................................................................................................................................43
OUTPUT COMPRESSOR PARAMETERS........................................................................................................................................................................43
CARD COMPRESSOR PARAMETERS ............................................................................................................................................................................43
MONITOR NAMES .....................................................................................................................................................................................................44
TRACK NAMES...........................................................................................................................................................................................................44
TRACK NAME PRESET ................................................................................................................................................................................................44
NOTE PRESETS...........................................................................................................................................................................................................45
WARNINGS SETUP.....................................................................................................................................................................................................45
INPUT LEVELS ............................................................................................................................................................................................................46
Internal & External Slate Levels.................................................................................................................................................................................46
Return 1-4 Input Levels / Line Level Inputs 7-10 ................................................................................................................................................46
Digital Inputs 1-8 Levels ................................................................................................................................................................................................46
Extra Input Gain................................................................................................................................................................................................................46
OUTPUT LEVELS.........................................................................................................................................................................................................46
XLR & TA5 Output Bus Levels......................................................................................................................................................................................46

3
Mono & Tape Output Bus Levels...............................................................................................................................................................................46
LCD Brightness...................................................................................................................................................................................................................47
LED Brightness ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................47
Transport Keys...................................................................................................................................................................................................................47
Tone Frequency.................................................................................................................................................................................................................47
Tone Level............................................................................................................................................................................................................................47
AES 42....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................47
ADVANCED SETUP .....................................................................................................................................................................................................48
Scroll for additional menu items ...............................................................................................................................................................................48
Prevent Empty Pan ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................48
Display Speed button......................................................................................................................................................................................................48
AES -42 Hi voltage............................................................................................................................................................................................................48
Burn Boot loader .................................................................................................................................................................................................................48
Debug Bits............................................................................................................................................................................................................................48
Dynamic 48V.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................49
Processor Speed ................................................................................................................................................................................................................49
USB Status ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................49
Allow Logging.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................49
Log Screen............................................................................................................................................................................................................................49
UPGRADE CODE..............................................................................................................................................................................................49
TRIM CALIBRATION CHANNELS /TRIM CALIBRATE..........................................................................................................................................49
Slate Always On ................................................................................................................................................................................................................49
PRESSING THE TIMECODE KEY ...................................................................................................................................52
TIMECODE SLATE.......................................................................................................................................................................................................52
TIMECODE JAM .........................................................................................................................................................................................................52
ENTER TIMECODE......................................................................................................................................................................................................53
Manually Entering Timecode......................................................................................................................................................................................53
Manually Entering User-bit .........................................................................................................................................................................................53
TIMECODE SETUP ......................................................................................................................................................................................................54
TC Mode................................................................................................................................................................................................................................54
TC Frame Rate....................................................................................................................................................................................................................54
TC Displayed .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................54
TC Output.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................54
Increment UBits.................................................................................................................................................................................................................54
UB Date Style......................................................................................................................................................................................................................54
PRESSING THE A-MIX KEY ..........................................................................................................................................55
PRESSING THE ZAXNET KEY........................................................................................................................................ 55
TRX Frequency ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................55
Trim.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................55
PRESSING THE BUS KEY.............................................................................................................................................56
OUTPUT BUS ASSIGN BUSSES....................................................................................................................................................................................56
Setting a Crosspoint ........................................................................................................................................................................................................57
MONO OUT MATRIX.................................................................................................................................................................................................57
TAPE/IFB OUT..........................................................................................................................................................................................................57
HEADPHONE-2..........................................................................................................................................................................................................58
CARD TRACKTONE ENABLE........................................................................................................................................................................................58
CARD TRACK SLATE ENABLES.....................................................................................................................................................................................58
CARD TRACKS COM ENABLES ....................................................................................................................................................................................58
CARD ROUTING –NOMAD 10 AND 12 ONLY............................................................................................................................................................59
Setting a Crosspoint ........................................................................................................................................................................................................59
PRESSING THE PFL KEY ..............................................................................................................................................60
PRE FADER LISTENING ...............................................................................................................................................................................................60
PRESSING THE SETUP KEY..........................................................................................................................................61

4
ANALOG INPUT SETUP...............................................................................................................................................................................................61
Adjustable Parameters ..................................................................................................................................................................................................61
Input Compressor Linking.............................................................................................................................................................................................61
MAIN HEADPHONE SETUP .........................................................................................................................................62
SETTING UP YOUR MAIN HEADPHONE........................................................................................................................................................................62
SETTING UP AND ENGAGING TONE ............................................................................................................................63
ASSIGNING TONE TO OUTPUT BUSSES.......................................................................................................................................................................63
ASSIGNING TONE TO CARD TRACKS...........................................................................................................................................................................63
ENGAGING TONE.......................................................................................................................................................................................................63
ENTER TEXT ..............................................................................................................................................................64
FALSE START .............................................................................................................................................................65
ZAXNET QUICK START GUIDE FOR TRX TRANSMITTER CONTROL ..............................................................................................................................66
ZAXNET QUICK START GUIDE FOR QRX AUDIO RECEIVE OPERATIONS......................................................................................................................67
ZAXNET QUICK START GUIDE FOR ERX IFB AUDIO RECEIVE OPERATIONS................................................................................................................68
ENG /EFP BAG OPERATION ........................................................................................................................................69
ENG Panning.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................69
AutoTrimTM ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................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 & Tape Output Connectors (1/8” TRS)......................................................................................................................................................73
Slate Microphone Input Connector (1/8” TRS) ...................................................................................................................................................73
Headphone Output Connectors (1/4” TRS or 1/8” TRS) .................................................................................................................................73
Power Connector (Hirose-4 Connector) .................................................................................................................................................................73
GPI Remote Roll (USB Type A) ....................................................................................................................................................................................73
AES Digital Input / Output Connectors (DB-15)..................................................................................................................................................74
UPDATING FIRMWARE ..............................................................................................................................................75
PRODUCT SUPPORT ..................................................................................................................................................76
NOMAD SPECIFICATIONS...........................................................................................................................................77
HARDWARE ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................77
SOFTWARE ................................................................................................................................................................................................................79
ZAXCOM WARRANTY POLICY AND LIMITATIONS ........................................................................................................80

NOMAD LAYOUT Front Panel
5
Know Your Nomad
1 2 3 45 6 7 89 10 11 12
14 15 16 17
1. Primary/Mirror Record LEDs
Indicates the unit 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 pressed once, it opens the Timecode Slate page.
•In SHIFTED MODE pressed & held for one second, puts the unit into Record mode.
•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 the unit is in Playback mode.
4. A-MIX / Play / 2 / B – multi-function key
•In SHIFTED MODE pressed & held for one second, puts the unit into Playback mode.
•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 recording press it to toggle for MP3 marking.
•When Auto-Mix is engaged, and MP3 support is off, pressing will access Auto-Mix menu.
5. STOP LED
Indicates the unit is in Stop mode.
6. ZNET / STOP / 3 /C – multi-function key
•In SHIFTED MODE pressed & held for one second, will Stop Recording or Stop 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.
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 page.
•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 Meta Data menu or Track Naming menu will open the list of presets.
13

NOMAD LAYOUT Front Panel
6
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.
•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 a number is needed in a data entry field or need to select a channel #:
•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, starts 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 hardware trim knob.
15. Auto-TrimTM LED (of 6 total)
Indicates which fader is active for AutoTrimTM.
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 #:
•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.
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
7
Left Side
12 3 45 6
7 8 9
Battery Carrier (w/ 6 batteries installed)
Battery Compartment Area (behind the door view) Battery Connector (far end)
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. If you exceed it by even 0.1 VDC, you will BLOW the unit’s power supply and
require it to be sent in for maintenance. The warranty will be VOID if it is determined that the power supply
was blown by violating this warning.
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

NOMAD LAYOUT Left Side Panel
8
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. The dynamic range of the sample-rate conversion is 124 dB, offering completely
transparent conversion of digital audio from one sample-rate to another.
NOTE: Currently, if you are using ZaxNet there is a limitation on the number of AES channels available.
See input configure menu.
The DB-15 connector can be wired with eight separate XLR-3 style inputs / outputs four inputs and four
outputs. Each is a stereo pair - 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8.
3. TC Output connector (BNC)
4. TC Input connector (BNC)
5. Battery Door
The Silver knob rotates clockwise to lock the battery compartment door. Inside, you will find space for the
battery carrier with six AA batteries, a slot for the Primary CF card and a slot for the MicroSD card.
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.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!
6. ZaxNet RF connector (SMA-F)
7. Serial connector
Connection for Zaxcom Mix 8 control panel.
8. Compact Flash Card Mirror Media Slot
9. USB port
For USB capable external drives and USB keyboard (Nomad 8 and 12 only).
10. MicroSD Media Slot
11. Compact Flash Card Primary Media Slot
12. Internal Battery Compartment
NOTE: It is possible to insert the battery carrier incorrectly. Even if you insert with the contacts reversed it will
do NO harm to the unit because there is reversed current protection. Nomad just won’t turn on.

NOMAD LAYOUT Right Side Panel
9
Right Side
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9
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. Headphone #1 (1/4” stereo jack)
3. Outputs 1 – 4 (XLR-3M)
Outputs 4 channels of audio via output buses 1- 4
XLR 1 carries output bus 1
XLR 2 carries output bus 2
XLR 3 carries output bus 3
XLR 4 carries output bus 4
4. Returns 1 – 4 (TA-5M)
Accepts a Headphone Level or Line-Level signal (Range: -20dBu and +30dBu)
•These can act as camera returns and each is independent and can be used to monitor audio from 4
different sources
Or
•Line level analog inputs for inputs 7 through 10
5. External Slate Microphone input (1/8” (3.5mm) TRS jack)
This is where you plug-in the external Com / Slate microphone
6. Headphone #2 (1/8” (3.5mm) TRS jack)
7. Mono Output (1/8” (3.5mm) TRS jack)
This is a user assignable mono out
8. Tape Output (1/8” (3.5mm) TRS jack)
This is a user assignable mono out
9. Power Switch
1
1
1
4
4