Zaxcom NOVA User manual

1
USER MANUAL
Published October 1, 2019
Software Version Nova 1.14
Zaxcom Nova

2
NOVA ................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
FRONT PANEL ............................................................................................................................................................................6
LEFT SIDE ..................................................................................................................................................................................9
RIGHT SIDE..............................................................................................................................................................................10
REAR.......................................................................................................................................................................................11
MAIN MENU.................................................................................................................................................................... 12
SUB MENUS ............................................................................................................................................................................12
ASSIGNING INPUTS TO A FADER / BANK ..................................................................................................................... 13
SETTING A CROSS POINT...........................................................................................................................................................13
CHANGING BANKS....................................................................................................................................................................13
NAMING TRACKS ............................................................................................................................................................ 14
HOW TO NAME A TRACK...........................................................................................................................................................14
SELECTING FROM THE LIST OF PRESET TRACK NAMES..................................................................................................................14
MEMORY MENU ............................................................................................................................................................. 15
STORE /RECALL MEMORY .......................................................................................................................................................15
How to store and recall a setup parameter ...............................................................................................................15
CLEAR FADER ASSIGNS .............................................................................................................................................................15
FACTORY RESET TO DEFAULT....................................................................................................................................................15
STORE /RECALL TO MIRROR CARD ...........................................................................................................................................15
HEADPHONE SETUP........................................................................................................................................................ 16
SETTING UP HEADPHONE PRESETS.............................................................................................................................................16
NAMING THE HEADPHONE SETUP .............................................................................................................................................16
INVERTING THE PHASE OF A SELECTION .....................................................................................................................................16
HEADPHONE MATRIX SETUP TO DECODE MS STEREO ...............................................................................................................16
ENG MENU ...................................................................................................................................................................... 17
COMPRESSORS ........................................................................................................................................................................17
Compressor Enable .......................................................................................................................................................17
Compressor Parameters Set........................................................................................................................................17
LEVELS ....................................................................................................................................................................................17
Internal & External Slate Levels ..................................................................................................................................17
Extra Input Gain..............................................................................................................................................................17
TA5 Output Levels Adjust..............................................................................................................................................17
SAMPLE RATE SELECT...............................................................................................................................................................18
PRERECORD.............................................................................................................................................................................18
TC TRANSPORT........................................................................................................................................................................18
LCD BRIGHTNESS.....................................................................................................................................................................18
LED BRIGHTNESS.....................................................................................................................................................................18
SLATE MICROPHONE SOURCE...................................................................................................................................................18
MULTI-TRIM ...........................................................................................................................................................................18
PLAY TO OUTPUTS ...................................................................................................................................................................18
GP REMOTE ROLL ENABLE .......................................................................................................................................................19
PUNCH-IN...............................................................................................................................................................................19
TONE FREQUENCY ADJUST .......................................................................................................................................................19
TONE LEVEL.............................................................................................................................................................................19

3
METER PEAK HOLD SET ...........................................................................................................................................................19
TRANSPORT KEYS.....................................................................................................................................................................19
INVERTED XPOINTS ..................................................................................................................................................................19
TRACK NAME PRESET EDIT .......................................................................................................................................................19
NOTE PRESETS EDIT .................................................................................................................................................................20
HEADPHONE 1VOLUME ..........................................................................................................................................................20
ABOUT NOVA MENU...............................................................................................................................................................20
WARNINGS SETUP..................................................................................................................................................................20
SETUP POWER .........................................................................................................................................................................20
ADVANCED SETUP....................................................................................................................................................................21
Prevent Empty Pan.........................................................................................................................................................21
Display Speed..................................................................................................................................................................21
Update Bootloader ........................................................................................................................................................21
Update IFB Module........................................................................................................................................................21
Debug Bits .......................................................................................................................................................................21
Allow Logging..................................................................................................................................................................21
Log Screen .......................................................................................................................................................................21
Upgrade Code .................................................................................................................................................................21
Slate Always On ..............................................................................................................................................................21
EXT Meter Decay............................................................................................................................................................21
EXT Meter Hold...............................................................................................................................................................21
Slate Delay.......................................................................................................................................................................22
Button Hold Time ...........................................................................................................................................................22
SETTING THE INPUT PARAMETERS ............................................................................................................................... 23
NAVAGATING THE INPUT SETUP MENU......................................................................................................................................23
ADJUSTABLE PARAMETERS .......................................................................................................................................................23
INPUT COMPRESSOR LINKING...................................................................................................................................................23
TIME CODE ...................................................................................................................................................................... 24
JAMMING TIME CODE AND USER BITS ......................................................................................................................................24
MANUALLY ENTERING TIME CODE AND USER BITS....................................................................................................................24
Entering time code.........................................................................................................................................................24
Entering user-bits ...........................................................................................................................................................24
TIME CODE SETUP MENU ........................................................................................................................................................25
TC Mode ..........................................................................................................................................................................25
TC Frame Rate.................................................................................................................................................................25
TC Displayed....................................................................................................................................................................25
TC Output ........................................................................................................................................................................25
Increment User Bits .......................................................................................................................................................25
UB Date Style ..................................................................................................................................................................25
Auto Date Jam ................................................................................................................................................................25
Set Time and Date..........................................................................................................................................................25
Time Code Slate..............................................................................................................................................................26
ASSIGNING INPUTS TO THE RECORD TRACKS ............................................................................................................. 27
NAVAGATING THE TRACK ASSIGN MATRIX..................................................................................................................................27
SETTING A RECORD CROSS POINT ..............................................................................................................................................27
ZAXNET SETUP MENU .................................................................................................................................................... 28
ZAXNET ENABLE ......................................................................................................................................................................28
TX CHANNEL ...........................................................................................................................................................................28

4
IFB AUDIO SOURCE ...............................................................................................................................................28
GROUP CODE .......................................................................................................................................................28
TX POWER............................................................................................................................................................28
TRANSPORT COMMANDS.......................................................................................................................................28
POWER-ROLL MODE.............................................................................................................................................28
TRX OFF-ON........................................................................................................................................................29
SEND ERX DELAY..................................................................................................................................................29
ZAXNET TC OUT .................................................................................................................................................29
IFB TEST TONE ......................................................................................................................................................29
UPDATE IFB MODULE ............................................................................................................................................29
IFB DEBUG ............................................................................................................................................................29
METADATA MENU ................................................................................................................................30
ENTERING /EDITING METADATA ...........................................................................................................................30
NOTE PRESET.........................................................................................................................................................30
How to select and enter a note from the preset list of notes........................................................................ 30
CUE / PLAYBACK CONTROL MENU..................................................................................................31
PLAYING BACK A FILE ............................................................................................................................................31
WIRELESS AUDITION AND RE-RECORD..................................................................................................................31
How to audition and Re-Record a file............................................................................................................. 31
RECORD ENABLES MATRIX................................................................................................................32
ENABLING RECORD TRACKS...................................................................................................................................32
OUTPUT ASSIGN ROUTING...............................................................................................................33
NAVAGATING THE OUTPUT BUS MATRIX ................................................................................................................33
Output busses 1 thru 4:...................................................................................................................................33
Output busses 5 and 6.....................................................................................................................................33
SETTING A CROSS POINT .......................................................................................................................................33
MEDIA MENU ..........................................................................................................................................34
MIRROR MODE OPTIONS.......................................................................................................................................34
WRITE SOUND REPORT .........................................................................................................................................34
PRIMARY CARD MENU ...........................................................................................................................................35
Choose Primary Folder ...................................................................................................................................35
Delete Last Segment........................................................................................................................................35
Erase Current Folder....................................................................................................................................... 35
Format Primary Card.......................................................................................................................................35
ISO Attenuation............................................................................................................................................... 36
ISO Attenuation Enable ................................................................................................................................... 36
Edit Current Folder Name .............................................................................................................................. 36
MIRROR SETTINGS MENU.......................................................................................................................................37
Mirror Mode Options......................................................................................................................................37
Folder to Mirror .............................................................................................................................................. 37
Start Segment................................................................................................................................................... 37
End Segment.....................................................................................................................................................37
File Type Select ................................................................................................................................................ 37
File Resolution (bit rate) Select ....................................................................................................................... 37
File Naming Protocol ....................................................................................................................................... 38
Follow Primary.................................................................................................................................................38
Mirror Options ................................................................................................................................................ 38

5
Time Code Offset............................................................................................................................................38
Format Mirror Card ........................................................................................................................................ 38
WIRELESS RECEIVER SETUP...............................................................................................................39
RECEIVER VIEW ......................................................................................................................................................39
SCAN MENU ..........................................................................................................................................................40
CENTER FREQUENCY SET.......................................................................................................................................40
QRX PROGRAM ....................................................................................................................................................40
ADJUSTING INPUT TRIM AND REMOTE TRANSMITTER GAIN ..................................................41
ADJUSTING THE INPUT TRIM ..................................................................................................................................41
ADJUSTING THE TRANSMITTER GAIN .....................................................................................................................41
SETTING UP AND ENGAGING TONE ...............................................................................................42
ASSIGNING TONE TO OUTPUT BUSSES....................................................................................................................42
ASSIGNING TONE TO CARD TRACKS ......................................................................................................................42
ADJUSTING THE TONE FREQUENCY AND LEVEL.......................................................................................................42
TURNING ON/OFF TONE........................................................................................................................................42
USING THE ONSCREEN KEYBOARD.................................................................................................43
MONITORING .........................................................................................................................................44
CHANGING HEADPHONE PRESETS .........................................................................................................................44
PRE FADER LISTINING ............................................................................................................................................44
FALSE START..........................................................................................................................................45
COMPACT FLASH CARDS....................................................................................................................46
SYNCING NOVA TO A DENECKE SLATE .........................................................................................47
NOVA CONNECTOR ASSIGNMENTS................................................................................................48
AUDIO INPUT /OUTPUT CONNECTORS (XLR-3) ..................................................................................................48
AUDIO OUTPUT CONNECTORS (TA-5).................................................................................................................48
SLATE MICROPHONE INPUT CONNECTOR (1/8” TRS) ...........................................................................................48
HEADPHONE OUTPUT CONNECTORS (1/4” TRS)..................................................................................................48
POWER CONNECTORS (HIROSE-4 CONNECTOR)..................................................................................................48
AES DIGITAL INPUT /OUTPUT CONNECTORS (DB-15) .........................................................................................49
UPDATING FIRMWARE ........................................................................................................................50
UPDATING NOVA’S FIRMWARE ..............................................................................................................................50
UPDATING THE RECEIVER MODULES FIRMWARE USING A ZAXCOM TRANSMITTER ...................................................50
PRODUCT SUPPORT.............................................................................................................................51
NOVA SPECIFICATIONS ......................................................................................................................52
ZAXCOM WARRANTY POLICY AND LIMITATIONS .....................................................................54

Zaxcom Nova Front Panel
6
Nova
Front Panel
Record Key
Press to put Nova into record. The press duration is set in the ENG advanced menu. When Nova is recording the
REC key will glow red.
Stop Key
Press to stop recording or stop playback. The press duration is set in the ENG advanced menu. When stopped
the STOP key will glow blue.
Play / Input key
•A quick press will enter the input setup menu.
•Press and hold will play back the last recorded file. The press duration is set in the ENG advanced menu.
When playing back the REC and STOP key will flash green.
TC / Bank key
•A quick press will cycle through the banks and the key will glow the color associated with the fader bank.
Please note if nothing is assigned to a bank that bank will not be cycled through.
•Press and hold will open TC menu, additional presses will cycle through the additional TC menus.
Tracks / Trim
•A quick press will cause the TRIM key to blink. When the key is blinking the input trim for the source that is
assigned to a fader can be adjusted by turning that fader. Pressing the BANK will allow for adjustments to
other input trims for those banks. Pressing the TRIM key again will take Nova out of trim mode.
•Press and hold will open the track assign menu.
ZNET / Z-Net
•A quick press will cause the ZNET key to blink. When the key is blinking turning the fader that has a Zaxcom
transmitter assigned to it will remotely adjust the input gain for that transmitter via ZaxNet. Pressing the
ZNET key again will take Nova out of ZaxNet remote gain mode.
•Press and hold will open the ZaxNet setup menu for the internal ZaxNet transmitter.
Back key
Press to go back one menu.

Zaxcom Nova Front Panel
7
Multi-Function Keys 1 thru 5
•A quick press will PFL (pre fader listen) to the input that is assigned to that fader. When PFL is engaged the
key will blink. Additional inputs can be combined by pressing another PFL key. To return to normal
monitoring press the PFL key again.
•Pressing and holding a key will open the menu for that key
-F1 - Meta Data Menu -This is where Meta Data can be entered and edited.
-F2 - Cue Menu -This is where files can be played back from and Audition and Re-Record can be launched.
-F3 - Record Enable Menu -This is where the Primary and Mirror track are enabled from.
-F4 - Output Assign Matrix - This is where the 6 output busses are assigned.
-F5 - Media Menu - This is where that parameters for the record cards are set.
Multi -Function Keys F6 thru F11
•From the meter screen these are shortcut keys.
-F6 - Headphone selector.
-F7 - Track Assign Matrix.
-F8 - Output Assign Matrix.
-F9 - Receiver Menu
-F9 - Fader Assign Matrix.
-F10 - TC Slate.
•Navigate within a menu. When a key has a function it will be labeled in the menu page.
Color LCD Screen
Daylight-readable color LCD screen.
Faders x 5 with LEDs
•Adjust the level for that input.
•When the TRIM key is blinking turning a fader will adjust the trim of the input assigned to that fader.
•When the ZNET key is blinking turning a fader will remotely adjust the input gain of the transmitter assigned
to that fader.
•The 15 LEDs around each fader will act as an input meter and will modulate with the audio, the brightest LED
will act as a pointer for the fader, the color LEDs will display the bank that is selected. If multiple inputs are
assigned to a fader there will be 3 point LEDs. When no LEDs are illuminated that indicates that noting is
assigned to that fader.
Primary and Mirror LEDs
These LEDs will illuminate when the primary or mirror card is being read or written to.
Internal Slate Microphone
When internal sale is selected this will be the slate microphone.
Headphone Volume knob
Star key
•From the any home meter screen, press it to advance to the next meter screen.
•When in a menu screen, press it to go to the home meter screen.
•In the output bus routing matrix, head phone setup matrix, and card mix matrix pressing it adds phase
reverse to the cross point options, when inverted cross points are enabled in the ENG Setup menu.
•If pressed while powering-up, Nova will look for software on the mirror card and start the software update
process.

Zaxcom Nova Front Panel
8
Menu knob
•Press to access the main menu - Press and hold for 2 seconds when in the ENG meter screen.
•Rotate and press to select and enter a parameter.
Tone / Com key
•Press and hold to activate the com microphone.
•Shift (press a hold the MENU key) and press to turn on/off tone.
SLT key
Press and hold it to activate the slate microphone.
SMA antenna x 2
These are the antenna connectors for the internal UHF receivers..

Zaxcom Nova Left Side Panel
9
Left Side
Outputs 1 - 6 (TA-5M) x 4
Outputs 6 channels of audio via output buses 1 thru 6
All outputs can be individually adjusted between Mic Level -35dBu, -10dBu and line level 0dBu.
•TA5 Out 1/2 carries output busses 1 and 2
•TA5 Out 1A/2A is a duplicate of busses 1 and 2
•TA5 Out 3/4 carries output busses 3 and 4
•TA5 Out 5/6 carries output busses 5 and 6
Return 1-2 (TA-5M)
This input accepts a headphone level or line level signal (Range -20dBu and +30dBu) and can act as an additional
line level analog input or a camera return.
External Slate Microphone input (1/8” (3.5mm) TRS jack)
This is where the external Com/Slate microphone is connected.
Time Code Input / Output connectors (BNC x 2)
AES Input / Output connector (DE-15F)
Nova has 4 AES inputs (2 pairs) and 6 AES output busses (3 pairs) available on this connector. There is an input
sample-rate converter, allowing each input to have a different sampling-rate. Nova will accept any unlocked AES
signal with a sampling-rate of 32 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.
Compact Flash Card Primary and Mirror Media Slot
The Primary card is inserted in the bottom slot with the label to the bottom of the unit.
The Mirror card is inserted in the top slot with the label of the card to the top of the unit.
Headphone (1/4” stereo jack)
Power Switch

Zaxcom Nova Right Side Panel
10
Right Side
ZaxNet Antenna Connector (SMA)
RS422 connector future functionality
RF loop thru connectors (SMA) x 2
These are post 35MHz filter RF connectors to connect additional receivers.
Analog Mic/Line input connectors (XLR-3F) x 4
External Power Connector (Hirose-4F) x 2
This are redundant input power connector so that two batteries can be connected. Nova will automatically
switch to the higher voltage source.
Nova will run on 10 to 18 VDC
WARNING: Do NOT connect the external power connector to a source higher than 18.0 VDC.
This is the ABSOLUTE upper limit. Anything higher can damage the unit’s power supply.