Zaxcom Nomad

[Tom Hanmer]

Just wondering if anyone here has experience of the Zaxcom Nomad 10 mixer/ recorder. It seems that this would compliment the red ecosystem pretty well however my usual audio equipment dealer has suggested that quality control is an issue and of the four he has sold all have had small problems. Could be because he is more used to Sound Devices equipment. Would be great to hear other opinions on this. Any advice appreciated.

 

[Christopher Mills]

As a Zaxcom owner and user (as well as Sound Devices Gear), I find they have excellent customer service, and make great gear.
The Nomad is a serious piece of very flexible audio gear, and is both a mixer and a recorder.
In the event that you have a tech problem with anything this company makes, they are super fast at fixing it and getting it back to you.
They do have different menu structures than Sound Devices, and personal preference may come into play on which you like using.

 

[Nick Fury]

The Nomad 12, which I have (easy upgrade, if you need the 2 extra channels), has been a great piece for me. The integration with RED, for time code and audio, is facile. You need an ERX TCD and a cable that splits the TC (terminated to on camera TC input) and mono audio track (terminated to input to on camera mic). The TC and usually scratch audio tracks are sent wirelessly via Zaxcom's 2.4 ghz Zaxnet system. The ERX itself (version 1 &2) are functionally the same, in this regard. I have posted , regarding the mounting of the small ERX on camera rig, but haven't gone to other than velcro, at the moment. Zaxcom offers Neverclip, which should be investigated, if looking at a new equipment line purchase. Zaxcom service has also been extraordinary and over the top, for me.

Now, the key to all this, IMHO, is a very knowledgeable, personable and accommodating , contact, at a sound equipment house. I can endorse Ryan at Trew Audio (formerly Coffey Sound), in LA-tell him I referred you... Fingertip knowledge of field applications of all this hardware/software integration is paramount. Whatever house you choose, be sure they exude that confidence and service.

Thank you very much

Fury

 

[Tom Hanmer]

Christopher and Nick
Thank you for your replies. The reason for my concern is that currently I am in LA but will be returning to the UK in a few weeks. It would be good to avoid having to send equipment back to the US and if the Nomad is a little problematic it is a piece of gear I would avoid. Nick the ability to send timecode and audio to the ERX is why I am interested in the Nomad. I have already been in contact with Ryan at Trew Audio and agree he is excellent.
Thanks again for your replies.
Tom

 

[Doug Beatty]

I have had mixed results with Zaxcom customer service. I have twice called their service department and left voicemails about a problem and not received calls back. I had a TRX go to a dealer for repair and it took over a month to have it back in my hands. YMMV I suppose.

I am a huge fan of Zaxnet and the ERXs, I just wish their wireless accessories had the build quality of Lectro. If I had to re-buy today I'd take a serious look at a 633 + SRb + 2x SMQv + Boom set up ($6-7K).

The Zax menus are uglier and the learning curve for the menu structure takes a lot of learning button press combos since there is a lot jammed into Nomad's form factor.

If you absolutely had to have Zaxnet after that, you could add a Zaxcom Camera link to the bag. However, you would end up spending more than a Nomad 10 in the end with this set up.

 

[Brandon J.F.]

I have a Nomad. I've never had a problem with it. It's a solid piece of gear.

 

[Christopher Mills]

I also suggest you go see Ryan at Trew in person.. Under both old and new mgmt that audio company is great, and they will let you see both systems in person.

 

[Tom Hanmer]

I went in to Trew audio yesterday and had about an hour with Ryan. Unfortunately neither him or I could get my Epic to jam timecode. Tried a couple of different lockit boxes and about 3 different cables. May I have missed something in the menus? Just tried Settings>Project>Timecode>External Brain. Also tried the latest release firmware. Still no luck. Not sure what was going on, will probably have to get Red to have a look at the camera. Still undecided as to which mixer/ recorder to get, either the Nomad 10 or the SD633 with the Zaxcom IFB 200 providing the Zaxnet link (thanks for the suggestion Doug). The size and weight of the SD is attractive but useful having more inputs on the Nomad. Does anyone have any suggestions on getting the timecode to jam.
Thanks again everyone.
Tom

 

[Doug Beatty]

My guess is that the Epic project time base was set to something that was different than the lockit box. Make sure it's on free run TOD instead of rec run and try switching edge to absolute. No reason it shouldn't work after that. If not, then there is an issue with the cable or lemo tc port.

 

[Tom Hanmer]

Doug the time base was originally different but we changed this to match. I also tried again later in the day with a lockit box I had used in the past on a different camera. I also tried again after updating the firmware to the latest release version (5.1.35). The only settings that I was able to find were under Settings>Project>Timecode. I had timecode set to TOD and Time Code Source to External Brain. There seems to be no other options in this menu. No mention of free run TOD or any ability to switch edge to absolute. It is either just TOD or Edge. Also could not get the green TC symbol to light up, it just stayed greyed out. My guess is it is a problem with the lemo TC port. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Nick Fury]

Hi Tom,

Were you the Epic owner, who needed to have the camera's internal battery replaced? Is your TC, from Nomad to Epic now working, as it should?

Thank you very much

Fury