Zaxcom Nova 2 Mixer/Recorder

The Zaxcom Nova 2 is a mixer/recorder with ZaxNet remote control and two built-in wireless receiver slots, all in one compact unit that weighs 3 lb 7 oz loaded.

With two slot-in receivers it takes up to eight transmitters, and with almost no external wiring a Nova 2 kit fits the smallest sound bag. RF filtering, distribution, amplification, and metering are built in. Cables and a 12 V power supply are sold separately.

Inputs and Outputs

Four XLR mic/line NeverClip inputs carry 48 V phantom power, and two more inputs take balanced line level. The Nova 2 has 16 AES digital inputs: all 16 external, or eight external plus the eight internal receiver channels.

The internal receivers can also go out as AES direct outputs, and the AES inputs, with sample rate conversion, connect two AES42 microphones or external wireless receivers. There are eight output buses plus the headphone output.

Mixing Interface

Five infinity encoders turn continuously with no end points. Each has three functions (fader level, input trim, and ZaxNet gain) on any of five banks, for 75 functions at the push of a button. A ring of colored LEDs around each encoder shows its position, its audio level, and its bank, and the LCD and six dynamic buttons work even with gloves on.

Recording and Automixer

The Nova 2 records up to 16 channels at 24 bits to two CompactFlash cards, separately or at once. The primary card records in Zaxcom’s fault-tolerant MARF II format, and the mirror card records Broadcast Wave files.

Each NeverClip input uses a dual A-D converter for 140 dB of dynamic range, with no compressor or limiter distortion. The automixer handles up to 18 inputs and adds a downward expander on each to hold the noise floor steady.

Slot-In Receivers

The two slots take hot-swappable MRX414, MRX214, or QRX212 modules in any combination, the same modules used in the RX-4, RX-8, RX-12, and RX-12R. A tracking front-end filter and built-in MicPlexer receive any frequency in blocks 20 to 26 (512 to 698 MHz) within a 35 MHz window.

ZaxNet and Frequency Coordination

Changing a frequency changes the receiver channel and the talent’s transmitter together. During a scan the transmitters pause for an accurate reading, and then every transmitter and receiver moves to clean frequencies at one touch.

ZaxNet adjusts transmitter frequency, preamp gain, output power, and transport, and it jams timecode to every transmitter with sub-frame accuracy. You can replay, remix, and re-record a take from the transmitters’ cards, without removing them.

Power and Service

Two power inputs give redundant operation from 8 to 18 V DC, drawing about 1 A at 12 V with eight receiver channels. The memory card interface and the IFB transmitter are plug-in modules, so basic repairs take only a screwdriver. The Nova 2-V adds a built-in VTX VHF transmitter for IFB.

Features

• Mixer/recorder with two wireless receiver slots
• Up to eight transmitters with two MRX414 modules
• Four NeverClip mic/line inputs with 48 V phantom power
• 16 AES digital inputs
• 16 tracks at 24 bits to two CompactFlash cards
• Automixer for up to 18 inputs
• ZaxNet remote control and timecode
• Frequency scan and one-touch coordination
• Redundant 8 to 18 V DC power
• Optional built-in VTX VHF transmitter (Nova 2-V)

Transmitters Received