Topic: Zaxcom Maxx

[flintstone]

Zaxcom is introducing a new portable four channel recorder.  Base price is expected to be $2200.  Delivery to start next March or thereabouts.
http://www.zaxcom.com/maxx

[bryonsos]

Interesting. The RF option looks like something we could use when the sbd is inconveniently located, no snake channels available etc. If I'm reading things correctly, you have to do an on the fly mix no matter what, although you can still have the 4 channels prefade. Minor PITA, but it's easy enough to delete a file. Thanks for the heads up!

[NOLAfishwater]

looks real nice and at 2200 it will be a major contender against SD744.

[page]

Interesting. The RF option looks like something we could use when the sbd is inconveniently located, no snake channels available etc. If I'm reading things correctly, you have to do an on the fly mix no matter what, although you can still have the 4 channels prefade. Minor PITA, but it's easy enough to delete a file. Thanks for the heads up!

I read it as it's a mixer first and a recorder second.

I suspect the $2200 price is without the 4 track pre-fade recorder, and for that option I would bet it bumps it up to ~$3k.

[NOLAfishwater]

Maxx Features / Options - preliminary pricing

Maxx - $2,195
Standard Features include
4 analog in - mic/line 48 V phantom power w/NeverClip™
2 balanced audio return from camera
2-channel mix bus - output on 2 x XLR and TA5 (aux out) / copies of each other
Mono & tape outputs
AES outputs - 4-channel direct out + stereo mix bus
2-channel stereo recording on CompactFlash (or SD card w/adapter)
Input effects - 2-channel notch filter / softknee compressor / delay /
high-pass filter
Full timecode reader / generator



AES input option - $395
4-channels of audio on 2 x AES inputs with sample rate conversion

Transmitter option - $1095 (requires the AES input option)
2-channel audio transmitter with timecode, broadcasts to any Zaxcom
ENG receiver - timecode requires a QRX100 w/QIFB as the receiver

6-Channel Recording option - $395
Records 4 pre-fader ISO inputs + 2-channel stereo bus

Visual timecode slate option - $100

Maxx to the max - $3,995
Maxx with all options purchased at time of original delivery

*Requires free driver loaded on the Maxx.

[H₂O]

NICE!  So for about $3K you get a recorder with a bit more functionality then the 744 -> Maybe SD will come out with some new products now or lower the cost of the 744

Maybe this will push the market lower overall - making the Aeta 4Minx affordable - yeah right 

[page]

Maxx Features / Options - preliminary pricing

Maxx - $2,195
Standard Features include


6-Channel Recording option - $395
Records 4 pre-fader ISO inputs + 2-channel stereo bus

excellent, that's better than I had anticipated.

[refrain]

Hello,

 I´m a bit confused about the 4 track recording, it says that records 2 channel to compact flash/SD, but does it records 4 independent signals onto 4 mono or 2 stereo files? or mixes the 4 inputs to a stereo file? Are you able to work in post with 4 mono recordings?
Does not the SD552 mixer does that, I mean, records up to 5 signals onto a stereo file? or am I misunderstanding something here?

[flintstone]

If I'm reading the web page correctly, the $2200 base model records four inputs into a two channel mixdown.  For $400 more, you get the ability to record the four input channels individually, plus a two channel mix (six channels simultaneously).

[jn]

With the option Maxx will record 4 iso tracks plus two mix tracks. Max also has the ability to mix 4 analog tracks plus 4 AES tracks - so essentially an 8 input mixer.

[Erick del Valle]

Maxx - $2,195
Standard Features include
2-channel stereo recording on CompactFlash

6-Channel Recording option - $395
Records 4 pre-fader ISO inputs + 2-channel stereo bus

[DATPAT]

I was seriously considering pulling the plug on a nomad and then they announced this. I think this product will be a real game changer. It a much better value than a 744. And with the $400 6 channel option it really puts the nail in the 744's coffin. Not entirely of course as there are a lot of people out there that swear by sd devices. But from what i have read from a sound perspective the pre's and a-d section in the zaxcom products are every bit as good as the sd. So having said that i don't know why anyone considering a new pro 2 or 4 track recorder wouldn't pick a maxx over a 744 especially considering the price. Also i am i have been on Jw sound a lot lately(sound  for film website) and from what i gather the March date isn't hard. Glenn ( Main guy for zax, said it's possible the max might be out later this year). Although from what i understand they said the same thing about the nomad last year and it didn't become available till April. So you never know.

[John Willett]

... from what i have read from a sound perspective the pre's and a-d section in the zaxcom products are every bit as good as the sd.

I wouldn't say this.

Zax seem to be very good at ergonomics and digital technology, but their analogue technology does seem to lag way behind.

At the top, sound quality wise, is Nagra, AETA and Sonosax with SD coming in a step behind.  I would rate Zax at a few paces behind this in the analogue side.

[tamoio]

The most appealing thing about this is that it might put some pressure on used SD prices.

[Erick del Valle]

http://www.zaxcom.com/pr-oscarsnoms2008