Hey...
I'm looking into getting one - I would mainly be using it for patching as I am new to taping (I would eventually get my own mics, preamp, etc.) OK, so here are what are sure to be newbiesque questions about the NJB3:
+ Will the quality of my computer's soundcard effect the music when I transfer from JB3 to my harddrive?
+ I would be patching (to start with), do you know what cables I would need to patch into a DAT?
+ What kind of batteries does it use? Are they regargeable? How long will the batteries last (whole show, set, etc.)?
+ Is audio quality lossless from DAT > JB3? JB3 > hardrive?
+ Any other accessories I might need or want?
+ Any other info I might find helpful?
Thanks in advance for any response.
Here are some more answers:
1) The soundcard will not affect it, unless you are doing a 'dub' from the Nomad to the PC - hopefully you will be using USB of Firewire. If this is the case, soundcard is bypassed, and will only affect playback. If you are possibilities to list. If you are patching from a digital source, you will need not using the USB/Firewire connection, you are losing one of the main features of the NJB3... which is the transfer to the computer.
2) Depends what you are patching from... and there are way too many an optical cable w/ one end being a mini-plug; Other digital sources may require a coax cable, in which you will need a coax -> optical converter (C02, I think...
). If you are patching from analog, you should probably get an rca-> 1/8" plug, and a 1/8" to 1/8" cord, and a 1/4" to 1/8" cord...
3) I have never used a dat, so I could be wrong here, but the only way you will lose is if 1) you don't do a digital transfer (do an analog transfer)or 2) if the dat records at a higher bit rate/sample rate than the NJB3. The NJB3 can record at 96khz (some have reported recently), but is 16 bit. If the dat records higher than this, you might lose some... you will have to resample down in order to get it on there without digital noise...
4) Get firewire accessories for your computer - I might be incorrect about these stats, but I think USB 1.0 transfers at about 12K per second, whereas the firewire transfers at about 400K per second... drastically faster. I picked up firewire/USB 2.0 card on ebay for $20.
Worth the money!
5) Other info: personal opinion is that the NJB3 rox hard. I love it.
HTH, and peace-
Andrew