Nagra VI Firmware Requests

[Bié]

Originally Posted by tsvisser

Nagra has been known to make a few hardware revisions on the current model, so who knows, maybe we'll see a change and a factory upgrade option, although I sort of doubt it, given the scope of this request compared to other hardware revisions to date.

new software version 2.10 and the updated user manual: www.nagraudio.com

[John Willett]

Thanks Bié,

I looked yesterday and it wasn't there then.

[tsvisser]

Looks like a nice .1 update. I give a big "thank you" for the hard work put in by the good people over at Nagra. It looks mostly like the metadata and file management has been tweaked in response to feedback from seasoned hands in the field and on the job. Very nice...

[tsvisser]

Was inside my machine, diagnosing a DC output problem, presumed it was just a fuse and was correct.

Curious about the recent direct output question, snooped around a little bit to see how possible that would be... The bottom board contains a power daughterboard, HDD/SSD, and the logic / processor daughterboard. The top section has 2 small boards for the connectors, but not a whole lot of circuitry, and a smaller board for I/O. There is one big main board that contains all the audio circuitry, the 4 silver cylindrical objects are the main parts of the traditional Nagra mic preamp. I don't know the specific design, so not sure if it is just as easy as tapping off of the 4 cables that go in/out of those devices. There is definitely no room on the input panel, that is jammed tight and the blank space on the outside is in fact taken up by the aluminum structural member inside of the unit. There is, however, room for a 2nd DB-9 connector to the left of the existing extension connector.

I also noticed how much unused internal volume there is. On the right side, which I presume is the A/D, DSP, and D/A circuitry, there appears to be almost nothing above it. It seems to me that one would have been able to put a battery compartment on the top lid rather than hanging a battery off of the backside of the unit. I'm not saying that I would want a super efficient crammed device that runs hot, like a 788t, I do like my full sized connectors, large solid controls, cool operation, long runtime, so if this is what is required to make it run like it does, so be it.

[Plush]

Very nice pictures---well done.

Software/firmware update is welcome as it makes the machine easier to use.

[John Willett]

Updated mine to 2.1 just now.

Looks like they still have to do the mod. so you can change the meter display for replay.

When they were designing the Nagra VI I did ask for the ability to connect AES42 digital microphones (as the SD 788T can now do) and pleaded that if they could not do it from the start, then at least design it so it could be upgraded later. So maybe some of this space is for an AES42 upgrade - I certainly hope so.

[Bié]

Originally Posted by John Willett

Thanks Bié,

I looked yesterday and it wasn't there then.

Hi, John,

After updating for V2.10, my N6 began to fail in the "power off". I Needs to remove the bat interns for the work, as happens with SD744 and SD788.

Any idea?

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by Bié

Hi, John,

After updating for V2.10, my N6 began to fail in the "power off". I Needs to remove the bat interns for the work, as happens with SD744 and SD788.

Any idea?

Send an e-mail straight away to John Owens at Nagra and describe to him the problem.

He should be able to give you the solution.

Please post back here with the answers.

I'll PM you with John's e-mail in case you don't have it.

[tsvisser]

I'm running 2.1 with no problems to report so far. I haven't run through all the new features yet, but things seem good.

[tsvisser]

I've been thinking a lot about the direct output feature that fasma inquired about and how useful that would be for me. I have submitted a request to John Owens and would love to see Nagra issue an official option. I suggested a DB-15, to prevent accidental connection to the existing extension output and would also support 6 balanced channels vice 4, even though there are only 4 on-board preamps, thinking it might be handy to include the line inputs, if even just for convenience's sake. I would urge other owners or serious prospective owners to voice their interest. I dream of my 8-track tape recorder in the field fed by a pair of Nagra VI units, with simultaneous digital and analog recording (2nd one will be red of course).

It would be best if the new upcoming timecode version of the LB also had direct outputs. Let's not give up on analog just quite yet, Nagra!

UPDATE: After speaking with Nagra a little bit about this, it is simply too large of a modification to the existing design for Nagra to pursue, and I can see the logic and concerns. However, the news of other updates and products in the pipeline are very cool, even superseding my interest almost, in the DA option.

[fasma]

thanks for the info and for forwarding my enquiry tvsisser. pitty that such a mod won't be possible.

another thing: If i had not discovered this thread what other way is there to be notified for firmware upgrades apart from explicitly checking out the nagra support page. Is there no email notification mechanism there?

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by tsvisser

... it (Nagra VI) will "soon" be a 6 input, 8 track recorder, where you can record a separate mix or matrix of your inputs. There is also going to be a Nagra VI preamp packaged separately (or in pairs?), would be nice for that 5th/6th line input, or even used in multiples as a submix if you don't feel you have to ISO everything.

Posted in another thread but I'm quoting it here for Nagra completeness.

I certainly think the above is an excellent idea and, hopefully, the mic. pres will be 2-channel/stereo units so an MS matrix can be included and that the two channels can be linked so lefel can be changed on a single fader. Also, limiters can be stero linked, which you can't easily do with mono units.

But - we will have to wait and see as this doesn't lokk like something that's coming imminently.

[John Willett]

On another note - I have been told by Nagra GB that the new v2.10 software will allow the hard drive to be swapped for a solid-state drive if you so wish (lower power consumption and silent).

[bardo]

I purchased the Nagra about a year ago for recording acoustic music. It's a great machine and I love the sound.

I am about to start some compositions which require multitrack recording. I'd like to know if it's possible to use the Nagra VI as an interface between my mics and Apple Mac so as to benefit from the lovely pres. Does anyone know if this is possible?

I would also like to use the Nagra D/A converters to playback the recordings from my computer based audio software. Is this possible?

Look forward to hearing from anyone who may know!!!

Bardo

[tsvisser]

At the very minimum, you could use a Hosa ODL-312 to convert the optical SPDIF to / from AES between the computer and Nagra. The Nagra can't be used as an "interface" by itself, but makes for a good A/D and D/A used in conjunction with other interfaces. I do exactly this with a Digi 003 and convert the 6 channels of digital out to ADAT, bypassing the Digi converters.

[bardo]

Thanks, that's one part of the equation solved. I currently have an apogee ensemble: is there any way I could use the pres of the nagra to bypass the apogees? If given the choice I would prefer to remove the apogee from the chain all together.

[bardo]

Hello again and happy new year!

I am about to order the Hosa ODL-312 and just wanted to check the way you use it before doing so. Which output do you use from a mac? And also which input to the Nagra?

Thanks
Bardo

[tsvisser]

Now that Zaxcom is releasing their ERX series of IFB, I firmly believe that they are the best value for IFB systems in the business. Even though they will work with non-Zaxcom recorders, for simple timecode and audio functionality, it would also be cool to be able to support scene and take metadata information, currently only supported by all Zaxcom Zaxnet systems. This request has more to do with Zaxcom's stance than Nagra being able to take the initiative here.

Also, now that Sound Devices has their CL-9 out, what up? The more and more I think about it, as cool as the CL-9 is, I think I would rather keep an actual mixer in front of my VI and not just a control surface. Maybe a mixer with 4 analog direct outputs and an AES output for 6 tracks of ISO recording into the Nagra and update the VI to allow 4 channels of input via AES to record the mix via the 2nd AES input. The panel should have rec/roll control, private line send, and IFB sends at the least. Sure in such a scenario there would be duplicate mic pres purchased, but such a product would ultimately make me happier.

[meltemi]

Originally Posted by Plush

My take on the situation is that the stock power supply is just fine and that for specialist pursuits, the curious and adventurous can add the NAIM power supply for better performance.

I think the NAIM is a linear power supply unit (trafo, rectifiers, filter, stabilization), while almost all small power supplys are of the switched type.
This may have some effects, although the battery between the stock power supply and the Nagra VI electronics will filter virtually all of these out.
Any well designed linear power supply might give the same results as the NAIM, but definitely at a lower price tag.

With the NAIM you run the Nagra VI on 16V compared to the 12V, when run through the battery.

Originally Posted by Plush

The NVI d/a is certainly worlds better than my ...dCS unit.

Really? That's a bold statement. May be slightly different in sound, but worlds better than your dCS ? (954 or 955 I suppose)

[Plush]

Hello Meltemi,

Please note that I am not running the NVI with the NAIM power supply through the battery. I am using the dc input on the left side of the NVI to plug in the NAIM power supply. The sound in recording and playback is much improved with the NAIM supply.

Also, I feel that the d/a converter on the NVI is one of its best features. Yes, indeed, I hear here that it betters the dCS in our studio.

It has taken this long in the cycle of digital recorders to reach the level of performance offered by the NVI.

I guess I am biased however. We have been a house of Nagra since 1981 and have purchased every Nagra since that time. (IV-S, T-Audio, Nagra D, Nagra V, Nagra VI.)

[meltemi]

Originally Posted by Plush

Please note that I am not running the NVI with the NAIM power supply through the battery. I am using the dc input on the left side of the NVI to plug in the NAIM power supply.

It WAS clear to me when I posted, that you were using the NAIM via the Nagra's XLR dc input.
The issues of my post were:
Linear power supply vs. switched power supply and
16VDC vs. 12VDC

Originally Posted by Plush

Also, I feel that the d/a converter on the NVI is one of its best features. Yes, indeed, I hear here that it betters the dCS in our studio.
It has taken this long in the cycle of digital recorders to reach the level of performance offered by the NVI.

What dCS model exactly? (From the 950 to the 954/955 there was continuous improvement both on the digital and analog side).

I do own a Nagra VI since 2008 and I also own a dCS 954, so allow me, to be a bit sceptical about "worlds better". No two DACs sound exactly the same, but provided they are true high end (and this includes the Weiss DAC-2, I had the opportunity to listen to), it will end up in a question of personal taste rather than a real quality difference.

In any case, the Nagra VI and the dCS 954 are both absolute top notch gear.

[Plush]

Greetings,

We use the lowly dCS 952 here and also the Benchmark DAC1. Both are good and both are bettered here by the d/a in the NVI. What I notice as a difference is a purity of sound and a flowing quality to the data stream when I hear it from the NVI.

That's really what I think.

[tsvisser]

Although it pains me greatly to do this, I need cash, am looking for someone who has a 788t + cash that is looking at the Nagra VI to trade units with me.

I've been getting more run and gun and smaller jobs anyways, so pragmatically the 788t is a better fit for me. I'm pretty much out of the music remote business for the time being.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gears...your-788t.html

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by tsvisser

Although it pains me greatly to do this, I need cash, am looking for someone who has a 788t + cash that is looking at the Nagra VI to trade units with me.

I've been getting more run and gun and smaller jobs anyways, so pragmatically the 788t is a better fit for me. I'm pretty much out of the music remote business for the time being.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gears...your-788t.html

Shame on you

But you are lucky you are in the USA - in the UK the 788T is about £1,000 *more* than the Nagra VI.

[tsvisser]

I know, I know, I will be holding my head down in shame for the time being, but you never know, maybe no one will take me up on my offer and I'll just have to endure with some nasty glares from the bill collectors for a bit, and keep on keeping on with the Nagra (sort of almost hoping that happens).

[Dave Ferris]

Originally Posted by tsvisser

I'm pretty much out of the music remote business for the time being.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gears...your-788t.html

Sorry to hear tsvisser. After 42 years of being in the "biz" that guys you like might document, I'm afraid to say my status (as well as many of my comrades in arms) these days borders on semi-retirement--involuntarily.

I wonder if all the talk about boutique gear and such will eventually become a moot point.

The future for real musicians playing real music in a live setting is not a bright one.

Sorry for the mini-OT rant. Good luck to you and what ever you decide.

[marvin100]

Originally Posted by tsvisser

Although it pains me greatly to do this, I need cash, am looking for someone who has a 788t + cash that is looking at the Nagra VI to trade units with me.

I've been getting more run and gun and smaller jobs anyways, so pragmatically the 788t is a better fit for me. I'm pretty much out of the music remote business for the time being.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gears...your-788t.html

Sorry to hear it, tsvisser. I hope it works out for you (or that things pick up enough that you don't have to sell )

[meltemi]

Originally Posted by John Willett

The first is the meters on play - I would like the option to choose. At the moment they default to the default screen - I have the standard screen as default which then goes to the Music screen (with the long meters) on record. On replay it goes to the standard screen which gives short meters - so I would like the option to choose long meters on replay (I *have* mentioned this already to John Owens).

You could select Music in the Settings/Screen templates/Standby screen menu instead of Default.

And you still have quick access to the default screen any time you need it by pressing the left cursor button.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by meltemi

You could select Music in the Settings/Screen templates/Standby screen menu instead of Default.

And you still have quick access to the default screen any time you need it by pressing the left cursor button.

Yes I know this, but I like the default screen as default.

The other thing I have asked Nagra for is to link the limiter for 2+3 as well as 1+2 and 3+4 - so if you link them all you can have 4 microphones together.

Essential if you are doing surround or using a mic. such as the Soundfield SB 200.

[meltemi]

I have a question:

Did anybody ever get a harddisk working properly on the USB port of the Nagra VI ? Details please.