Legacy Approved Media – 6 Series

Sound Devices extensively tests removable recording media with the 633, 664, and 688.

For best media performance, Sound Devices recommends occasionally performing a full reformat of an SD card per the “Overwrite Format” method from the SD Association. The Overwrite Format deletes file/directory entries by initializing file system parameters of the card (same as with Quick Format), and erases all data by overwriting the user data area completely. The Overwrite Format takes more time to complete than the Quick Format method. More information can be found on the SD Association’s website. Please note that all files stored on the card will be lost during the formatting process. After using the SD Memory Card Formatter, the card will still need to be formatted in the mixer-recorder.

MicroSD to SD Card adapters are not recommended for use in any 6-Series mixer-recorder.

Tested cards:

Sound Devices’ own brand of approved media cards – the SAM-64SD, SAM-128SD, and SAM-32CF II – have been optimized and extensively tested to ensure fast and flawless performance when used with the 6-Series of mixer/recorders.

TypeSizeBrandModel
CF32 GBSound DevicesUDMA7; 150MB/s read 120MB/s write
SD64 GBSound DevicesSD/SDXC, UHS-II, 240 MB/s (read) and 100 MB/s (write)
SD128 GBSound DevicesSD/SDXC, UHS-II, 240 MB/s (read) and 100 MB/s (write)

The cards from other manufacturers listed below have successfully passed benchmark testing with the 633, 664 and 688. Many other cards may work but their performance and reliability cannot be confirmed unless they have been extensively tested at Sound Devices.

CF Cards

SizeBrandModel
256 GBSanDiskExtreme Pro; UDMA7; 160MB/s
128 GBSanDiskExtreme Pro; UDMA7; 160MB/s
128 GBDelkin DevicesCF1050X, UDMA7, 120 MB/s write; 160MB/s read
64 GBSanDiskExtreme Pro; UDMA7; 90 MB/s
64 GBDelkin DevicesCF1050X, UDMA7, 120 MB/s write; 160MB/s read
32 GBSanDiskExtreme Pro; UDMA7; 160MB/s
32 GBSanDiskExtreme; UDMA7; 120MB/s
32 GBDelkin DevicesCF1050X, UDMA7, 120 MB/s write; 160MB/s read
16 GBDelkin DevicesCF500X, UDMA6 16 GB

SD Cards

SizeBrandModel
128 GBWiseSDXC II 285MB/s 128GB
128 GBFreetail Evoke Pro128GB V60, UHS II
128 GBSanDiskExtreme PLUS; SDXC/UHS-1, Class 10; 80 MB/s
128 GBDelkin DevicesSDXC “BLACK”/UHS-I U3, 99 MB/s
64 GBIntegral Ultima ProSDXC I V30 64GB
64 GBAmplimSDXC UHSII V90 64GB
64 GBSanDiskExtreme; SDXC/UHS-1, V30, U3, 150MB/s (Model # SDSDXV6-064G-GNCIN)
64 GBSanDiskExtreme Pro; SDXC/UHS-1, Class 10; 95 MB/s
64 GBSanDiskExtreme; SDXC/UHS-1, Class 10; 45 MB/s
64 GBDelkin DevicesSDXC “BLACK”/UHS-I U3, 99 MB/s
32 GBAmplimSDXC UHSII V90 32GB
32 GBSanDiskExtreme PLUS; SDHC/UHS-1, Class 10; 80 MB/s
32 GBDelkin DevicesSDHC 633x UHS-I U3, *Max 96kHz
32 GBDelkin DevicesSDHC “BLACK”/UHS-I U3, 99 MB/s
16 GBDelkin Devices633x; SDHC/UHS-1; 80 MB/s write, 95 MB/s read
16 GBDelkin DeviceCF700X, UDMA6, 67 MB/s write; 105MB/s read See Note 1

Unapproved Media

The media listed below currently fail our intensive media approval tests. We highly recommend NOT using this media.

SD Cards

SizeBrandModel
64 GBSanDiskExtreme PRO 170MB/s, 64 GB
128 GBSanDiskExtreme PRO 170MB/s, 128 GB

Discontinued Media

The media listed below has been approved/tested by Sound Devices, but is no longer readily available for online purchase.

CF Cards

SizeModelBrand
32 GBSound DevicesUDMA7; 160MB/s read 120MB/s write
64 GBDelkin DevicesCF1000X, UDMA6 and 7
64 GBSanDiskExtreme Pro; UDMA7; 160MB/s
64 GBSanDiskExtreme; UDMA7; 120MB/s
32 GBSanDiskExtreme; UDMA7; 90MB/s
32 GBDelkin DevicesCF700X, UDMA6, 67 MB/s write; 105MB/s read
32 GBPNYPRO-ELITE UDMA6, 50MB/s
32 GBLEXARProf 1000X; UDMA7; 145 MB/s write; 150 MB/s read
32 GBLEXARProf 800X; UDMA7; 45 MB/s write; 120 MB/s read
16 GBSanDiskExtreme; UDMA7; 90MB/s
16 GBSanDiskExtreme Pro; UDMA7; 160MB/s
16 GBSanDiskExtreme; UDMA7; 120MB/s
16 GBDelkin DevicesCF1000X, UDMA6 and 7
16 GBWINTECFilemate Professional; UDMA5; 25 MB/s write
16 GBSILICON POWER400x

SD Cards

SizeBrandModel
64 GBLEXARProfessional, 400X
32 GBDelkin Devices600x; SDHC/UHS-1; 45 MB/s write, 90 MB/s read
32 GBSound DevicesThe SAM-32SD has been replaced by the SAM-64SD.
32 GBPNYPRO-ELITE; UHS-1/Class 10; 35 MB/s
32 GBSanDiskExtreme Pro; SDXC/UHS-1, Class 10; 95 MB/s
16 GBSanDiskExtreme PLUS; SDHC/UHS-1, Class 10; 80 MB/s
8 GBSanDiskExtreme PLUS; SDHC/UHS-1, Class 10; 80 MB/s

* Note 1: Sound Devices has worked directly with Delkin to identify an intermittent Media I/O issue with newer Delkin CF 500x and CF 700x cards. Delkin has confirmed that a recent change to these two cards is most likely responsible for the errors. Cards containing KZ in the serial number are susceptible to this issue and should not be used. Cards containing VB in the serial number will function correctly and are approved. Deklin CF 1000x and 1050x cards do not experience this issue and may continue to be used.

Products Mentioned