When:
Saturday, February 04, 2012
10:00a to 12:30p

Where:
The Los Angeles Film School
LAFS Theater
6363 Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028

This is the first event covering Sound Devices’ new PIX production video recorders. Visit the PIX product page for more information on the PIX 220 and PIX 240.

To RSVP for the event, visit the invite page.

“We are honored to be a recipient of TVBEurope Best of IBC 2011 Editors’ Award for our new line of audio/video recorders,” says Jon Tatooles, managing director for Sound Devices. “With Sound Devices making its official video debut to the European market at this year’s show, we couldn’t be more pleased to walk away with such positive feedback and recognition from the industry. Being honored by such a prestigious industry publication reinforces our aim to simplify and streamline production workflow, while providing high-performance tools for our customers in each product we introduce.”

The new PIX 220 and PIX 240 can be connected to cameras with HDMI and can record directly to QuickTime using Apple’s ProRes or Avid’s DNxHD codec. Since PIX recorders use ProRes and DNxHD, files recorded in the field can be used directly in post production, making the workflow simple and fast. The PIX 240 adds even more flexibility, with its HD-SDI input and simultaneous SDI and HDMI outputs.

The audio circuitry on the PIX 220 and PIX 240 is based on Sound Devices’ award-winning 7-Series digital audio recorders. The low-noise (-128 dBu EIN), high headroom, high-bandwidth inputs are mic/line switchable and include limiters, high-pass filters and phantom power.

PIX 240 includes a built-in Ambient Clockit time code generator/reader with Genlock output for multi-camera and double-system sound applications. The source time code can be derived from the SDI stream, from an external source, or from the built-in generator in PIX 240. Additional features include digital audio inputs on AES3, and an external eSATAp connection for direct connection to large SATA storage volumes.

Both PIX 220 and PIX 240 include generous five-inch, 800- x 480-pixel LCD displays. The displays are essential in the field and gives immediate confirmation of recording, playback, audio metering and setup menu selections. A side panel rotary control and four front-panel buttons provide quick access to setup options, while the large, illuminated, tactile record controls give instant confirmation of recording status.

PIX recorders are built with a metalized, molded carbon-fiber chassis and are powered by external 10-18 VDC or two removable Sony L-battery mount power supply systems.

TVBEurope Best of IBC 2011 Editors’ Awards are a compilation of the game-changing products launched to the EAME market at the show. Winners are selected by the combined staff of TVBEurope and the IBC Daily, with further review conducted by Associate Editor David Fox, who visited each stand during the show to validate the products.

REEDSBURG, WI, APRIL 20, 2011 — Sound Devices, experts in portable hard-disk recording for audio, was recently recognized for its innovation in product design, as the company took home three leading technology awards from the 2011 NAB Show. Following the company’s introduction of its first video product at NAB, TV Technology and DV magazine honored Sound Devices’ new PIX line of integrated video and audio recorders, while Broadcast Engineering highlighted the company’s recently upgraded USBPre 2 sound mixer.

“We are honored by the recognition from the industry, but more excited about the positive customer response to our new PIX Video Recorders,” says Jon Tatooles, managing director for Sound Devices. “Being honored by each of these prestigious industry publications reinforces our aim to simplify and streamline production workflow, while providing high-performance tools for our customers in each product we introduce.”

Now in its eleventh year, TV Technology’s STAR Award (Superior Technology Award Recipient) celebrates and showcases the preeminent technological innovations available to the media industry. During each NAB show, the judging panel of broadcast industry experts reviews a variety of products and services, examines the technical applications and their overall contribution to the industry, and then submits their award nominees. TV Technology selected PIX 220 and PIX 240 as they demonstrate the ability to help advance the acquisition and distribution of entertainment and information across the media spectrum.

DV magazine also recognized PIX 240 for its Best of Show Black Diamond Award. During the NAB Show, a select panel of engineers, editors and production and post professionals join the magazine staff to judge the Best of Show awards for DV—recognizing outstanding achievement in the advancement of the art and science of video technology.

Continuing Sound Devices’ heritage in field production, the PIX 220 and PIX 240 recorders combine high-performance video with high performance audio. The new PIX 220 and PIX 240 connect to cameras with HDMI and can record directly to QuickTime using Apple’s ProRes or optionally, Avid’s DNxHD codec. Since PIX recorders use ProRes and DNxHD, files recorded in the field can be used directly in post-production, making the workflow simple and fast. The PIX 240 adds even more flexibility, with its HD-SDI input and simultaneous HD-SDI and HDMI outputs.

The audio circuitry on the PIX 220 and PIX 240 was based on Sound Devices’ award-winning 7-Series digital audio recorders. The low-noise (-128 dBu EIN), high headroom, high-bandwidth inputs are mic/line switchable and include limiters, high-pass filters and phantom power.

Both PIX 220 and PIX 240 include generous five-inch, 800×480 pixel LCD displays which are essential in the field, giving immediate confirmation of recording, playback, audio metering and Setup Menu selections. A side panel rotary control and four front-panel buttons provide quick access to setup options while the large, illuminated, tactile record controls give instant confirmation of recording status.

Also at the 2011 NAB Show, Broadcast Engineering recognized Sound Devices’ USBPre 2 USB interface as one of its Pick Hit award winners. Pick Hits are one of the most prestigious technical awards given at the NAB Show, as a panel of independent judges tours the NAB show floor for three days, looking for innovative products and technology. The judges then meet to make their selections based on several criteria, including the technical and financial improvements the products can bring to a facility’s operation.

USBPre 2 is an all-new version of its popular USBPre computer audio interface which offers professionals a powerful, yet easy-to-use, portable interface to interconnect audio sources to both Mac OS and Windows computers over USB.  With the recent addition of Windows OS ASIO drivers, the USBPre 2 can now connect to popular DAW software platforms in Windows, such as ProTools 9.

The USBPre 2 is ideal for a broad range of applications including voiceover recording, reference playback and monitoring, and test and measurement. USBPre 2 uses the same extended-bandwidth, low-noise microphone preamplifiers and digital converters as Sound Devices award-winning 7-Series Digital Recorders.

LAS VEGAS, APRIL 11, 2011 – Sound Devices, experts in portable hard-disk recording for audio, will offer customers an exclusive first look at their newest line of products at the 2011 NAB Show. For the first time in company history, Sound Devices will soon bring its recording technology to video with the introduction of the PIX recorders, consisting of two products—PIX 220 and PIX 240.

“Continuing Sound Devices’ heritage in field production, we’ve taken the next step and introduced high-performance video along with high performance audio with our new PIX recorders,” said Matt Anderson, Director of Engineering for Sound Devices. “While our existing products have become the audio recorder of choice for countless productions worldwide, their superior design, reliability and support is now extended into video with the introduction of the PIX 220 and PIX 240. Camera and sound operators alike will soon be able to count on these new high-performance recorders.”

The new PIX 220 and PIX 240 can be connected to cameras with HDMI and can record directly to QuickTime using Apple’s ProRes or optionally, Avid’s DNxHD codec. Since PIX recorders use ProRes and DNxHD, files recorded in the field can be used directly in post-production, making the workflow simple and fast. The PIX 240 adds even more flexibility, with its HD-SDI input and simultaneous HD-SDI and HDMI outputs.

The audio circuitry on the PIX 220 and PIX 240 was based on Sound Devices’ award-winning 7-Series digital audio recorders. The low-noise (-128 dBu EIN), high headroom, high-bandwidth inputs are mic/line switchable and include limiters, high-pass filters and phantom power.

PIX 240 includes a built-in Ambient Clockit time code generator/reader with Genlock output for multi-camera and double-system sound applications. The source time code can be derived from the HD-SDI stream, from an external source, or from the built-in generator in PIX 240. Additional features include digital audio inputs on AES3, and an external eSATAp connection for direct connection to large SATA storage volumes.

Both PIX 220 and PIX 240 include generous five-inch, 800×480 pixel LCD displays. This display is essential in the field and it gives immediate confirmation of recording, playback, audio metering, and Setup Menu selections. A side panel rotary control and four front-panel buttons provide quick access to setup options while the large, illuminated, tactile record controls give instant confirmation of recording status.

PIX recorders are built with a metalized, molded carbon-fiber chassis and are powered by external 10-18 VDC or two removable Sony L-battery mount batteries.

Sound Devices, LLC designs and manufactures portable audio mixers, digital recorders and related audio equipment for feature film, episodic television, documentary, news-gathering, and acoustical test and measurement applications. The twelve-year old company designs and manufactures from their Reedsburg, Wisconsin headquarters with additional offices in Madison, WI and Highland Park, IL. For more information, visit the Sound Devices website, www.sounddevices.com.

The introduction of MixPre-D continues Sound Devices’ heritage of studio-quality portable mixers which began with the original MixPre. At the heart of the new MixPre-D are two studio-grade mic/line switchable inputs with limiters, high-pass filters and selectable phantom power. To accommodate the increasing variety of cameras and devices used in production today, the MixPre-D has incredible output flexibility and serves as a flexible, class-compliant USB audio interface.

The MixPre-D offers numerous analog output options including mic/line switchable balanced XLR, dedicated consumer mic-level on a locking TA3 connector (designed specifically for DSLR-type inputs) and an aux-level output on 3.5 mm connection. Digital outputs include balanced AES3 on XLR and USB audio streaming for Mac OS, Windows or Linux computers.

“The ‘D’ in MixPre-D describes the infusion of extensive digital technology for even more output flexibility,” says Jon Tatooles, managing director of Sound Devices. “We are constantly innovating to meet the needs of our customers. Sound Devices is excited to present the MixPre-D at this year’s NAB show.”

MixPre-D includes many additional features that help make it a perfect complement to larger mixers, such as the Sound Devices 302 Compact Production Field Mixer and 552 Portable Production Mixer. These include:  MS stereo matrix, tone oscillator, internal slate microphone, return monitoring of both analog and USB audio, high-gain headphone output and two-AA battery or external 5-18 VDC powering.

“I don’t have kids, but I’d like to think I think like one,” says Mike Lawson, design engineer for Sound Devices. “This interface is naturally appealing to me, and when I showed it to the design team, it was an instant connection for all of us.” The CL-3 has a completely connectionless interface to recorders, mixers, and other devices. “With no wires and no wireless, there is no need to worry about interconnection,” adds Lawson.

The CL-3 is available through April 1, 2011.

The CL-3 Design Team, Jim, Tim, Jason, and Mike after completing environmental tests. They then tested the product.

The CL-3 on the assembly bench. Unique routing in process.

Sound Devices 552 Production Mixer is the company’s first to feature a fully integrated digital audio recorder.  Ideal for both simple run-and-gun applications and in complex multi-input/multi-output production setups, Sound Devices 552 is the most technologically advanced portable audio mixer available to date.

Designed specifically for professional sound engineers, Sound Devices 552 contains five precision, high-dynamic range, transformer-balanced microphone inputs with expanded gain and headroom.  The studio-grade inputs have their own limiter, sweepable high-pass filter and pre- or post-fade direct output.  At the heart of each microphone input lies a high-performance Lundahl input transformer, which provides freedom from interference in even the most severe RF and EMI environments that are encountered in the field.

“We are honored to once again be nominated for a TEC Award in the Outstanding Technical Achievement category, this year for our new 552 Production Mixer,” says Jon Tatooles, managing director of Sound Devices.  “It’s very rewarding to be recognized year after year by such a prestigious organization for our dedication to developing innovative products specifically for field and on-location recording.”

The TEC Awards was established in 1985 to honor outstanding achievement in professional audio production and product innovation. The nominations were made by a panel of approximately 100 audio industry veterans, in a variety of fields. Winners will be determined by members of professional audio and sound production organizations, through online voting conducted by an independent company. Voting will take place from November 1 through 30th.

The winners will be announced on Friday evening, January 14, at the Anaheim Hilton as a special highlight of NAMM, the leading international music products trade show. The ceremony will include the presentation of the Les Paul Award and the TEC Awards Hall of Fame Induction.

The USBPre 2 is ideal for a broad range of applications; including voiceover recording, reference playback and monitoring, and test and measurement. The class-compliant, plug-and-play device accepts mic level, line level, consumer line level and SPDIF digital (coaxial or TOSLINK) inputs. Its microphone preamplifiers have selectable analog limiters, high-pass filters, 48 V phantom power, and high-resolution LED meters. Because the USBPre 2 draws its power solely from the computer’s USB port, no additional power source is required.

Sound Devices designed the USBPre 2 for both reference quality input and output. Its balanced XLR outputs offer superior rejection to interference and are switch-selectable between mic- or line-level. Additionally, a consumer RCA-type output is available for connection to unbalanced inputs. Its headphone amplifier easily drives full-sized headphones with extensive, clean gain.

With its unique stand-alone mode, the USBPre 2 functions as a two-channel microphone preamplifier with analog, digital and headphone outputs. Stand-alone mode is perfect for applications that require an easy-to-use, quality microphone preamplifier. A built-in high-resolution LED level meter helps further facilitate these types of applications.

“The original Sound Devices USBPre was the very first bus-powered USB interface with phantom-powered mic inputs. The convenience and flexibility it offered proved quite popular with sound engineers,” says Jon Tatooles, Managing Director for Sound Devices.  “The USBPre 2 is an all-new update of that original, with powerful new features and superior audio performance. It is the perfect portable audio interface for Avid, Apple Final Cut Pro, and Adobe Premiere Pro editing systems. System engineers will also appreciate its ability to output full line level signals on XLR connectors.”

The USBPre 2, as with all Sound Devices products, is designed to withstand the physical and environmental extremes of field production. Its chassis is made from aluminum for superior durability and weight reduction.

The USBPre 2 will be available October 2010.

“When we started Sound Devices in 1998, we had no products, customers, or vendors,” says Jim Koomar, co-founder and Director of Sales. “Delivering our first product, the MP-1 mic preamp, gave us an opportunity to start a conversation with our customers. That conversation is continuing, with many of the same customers. With these relationships we gain insight into where we need to be to respond to changing production techniques and technologies.”

Sound Devices offices will be closed on Friday, July 2, in honor of our “Founder’s Day”. The company is also closed on Monday, July 5.

Take a brief look at Sound Devices history.