Sound Devices extensively tests removable recording media with the 664 Mixer. The cards listed below have been tested and have successfully passed benchmark testing with the 664. (more…)

Firmware revision 1.04 is now available for the 664 Field Mixer. Changes introduced in revision 1.04 include the following:

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Revision 1.4 firmware for the 552 is now available for download. This new revision includes new transport control code and the ability to save and load user settings to internal memory (without the use of an SD card). Firmware updates for the 552 require an SD card and a card reader to transfer the firmware file. Detailed instructions and complete details on features and changes are on the download page.

To provide the extensive control and flexibility provided by the 552, its high-performance analog circuitry is infused with numerous control types. Digital control of analog signals provides the circuit designer with the power to offer features that analog alone can’t offer. The mix of different control types for gain in the 552 include analog potentiometers, digital potentiometers, analog switches, micro-relays, and physical switches. Each location in the circuit where gain is controlled is described below. (more…)

The 442 mixer, introduced in 2001, brought many powerful capabilities, common to the studio, to field mixing. Features like direct outputs, multiple output connections, solo metering, two-stage gain, and comprehensive limiters changed the expectations of sound mixers everywhere. The introduction of the 552 and the discontinuation of the 442 warrants a look at what is similar and what is different between these two powerful field production mixers. (more…)

The introduction of the 552 mixer brings a powerful new feature to field mixers, a high-quality integrated audio recorder. It is unquestionably convenient to have a built-in recorder with a field mixer. With the addition of its recorder, one question that comes up is whether the 552 can be substituted in place of a 7-Series recorder. The short answer is…yes…and no. (more…)

Watch a brief three minute video overview of the new 552 mixer here.

Each input on the 302 mixer has a two-position high-pass filter. High-pass filters allow high frequency signals to pass while attenuating low frequency signals. High pass filters are useful at reducing wind noise, microphone handling noise, and room noise while having little effect on speech reproduction. (more…)

All 7-Series recorders, including the 788T, operate from removable, rechargeable Li-ion batteries. On power up, the 788T briefly draws more current from these Li-ion batteries than during continuous operation. This “in-rush” current is caused by the numerous circuits initially being energized. (more…)

The Mix In connection on the 302 and 442 Field Mixers is an unbalanced stereo TA3 Male input designed to link multiple Sound Devices field mixers. This connection routes signals directly to the Master Output Bus and is designed to interconnect with the Tape Out/Mix Out of Sound Devices MixPre, 302, and 442 mixers. There are no level controls on Mix In signals, so levels must be controlled at the source.

In addition to multi-unit linking, the Mix In connection is used as inputs from devices that only have line level outputs such as the Sound Devices MM-1 and MP-1. The diagrams below indicate the connections necessary for an XLR Line Output to the TA3 Mix In of a 302 or 442 Field Mixer. Note that the shell of the TA3 connector must be grounded to Pin-1 to open the connection.  (more…)

Sound Devices has heard from a few mixer customers experiencing difficulty removing AA batteries from the battery compartment of a field mixer, specifically the first two inserted cells. There are two reasons this would occur: (more…)

T-power, also known as Parallel, A-B, or Tonaderspeisung powering, was one of the original techniques used to power condenser microphones remotely from mixing consoles. It uses the microphone cable as the power conductor, eliminating the need for batteries or external power supplies. Phantom powering has effectively displaced T-powering as the standard microphone powering technique. (more…)

The 302 has three full-featured inputs, selectable between mic and line level. When additional inputs are needed, such as for additional wireless receivers or for stereo playback, the 3.5 mm Return connector can be reassigned as an input connector for channels 4 and 5. This feature is selected in the Setup Menu. (more…)

The chart below describes the inputs and output panels of the Sound Devices 302 Compact Field Mixer, including functionality and pin configurations. (more…)

Most Sound Devices mixers, amplifiers, and recorders have external DC inputs. These inputs can be used with AC transformers (and switching power supplies) to provide power for their operation. The 302, 442, HX-3, MixPre, and MM-1 can be powered from external DC sources with voltages ranging from 5 to 18 volts. The 702, 702T, 722, and 744T can run on external voltages from 10 to 18 VDC. (more…)

The polarity of the 442 and 442N mixers tone oscillator is inverted between the main outputs and the direct outputs. This polarity “flip” only affects the tone oscillator and not audio signals. (more…)

The MixPre uses a mixed technology, four-layer, FR4 pc board with roughly 450 surface mount and thru-hole components. Both sides of the circuit boards are populated. The view below shows the top side of the main board and the bottom side of the LED board (battery tube removed). (more…)

The 442 Field Mixer has been shipping since January 2002. Some of the questions we received early in the product’s development are still useful to look at today. Questions have been edited for content and appropriateness. (more…)

Follow the link (image) below for a single page .pdf document of 442 User Setups. This reference covers version 5 firmware only. This handy reference can be used in the field to quickly set 442 user-adjustable parameters. (more…)

The 302 and 442 mixer’s tone oscillators have several modes of operation. From the Setup Menu, the tone frequency and level can be set.  (more…)