552 Category

Approved Storage Devices for Sound Devices Products

Sound Devices products are compatible with a large variety of mechanical hard drives, SSD drives, CompactFlash cards, and SD cards. The following lists indicate storage devices for applicable Sound Devices products that are approved by Sound Devices. (more…)

552 Firmware Version 1.4 Available for Download

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.

552 Firmware Version 1.2 Now Available

Revision 1.2 firmware for the 552 is now available for download. This new revision includes a new input mute feature and a minor change to the metadata written to recorded WAV files in absence of time code. 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.

552 Gain Control Topology

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…)

552 vs. 442

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…)

552 or 7-Series Recorder?

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…)

552 Video Overview

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