Revision 1.1 firmware for the 552 is now available for download. This new revision includes several new features and numerous changes and bug fixes. Firmware updates for the 552 mixer require an SD card. Detailed instructions and complete details on features, changes, and bugs are on the download page. (more…)
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.