Tag: A20-TX

A20-TX FAQ

Last updated

General

How does the A20-TX compare to other Sound Devices transmitters in size and weight?

The table below details the size and weight for the different transmitters:
A10-TX A20-TX A20-Mini
Dimensions (H x W x D)
  • 3.3 x 2.5 x 0.7 in
  • 8.3 x 6.4 x 1.8 cm
Weight
  • 3.2 oz (without batteries)
  • 104 g (without batteries)
Dimensions (H x W x D)
  • 3.3 x 2.5 x 0.71 in
  • 8.5 x 6.4 x 1.81 cm
Weight
  • 3.2 oz (without batteries)
  • 98 g (without batteries)
Dimensions (H x W x D)
  • 2.98 x 1.88 x 0.74 in
  • 7.58 x 4.8 x 1.9 cm
Weight
  • 1.6 oz (without batteries)
  • 51 g (without batteries)

Powering

What are the battery powering options

The table below details operational characteristics for the different recommended AA battery chemistries:
Battery Chemistry Recommended Model Required No. of Batteries Chargeable in the A20-TX
NiMH Eneloop or Eneloop Pro 3 No
Alkaline Energizer or Duracell 3 No
Lithium Primary Energizer Ultimate Lithium 3 No
Li-Ion Xtar 14500, 3.7V, 800mAh 1, 2, or 3 Yes
LiFePO4 Shockli 3.2V, 650mAh 1, 2, or 3 Yes

Products Mentioned

A20-TX

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Sound Devices L.A. Wireless Workshop

Last updated
Aug 30, 2023
Los Angeles, CA, United States (US)

On Wednesday, August 30th, we invite you to join us at a special wireless training event held near Los Angeles. This free educational workshop will be a great opportunity to level up your wireless audio skills and learn about solutions for today’s RF questions.

Where: Group One Limited headquarters, 19801 Nordhoff Place #108, Chatsworth, CA 91311 

When: Wednesday, August 30th 

  • 10:00-12:00: Basic Wireless  
  • 12:00-1:00: Lunch 
  • 1:00-3:00: Advanced Wireless 

Whether you’re new to wireless or have a lot of experience, there will be something to learn. Led by Sound Devices’ RF Applications Engineer Gary Trenda and Technical Specialist Cody Heimann, the workshop will cover a range of topics, from the basics of frequency coordination to RF over fiber. From 10:00am-12:00pm, the courses will be focused on basic wireless topics. From 12:00-1:00pm, we will provide lunch and give you the opportunity to explore some wireless gear up close, including products from our partner companies in the Audiotonix group, Solid State Logic and Calrec. From 1:00-3:00pm, we will go through more advanced wireless audio topics, and then allow ample time for questions. You are welcome to attend one or both of the sessions. 

Seating is limited, so reserve your spot now by filling out the form below.

A20-TX v7.51 Firmware

Last updated
Download Firmware v7.51

New 

  • Adds support for 2ch wav recording from AES42 or AES3 inputs types 
  • ID function now includes vibration as well as flashing LEDs. 

Fixed 

  • UI Improvements to Input Type selection 
  • Fixed an issue with the transmitter not always remembering power state correctly when removing batteries 
  • Various system improvements 

A20-Nexus Go and A20-TX Live-Streaming Demo

Last updated
Aug 3, 2023
Online, United States (US)

Join us to learn about the new A20-Nexus Go and A20-TX! 

Are you curious to learn about the newest additions to our Astral family of wireless gear? On August 3rd, at 10:00am CDT (3:00pm GMT), Sound Devices will host a live-streaming event online where Director of Product Design and Management Paul Isaacs and RF Applications Engineer Gary Trenda will demonstrate the new A20-Nexus Go multichannel true-diversity wireless receiver and A20-TX digital wireless transmitter. Following the demonstration, you’ll have the opportunity to ask Paul and Gary questions for them to answer live. 

With 4 receiver channels that can be expanded to 6 and 8 with software expansion licenses and a form factor compact enough for a bag or a half-unit space on a sound cart, the A20-Nexus Go receiver is ready for any application. It has SpectraBand’s 169-1525 MHz global tuning range, the ability to set gain at the receiver and not the transmitter with GainForward, long-range remote control of transmitters via NexLink, integrated RTSA (Real Time Spectrum Analyzer), and more. 

The A20-TX transmitter is compatible with the widest array of input sources, from lavs and dynamic mics, to phantom-powered condenser mics, balanced line-level sources, and even AES digital mics. It accepts AA batteries of any chemistry, and offers a battery life up to 12 hours. The A20-TX transmitter includes the first full, true balanced ultra-low-noise high-headroom mic preamp, and has Astral-family features, like NexLink, SpectraBand, and GainForward. 

To register for the live-streaming demo and submit a question for Paul and Gary in advance, please fill out the form below.  

Astral Transmitter Comparison

Last updated
FeatureA20-TXA20-Mini
100% Digital Transmission
Compatible with A20-Nexus, A20-Nexus Go, A20-RX, and A10-RX
SpectraBand 
Battery LifeUp to 12 hrsUp to 5.5 hrs
VHF (169-235 MHz) Support
Tuning Range169 – 1525 MHz470 – 1525 Mhz
NexLink Long Range Control
GainForward
Long Range and Standard Modulation
AutoAssign frequencies from receiver to transmitters
Privacy Key
2-wire, 3-wire Lav Mic Input
Balanced Dynamic Mic Input
Balanced Condenser Mic Input w/Phantom Power
Balanced Line Input
AES3 Input
AES42 Input
Guitar Input
AA (Alkaline, NiMH, Lithium, Li-ion, LiFePO4)
AAA (Lithium)
Sony NP-BX1
Built-in Battery ChargingLi-ion, LiFePO4NP-BX1
Compatible with PowerStation-8M Charging Station
Built in 32-bit float recording
Removable recording media
Ability to Sync Timecode via USB or NexLink
Record and Transmit Simultaneously (outside US)
Display
A20-Remote App for iOS and Android
Web App Controlvia A20-Nexusvia A20-Nexus
Compatible with user-prgrammable A20-TX Switch
USB-C Port (for charging, timecode, file transfer, pairing)

A20-TX Specifications

Last updated
Frequency Range
  • 169 to 1525 MHz
  • Transmitter tunable in 25 kHz steps
  • Available frequencies are dependent on region
RF Output Power
  • Off, Low – 2 mW, Normal – 10 mW, High – 20 mW, Extra High – 40 mW
Modulation Mode
  • Proprietary, 100% digital RF modulation
  • Standard or Long Range, selectable
Antennas
  • UHF RF: SMA connector, removable antenna
  • 2.4 GHz built-in, bottom of unit
Audio Frequency Response
  • 10 Hz – 20 kHz, +/- 1 dB re 1 kHz
Audio Input
  • Lavalier Microphone
    • 2-wire- or 3-wire-type lavalier mics supported
    • Auto-selected when lavalier mic connected to Lemo input
    • Dynamic range: 130+ dB min, A-weighted
    • Input clip level: 5V p-p (limited by lavalier microphone)
    • Lemo pin 1 = ground; Lemo pin 2 = 5V bias power; Lemo pin 3 = audio/bias (8k to 5V internal)
    • Auto unit power on/off with connection/removal of lavalier microphone (menu selectable)
  • Balanced Mic
    • True, fully balanced, 8-Series mic preamp
    • Dynamic range: 140 dB min, A-weighted
    • Menu selectable with connection of XL-BALXLR-4 cable to Lemo input
    • Phantom power: 12V or 48V, full 10mA available per IEC 61938
    • XLR pin 1 = ground; XLR pin 2 = +; XLR pin 3 = –
  • Line Input
    • True, fully balanced line-level input (no external resistors required)
    • Input clip level: +26 dBu
    • Menu selectable with connection of XL-BALXLR-4 cable to Lemo input
    • XLR pin 1 = ground; XLR pin 2 = +; XLR pin 3 = –
  • AES42
    • AES digital input with common mode power for Digital mics such as Schoeps SuperCMIT
    • 250mA current available
    • Selectable audio channel 1 or 2 via menu
    • Menu selectable with connection of XL-BALXLR-4 cable to Lemo input
    • XLR pin 1 = ground; XLR pin 2 = +; XLR pin 3 = –
  • AES3
    • AES digital input without common mode power
    • Selectable audio channel 1 or 2 via menu
    • Menu selectable with connection of XL-BALXLR-4 cable to Lemo input
    • XLR pin 1 = ground; XLR pin 2 = +; XLR pin 3 = –
  • Guitar
    • Auto-selected when connected with A20-TX Smart Guitar Cable
    • ¼” tip = + ¼” sleeve = ground
    • 18V p-p max input level
    • Input impedance: 100k, 1M, 10M (menu selectable)
    • Cable capacitance: 0 pF – 3000 pF in 50 pF steps (menu selectable)
    • Balanced connection from ¼” plug to Lemo for low noise susceptibility
Menu and Controls
  • e-Paper screen highly visible in direct sunlight
  • e-Paper screen keeps display even with no batteries
  • Power/Pair button and three navigation buttons protected inside battery compartment
  • Optional user-programmable bayonet switch for top of transmitter (A20-TX Switch)
Remote Control
  • A20-Remote Android, iOS, and iPad app via Bluetooth 5.2 LE
  • A20-Nexus, A20-Nexus Go receivers via super-long-range NexLink
Recording Media
  • Micro SD card
Recording File Format
  • 32 Bit Float, 48 kHz, Monophonic
  • Broadcast WAV (<4 GB), RF64 WAV (>4 GB)

Simultaneous Record and Transmit mode when using lavalier mic input is not available on A20-TX units sold or operated in the United States of America.

Timecode
  • Input via XL-TC-USBC-LEMO, XL-TC-USBC-BNC, USB-A to USB-C (from 8-Series) or wirelessly over NexLink (from A20-Nexus/A20-Nexus Go)
  • LTC: 0.3 V – 3 V p-p (–17 dBu to +3 dBu), 20k ohm impedance
  • LTC Output via XL-TC-USBC-LEMO: 3 V p-p, 400 ohm impedance
Timecode Clock
  • 0.2 ppm accuracy
  • Holds accurate clock for four hours while powered down with batteries inserted, holds for one hour without batteries via internal supercapacitor
  • Auto Jams timecode via USB-C connector or wirelessly via NexLink
Timecode Frame Rates
  • 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97 DF, 29.97 ND, 30 DF, 30 ND

Frame rates are auto-detected from incoming source

USB-C
  • Mass Storage (USB-C): USB 2.0 high speed for file transfer
  • Charges Li-ion and LiFePO4 batteries inserted in A20-TX
  • Pairing to A20-Nexus, A20-Nexus Go
  • Timecode I/O
Powering
  • “1.5V” Alkaline, Lithium primary, NiMH AA batteries; 3 for operation
  •  “3.7V” Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, Rechargeable LiFePO4 AA batteries; 1, 2, of 3 for operation
  • Energizer Ultimate AA primary cells recommended for longest runtime
Battery Charging
  • Built-in charging of Lithium-Ion and LiFePO4 batteries via USB-C
Battery Runtime
  • Up to 12 hours (depending on battery chemistry, number of batteries, RF power, input type, mode)
  • Unit can be completely powered off remotely via app or via NexLink to extend battery runtime 
Environmental
  • Operating: -10° C to 38° C
  • Storage: -40° C to 85° C
  • 0 to 90% relative humidity (non-condensing)
Dimensions (H x W x D)
  • 3.3 x 2.5 x 0.71 in 
  • 8.5 x  6.4 x 1.81 cm
Weight
  • 0.2lbs (without batteries)
  • 98g (without batteries)
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