Sound Devices Astal ARX32 16-Channel Rackmount Wireless Microphone Receiver with HexVersity (169 to 1525 MHz)

Keep your kit small and save space in your rack with the Sound Devices Astral ARX32, a wireless microphone receiver with 16 independent HexVersity channels—expandable to 32 HexVersity channels via software licenses—all in just a 1 RU, 19" rackmount chassis. Utilizing SpectraBand technology to ensure mission-critical reliability across an ultrawide tuning range of 169 to 1525 MHz, the Astral ARX32 can be taken on tour worldwide without concerns about tuning bands.

With NexLink technology for full remote control of your transmitters, GainForward to adjust transmitter gain at the receiver, Dante, MADI, AES, and analog mic/line/guitar level outputs, along with RF Mirror Mode for full redundant operation, the Astral ARX32 is packed with features to give you peace of mind while speeding up your workflow, whether you're working in the field, on a production set, or at a live-performance venue.

• 16 channels—all with HexVersity (2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, or 6-antenna diversity)—in 1 RU rackspace
• Expandable to 32 channels—all with HexVersity—in the same rackspace via software licenses
• 169 to 1525 MHz tuning range for full global coverage
• RF Mirror Mode for full redundant operation
• Native Dante, MADI, AES, and analog outputs
• SpectraBand with 3 tuning bands for a total of 72 MHz of operating bandwidth for transmitters
• Optional Astral Opto expansion box to add Optocore audio I/O and full redundant power supplies
• Simple 1-minute operation to change countries for entire system
• Built-in long-range NexLink remote control of all transmitters
• Integrated Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer (RTSA) and scanner for intuitive frequency coordination with TV Channel Finder, Frequency Exclusion Regions, and Peak Hold options.
• AutoAssign: automatic deployment of multiple clean frequencies in seconds
• Built-in 6-to-2 RF combiner for multizone events
• 6 network ports (2 x RJ45, 4 x SFP) configurable for Dante, Dante Redundancy, and Control
• Web App control from browser on any computer, smartphone, or tablet
• Bridging between MADI, Dante, AES, Optocore, and analog
• Wide, 12.4” color OLED array with touch for control and monitoring
• Optical Fiber Ethernet option via two SFP slots
• Supports GainForward Architecture: no gain setting on the Astral transmitter—adjust gain at the receiver or mixer
• 100% digital long-range modulation delivers one of the longest transmission distances for digital systems
• RF SAW filters for excellent rejection of interference transmitters
• Excellent audio quality: full 10 Hz to 20 kHz audio bandwidth
• BNC timecode input for auto timecode sync of transmitters over NexLink
• Three BNC antenna input pairs, each compatible with passive, bias-powered, and smart antennas
• Configurable for HexVersity or combiner modes
• Cascade out option on rear BNCs for cascading to other receivers
• Automatic Antenna zero-loss loop through in the event of power loss for redundant operation
• Front-panel 3.5mm and 1/4" headphone outputs
• USB-A and USB-C ports for thumb drives, keyboards, transmitter pairing, and timecode syncing
• Support for USB hubs
• PoE+ output for powering external PoE+ powered device, including the Astral Outpost-NL
• 75-ohm termination switch added to the Timecode menu for rear panel LTC/WCK BNC input
• Supports Astral control and monitoring with SoundBase
• Features three Aux-triggered audio output paths
• Allows you to send headphone solo to audio outputs when used with the ARX16 or ARX32

• The Astral ARX32 incorporates SpectraBand, a technology that enables it to tune over a super wide range of 169 to 1525 MHz. This global range is divided into multiple, tightly filtered frequency ranges called "filter ranges".
• The sharp attenuation at either end of a filter range significantly reduces out-of-band interference, resulting in excellent range and performance (available filter ranges vary by country).
• The ARX32 includes three independent Tuning Bands (or "Bands" for short). Each Band is tunable to any of the 24 MHz wide filter ranges, for a total of 72 MHz of simultaneously usable spectrum.
• The built-in Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer (RTSA) includes Normal + Peak Hold and Average + Peak Hold trace types, while RF History runs continuously in the background for accurate long-term signal tracking.
• The TV Channel Finder algorithm identifies 6, 7, or 8 MHz TV channels directly in RTSA and Scan Views, simplifying coordination in complex RF environments.
• Frequency Exclusion Regions let you specify bands to avoid during AutoAssign or manual frequency assignment.
• A Whip Antenna Length tool displays a real-size graphic to guide proper antenna cut length for your operating range.

• The ARX32's HexVersity architecture is well suited to massive venue events with its unrivaled antenna coverage.
• Three antenna input pairs support passive, bias-powered, or smart antennas with automatic zero-loss loop-through on power failure for redundant operation.
• The six antenna inputs can be configured in multiple ways for different applications including Diversity (1 antenna pair), 4Versity (2 antenna pairs), HexVersity (3 antenna pairs), and Zone Combine modes.

• NexLink is a proprietary 2.4 GHz bidirectional wireless data link technology that allows multiple Astral transmitters to be controlled, monitored, and timecode synced from a Astral ARX32 over long distance.
• NexLink is designed to offer robust and reliable control over distances far exceeding that of the wireless audio transmission, even in the presence of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth interference. One ARX32 can pair with up to 64 NexLinked transmitters.
• Firmware 8.20 adds support for simultaneous NexLink communication via multiple Astral Outposts, greatly extending system coverage and control redundancy.
• Timecode distribution to transmitters via NexLink from Astral Outposts is now supported for simplified system-wide sync.
• Wireless maintenance features include a firmware update menu to update Astral transmitters over NexLink and the ability to abort pairing from the TX List screen.
• NexLink connection stability has been enhanced for faster re-connections and more robust performance in dense RF conditions.
• The transmitter control option “GPIO” has been renamed to “Control,” allowing it to trigger macros or GPIO events remotely.

• RF Mirror Mode provides automatic redundancy between Primary and Secondary ARX32 units to ensure uninterrupted operation during mission-critical events.
• Firmware 8.20 adds the option for the Secondary unit to use either the Primary’s Outposts or its own local Outposts, offering more flexibility in distributed setups.
• If the Secondary takes control due to Primary failure, it no longer switches back automatically when the Primary returns online—maintaining system stability and continuity.

• The Astral ARX32 supports the Astral series GainForward feature. GainForward eliminates the need to adjust microphone preamplifier gain at the wireless transmitter. Audio levels from the transmitter are adjusted at the ARX32 receiver.
• If the talent speaks or sings too softly or emotes too loudly after being “wired” with the Astral transmitter, simply adjust the transmitter gain with the downstream mixer’s gain trim, instead of needing to access the transmitter.