Sound Devices Astral TX Digital Wireless Bodypack Transmitter/Recorder (169 to 1525 MHz)

Designed as a tool that can serve multiple purposes, the Sound Devices A20-TX is a versatile digital wireless bodypack transmitter/recorder compatible with Astral-Series receivers like Astral ARX16 and ARX8. Its LEMO 3-pin connector supports a multitude of input sources, including two- or three-wire lavs, balanced mics (with 48V phantom), balanced line-level sources, guitars (with optional cable), AES 3, and even AES 42 digital mics like the Schoeps SuperCMIT. The onboard audio recorder records on a micro-SD card with 32-bit float/48 kHz audio quality.

Operating in the ultrawide SpectraBand tuning range (169 to 1525 MHz), the Astral TX covers VHF and UHF. And with 100% digital RF modulation, it is ideal for professional film and TV shoots. GainForward Architecture lets you set audio gain remotely from the receiver. The Astral TX includes an accurate timecode generator and offers jam syncing via USB-C or wirelessly via NexLink. Built tough with a lightweight aluminum chassis and e-Paper display that's readable in sunlight, the transmitter is powered by three standard AA or rechargeable lithium batteries for up to 12 hours. Full remote control is possible via Bluetooth with the A20-Remote mobile app or from the receiver via long-range NexLink.

• The Astral TX transmitter includes an industry first: a full, true-balanced ultralow-noise, high-headroom mic preamp. In fact, this is the same preamp built into the company's vaunted 8-Series mixers.
• The Astral TX mic preamp is a big step up from the excellent mic preamp built into the original A10-TX transmitter in terms of noise, headroom, and sonic purity.

• With GainForward, there is no gain setting on the transmitter. You control your Astral TX transmitter’s audio gain, either directly at the receiver’s digital trim control or at the wireless receiver, while maintaining the best audio performance.
• If the source is too soft or too loud, just use a downstream mixer’s digital trim gain control to make adjustments. No more bothering the talent to make gain changes.

• The Astral TX transmitter features battery life of up to 12 hours. Additionally, the Astral TX’s flexible powering scheme allows the use of many battery types, including standard alkaline or NiMh AA batteries, rechargeable li-ion batteries, rechargeable LiFePO4 batteries, or even USB battery packs.

• The Astral TX transmitter boasts industry-leading features like Sound Devices’ proprietary NexLink 2.4 GHz long-range wireless remote control technology that allows multiple Astral TX transmitters to be controlled and timecode synced dependably from an Astral ARX16 or ARX8 digital receiver.
• NexLink works over long distances, even through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other 2.4 GHz interference.
• The Astral TX transmitter’s long-range modulation achieves excellent operational range.
• The Astral TX also includes Sound Devices’ proprietary SpectraBand technology, which enables the Astral TX transmitter to tune over a super wide VHF/UHF range of 169 to 1525 MHz.

• You can easily view settings and menus with the Astral TX transmitter’s e-Paper Display, even in sunlight or when powered down and its batteries removed.
• When you need to change a setting in the dark, open the battery door and the screen’s backlight turns on for easy visibility.

• For the applications that call for a user-actuated controls, the Astral TX transmitter can be equipped with an optional bayonet-style, spring-loaded multifunction switch that's physically removable.
• Its large size, positive tactile operation, and magnetic activation give users ultimate confidence and reliability when muting or powering the transmitter or when using the built-in recorder.

• Worldwide VHF and UHF tuning range from 169 to 1525 MHz
• Up to 12 hours battery runtime
• Eco-friendly operation from rechargeable Lithium batteries or from standard AA batteries
• Built-in battery charger via USB-C (Li-ion, LiFePO4)
• Full remote control of the Astral TX from mobile device via Bluetooth with A20-Remote companion app and from Astral ARX16 and ARX8 units via long-range NexLink
• State-of-the-art 100% digital long-range modulation delivers extremely long transmission distance
• RF Power output from 2 to 40mW
• LEMO input supports 2-wire or 3-wire mono lav, balanced mic, switchable 12 and 48V phantom for condenser mics, balanced line-level, AES3, AES42 (compatible with Schoeps SuperCMIT), and guitar (with optional Smart Guitar Cable)
• Sound Devices 8-Series, fully balanced mic preamp built in (140 dB dynamic range)
• Ultra-quiet lavalier mic preamp (134 dB dynamic range)
• GainForward Architecture—no gain control to worry about on the Astral TX
• Full 10 Hz to 20 kHz audio bandwidth
• Built-in 32-bit float/48 kHz recorder with removable micro-SD card
• Ultra-stable timecode built in, auto-jammed via wireless NexLink
• Sunlight-readable e-Paper screen for control and display. Display persists when powered off
• USB-C for pairing with ARX16 and ARX8 receivers, file offload, charging, and timecode jamming
• Digital encryption for privacy
• Astral TX Switch: optional, user-programmable bayonet switch magnetically sensed and physically removable
• Aluminum construction, built for challenging environments