In September 2023, Sound Devices celebrated its 25th Anniversary and also announced the launch of its brand new family of Astral wireless audio products, starting with the A20-Nexus Go true diversity digital wireless receiver and the A20-TX digital wireless bodypack transmitter. These two products made the Astral wireless solution into a complete professional wireless audio alternative, by offering products that are more compact and rugged than ever before.
The expansion of Sound Devices into wireless audio products was only possible due to the acquisition of Audio Limited, the UK manufacturer and developer of high-performance wireless microphone systems in 2018.
The A20-Nexus Go is a portable, easy-to-use package with up to 8 channels of crystal-clear wireless signal in a convenient half-rack space. Sound Devices’ proprietary SpectraBand technology gives A20-Nexus an industry leading global tuning range of 169-1525 MHz, while NexLink advanced long-distance modulation allows increased range and signal stability. GainForward Architecture is another unique features that allows streamlined gain control from the mixer, while an integrated Real Time Spectrum Analyzer (RTSA) allows intuitive frequency coordination - two major differentiating features from anything else available in the market. On the transmitter side, the A20-TX digital wireless bodypack has a multipurpose input, flexible powering, and ultra-low-power e-Paper display.
Already in January 2024, Sound Devices announced a new product in the Astral wireless family, with the launch of the Astral Wireless Guitar System, designed specifically for use by guitar and bass players. The A20-TX Smart Guitar Cable and A20-TX Guitar Strap Clip work seamlessly with Sound Devices’ A20-Nexus True-Diversity Wireless Receivers and A20-TX Transmitters to provide signal strength, and operating range for a no-compromise wireless experience in any venue.
The patent-pending A20-TX Smart Guitar Cable is at the core of the Astral Wireless Guitar System and utilizes sophisticated circuitry within the 1/4” plug to allow for user-adjustable capacitance and impedance to make sure that the guitar’s pickups interact the same way with the wireless transmitter as they would hard-wired via a length of guitar cable. This keeps the exact sonic character and “feel” of the guitar and amp interaction as compared to any other wireless system.
“The aim of the Astral-series ecosystem was to provide a robust, versatile platform for musicians by the musicians at Sound Devices,” says Sound Devices CEO Matt Anderson. “The innovations we’ve made in wireless have provided us with the opportunity to revolutionize wireless in the live sound community. The Astral Guitar System serves the needs of guitar and bass players who - until now haven't had access to this level of sonic transparency, reliable signal strength, and rock-solid reliability for tours around the world.”
These new Sound Devices products, clearly appeal to musical, touring, house of worship, theatrical, and other applications in the live event space. That is why the company decided to appoint a dedicated international distribution partner to support the live sound markets. As part of this expansion, Sound Devices has chosen Group One Limited – an organization with extensive experience in live entertainment, and a fellow Audiotonix-group company – to be the exclusive distributor and partner of its live sound products in the United States.
“Group One has a history of partnering with disruptive brands, like DiGiCo, KLANG, Austrian Audio, and Fourier Audio, whose innovation gives users more than they thought was possible,” explains Matt Anderson. “Sound Devices’ Astral wireless family, including the A20-SuperNexus receiver, is a gamechanger for the live sound market and we can’t wait to work with Group One to bring them this technology.”
Group One is a US importer and distributor for a number of professional audio and lighting manufacturers. The company’s audio division currently distributes Calrec broadcast solutions, DiGiCo digital mixing consoles, KLANG:technologies 3D immersive in-ear monitor mixing systems, Solid State Logic recording solutions, MC2 amplifiers, XTA digital signal processing equipment and integrated amplification, Austrian Audio headphones and microphones, and Sound Devices live sound products.
At the same time, Sound Devices is expanding its Astral products for the location and live sound markets, including the A20-SuperNexus wireless receiver with HexVersity, which packs up to an unprecedented 32 channels in just a one-unit 19-inch rack; the A20-Opto expansion box, which adds native Optocore audio I/O to interconnect DiGiCo consoles with A20-SuperNexus receivers; and the A20-Outpost-NL for remote-mounting NexLink antennae via Ethernet. In addition to those, Sound Devices is currently developing more Astral-family products that will be released later in 2024.
“Sound Devices’ Astral-series wireless audio systems are a fitting complement to our existing list of audio brands, including DiGiCo, Calrec, and SSL,” states Group One President Bryan Bradley. “We are excited to bring this innovative family of wireless products to a new audience in the live sound market.”
The partnership with Group One relates only to Sound Devices’ live sound wireless audio products. Sound Devices will continue to sell its entire product portfolio through its existing resellers and distributors in the US and throughout the rest of the world.
“As we begin to offer more products to support location sound customers and gain traction with live events, houses of worship, the performing arts, tours, and other live productions,” says Anderson, “we’re excited to work with Group One, its talented sales team, and its broader network of dealers.”
Sound Devices designs, assembles, and supports its products at their Reedsburg, Wisconsin, headquarters and their Madison, Wisconsin, and Rickmansworth, UK, offices.
www.sounddevices.com
