Now part of the Audiotonix group (DiGiCo, Allen & Heath, Calrec, Harrison, KLANG:technologies, Slate Digital, Solid State Logic), Sound Devices is increasingly investing in digital wireless microphone technology since it acquired Audio Limited in 2018. The UK manufacturer and developer of high-performance wireless microphone systems allowed the Wisconsin-based company to expand its portfolio with a new category of digital wireless solutions for professional production environments with industry-exclusive technologies. The result of this research has already resulted in Sound Devices launching the groundbreaking A20-Nexus true diversity digital wireless multichannel receivers with SpectraBand technology, and the Astral Series of wireless transmitters and receivers with integrated RTSA (Real Time Spectrum Analysis).
The new Sound Devices A20-HH digital wireless handheld microphone features the same Astral global tuning range and adds a reversible A20-HH CD1 Capsule Collar that accepts multiple manufacturers' capsules that utilize Shure or Sennheiser thread, as well as Sound Devices’ own CD1 Cardioid Capsule. The CD1 is a fully calibrated, dynamic vocal microphone with a patented dual-element design using two voice coils and two diaphragms, yielding consistent polar-patterns over frequency, low handling noise, and improved dynamic range.
With the A20-HH Capsule Collar, changing capsules is as simple as removing three screws and flipping the collar over. The A20-HH Control Ring is just as easy to swap out and gives the user optional external controls – one or three buttons or a slide switch – while the base unit has no controls on the outside to prevent accidental button pushes.
"As any performer knows," says Sound Devices Vice President of Sales Andy “Baggy” Robinson, "to truly customize a microphone, you need to be able to match its design to a costume. The A20-HH makes that so easy. Instead of having to prep a mic and then sending an expensive microphone out to be painted – risking damage or loss of the mic in shipping or during the painting process – you can just slide off the body shell from the A20-HH and have it painted, decorated, or covered in jewels. Or with the economical cost of the body shells – keep multiples on hand in different colors and styles and change them out during a show."
There is also no need to keep multiple A20-HH microphones in stock for an international tour, thanks to the global SpectraBand tuning range of 470-1525MHz, which allows the A20-HH microphone to be used worldwide. In addition, it uses the Sound Devices Astral family's NexLink ultra-long-range remote control and GainForward architecture that allows users to control gain and trim at the front of house trim instead of on the microphone. It also includes an e-Paper display that shows mic and battery status, even in full sunlight and while powered down.
One of the most unique features of the A20-HH microphone is the patented wideband RocketAntenna design. "One of the problems other wireless mics suffer from is that they lose signal if the talent grabs the mic around the antenna at the base of the mic," explains Sound Devices CEO Matt Anderson. "Our patent-pending antenna design isn’t affected by that, so talent can grip the mic anywhere without the attenuation inherent in other designs."
The A20-HH handheld microphone's durable structure is designed for the rigors of daily use. It is water resistant, can survive many drops, and is powered by a standard XL-B18650 lithium-ion battery that can run more than 10 hours when the microphone is set at 10mW output.
"The A20-HH is the first truly global handheld as well as the missing transmitter of the Sound Devices master plan," describes Audiotonix CEO James Gordon. "The way the Sound Devices team have thought out every aspect of this microphone is nothing short of revolutionary. They have thought of every detail important to sound professionals. The A20-HH is setting a new standard in audio."
www.sounddevices.com
