SEOUL, KOREA — Sound Devices is introducing the 1.2 firmware update for its newest 552 Production Mixer, the company’s first mixer to incorporate a fully integrated digital audio recorder at KOBA 2010 (Koil Corporation, Booth 3137). This new firmware release is available to all 552 users through a free download on the company’s website and includes functional enhancements and important upgrades.
Sound Devices 552 Production Mixer can now incorporate the very latest technological advances into the mixer/recorder’s functionality, specifically including a new input mute, which allows users to quickly remove any input from the active output mix. The input’s signal activity LED illuminates solid red when muted. This is a benefit in fast-moving reality-style productions when cast members are often moved in and out of a scene.
Another important upgrade to the new firmware is that it allows users to ease editing with Final Cut Pro, when no valid time code input is detected, as time code and speed related metadata is nulled. This prevents Final Cut from assigning a time code rate and a possible unintended speed change. The 552 continues to store the time of day value as a start time code stamp in bEXT when no valid time code input is detected.
These new features and changes are in addition to the new features that were introduced with Sound Devices 552 firmware update 1.1, which initially added the ability to record time code to a track. This feature is helpful for transcriptions for network news magazine applications. In addition, the Firmware update also incorporates many important improvements that make the 552 even more accessible and powerful for sound mixers.
“Sound Devices 552 Production Mixer is in high demand and has been quickly incorporated by our customers into production applications ranging from reality television and news magazines to sports and drama,� says Jon Tatooles, managing director for Sound Devices. “To date, the 552 has been Sound Devices most successful product. We have already introduced our second firmware upgrade as a way to keep evolving and upgrading our products to stay ahead of the technology curve.�
The latest firmware update also includes split ear return metering, auto-record feature on time code advance and a record-pause function. This new firmware update also enables the slate mic on the 552 to be available during file playback, makes the ‘record time remaining’ announcement visible while still recording, and has added meter ballistics and file metadata capabilities.
Designed specifically for professional sound engineers, Sound Devices 552 contains five precision, high-dynamic range, transformer-balanced microphone inputs with expanded gain and headroom. The studio-grade inputs have their own limiter, sweepable high-pass filter and pre- or post-fade direct output. At the heart of each microphone input lies a high-performance Lundahl input transformer, which provides freedom from interference in even the most severe RF and EMI environments that are encountered in the field.
Additionally, Sound Devices 552 has an integrated two-track, 24-bit digital audio recorder that writes Broadcast WAV files (BWF) or MP3 files to SD and SDHC media. The recorder is ideal for applications where a high-quality, 24-bit local recording is required. Either the outputs or combinations of inputs and outputs can be assigned as record sources.
The 552, like all Sound Devices products, is designed to withstand the physical and environmental extremes of field production. Its top and bottom chassis panels are made from molded, metalized carbon fiber for superior durability and weight reduction. The front panel is also gasketed for water resistance.
Sound Devices, LLC designs and manufactures portable audio mixers, digital recorders and related audio equipment for feature film, episodic television, documentary, news-gathering, and acoustical test and measurement applications. The eleven-year-old company designs and manufactures from its Reedsburg, Wisconsin, headquarters with additional offices in Madison, WI, and Highland Park, IL. For more information, visit the Sound Devices website, www.sounddevices.com.
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