Sound Devices 552 5-Input Field Production Mixer

Sound Devices' 552 Production Mixer is the most techologically advanced portable audio mixer ever made. Using the best analog and digital technologies, along with advanced mechanical construction, the 552 gives professionals a superb sounding, compact, lightweight and power-efficient mixer that is equally at home in simple run-and-gun applications or in complex multi-input, multi-output production setups.

The 552 contains five precision high-dynamic-range transformer-balanced microphone inputs with expanded gain and headroom. Each input accepts audio sources of various types and levels. Inputs have their own limiter, sweepable high-pass filter, and pre-or-post-fade direct output.

The 552 has an integrated two-track, digital audio recorder writing industry-standard Broadcast Wave files to SD and SDHC media. A simple joystick controller is used to take command of recording functions. Push up to begin recording. Either WAV or MP3 files can be recorded. Recordings can be either 24 or 16 bit, with WAV files having sampling rates from 44.1 kHz up to 96 kHz.

With its three sets of balanced master outputs (plus numerous unbalanced connections), the 552 provides complete connectivity for multi-camera and complex production setups. Additionally, a digital output option is available for the XLR master outputs. When selected in the Setup Menu, the master XLR outputs can output four channels of 24-bit (or 16-bit) AES/EBU signals, the source of which is selected in the Setup Menu.

Features:

• Five high-performance microphone inputs with two-stage gain control, limiter, variable high-pass, and solo monitoring
• AES/EBU output option, two connections for four channels of digital output, sampling rates up to 96 kHz
• Pre- or post-fader direct outputs per input
• Records two tracks of uncompressed Broadcast WAV up to 96 kHz sampling, or compressed MP3 files
• Multiple, balanced output connections, including XLR, Hirose 10-pin, and TA3
• Integrated digital recorder with simple control records to SD or SDHC media
• Accepts time code input to time-stamp recorded audio files
• Flexible metering modes, including zoom metering for high precision near 0 dBfs
• Voice-confirmation appear in headphones for critical operational information and when navigating Setup Menu
• Lightweight design uses metalized, molded carbon fiber top and bottom panels for durability and strength
• Front panel is gasketed for protection from weather
• Powered by four-AA batteries or external 10-18 VDC

Specifications:

• Frequency Response:
  • 20 Hz - 30 kHz, +0.2, -0.5 dB
• THD + Noise:
  • 0.09% max (50 Hz - 20 kHz, +18 dBu at line out, fader fully up)
• Equivalent Input Noise:
  • -126 dBu (-128 dBV) maximum. (22 Hz - 22 kHz bandwidth, flat filter, trim control fully up)
• Maximum Input Level:
  • XLR mic - 0 dBu (0.78 Vrms)
  • XLR line - +40 dBu (80 Vrms)
  • RTN A,B - +24 dBu (12.4 Vrms)
• Maximum Gain:
  • 93 dB - mic in to line out
  • 53 dB - mic in to mic out
  • 79 dB - mic in to tape out
  • 107 dB - mic in to headphone out
• Input Type:
  • XLR mic - Transformer-balanced for use with < 600 ohm mics
  • XLR line - Transformer-balanced for use with 2k ohm outputs
  • RTN A,B (3.5 mm, TA3, 10-Pin) - Unbalanced stereo for use with 2k ohm outputs
• Input Impedance:
  • (ohms actual):
  • XLR mic - 2k ohms
  • XLR line - 16k ohms
  • RTN A,B - 20k ohms
• Input Clipping Level:
  • 0 dBu minimum (trim control fully down)
• Common Mode Rejection Ratio:
  • 120 dB minimum at 80 Hz, mic input, 100 dB minimum at 10 kHz, mic input
• High-Pass Filters:
  • sweepable 80 Hz to 240 Hz, 12 dB/oct at 80 Hz, 6 dB/octave at 240 Hz
• Mic Powering:
  • (each mic selectable):
  • no power applied
  • 12 V Phantom - through 680 ohm resistors, 10 mA per mic available
  • 48 V Phantom - through 6.8k resisters, 10 mA per mic available
• Input Limiters:
  • affects the output of the mic preamps only ('Trim' stage), +18 dBu threshold, 20:1 limiting ratio, 1 mS attack time, 500 mS release time.
• Output Type:
  • XLR Line - Transformer-balanced for use with >600 ohm inputs
  • XLR -10 - Transformer-balanced for use with >10k ohm outputs
  • XLR Mic - Transformer-balanced for use with >600 ohm inputs
  • 10-Pin Line - Transformer-balanced for use with >600 ohm inputs
  • 10-Pin -10 - Transformer-balanced for use with >10k ohm outputs
  • 10-Pin Mic - Transformer-balanced for use with >600 ohm inputs
  • TA3 Balanced Mic and Line: pin-2 and 3 driven, for use with >3k ohm inputs
  • TA3 Direct Outputs Mic and Line: pin-2 and 3 driven, for use with >3k ohm inputs
  • Tape Outs (3.5 mm and TA3-Type): Unbalanced, stereo, for use with >6k ohm inputs
  • Mono Mic Out: Unbalanced, mono, for use with >600 ohm inputs
  • Headphones (3.5 mm and 1/4"): Unbalanced, stereo, for use with 8-2k ohm headphones
• Output Impedance:
  • (ohms actual):
  • XLR - 85 ohms at Line setting, 3.2k ohms at -10 setting, 150 ohms at Mic setting
  • 10-Pin - 85 ohms at Line setting, 3.2k ohms at -10 setting, 150 ohms at Mic setting
  • TA3 Balanced Outs - 1k ohms at Mic and Line settings
  • TA3 Direct Outs - 1k ohms at Mic and Line settings
  • Tape Outs (3.5 mm and TA3-type) - 1.8k ohms
  • Mono Mic Out- 150 ohms
  • Headphones (3.5 mm and 1/4") - 50 ohms
• Line Output Clipping Level: (1% THD):
  • 20 dBu minimum with 10k load
• Maximum Output Level:
  • Line (XLR, 10-Pin, TA3 Balanced and Direct Outs) - +20 dBu (7.8 Vrms)
  • -10 (XLR, 10-Pin, TA3 Balanced and Direct Outs) - +6 dBu (1.5 Vrms)
  • Mic (XLR, 10-Pin, TA3 Balanced and Direct Outs) - -20 dBu (0.078 Vrms)
  • Tape Outs - +6 dBu (1.5 Vrms)
  • Mono Mic Out - +6 dBu (1.5 Vrms)
• AES3 Output:
  • Balanced AES Out A,B on XLR connectors, 110 ohm, 2 V p-p, AES and S/PDIF compatible with RCA adaptor
• Recording Media Type:
  • Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC), Secure Digital (SD)
  • FAT32 formatted, will format media on-board
• Recording File Type:
  • WAV - 2-Track Polyphonic, 16 bit, 24 bit
  • MP3 - 2-Track Polyphonic, 64 kb/s, 128 kb/s, 192 kb/s, 320 kb/s
  • fixed file name using date/time as file name, daily folders
• Time Code:
  • Reads external timecode received and stamps BEXT/iXML header for WAV, stamps ID3 tag for MP3
  • Frame rates - (auto-sense) 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97DF, 29.97ND, 30DF, 30ND, 30+
  • Input - 20k input impedance, 0.3V-3.0V p-p.
• Sampling Frequency:
  • 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz
• A/D:
  • 24 bit, 96 kHz maximum sampling rate
• A/D Dynamic Range:
  • 103 dB, A-weighted bandwidth typical
• Output Limiters:
  • Affects the outputs of the mixer
  • Threshold selectable from +4 dBu to +20 dBu, 1 dB steps, 20:1 limiting ratio, 1 mS attack time,
  • 500 mS release time.
• Powering:
  • internal ±16 V (bi-polar) regulated audio rails, 3.2-8 V range internal batteries, isolated (floating) external DC input jack, 5-18 V
  • Locking 4-pin Hirose connector, pin-4 = (+), pin-1 = (-),
• Temperature:
  • operating: –20°C to 60°C, 0 to 90% relative humidity; (non-condensing), storage: –40°C to 85°C
• Metering:
  • 42 segment, sunlight-viewable,
  • selectable Peak, VU, or Peak + VU ballistics
• Weight:
  • 2.0 kg, (4 lbs 6 oz.) unpackaged without four alkaline AA batteries
• Dimensions:
  • 53 mm x 279 mm x 168 mm (H x W x D), 2.1” x 11 x 6.6"