A20-Tx Digital Transmitter

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Sound Devices

Model:

A20-TX

Price:	$2,495.00

Features

Fully remote controllable via A20-Remote companion app and from A20-Nexus and A20-Nexus Go via long-range NexLink
100% digital long-range modulation with long transmission range
RF Power output from 2 mW to 40 mW
Built-in 32-bit float, 48 kHz recorder with removable micro-SD card (Please note that transmit and record mode cannot be engaged simultaneously)
Built-in ultra-stable time code, auto jammable via wireless NexLink
Up to 12 hours battery runtime
Runs on standard or rechargeable lithium AA batteries
Built-in battery charger via USB-C
GainForward architecture with no gain control to worry about on the A20-TX
Full 10 Hz - 20 kHz audio bandwidth
Fully balanced mic preamp with 140 dB dynamic range
Ultra-quiet lavalier mic preamp with 134 dB dynamic range
Sunlight-readable e-Paper screen for control and display
Display persists when powered off
USB-C for pairing with the A20-Nexus, file offload, charging, and time code jamming
Lemo input supports 2-wire or 3-wire mono lav, balanced mic, switchable 12, 48V phantom, balanced line-level, AES3, AES42 (compatible with Schoeps SuperCMIT), and guitar (w/ Smart Guitar Cable, sold separately and available soon)
A20-TX Switch user-programmable bayonet switch, magnetically sensed and physically removable (sold separately)

Description

Overview

Sound Devices’ A20-Tx transmitter incorporates full remote control via the A20-Remote app, GainForward architecture, an internal 32-bit float recording option, a worldwide tuning range of 169 MHz – 1525 MHz, and more. It's engineered to be compatible with more input sources, including two- or three-wire lavs, dynamic mics, phantom-powered condenser mics, guitars, balanced line-level sources, and even AES digital mics.

True Balanced Input
The Sound Devices A20-Tx transmitter includes a full, true balanced ultra-low-noise, high-headroom mic preamp - the very same preamp built into Sound Devices’ vaunted 8-Series mixers. The A20-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.

Excellent Battery Life
The A20-Tx transmitter features battery life of up to 12 hours. Additionally, the A20-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.

NexLink
The A20-Tx transmitter boasts Sound Devices’ proprietary NexLink 2.4 GHz long-range wireless remote control technology that allows multiple A20-Tx transmitters to be controlled and time code synced dependably from an A20-Nexus or A20-Nexus Go digital receiver. NexLink works over long distances – even through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other 2.4 GHz interference. The A20-Tx transmitter’s long-range modulation achieves excellent operational range.

SpectraBand
The A20-Tx also includes Sound Devices’ proprietary SpectraBand technology, which enables the A20-Tx transmitter to tune over a super wide range of 169-1525 MHz.

A20-Tx Switch
For applications that call for a user-activated switch, the A20-Tx transmitter can use a physically removable switch (sold separately). Its large size, positive tactile operation, and magnetic activation give users ultimate confidence and reliability.

GainForward
With GainForward, there's no gain setting on the transmitter! You control your A20-Tx transmitter’s audio gain, either directly at the mixer’s digital trim control or at the wireless receiver. If the source is too soft or too loud, just use a downstream mixer’s digital trim gain control to make adjustments.

Powering Options
There’s no need to stock special batteries for the A20-Tx transmitter. It can work with any type of AA batteries, no matter the chemistry. It can even recharge compatible batteries via USB.

e-Paper Display
You can easily view settings and menus with the A20-Tx transmitter’s e-Paper Display, even in sunlight or when powered down and its batteries removed. Need to change a setting in the dark? Open the battery door and the screen’s backlight turns on for easy visibility.

Built-in Time Code
The A20-TX’s ultra-accurate 0.2 ppm internal time code generator can be jammed via USB-C with negligible drift over a 24-hour period.

32-bit Float Recording
The A20-TX records in 32-bit float for an astounding >130 dB of dynamic range. This allows for audio gain decisions to be made after recording, with zero loss in headroom or noise performance. Please note that transmit and record mode cannot be engaged simultaneously.

Specifications

<Frequency Range>169 to 1525 MHz</Frequency Range> <>Transmitter tunable in 25 kHz steps</> <>Available frequencies are dependent on region</> <RF Output Power>Off, Low - 2 mW, Normal - 10 mW, High - 20 mW, Extra High -40 mW</RF Output Power> <>Modulation Mode</> <Proprietary, 100% digital RF modulation; Standard or Long Range, selectable>Antennas</Proprietary, 100% digital RF modulation; Standard or Long Range, selectable> <>UHF RF</> <SMA connector, removable antenna>2.4 GHz</SMA connector, removable antenna> <Built-in, bottom of unit>Audio Frequency Response</Built-in, bottom of unit> <10 Hz - 20 kHz, +/- 1 dB re 1 kHz></10 Hz - 20 kHz, +/- 1 dB re 1 kHz> <>Audio Input</> <>Lavalier Microphone</> <2-wire or 3-wire type lavalier mics supported></2-wire or 3-wire type lavalier mics supported> <Auto-selected when lavalier mic connected to Lemo input>Dynamic range</Auto-selected when lavalier mic connected to Lemo input> <134 dB min, A-weighted>Input clip level</134 dB min, A-weighted> <5V p-p (limited by lavalier microphone)>Wiring</5V p-p (limited by lavalier microphone)> <Lemo pin 1 = ground; Lemo pin 2 = 5V bias power; Lemo pin 3 = audio/bias (8k to 5V internal)></Lemo pin 1 = ground; Lemo pin 2 = 5V bias power; Lemo pin 3 = audio/bias (8k to 5V internal)> <Auto unit power on/off with connection/removal of lavalier microphone (menu selectable)>Balanced Mic</Auto unit power on/off with connection/removal of lavalier microphone (menu selectable)> <True, fully balanced, Sound Devices 8-Series mic preamp>Dynamic range</True, fully balanced, Sound Devices 8-Series mic preamp> <140 dB min, A-weighted></140 dB min, A-weighted> <Menu selectable with connection of XL-BALXLR-4 cable to Lemo input>Phantom power</Menu selectable with connection of XL-BALXLR-4 cable to Lemo input> <12V or 48V, full 10mA available per IEC 61938>Wiring</12V or 48V, full 10mA available per IEC 61938> <XLR pin 1 = ground; XLR pin 2 = +; XLR pin 3 = ->Line Input</XLR pin 1 = ground; XLR pin 2 = +; XLR pin 3 = -> <True, fully balanced line-level input (no external resistors required)>Input clip level: +26 dBu</True, fully balanced line-level input (no external resistors required)> <Menu selectable with connection of XL-BALXLR-4 cable to Lemo input>XLR pin 1 = ground; XLR pin 2 = +; XLR pin 3 = -</Menu selectable with connection of XL-BALXLR-4 cable to Lemo input> <AES42>AES digital input with common mode power for Digital mics such as Schoeps SuperCMIT</AES42> <250mA current available>Selectable audio channel 1 or 2 via menu</250mA current available> <Menu selectable with connection of XL-BALXLR-4 cable to Lemo input>XLR pin 1 = ground; XLR pin 2 = +; XLR pin 3 = -</Menu selectable with connection of XL-BALXLR-4 cable to Lemo input> <AES3>AES digital input without common mode power</AES3> <>Selectable audio channel 1 or 2 via menu</> <>Menu selectable with connection of XL-BALXLR-4 cable to Lemo input</> <Wiring>XLR pin 1 = ground; XLR pin 2 = +; XLR pin 3 = -</Wiring> <Guitar>Auto-selected when connected with A20-TX Smart Guitar Cable</Guitar> <>¼” tip = + ¼” sleeve = ground</> <>18V p-p max input level</> <Input impedance>100k, 1M, 10M (menu selectable)</Input impedance> <Cable capacitance>0 pF - 3000 pF in 50 pF steps (menu selectable)</Cable capacitance> <>Balanced connection from ¼” plug to Lemo for low-noise susceptibility</> <></> <Menu and Controls></Menu and Controls> <>e-Paper screen highly visible in direct sunlight</> <>e-Paper screen keeps display even with no batteries</> <>Power/Pair button and three navigation buttons protected inside battery compartment</> <>Optional user-programmable bayonet switch for top of transmitter (A20-TX Switch)</> <>Remote Control</> <></> <A20-Remote Android, iOS, and iPad app via Bluetooth 5.2 LE></A20-Remote Android, iOS, and iPad app via Bluetooth 5.2 LE> <A20-Nexus, A20-Nexus Go receivers via super-long-range NexLink></A20-Nexus, A20-Nexus Go receivers via super-long-range NexLink> <Recording Media>Micro SD card</Recording Media> <Recording File Format>32 Bit Float, 48 kHz, Monophonic; Broadcast WAV (<4 GB); RF64 WAV (>4 GB)</Recording File Format> <>Simultaneous Record and Transmit mode when using lavalier mic input is not available on A20-TX units sold or operated in the United States of America.</> <></> <Time Code></Time Code> <Input>Via XL-TC-USBC-LEMO, XL-TC-USBC-BNC, USB-A to USB-C (from 8-Series) or wirelessly over NexLink (from A20-Nexus/A20-Nexus Go)</Input> <LTC>0.3 V - 3 V p-p (–17 dBu to +3 dBu), 20k ohm impedance</LTC> <LTC Output>Via XL-TC-USBC-LEMO: 3 V p-p, 400 ohm impedance</LTC Output> <></> <Time Code Clock></Time Code Clock> <Accuracy>0.2 ppm accuracy</Accuracy> <>Holds accurate clock for four hours while powered down with batteries inserted, holds for one hour without batteries via internal supercapacitor</> <>Auto Jams time code via USB-C connector or wirelessly via NexLink.</> <Time Code Frame Rates>23.98, 24, 25, 29.97 DF, 29.97 ND, 30 DF, 30 ND. Frame rates are auto-detected from incoming source</Time Code Frame Rates> <></> <USB-C></USB-C> <Mass Storage (USB-C)>USB 2.0 high speed for file transfer</Mass Storage (USB-C)> <>Charges Li-ion and LiFePO4 batteries inserted in A20-TX</> <>Pairing to Sound Devices A20-Nexus, A20-Nexus Go receivers</> <>Time Code I/O</> <></> <Powering></Powering> <>1.5V Alkaline, Lithium primary, NiMH AA batteries; 3 for operation</> <>3.7V Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, Rechargeable LiFePO4 AA batteries; 1, 2, of 3 for operation</> <>Energizer Ultimate AA primary cells recommended for longest runtime</> <Battery Charging>Built-in charging of Lithium-Ion and LiFePO4 batteries via USB-C</Battery Charging> <Battery Runtime>Up to 12 hours (depending on battery chemistry, number of batteries, RF power, input type, mode)</Battery Runtime> <>Unit can be completely powered off remotely via app or via NexLink to extend battery runtime </> <></> <Environmental></Environmental> <Operating>-10° C to 38° C</Operating> <Storage>-40° C to 85° C</Storage> <>0 to 90% relative humidity (non-condensing)</> <></> <Dimensions>3.3" x 2.5" x 0.71" in (8.5 x 6.4 x 1.81 cm)</Dimensions> <Weight>0.2lbs (98g) without batteries</Weight>

In the Box

A20-Tx Transmitter
A20-TX Belt Clip
Straight SMA Antenna (470-548 MHz)
Straight SMA Antenna (548-638 MHz)
Straight 17” Astral VHF SMA Whip Antenna (uncut)
(3) Antenna Caps

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