Sound Devices announces the launch of Astral Mini Plus, the latest iteration of the brand’s compact wireless transmitter bodypacks. The new Mini Plus wireless transmitter builds on the success of the original with a familiar ergonomic form factor and performance while also adding longer battery life, extended tuning flexibility, IP67 water resistance, and improved usability features for faster setup times and operation. Astral Mini Plus is designed for challenging location sound, live music, and live theatre productions of any size or scope.
Enhanced feature set
Astral Mini Plus features several key quality-of-life upgrades designed for demanding production conditions, and is designed for trouble-free operation regardless of event length, location, or conditions.
Firstly, the new Mini Plus has been engineered for extended battery life with the XL-B14500 rechargeable cell, ensuring consistent, dependable performance for up to 8 hours on long show days, extended rehearsals, or back-to-back scenes without needing a recharge or battery changeover. The transmitter can also now be topped off easily via USB-C for additional power flexibility, for performance that will last beyond the length of the shoot or live event.
In addition to its extended battery performance, Astral Mini Plus also now takes advantage of Sound Devices’ SpectraBand extended 169-1525 MHz tuning range, which provides enhanced RF control to find clean, usable, and legal frequency bandwidth anywhere in the world regardless of region. The transmitter can be operated anywhere, regardless of local spectrum regulations, for international productions or long, globe-hopping live tours.
Astral Wireless, Mini Plus captures the natural sound and full dynamic range of audio with Sound Devices’ GainForward technology, which enables simplified gain-staging at the mixer without having to touch a transmitter.
“GainForward captures every nuance of speech or musical performance from whisper to scream at the highest possible audio quality and without any danger of clipping,” the announcement states. The transmitter also includes an ePaper display and new usability features for reduced setup times and faster on-the-fly adjustments.
Finally, Astral Mini Plus is also rated IP67 for water resistance to make it more impervious to the elements. The compact transmitter is now resistant to sweat, humidity, and other sources of unexpected moisture, for reliable operation and sound quality regardless of the weather.
“Astral Mini Plus is an exciting step forward for compact live wireless transmitter technology – offering better performance, more RF and gain staging flexibility, and longer battery life,” states Sound Devices CEO Matt Anderson. “We’re incredibly proud to build upon the legacy of the original while also offering some much-requested upgrades that make it even more effective for live theater productions in addition to extended production sound and live use.”
For more information about Astral Mini Plus, please visit: https://www.sounddevices.com/product/astral-mini-plus/
