New Mixer - Sound Devices 552

[Alex.Mitchell]

Good thing I waited to buy a new mixer huh?

- 5 inputs
- 5 pre or post fader outputs
- 4 channels of AES/EBU audio out through the XLR outs
- Built in 2 track SDHC audio recorder
- Same size/weight/power consumption as a 442

I'm dying to know when this beast will be available because I have a shoot at the end of the month that I was going to get a 442 for, but now I'm thinking I'll either wait for this or rent. Crazy times we live in, huh?

Link

 

[Mark L. Pederson]

Very slick. A field mixer that can be a great option for a run-and-gun recorder.

- Records two tracks of uncompressed Broadcast WAV up to 96 kHz sampling, or compressed MP3 files

- Accepts time code input to time-stamp recorded audio files

Someday I'll buy the 788T ... very slick gear.

 

[Roberto Lequeux]

Sofa King Sweet. But the real trick would be if it costs less than a 702T! But it will probably cost the same. I still want a 744T sooo bad.
And with a 744T this bad boy would make for a great backup in case of emergency.

# Integrated digital recorder with simple control records to SD or SDHC media
# Records two tracks of uncompressed Broadcast WAV (16 or 24 bit) up to 96 kHz sampling, or compressed MP3 files
# Accepts time code input to time-stamp recorded audio files
# Powered by four-AA batteries or external 10-18 VDC

# Voice-confirmation appear in headphones for critical operational information and when navigating Setup Menu

Drool...

 

[Dave Blackham]

http://www.sqn.co.uk/5Sspec.html

 

[Shawn Nelson]

Do the 4 channels out bypass the pots and processing? If so...FAIL! That's what pissed me off about the 442, what good are 4 channels out if you're bypassing your pots and processing? Better to gang two 302s together at that point

 

[Hans von Sonntag]

Certainly a great mixer.

But the recording possibilities are crippled for a good (marketing) reason. For a proper TC workflow with the RedOne you need to slave the camera's TC with an external TC-clock which only the "T" labled recorder units have.
I've used all of the SD recorders form 702T to 788T and they do a fabulous job. For simple stereo MS work I prefer the 702T because it is the smallest/lightest unit with a friction of the power consumption of the pretty big 788T.

Hans

 

[Tom Visser]

Do the 4 channels out bypass the pots and processing? If so...FAIL! That's what pissed me off about the 442, what good are 4 channels out if you're bypassing your pots and processing? Better to gang two 302s together at that point

Hey Shawn, the 4 outputs that you are referring to are the "direct outputs" which yes, are basically outputs directly from the microphone preamps (or they can be set for post fader output by going into the settings). This is a common feature on larger mixers and is useful, especially in context of the 442, in that you can send the 4 direct outputs to another recorder (such as a 744t) and not make any mix decisions on location, but save those decisions for post.

I'm a little bit fuzzy about the output configuration, until I can see a manual or diagram, but it appears that the unit has 2 channels of output available via Hirose multi-pin, XLR-3, or unbalanced TA3 tape outputs. If you configure the XLR outputs to be digital, instead of analog, then you can have access to 4 channels out output, but of course in the digital domain, meaning that you would have to be sending this signal to a camera or recorder that is capable of inputing audio via AES/EBU or use an intermediate DAC to convert back to analog for 4 channel mode.

All in all, I feel that this unit is quite competently designed and (likely) executed. It shows that Sound Devices is an innovator and delivering the products that are needed for production field work. If you were ever in the market for a 442 mixer, you will see lots of 442s for sale on eBay, RAMPS, and possibly here. I still feel that the 302 is probably the best single purchase that a filmmaker can make to handle production audio. If you need a 442, you will sort of know why you need it. The 552 is interesting in that it can record audio, so depending on the price point, it may replace the 302 in my mind, as the first serious mixer that one should consider.

Trying to get it confirmed, but I heard the MSRP is $2895... if that is true, this is extremely aggressively priced. Remember that the Sound Devices 552 contains top of their class electronics, it is not a mid-level solution, so in that context, $3k for a 5 channel mixer, with TC input, and stereo recording, is an absolute bargain.

 

[Dominic Cochran]

Remember that the Sound Devices 552 contains top of their class electronics, it is not a mid-level solution, so in that context, $3k for a 5 channel mixer, with TC input, and stereo recording, is an absolute bargain.

I was under the impression(from someone at SD), that ALL of their electronics(pre-amp quality, etc) are the same all the way down to the Mixpre and it's the features that set the prices apart. Is this not true?

 

[Alex Donkle]

I was under the impression(from someone at SD), that ALL of their electronics(pre-amp quality, etc) are the same all the way down to the Mixpre and it's the features that set the prices apart. Is this not true?

I think by "not mid-level" he was referring to lesser quality gear by other companies. SD is evenly high quality across all their components.

That's one of the things I love about the company. It's not "we use good stuff here, and REALLY good stuff here" but "we build everything great, just pick the features you want".