Sound Devices A20-TX
UPC/EAN #850032705295
MPN #9808
Digital wireless transmitter with up to 12 hours battery runtime, full remote control, and true balanced input
A Kaleidoscope of Connectivity
Finding a tool that can serve multiple purposes is the goal of every audio professional. More flexible gear means less - less for you to carry in a bag or fit in a case, and less gear to rent for a gig. That's the philosophy behind the A20-TX digital wireless transmitter. Sound Devices engineered it to be compatible with more input sources than any other transmitter, including two- or three-wire lavs, dynamic mics, phantom-powered condenser mics, guitars, balanced line-level sources, and even AES digital mics. The A20-TX transmitter's multipurpose input saves you from having to pack or rent more transmitters.
True Balanced Input
The Sound Devices A20-TX transmitter includes an industry first: a full, true balanced ultra-low-noise, high-headroom mic preamp. In fact, this is the 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.
Advanced Features
The A20-TX transmitter boasts industry-leading features like Sound Devices' proprietary NexLink 2.4 GHz long-range wireless remote control technology that allows multiple A20-TX transmitters to be controlled and timecode 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. 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 the applications that call for a user-actuated switch, the A20-TX transmitter features the industry's first physically removable switch. Its large size, positive tactile operation, and magnetic activation give users ultimate confidence and reliability.
GainForward
With GainForward, there is 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, while maintaining the best audio performance in the industry. If the source is too soft or too loud, just use a downstream mixer's digital trim gain control to make adjustments. No more bothering the talent to make gain changes.
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.
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.
Features
Worldwide VHF and UHF tuning range from 169 MHz-1525 MHz.Up to 12 hours battery runtime.Eco-friendly operation from rechargeable Lithium batteries or from standard AA batteries.Built-in battery charger via USB-C.Full remote control of the A20-TX via A20-Remote companion app and from A20-Nexus and A20-Nexus Go via long-range NexLink.State-of-the-art 100% digital long-range modulation delivers the longest transmission distance of any system on the market.RF Power output from 2 mW to 40 mW.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/ optional Smart Guitar Cable).GainForward Architecture - no gain control to worry about on the A20-TX.Full 10 Hz - 20 kHz audio bandwidth.Sound Devices 8-Series, fully balanced mic preamp built in (140 dB dynamic range).Ultra-quiet lavalier mic preamp (134 dB dynamic range).Built-in 32-bit float, 48 kHz recorder with removable micro-SD card.Ultra-stable timecode built in, auto jammed via wireless NexLink.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 timecode jamming.A20-TX Switch: Optional user-programmable bayonet switch, magnetically sensed and physically removable
Specifications
Frequency Range
169 to 1525 MHzTransmitter tunable in 25 kHz stepsAvailable frequencies are dependent on region
RF Output Power
Off, Low - 2 mW, Normal - 10 mW, High - 20 mW, Extra High -40 mW
Modulation Mode
Proprietary, 100% digital RF modulationStandard or Long Range, selectable
Antennas
UHF RF: SMA connector, removable antenna2.4 GHz built-in, bottom of unit
Audio Frequency Response
10 Hz - 20 kHz, +/- 1 dB re 1 kHz
Audio Input
Lavalier Microphone
2-wire or 3-wire type lavalier mics supportedAuto-selected when lavalier mic connected to Lemo inputDynamic range: 134 dB min, A-weightedInput clip level: 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)Auto unit power on/off with connection/removal of lavalier microphone (menu selectable)
Balanced Mic
True, fully balanced, Sound Devices 8-Series mic preampDynamic range: 140 dB min, A-weightedMenu selectable with connection of XL-BALXLR-4 cable to Lemo inputPhantom power: 12V or 48V, full 10mA available per IEC 61938XLR pin 1 = ground; XLR pin 2 = +; XLR pin 3 = -
Line Input
True, fully balanced line-level input (no external resistors required)Input clip level: +26 dBuMenu selectable with connection of XL-BALXLR-4 cable to Lemo inputXLR pin 1 = ground; XLR pin 2 = +; XLR pin 3 = -
AES42
AES digital input with common mode power for Digital mics such as Schoeps SuperCMIT250mA current availableSelectable audio channel 1 or 2 via menuMenu selectable with connection of XL-BALXLR-4 cable to Lemo inputXLR pin 1 = ground; XLR pin 2 = +; XLR pin 3 = -
AES3
AES digital input without common mode powerSelectable audio channel 1 or 2 via menuMenu selectable with connection of XL-BALXLR-4 cable to Lemo inputXLR pin 1 = ground; XLR pin 2 = +; XLR pin 3 = -
Guitar
Auto-selected when connected with A20-TX Smart Guitar Cable¼" tip = + ¼" sleeve = ground18V p-p max input levelInput impedance: 100k, 1M, 10M (menu selectable)Cable capacitance: 0 pF - 3000 pF in 50 pF steps (menu selectable)Balanced connection from ¼" plug to Lemo for low-noise susceptibility
Menu and Controls
e-Paper screen highly visible in direct sunlighte-Paper screen keeps display even with no batteriesPower/Pair button and three navigation buttons protected inside battery compartmentOptional user-programmable bayonet switch for top of transmitter (A20-TX Switch)
Remote Control
A20-Remote Android, iOS, and iPad app via Bluetooth 5.2 LEA20-Nexus, A20-Nexus Go receivers via super-long-range NexLink
Recording Media
Micro SD card
Recording File Format
32 Bit Float, 48 kHz, MonophonicBroadcast WAV (<4 GB), RF64 WAV (>4 GB)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.
Timecode
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)LTC: 0.3 V - 3 V p-p (-17 dBu to +3 dBu), 20k ohm impedanceLTC Output via XL-TC-USBC-LEMO: 3 V p-p, 400 ohm impedance
Timecode Clock
0.2 ppm accuracyHolds accurate clock for four hours while powered down with batteries inserted, holds for one hour without batteries via internal supercapacitorAuto Jams timecode via USB-C connector or wirelessly via NexLink.
Timecode Frame Rates
23.98, 24, 25, 29.97 DF, 29.97 ND, 30 DF, 30 NDFrame rates are auto-detected from incoming source
USB-C
Mass Storage (USB-C): USB 2.0 high speed for file transferCharges Li-ion and LiFePO4 batteries inserted in A20-TXPairing to Sound Devices A20-Nexus, A20-Nexus Go receiversTimecode I/O
Powering
1.5V Alkaline, Lithium primary, NiMH AA batteries; 3 for operation3.7V Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, Rechargeable LiFePO4 AA batteries; 1, 2, of 3 for operationEnergizer Ultimate AA primary cells recommended for longest runtime
Battery Charging
Built-in charging of Lithium-Ion and LiFePO4 batteries via USB-C
Battery Runtime
Up to 12 hours (depending on battery chemistry, number of batteries, RF power, input type, mode)Unit can be completely powered off remotely via app or via NexLink to extend battery runtime
Environmental
Operating: -10 C to 38 CStorage: -40 C to 85 C0 to 90% relative humidity (non-condensing)
Dimensions (H x W x D)
3.3 x 2.5 x 0.71 in8.5 x 6.4 x 1.81 cm
Weight
0.2lbs (without batteries)98g (without batteries)
Write a review about the Sound Devices A20-TX
View more products from
Sound Devices
