SOUND DEVICES A20-TX

Sound Devices A20-TX — Digital SpectraBand Bodypack Transmitter with Built-in Recorder

Finding a tool that can serve multiple purposes is the goal of every audio professional. More flexible gear means less to carry in a bag, less to 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 — saving you from having to pack or rent more transmitters.

Compatible with A10-RX, ASTRAL ARX2 (A20-RX), ASTRAL ARX16 (A20-Nexus) and ASTRAL ARX8 (A20-Nexus Go) receivers.

Key Features

• Worldwide tuning range: VHF and UHF from 169 MHz to 1525 MHz via SpectraBand technology
• Up to 12 hours battery life (depending on battery type, count, TX power, and input)
• Eco-friendly powering: rechargeable Li-ion or LiFePO4 batteries, or standard AA batteries (alkaline, lithium primary, NiMH)
• Built-in battery charger via USB-C
• Full remote control via the A20-Remote companion app (iOS/Android Bluetooth 5.2 LE) and from ASTRAL ARX16/ARX8 via long-range NexLink
• State-of-the-art 100% digital modulation — Standard or Long Range — delivering the longest transmission distance of any system on the market
• RF output power: Off / Low 2 mW / Normal 10 mW / High 20 mW / Extra-High 40 mW
• Multipurpose Lemo input: 2-wire or 3-wire mono lav, balanced mic, switchable 12 V/48 V phantom, balanced line-level, AES3, AES42 (Schoeps SuperCMIT compatible), and guitar (with optional Smart Guitar Cable)
• GainForward Architecture: no gain control to worry about on the A20-TX — adjust gain, low-cut, and limiter at the receiver or mixer
• Full 10 Hz to 20 kHz audio bandwidth
• 8-Series mic preamp: fully balanced, 140 dB dynamic range
• Ultra-quiet lavalier mic preamp: 130+ dB dynamic range
• Built-in 32-bit float, 48 kHz recorder with removable microSD card
• Ultra-stable internal timecode, auto-jammed via NexLink (0.2 ppm accuracy)
• e-Paper display: sunlight-readable, persistent even when powered off
• USB-C: pairing with ASTRAL ARX16, file transfer, charging, and timecode sync
• A20-TX Switch: optional user-programmable bayonet switch, magnetically sensed, physically removable

Specifications

• Frequency range: 169-1525 MHz, adjustable in 25 kHz steps (regional availability applies)
• RF output power: Off / 2 mW / 10 mW / 20 mW / 40 mW
• Modulation: Proprietary 100% digital — Standard (2 ms latency) or Long Range (3.9 ms latency)
• Antennas: UHF SMA (detachable), 2.4 GHz integrated
• Frequency response: 10 Hz to 20 kHz, ±1 dB at 1 kHz
• Lav input: 134 dB min dynamic range (A-weighted), 5 V p-p clip level, Lemo 3-pin auto-detect with 5 V bias
• Balanced mic input: 140 dB min dynamic range (A-weighted), 12 V or 48 V phantom, 10 mA
• Line input: +26 dBu max input level, true line-level (no external resistor needed)
• Digital input: AES3 and AES42 (250 mA available for SuperCMIT)
• Guitar input: auto-selected with Smart Guitar Cable — 18 V p-p max, 100k/1M/10M selectable impedance, 0-3000 pF cable capacitance
• Recording: microSD (FAT32 < 32 GB, exFAT > 64 GB) — 32-bit float WAV mono (Lav/Mic/Line/Guitar) or poly 2-channel (AES), BWF/RF64
• Timecode: via XL-TC-USBC-LEMO, XL-TC-USBC-BNC, USB-A to USB-C (8-Series), or wireless via NexLink
• Frame rates: 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97 DF, 29.97 ND, 30 DF, 30 ND (auto-detected)
• TC clock accuracy: 0.2 ppm — holds 4 hours powered off with batteries inserted, 1 hour without via supercapacitor
• Battery life: up to 12 hours
• Operating temp: -10°C to 38°C (storage -40°C to 85°C, 0-90% non-condensing humidity)
• Dimensions: 8.5 × 6.4 × 1.81 cm
• Weight: 98 g (without batteries)

2-year warranty when registered at sounddevices.com.