Summary of "NAB 2026: Sound Devices [LIVE REUPLOAD]"
Product(s) Covered
- Sound Devices A20 Mini Plus (new transmitter; NAB 2026 preview, pre-production)
- Sound Devices Astral power/battery charging ecosystem (Astral Power Station cell)
- Sound Devices “8-series” cloud upload workflow improvements (director cloud via Viviana box)
- Also mentioned, but not reviewed:
- MixPre (Mark III questions)
- Scorpio / 830 / 888 / Scorpio
- 970 replacement requests
- IFB/IMIFB R&D
Sound Devices A20 Mini Plus — Key Features
Form / Comfort & Size
- Largely the same “Mini” style shape and “luscious curves”
- Described as low profile and comfortable to wear
- Framed as being “almost like having two AA batteries on your belt”
- Rounded-corner design noted vs the original
Battery & Runtime
- 8+ hours runtime
- Uses proprietary 14500-style cells (3.7 V)
- Must use these energy-dense cells (not generic AA)
- Powered from one or two cells
- Batteries include protection features (per interview), including:
- Thermal protection
- Overcurrent protection
- Overvoltage protection
Ruggedness / Sealing
- IP67 waterproof and sweat proof
- Specifically targeted at costumes / hot theater work
- “Everything’s water sealed”
- Drop-test rugged and stated to be more rugged than the original A20 Mini
Display
- Includes an ink display showing:
- RF power
- Battery level / meter
- Status visibility
Frequency / RF Coverage
- VHF up to 1.5 GHz (covers the whole range discussed)
Audio Front-End
- “Same great mic preamps” concept
- ~140 dB dynamic range
Lav Mic Support
- Lav mics only
- Uses standard 3-pin Lemo for 2–3 wire lavs
- No phantom power (explicitly stated)
Controls
- User-programmable orange control button
- Can act as mute, press-to-talk, record, or a macro command switch
- Macro example included: triggering functions on a DiGiCo console
- Press-to-talk was described as a key functional difference vs the original Mini
Belt Clip
- Rotatable belt clip with 90/180/270/360° options
- Example availability noted, but not demonstrated at the booth
Availability / Status / Pricing
- Prototype / pre-production
- Production materials may change slightly
- Expected launch: ~1–2 months (described as “another month or two”)
- Price: “similar price to our other transmitters” (no number provided)
Pros (As Stated / Implied)
- Excellent runtime: 8+ hours
- Avoids “battery doubler” requirement (vs some earlier approaches)
- IP67 water/sweat proof for theater and costume-heavy use
- Status display (battery + RF power)
- Strong audio performance: ~140 dB dynamic range
- More rugged than the original Mini, including drop-test intent
- Comfortable, low-profile wearability
- Programmable control button:
- Especially useful press-to-talk
- Supports macro/console triggering
- Bluetooth note (workaround):
- Improved remote-control range possible if NextLink is disabled when using the Astral Remote app
Cons / Limitations Mentioned
- No phantom power (lav-only operation)
- Proprietary batteries required (14500-style, 3.7 V)
- Prototype status: production parts/materials may change slightly
Side-by-Side / Comparisons Made
A20 Mini Plus vs Original A20 Mini
- Similar overall size/height; adds:
- Rounded corners
- Battery layout described as more like a “double-A slimmer” comparison
- Key differences:
- Adds/expands press-to-talk via programmable control button
- Claims IP67 sealing
- 8+ hour runtime
- Battery system changes
- Stated increased ruggedness vs original
A20 Mini Plus Mic Preamps Comparison
- A/D and mic preamp described as almost identical to the Scorpio mic preamp
Discontinuation Mention (Mini ecosystem)
- Original Mini expected to be discontinued once the Mini Plus ships
Bluetooth Control Guidance
- If using the Astral Remote app (instead of NextLink receivers like Arc 16/8 with NextLink):
- Users should disable NextLink in the menu to improve Bluetooth range
Related Product Ecosystem: Astral Power Station (Battery Charger)
Purpose
- Charges Sound Devices transmitter batteries
Supported Cell Types
- 18650
- 14500 (Astral TX / Astral Mini Plus)
- Combination loading described as possible
Charging System Details
- USB-C input
- Daisy-chain units for larger charger setups
- Rack mount kit available
- Noted design details:
- Recessed connector
- Guide rails to prevent misalignment
- Said to be just started shipping at NAB
Charging Configurations (As Described)
- Either four 18650s
- Or six 14500s
- Or combinations such as 2 and 3 (as described)
Price
- Not provided (“We’ll work on it”)
System Context Note
- Mentioned charger ecosystem relevance; transmitter lightness also tied to the ability to run on one AA-style cell in the broader system context.
8-series “Director Cloud” / Viviana Integration — Key Features
(Not the main A20 review product; described as new functionality.)
Workflow Goal
- “Director cloud” upload similar to Frame.io
- Intended to be broader/popular via Dropbox / Google Drive-type destinations
Hardware / Software Integration
- Uses a Viviana box as an upload destination
- Frame.io integration still possible
How It Works
- Connect recorder USB to the box (USB-C)
- Box can also power via USB
- Some USB-A situations may require a hub
- Box includes a hard drive built in
- Main benefit:
- File is copied over USB-C first, then uploaded
- You can keep recording while uploading
- Trigger flow:
- Hit record → stop record → auto upload
Cloud Upload Menu Updates
- Frame.io menu replaced with a more generic cloud upload menu
- You can configure:
- Destination (Frame.io or Viviana box)
- Source drives (internal SSD, SD1, SD2)
- Upload mode:
- Mirror full record folder
- Mirror new takes
- Manual upload
- Upload timing:
- Default: immediately
- Optional delay: 1–2–5–10 minutes
- Helps allow metadata edits before upload
- If metadata changes after the trigger, it may re-upload corrected files
New Firmware Features Mentioned
- Record to a thumb drive via USB-A (in addition to SSD/SD/internal)
- Auto copy during record
- “Almost real-time” transfer behavior vs waiting until stop like MixPre behavior described
- Expanded output routing matrix
- Independent routing per mode (stop / play / record), enabling different sends during recording vs playback/pause
Product Lifecycle / Discontinuations Mentioned
- Original A20 Mini / Astral Mini
- Not discontinued yet, but will be after Mini Plus
- MixPre and other products
- No firm changes announced in this segment; questions were largely deflected as “in the works”
- Sound Devices 970
- Not ended by intent, but by component supply issues
- Users requested a Dante-equipped replacement concept
- Resale value “double” market mention
Verdict (Overall Recommendation From the Video)
- The A20 Mini Plus is positioned as:
- Theater/costume-friendly due to IP67
- Strong on battery life (8+ hours)
- Featuring a status display
- A more control-capable programmable button, notably press-to-talk
- Main tradeoffs:
- No phantom power
- Mandatory proprietary 14500-style batteries
- Overall recommendation:
- Strong choice for lav workflows in harsh environments (sweat/water exposure), especially when quick mic control is needed (mute/PTT/record)—as long as you accept the proprietary battery ecosystem and lav-only operation.
Unique Points List (Distinct Claims)
- A20 Mini Plus: comfortable “Mini” style curved fit
- A20 Mini Plus: 8+ hours runtime
- A20 Mini Plus: no battery doubler required
- A20 Mini Plus: powered by proprietary 14500-style cells
- Batteries described as energy dense and optimized for Sound Devices transmitters
- Batteries include thermal + overcurrent + overvoltage protection
- Can power from one or two cells (3.7 V class)
- A20 Mini Plus: IP67 waterproof and sweat proof
- Targeted at costumes / hot theater work
- A20 Mini Plus: ink display for RF power + battery level
- RF coverage: VHF to 1.5 GHz
- Audio performance: ~140 dB dynamic range; “same great mic preamps”
- Uses standard 3-pin Lemo for 2–3 wire lavs
- A20 Mini Plus: no phantom power (lav-only)
- A20 Mini Plus: programmable orange control button
- Button supports mute, press-to-talk, record, and macro command
- Press-to-talk described as a key difference vs the original Mini
- Ruggedness: designed to stand being dropped (drop testing)
- Mini Plus described as more rugged than original A20 Mini
- Build: everything is water sealed
- Prototype status: pre-production, launch in ~1–2 months
- Materials may change slightly for production
- Rotatable belt clip: 90/180/270/360°
- Clip example not shown, but described as available
- “Built like a tank” (explicit statement)
- Comfort/weight framed as like having two AA batteries on your belt
- Original Mini expected to be discontinued once Mini Plus ships
- Price: similar to other Sound Devices transmitters (no number)
- Charger supports charging 18650 and 14500 (plus combinations)
- Charger can be daisy-chained via USB-C; rack kit supported
- Charger connector is recessed with guides to avoid misalignment
- Charger is just started shipping at NAB
- MixPre questions (Mark III, Dante, AES) asked; no firm announcements in this segment
- Bluetooth range improves if NextLink is disabled with Astral Remote app
- IFB/IMIFB: technology being worked on; too early to detail
- 970: ended due to component supply; replacement requests common; resale “double” market mentioned
- Viviana box extends director cloud workflow beyond Frame.io
- Cloud destinations include Frame.io, Dropbox, Google Drive (via Viviana and/or Frame.io)
- USB copy happens first, then upload; recording can continue during upload
- Box has built-in hard drive
- Cloud upload menu replaces Frame.io menu with generic cloud upload options
- Source drives can be SSD/SD1/SD2 based on routing/media settings
- Upload modes include mirroring record folder, mirroring new takes, or manual upload
- Timing options include 1–2–5–10 minute delays for metadata edits
- If metadata changes after trigger, it may re-upload corrected files
- Firmware: record to thumb drive via USB-A
- Firmware: auto copy during record (real-time-ish) vs waiting until stop
- Firmware: output routing matrix supports different routing per stop/play/record mode
Speakers / Views (Separated)
-
Paul Isaacs (Sound Devices)
- Covered A20 Mini Plus details: battery system, IP67, display, controls, RF range, ruggedness, mic preamp comparisons
- Mentioned lifecycle notes (original Mini discontinuation timing)
- Provided Bluetooth workaround (disable NextLink when using Astral Remote app)
- Discussed charger ecosystem (Astral Power Station charging, rack/daisy-chain)
- Explained Viviana/director cloud workflow and related 8-series firmware features
- Deflected “in the works” product questions with limited commentary (MixPre Mark III, Dante/AES, IFB)
-
Other attendee questions (e.g., “Martin,” “Michael Urban,” “Ninel,” etc.)
- Asked about:
- Battery compatibility (AA vs proprietary)
- A/D comparison
- Prototype vs production materials
- Price
- “Tank” build / ruggedness
- Bluetooth range
- Product discontinuations
- MixPre Mark III topics (Dante/AES) and IFB
- Asked about:
-
Narrator / Host (booth host / interviewer)
- Guided the interview and framed comparisons (Mini vs Mini Plus)
- Summarized “what people want to know” prompts
Category
Product Review
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