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

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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Unique Points List (Distinct Claims)

1. A20 Mini Plus: comfortable “Mini” style curved fit
2. A20 Mini Plus: 8+ hours runtime
3. A20 Mini Plus: no battery doubler required
4. A20 Mini Plus: powered by proprietary 14500-style cells
5. Batteries described as energy dense and optimized for Sound Devices transmitters
6. Batteries include thermal + overcurrent + overvoltage protection
7. Can power from one or two cells (3.7 V class)
8. A20 Mini Plus: IP67 waterproof and sweat proof
9. Targeted at costumes / hot theater work
10. A20 Mini Plus: ink display for RF power + battery level
11. RF coverage: VHF to 1.5 GHz
12. Audio performance: ~140 dB dynamic range; “same great mic preamps”
13. Uses standard 3-pin Lemo for 2–3 wire lavs
14. A20 Mini Plus: no phantom power (lav-only)
15. A20 Mini Plus: programmable orange control button
16. Button supports mute, press-to-talk, record, and macro command
17. Press-to-talk described as a key difference vs the original Mini
18. Ruggedness: designed to stand being dropped (drop testing)
19. Mini Plus described as more rugged than original A20 Mini
20. Build: everything is water sealed
21. Prototype status: pre-production, launch in ~1–2 months
22. Materials may change slightly for production
23. Rotatable belt clip: 90/180/270/360°
24. Clip example not shown, but described as available
25. “Built like a tank” (explicit statement)
26. Comfort/weight framed as like having two AA batteries on your belt
27. Original Mini expected to be discontinued once Mini Plus ships
28. Price: similar to other Sound Devices transmitters (no number)
29. Charger supports charging 18650 and 14500 (plus combinations)
30. Charger can be daisy-chained via USB-C; rack kit supported
31. Charger connector is recessed with guides to avoid misalignment
32. Charger is just started shipping at NAB
33. MixPre questions (Mark III, Dante, AES) asked; no firm announcements in this segment
34. Bluetooth range improves if NextLink is disabled with Astral Remote app
35. IFB/IMIFB: technology being worked on; too early to detail
36. 970: ended due to component supply; replacement requests common; resale “double” market mentioned
37. Viviana box extends director cloud workflow beyond Frame.io
38. Cloud destinations include Frame.io, Dropbox, Google Drive (via Viviana and/or Frame.io)
39. USB copy happens first, then upload; recording can continue during upload
40. Box has built-in hard drive
41. Cloud upload menu replaces Frame.io menu with generic cloud upload options
42. Source drives can be SSD/SD1/SD2 based on routing/media settings
43. Upload modes include mirroring record folder, mirroring new takes, or manual upload
44. Timing options include 1–2–5–10 minute delays for metadata edits
45. If metadata changes after trigger, it may re-upload corrected files
46. Firmware: record to thumb drive via USB-A
47. Firmware: auto copy during record (real-time-ish) vs waiting until stop
48. Firmware: output routing matrix supports different routing per stop/play/record mode

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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

• Narrator / Host (booth host / interviewer)

  • Guided the interview and framed comparisons (Mini vs Mini Plus)
  • Summarized “what people want to know” prompts