Sound Devices has announced the launch of Astral Mini Plus, the latest iteration of the brand’s compact wireless transmitter bodypacks. The new Mini Plus wireless transmitter builds on the proven success of the original with a familiar ergonomic form factor, offering rugged performance whilst also adding longer battery life, extended tuning flexibility, IP67 water resistance, and improved usability features aimed at faster setup times and operation. This makes Astral Mini Plus well-suited for challenging location sound, live music, and live theatre productions of any size or scope.
Sound Devices Astral transmitters and receivers have become a favourite of location sound and live sound professionals worldwide for their compact size, reliability, and ease-of-operation. Astral Mini Plus expands upon these strengths with several key quality-of-life upgrades designed to excel in a variety of demanding production conditions- ensuring trouble-free operation regardless of event length, location, or environment.
Engineered for extended battery life, the new Mini Plus makes use of the XL-B14500 rechargeable cell- ensuring consistent, dependable performance for up to 8 hours on long show days, extended rehearsals, or back-to-back scenes without needing a recharge or battery changeover. The transmitter can also be ‘topped off’ easily via USB-C for additional power flexibility, ensuring performance that will last well beyond the length of the shoot or live event.
In addition to its extended battery performance, Astral Mini Plus also takes full advantage of Sound Devices’ SpectraBand extended 169-1525 MHz tuning range, which provides exceptional RF control to find clean, usable, and legal frequency bandwidth anywhere in the world regardless of region. The transmitter can be operated anywhere, regardless of local spectrum regulations, making it ideal for international productions or long, globe-hopping live tours.
Like all Sound Devices Astral Wireless, Mini Plus captures the natural sound and full dynamic range of audio with Sound Devices’ ‘GainForward’ technology, which enables simplified gain-staging at the mixer without having to touch a transmitter. GainForward captures every nuance of speech or musical performance from whisper to scream at the highest possible audio quality and without any danger of clipping. The transmitter also includes an ePaper display and new usability features for reduced setup times and faster on-the-fly adjustments.
Finally, Astral Mini Plus is also rated IP67 for water resistance, making it more impervious to the elements. The compact transmitter is now resistant to sweat, humidity, and other sources of unexpected moisture, ensuring reliable operation and perfect sound quality regardless of the weather.
“Astral Mini Plus is an exciting step forward for compact live wireless transmitter technology – offering better performance, more RF and gain staging flexibility, and longer battery life,” states Sound Devices CEO Matt Anderson. “We’re incredibly proud to build upon the legacy of the original while also offering some much-requested upgrades that make it even more effective for live theatre productions in addition to extended production sound and live use.”
For more on the Astral Mini Plus, visit the official Sound Devices website.
