While Sound Devices has historically been best known as a manufacturer of professional audio products for the TV and film industries, in recent years, the company has expanded its offering to include products catering to the live and install markets, with its latest Astral Series additions in particular gaining traction in the live segment. The manufacturer has been busy spreading the message since the latest expansions of the Astral range, and it recently teamed up with Dubai-based pro audio distributor 7Hertz to hold a two-day masterclass, led by Italian-born DJ and producer and Sound Devices Sales Manager, Leslie Lello.
“I had the privilege of visiting the 7Hertz office in Dubai for two days of Sound Devices masterclasses,” Lello began. “The event was exceptionally well-attended, with participation from some of the most prominent audio and event companies in the region. It was inspiring to witness the high level of engagement from attendees, particularly their enthusiasm for Sound Devices Astral wireless units.”
Despite having more than a decade of experience in the wireless world, the masterclass was Lello’s first visit to Dubai, and it’s safe to say that he was impressed with what he saw. “The visit highlighted Dubai’s growing demand for top-tier audio equipment, driven by an ever-expanding calendar of high-quality events,” he commented. “I was thoroughly impressed by the professionalism, expertise, and advanced equipment I encountered in Dubai. The Middle East is undoubtedly establishing itself as a hub for major events, underscoring the importance of equipping it with nothing less than world-class audio solutions. This vibrant and thriving market promises a bright future for the region’s event industry.”
7Hertz’s Chief Technology & Strategy Officer, John Parkhouse (JP), first learned about Sound Devices’ intention to move into the live radio microphone market via what he dubbed as a “very impressive” presentation from touring veteran Andy ‘Baggy’ Robinson, who is now Sound Devices’ Vice President of Sales. “Baggy spoke at DiGiCo’s 21st birthday event in the UK in early 2023, and from that point on, we were extremely eager to see how these solutions would develop,” JP recalled. “Sound Devices is world-renowned for its broadcast and location products, so given the high stakes in those environments, it’s clear the company places the highest possible emphasis on ingenuity, reliability, scalability, and robust design.”
Describing the Astral range as “genuinely remarkable and impressive”, JP is a big believer in the products. “We believe they are creating an opportunity to push the boundaries of RF technology within the industry, and this is only the beginning,” he stated. “In my view, the feature set and attention to detail are unmatched, and because of where this technology has evolved from, there are many features you simply won’t find anywhere else.”
The masterclass was divided into two three-hour sessions on the first day, followed by an intensive workshop on the second. This structure gave attendees a comprehensive understanding of Sound Devices’ innovative solutions, supported by hands-on demonstrations. Lello guided participants through an exploration of RF technology, highlighting the Astral Wireless family’s standout features, including the ergonomic and lightweight designs and features of the A20-Mini and A20-TX belt packs.
A key highlight of the session was the flagship A20-SuperNexus receiver. Lello demonstrated how the system can expand from 16, up to 24 or to 32 channels in a single 1U rack space via software licences, and how it can simultaneously output Dante, MADI, analogue or AES for a vast array of console connection options. Attendees also explored the A20-Opto, which expands the connectivity of the A20-SuperNexus. Designed with DiGiCo integration in mind, the A20-Opto adds Optocore connectivity, further mirrored outputs, GPIO functionality, and a MADI split.
Another popular product was Sound Devices’ newly released A20-HH handheld microphone, which has several key innovations, including: the calibrated CD1 dynamic capsule, an interchangeable upper collarallowing any other type of mic capsule thread to be used, a second swapable control ring housing LEDs oruser-programmable switches and buttons; and the Rocket Antennae, giving robust RF level, meaning no dropouts no matter where the mic is held.
Throughout the masterclass, participants also got to grips with the Astral range’s web-based interface, which allows for intuitive and quick configuration, real-time monitoring, and advanced diagnostic capabilities, streamlining tasks such as transmitter naming, frequency coordination, and firmware updates.
Among the 45-plus attendees was Luca Gianni, HoD Audio: Expo City at Agora, who described the masterclass as “truly outstanding”. He commented: “Sound Devices is clearly at the forefront of technological innovation, striking a remarkable balance between advancing capabilities and maintaining top-tier quality… What stood out most to me was the story behind every feature, detail, and accessory they presented. Each innovation stems from real-world field experiences and customer feedback, highlighting Sound Devices’ commitment to listening to its users. This approach not only meets specific client needs but also inspires new perspectives and potential solutions across the users in multiple industries.”
Andrea Granata, Sales Manager at Meyer Sound, added: “It was a pleasure to be invited to the Sound Devices Masterclass here in Dubai. The product they presented is very interesting and will certainly play a key role in redefining RF spectrum usage for PMSE.”
Meanwhile for James Lynch, Deputy Sound & Broadcast Manager at Dubai Opera, the Astral range is “a serious proposition”. He commented: “The A20-SuperNexus is a serious proposition for us being able to fit 96 channels of radio mics into a 3U rack space. The HexVersity antenna system would allow us to have full coverage of stage and the auditorium, and the A20-HH has a very useful feature of being able to record to micro-SD as a standalone unit.”
For 7Hertz’ JP, this is just the start of what he believes will be a long and successful collaboration. “We spent a considerable amount of time discussing the training as a powerful way to launch these devices in our region, and the training Leslie provided was first class, offering excellent insight and practical usage examples,” he concluded. “We couldn’t be more excited about the prospects of the Astral range for our market, and we’re now equipped with our own demo system at 7Hertz – fully packaged and ready to go for any of our customers who’d like to experience what a genuinely fantastic set of products the Astral family has to offer.”
Photos: 7Hertz
