Sound Devices / Professional Audio
Astral TX
SKU: ARM-RF-SD-ASTRAL-TX
The Sound Devices Astral TX is a digital bodypack transmitter for productions that need flexibility across microphone and other audio sources. Use it with compatible lavaliers, balanced microphones, line-level sources or digital microphones, with the appropriate connections.
Key features
- SpectraBand tuning from 169–1525 MHz, with frequencies dependent on region.
- GainForward architecture and remote operation through NexLink or Astral Remote.
- Input support for two- and three-wire lavaliers, balanced mic and line, AES3 and AES42.
- Selectable phantom powering for compatible microphones.
- Internal 32-bit float recording to removable microSD media.
- USB-C charging and an ePaper display.
- Guitar input capability with the optional Smart Guitar Cable.
Connection options
Input cables, adapters and optional controls depend on your application. Tell ARM your microphone or source type so we can confirm the required configuration.
RRP $4,850.00 AUD
Price $4,850.00 AUD
Save $0.00 AUD
Including GSTinc.
In stock
Available from ARM stock.
Contact ARM to confirm stock availability and your required configuration.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Specifications
The details you need to plan your system. Expand a section to explore.
System overview
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Tuning range | 169–1525 MHz; region dependent |
| Microphone input | 3-pin LEMO; lavalier, balanced microphone, line, AES3 and AES42 sources |
| Microphone powering | 12 V or 48 V phantom for compatible balanced microphones |
| Audio bandwidth | 10 Hz–20 kHz |
| Guitar input | Optional Smart Guitar Cable; adjustable cable capacitance |
| Recording | 32-bit float, 48 kHz mono WAV / RF64 |
| Storage | Removable microSD card |
| Timecode | NexLink wireless synchronisation or compatible USB-C timecode cable |
| Battery options | AA batteries or compatible rechargeable lithium-ion cells |
| Charging | USB-C onboard charging with supported lithium-ion batteries |
| Control | NexLink and Astral Remote |
| Display | ePaper display; protected controls inside battery compartment |
Frequency Range
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Details | 169 to 1525 MHz; Transmitter tunable in 25 kHz steps; Available frequencies are dependent on region |
RF Output Power
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Details | Off, Low – 2 mW, Normal – 10 mW, High – 20 mW, Extra High – 40 mW |
Modulation Mode
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Details | Proprietary, 100% digital RF modulation; Standard or Long Range, selectable |
Antennas
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| UHF RF | SMA connector, removable antenna |
| Details | 2.4 GHz built-in, bottom of unit |
Audio Frequency Response
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Details | 10 Hz – 20 kHz, +/- 1 dB re 1 kHz |
Audio Input
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Details | Lavalier Microphone 2-wire- or 3-wire-type lavalier mics supported Auto-selected when lavalier mic connected to Lemo input Dynamic range: 130+ dB min, A-weighted Input clip level: 5V p-p (limited by lavalier microphone) Lemo pin 1 = ground; Lemo pin 2 = 5V bias power; Lemo pin 3 = audio/bias (8k to 5V internal) Auto unit power on/off with connection/removal of lavalier microphone (menu selectable) Balanced Mic True, fully balanced, 8-Series mic preamp Dynamic range: 140 dB min, A-weighted Menu selectable with connection of XL-BALXLR-4 cable to Lemo input Phantom power: 12V or 48V, full 10mA available per IEC 61938 XLR pin 1 = ground; XLR pin 2 = +; XLR pin 3 = – Line Input True, fully balanced line-level input (no external resistors required) Input clip level: +26 dBu Menu selectable with connection of XL-BALXLR-4 cable to Lemo input XLR pin 1 = ground; XLR pin 2 = +; XLR pin 3 = – AES42 AES digital input with common mode power for Digital mics such as Schoeps SuperCMIT 250mA current available Selectable audio channel 1 or 2 via menu Menu selectable with connection of XL-BALXLR-4 cable to Lemo input XLR pin 1 = ground; XLR pin 2 = +; XLR pin 3 = – AES3 AES digital input without common mode power Selectable audio channel 1 or 2 via menu Menu selectable with connection of XL-BALXLR-4 cable to Lemo input XLR pin 1 = ground; XLR pin 2 = +; XLR pin 3 = – Guitar Auto-selected when connected with A20-TX Smart Guitar Cable ¼” tip = + ¼” sleeve = ground 18V p-p max input level Input impedance: 100k, 1M, 10M (menu selectable) Cable capacitance: 0–1500 pF in 25 pF steps (menu selectable) Balanced connection from ¼” plug to Lemo for low noise susceptibility |
Menu and Controls
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Details | e-Paper screen highly visible in direct sunlight; e-Paper screen keeps display even with no batteries; Power/Pair button and three navigation buttons protected inside battery compartment; Optional user-programmable bayonet switch for top of transmitter (A20-TX Switch) |
Remote Control
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Details | Astral Remote Android, iOS, and iPad app via Bluetooth 5.2 LE; Astral ARX32, Astral ARX16, and Astral ARX8 receivers via super-long-range NexLink |
Recording Media
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Details | Micro SD card |
Recording File Format
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Details | 32 Bit Float, 48 kHz, Monophonic Broadcast WAV (<4 GB), RF64 WAV (>4 GB) Simultaneous Record and Transmit mode when using lavalier mic input is not available on Astral TX units sold or operated in the United States of America. |
Timecode
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Details | Input via XL-TC-USBC-LEMO, XL-TC-USBC-BNC, USB-A to USB-C (from 8-Series) or wirelessly over NexLink (from Astral ARX32, Astral ARX16, and Astral ARX8) |
| LTC | 0.3 V – 3 V p-p (–17 dBu to +3 dBu), 20k ohm impedance |
| LTC Output via XL-TC-USBC-LEMO | 3 V p-p, 400 ohm impedance |
Timecode Clock
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Details | 0.2 ppm accuracy; Holds accurate clock for four hours while powered down with batteries inserted, holds for one hour without batteries via internal supercapacitor; Auto Jams timecode via USB-C connector or wirelessly via NexLink |
Timecode Frame Rates
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Details | 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97 DF, 29.97 ND, 30 DF, 30 ND Frame rates are auto-detected from incoming source |
USB-C
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Mass Storage (USB-C) | USB 2.0 high speed for file transfer |
| Details | Charges Li-ion batteries inserted in Astral TX; Pairing to Astral ARX32, Astral ARX16, and Astral ARX8; Timecode I/O |
Powering
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Details | “1.5V” Alkaline, Lithium primary, NiMH AA batteries; 3 for operation; “3.7V” Rechargeable Lithium-Ion; 1, 2, or 3 for operation; Energizer Ultimate AA primary cells recommended for longest runtime |
Battery Charging
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Details | Built-in charging of Lithium-Ion batteries via USB-C |
Battery Runtime
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Details | Up to 12 hours (depending on battery chemistry, number of batteries, RF power, input type, mode); Unit can be completely powered off remotely via app or via NexLink to extend battery runtime |
Environmental
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Operating | -10° C to 38° C |
| Storage | -40° C to 85° C |
| Details | 0 to 90% relative humidity (non-condensing) |
Dimensions (H x W x D)
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Details | 3.3 x 2.5 x 0.71 in; 8.5 x 6.4 x 1.81 cm |
Weight
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Details | 0.2lbs (without batteries); 98g (without batteries) |
Frequencies and RF output depend on region. Simultaneous recording and transmission with a lavalier input is restricted on units sold or operated in the USA.
Technical specifications from Sound Devices product information and user guides, organised for ARM. Features may depend on installed firmware and optional licences.