Sound Devices A20-Mini User Manual
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Sound Devices A20-Mini User Manual

Digital wireless transmitter with gainforward and spectraband technologies
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A20-Mini
Digital Wireless Transmitter
with GainForward and SpectraBand Technologies
User Guide v6.00

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Summary of Contents for Sound Devices A20-Mini

  • Page 1 A20-Mini Digital Wireless Transmitter with GainForward and SpectraBand Technologies User Guide v6.00...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    A20-Remote Overview Manage Transmitters Transmitter List Transmitter View Group Control Group Setup Group View Connecting Lavalier Microphones to A20-Mini Tuning A20-Mini and the Receiver GainForward Recording WAV Files Jamming Timecode on A20-Mini File Transfer to a Computer Updating A20-Mini Firmware...

  • Page 3: Welcome To The A20-Mini

    Welcome to the A20-Mini Sound Devices’ first miniature transmitter incorporates state-of-the-art features such as full remote control via the A20-Remote app, long range modulation, GainForward Architecture, SpectraBand’s 470 MHz – 1525 MHz tuning range, internal 32-bit float recording, and more. The A20-Mini is fully compatible with the A20-RX and the A10-RX.

  • Page 4: Spectraband

    SpectraBand The A20-Mini introduces SpectraBand, a technology that enables the A20-Mini to tune over a super wide range of 470-1525 MHz. Tuning within this range varies by country. For instance: In the USA, the available frequency ranges are: ● The entire UHF TV band (470-608 MHz) ●...
  • Page 5 7: Bottom Panel Charge/Pair/Record/Media/Timecode LED LED indicates charging status, timecode sync, Bluetooth pairing, recording, and media activity. Positioned on the bottom of the A20-Mini to make it easily visible when slotted into the optional PowerStation-8M. Solid Orange = Charging Solid Green = Charging complete...
  • Page 6 Power Off = Press and hold button for 3 seconds. Pairing Mode = While A20-Mini is off, press and hold button for 5 seconds. The Pairing LED on the bottom and top panel flashes blue rapidly while in Pairing mode.

  • Page 7: Power

    A20-Mini. Close the A20-Mini battery door. To power off the A20-Mini, press and hold the red button for three seconds. The Power LED flashes rapidly while the A20-Mini powers off. The Power LED is off when the unit is off.

  • Page 8: A20-Mini Holster

    Estimated Battery Runtime The A20-Mini can operate for up to 5.5 hours. Battery rundown times will vary depending on setup and workflow. Utilize the A20-Mini’s ability to power the unit on and off remotely from the A20-Remote app to extend battery runtime.

  • Page 9: Introduction To A20-Remote

    Introduction to A20-Remote A20-Remote is an application for Android/iOS phones and tablets designed to pair with the A20-Mini. All settings for the A20-Mini are conveniently controlled using A20-Remote. When connected via Bluetooth LE to the A20-Mini, A20-Remote offers control and display of all A20-Mini parameters, including: ●...

  • Page 10: A20-Remote Overview

    A20-Remote Overview Tablet View A20-Mini User Guide...
  • Page 11 2: Manage Transmitters Touch the Gear icon to access Manage Transmitters. From Manage Transmitters, pair transmitters, enable transmitters, set Country, setup groups, unlock Restricted Frequencies, access A20-Mini User Guide, and view A20-Remote version information. 3: Transmitter Quick List (Phone View Only) From a phone, the Transmitter List and Transmitter View are not displayed simultaneously.
  • Page 12 Displays the current timecode value, frame rate, absolute time of recording, and the remaining time and space of media. The window is red when the transmitter is actively recording. This window is not displayed when A20-Mini Mode is set to RF Only.

  • Page 13: Manage Transmitters

    The A20-Mini exits Pairing mode once it has been paired with the mobile device. Agree to the Terms and Conditions displayed in the app to continue. To unpair/remove an A20-Mini from the mobile device, touch the Pair box to clear the check mark. Once removed, repeat the pairing process to re-add the transmitter.
  • Page 14 Once a license has been been granted, please contact Sound Devices (RF_Request@SoundDevices.com) to obtain the necessary unlock code. The license will be applied to the unique device ID provided to Sound Devices. Tap the Check for Licenses button or manually enter the License Code to unlock the restricted frequencies.

  • Page 15: Transmitter List

    Each transmitter is listed with a high-level view of the transmitter’s status. This includes the transmitter’s name, set frequency, Bluetooth signal strength meter, the status of battery level/charging, custom Group assignment, and an A20-Mini Status indicator that displays the status of A20-Mini power, audio presence/mute, record, RF transmission, and Identify mode.
  • Page 16 The A20-Mini appears gray with “TC” in blue when it is powered off and holding timecode. A20-Mini Unknown State The A20-Mini appears with ‘?’ when the status is unknown. This could be displayed because the unit is out of range or the power source has been removed or depleted.
  • Page 17 Custom Group Indicator The Custom Group indicator displays when the A20-Mini is a member of the custom group. See Group Control for more information. Bluetooth Signal Strength Indicator Displays the signal strength of the A20-Mini Bluetooth signal received by the mobile device. The Bluetooth meter border is red when the mobile device is not communicating with the A20-Mini.
  • Page 18 Transmitter Name Displays the name of the A20-Mini. The serial number is the default name of the A20-Mini. The A20-Mini name is changed in the Transmitter View menu. Transmitter Timecode Displays the timecode values in hours:minutes:seconds:frames of the connected transmitter. This allows you to quickly see that the connected A20-Mini transmitters are running the same timecode.

  • Page 19: Transmitter View

    Active A20-Mini in the Transmitter View The active A20-Mini in the Transmitter View is indicated by the highlighted entry of the Transmitter List. Touch any transmitter in the Transmitter List to make it the active transmitter. Quick List (Phone Only) The Transmitter Quick List is available on phones only because the nature of the phone’s smaller screen size does not allow the...
  • Page 20 Recording & Timecode Status Window Recording & Timecode details are displayed when A20-Mini mode is set to REC Only or REC + RF (not available in the U.S.). Timecode values, frame rate, absolute record time counter, file format (32-bit float, 48 kHz), and remaining record time / space of the media.
  • Page 21 LEDs The A20-Mini LEDs can be turned on or off. Turn the LEDs off when you need the A20-Mini to be discreet. When Off, the LEDs do not illuminate except when pressing the red button to power on, power off, or pair, in Identify mode, and when USB-C is connected.
  • Page 22 The A20-Mini by default powers on in Stop mode. When Resume Record State Upon Powering On is active, the A20-Mini resumes the state of the recorder when it was powered off. This menu item is not available when in RF Only mode.

  • Page 23: Group Control

    Group Control Multiple A20-Mini transmitters can be controlled as a group from the A20-Remote app. Group Control drastically simplifies the workflow and saves time when changing powering and record status of multiple A20-Mini transmitters. Two groups are available, All Transmitters group for controlling all enabled transmitters and a custom group for controlling select group of transmitters.

  • Page 24: Group View

    A20-Mini to the custom group. Use the Select All check box to assign or unassign all paired transmitters to the custom group. A20-Mini transmitters assigned to the custom group appear with a Custom Group Indicator in the Transmitter List and Transmitter view.
  • Page 25 This can be deactivated in Manage Transmitters by deactivating Power off from app requires confirmation. Group Record Touch the Group Record button to start recording on the group of A20-Mini transmitters. The button is red while the group is recording and black when stopped. The button is gray when recording is not permitted.
  • Page 26 A Group Status screen appears while A20-Remote is sending commands to transmitters in the group. The status of the command sent is displayed for each A20-Mini in the group. The status text is green while sending the command, white when successful, and red if the A20-Mini was unable to accept the command.
  • Page 27 The Group Menu allows you to set Mute, RF Power, Mode, LEDs, Modulation, and Format Media for all transmitters in the group. Partial is displayed in the menu button when transmitters in the group have different settings. Touch the Group List button to return to the Group View. A20-Mini User Guide...

  • Page 28: Connecting Lavalier Microphones To A20-Mini

    Recording WAV Files The A20-Mini records 32-bit float Broadcast WAV (under 4 GB) or RF64 WAV (over 4 GB) files at 48 kHz sampling rates. 32-bit float files are recorded such that gain decisions can be made after recording. Because of the high dynamic range of the A20-Mini audio levels are never too high or too low.

  • Page 29: Jamming Timecode On A20-Mini

    For example, if the A20-Mini name has been changed to “Barney” and a recording is created on July 10, 2021 at 09:30 (24 hour format), the resulting file is named Barney-210710093000.WAV. All files are recorded at root of the media (no folders).

  • Page 30: Updating A20-Mini Firmware

    Register your A20-Mini to stay informed of firmware updates. https://my.sounddevices.com/ To update your A20-Mini firmware: Connect the A20-Mini to the computer for file transfer using a USB-C cable or the PowerStation-8M. See File Transfer and PowerStation-8M for more information. Download the A20-Mini firmware PRG file from: https://www.sounddevices.com/download/?prod=a20-mini...

  • Page 31: Sd-Utility

    Sound Devices SD-Utility is a companion application for MacOS and Windows. This application can be used to process files recorded by the A20-Mini to be more suited to the given workflow. A20-Mini 32-bit float, 48 kHz, monophonic WAV and RF64 WAV files can be renamed, snipped by timecode values, converted to 24 bit, conformed to a CSV Sound Report, exported as monophonic or polyphonic WAV, and more.
  • Page 32 Conforming A20-Mini WAV Files to CSV Sound Reports CSV sound report files generated by Sound Devices recorders can be used to extract only relevant audio from the A20-Mini WAV or A10-TX MIC files. Audio is extracted and a new WAV file is created based on the timecode in/out values of takes listed within the CSV.
  • Page 33 Selecting Bit Depth of Exported WAV Files The A20-Mini records 32-bit float WAV files. To convert the WAV files to 24-bit integer, select the Convert WAV to 24 bit check box. Files that contain audio that exceeds 0 dBFS will be normalized to -0.1 dBFS to avoid clipping when exported as 24-bit.

  • Page 34: Powerstation-8M

    A20-Minis with AAA batteries into the charging bay will not damage anything, but the unit will not charge. Insert the A20-Mini into an enabled charging bay of the PowerStation-8M. The A20-Mini slides into a charging bay with the antenna-side first, the antenna may be left attached. Sound Devices recommends disconnecting lavalier microphones before inserting the A20-Mini into the charging bay.
  • Page 35 Align the Sound Devices logos of the Extraction tool and the A20-Mini battery door, then slide Extraction tool onto the A20-Mini until you hear a click. Pull the A20-Mini out of the slot. Pinch the handle to release the A20-Mini from the Extraction tool.

  • Page 36: Powerstation-8M Specifications

    PowerStation-8M Specifications Specifications are subject to change without prior notice. For the latest information available on all Sound Devices products, visit our website: www.sounddevices.com. Power ● USB-C: PD (Power Delivery), 36 W or higher, or ● TA-4: 10 - 18 VDC, 36 W or higher ●...

  • Page 37: A20-Mini Specifications

    A20-Mini Specifications Specifications are subject to change without prior notice. For the latest information available on all Sound Devices products, visit our website: www.sounddevices.com. Frequency Range ● 470 to 1525 MHz ● Transmitters are tunable in 25 kHz steps ●...
  • Page 38 32 Bit Float, 48 kHz, Monophonic ● Broadcast WAV (<4 GB), RF64 WAV (>4 GB) Simultaneous Record and Transmit mode is not available on A20-Mini units sold or operated in the United States of America. Timecode (LTC) ● Input via...

  • Page 39: Antenna Guide

    Antenna Guide The A20-Mini ships with an antenna set with three antennas (1 straight 470-548 MHz, 1 straight 548-638 MHz, 1 straight uncut, set of antenna caps). Sound Devices offers additional pre-cut and uncut antennas as available options. Attach antennas with a length specific to the frequency in use. Using the wrong length of antenna reduces RF range.

  • Page 40: Servicing The A20-Mini

    Servicing the A20-Mini Do not attempt to service the A20-Mini. The case is water-sealed and needs to have new gaskets installed if taken apart. The internal parts are microscopic and not user serviceable. Please send to Sound Devices for any service needs.

  • Page 41: Legal Notices

    Copyright© 2022 Sound Devices, LLC. All rights reserved. This product is subject to the terms and conditions of a software license agreement provided with the product, and may be used in accordance with the license agreement. This document is protected under copyright law.
  • Page 42 Ce transmetteur est fourni avec les types d’antenne unique ci-dessus; pour remplacer une antenne perdue, endommagée ou défectueuse, veuillez contacter Sound Devices, LLC. # Pièce Manufacturier...
  • Page 43 WEEE Statement If you wish to discard a Sound Devices product in Europe, contact Sound Devices (England) for further information. Battery Advisory Incorrect use of batteries poses a danger of explosion. Replace only with the same or equivalent type. Properly recycle batteries. Do not crush, disassemble, incinerate,dispose in a fire or expose batteries to high temperatures.

  • Page 44: Declaration Of Conformity

    Declaration of Conformity A20-Mini User Guide...
  • Page 45 Post Office Box 576 E7556 State Rd. 23 and 33 Reedsburg, Wisconsin 53959 USA support@sounddevices.com +1608.524.0625 main 800.505.0625 toll free (U.S. only) www.sounddevices.com A20-Mini User Guide...

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