Related Manuals for Sound Devices A20-TX
Summary of Contents for Sound Devices A20-TX
- Page 1 A20-TX Digital Wireless Transmitter with GainForward, SpectraBand, and NexLink User Guide v1.00...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
Menus........................................13 RF......................................... 13 Audio........................................13 Record........................................14 Mode........................................14 Privacy........................................14 Settings......................................... 15 Tuning the A20-TX and Receiver................................17 Audio Levels - GainForward..................................17 Recording WAV Files.................................... 18 Jamming Timecode....................................18 File Transfer to a Computer.................................. 19 Updating Firmware....................................19 A20-Remote......................................20 Interface Overview.................................... -
Page 3: Welcome To The A20-Tx
RF performance is second to none. Additionally, worldwide travel is possible with the A20-TX transmitter, because it can easily be set to transmit on the legal frequencies of any country. The A20-TX incorporates state-of-the-art features, such as NexLink remote control, Long Range modulation, GainForward, SpectraBand, internal 32-bit float recording, and more, to produce the best sound quality possible. -
Page 4: Spectraband
SpectraBand The A20-TX features SpectraBand, a technology that enables the A20-TX to tune over a super wide range of 169-1525 MHz. Tuning within this range varies by country. For instance: In the USA, the available frequency ranges are: ● The VHF band (specific frequencies within the 169-216 MHz range) ●... -
Page 5: Panel Views
4: Battery Door Lift to access the battery compartment, micro-SD card, power button, and navigation buttons. Closing the door returns to the Home screen. 5: Battery Door Release Catches Squeeze to unlatch and open the battery door. A20-TX User Guide... - Page 6 6: Belt Clip Mount Points For attaching the A20-TX-CLIP belt clip. The belt clip can be attached either way, so the TX can be worn up or down. Front Panel, Battery Door Open 1: Battery Compartment Accepts up to three AA batteries. Ensure batteries are inserted with the positive terminal facing to the right. Insert negative side first for easiest insertion.
- Page 7 See Antenna Guide for more information. 2 & 3: A20-TX Switch Mounting Points The optional user-programmable A20-TX Switch can be mounted here. The bayonet-style switch can be set to toggle mute, record, or power on/off. 4: Multipurpose Audio Input 3-Pin Lemo connector for connecting 2- or 3-wire lavalier microphones, balanced mic (phantom or dynamic) or line inputs, AES42, AES3, or Guitar sources.
- Page 8 Bottom Panel 1: USB-C Port Multifunction port used for: ● Charging the A20-TX’s rechargeable Li-ion and LiFePO4 AA batteries. Battery door must be closed to charge. ● Timecode I/O for jamming TC ● Transferring files to and from a computer ●...
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Page 9: Home Screen
The transmitter name is used as the volume name when formatting the micro-SD card and is also embedded in metadata as the Track Name of recorded WAV files. By default, the serial number of the A20-TX is assigned as the transmitter’s name. - Page 10 The key icon is displayed when a privacy key is set. 8: Battery and Charging Status Displays Battery Level. Displays USB when powered from a USB power pack. When charging, a lightning icon is displayed next to the Battery Status. A20-TX User Guide...
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Page 11: Power
Powering On for the First Time When the A20-TX is powered on for the first time, the screen displays the following message: “To start, pair the A20-TX with the A20-Remote iOS or Android app”. Pairing enables full control of the A20-TX. Once paired, the message will not appear again. See A20-Remote for further details. - Page 12 During power up, the A20-TX’s firmware version is displayed for 3 seconds below the transmitter name. To power off the A20-TX, press and hold the power button until the front left LED goes solid green. ‘Off’ is displayed when the A20-TX has fully powered down.
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Page 13: Menus
Standard Standard range with lowest latency (2 ms) Audio Input Type The A20-TX is compatible with many types of input sources. Select from the following choices: ● Lav (2- or 3-wire) ○ When a lav is plugged in, the A20-TX automatically sets the input source to Lav. -
Page 14: Record
● Guitar ○ When a guitar is plugged in using the A20-TX Smart Guitar Cable, the A20-TX automatically sets the input type to Guitar. ○ When Guitar is selected, the Guitar Settings sub-menu appears in the Audio Menu, otherwise it is hidden. The Guitar Settings sub-menu allows cable capacitance and impedance to be set to emulate guitar cable length and impedance to personalize the guitar’s sound characteristics. -
Page 15: Settings
● Pair: Select to put the A20-TX into pairing mode. This allows the A20-TX to pair with the A20-Remote app. While in the process of pairing, ‘Pairing. Please wait …’ is displayed and the right top panel LED flashes blue. Once paired, the screen exits back to the home screen and the top panel LED stops flashing blue. - Page 16 ○ Time: Sets the A20-TX’s date/time clock used for file creation time. Use the up/down arrows to set values for each field and the Set button to move to the next field. Pressing Set on the Minutes field saves the date/time setting.
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Page 17: Tuning The A20-Tx And Receiver
From the A20-RX or A10-RX home screen, press the channel’s arrow button twice to enter the Input menu. From the Input menu, press the middle button to select a sub-menu to adjust gain, low cut, or limiter of the incoming A20-TX transmitted signal. -
Page 18: Recording Wav Files
Recording WAV Files The A20-TX records 32-bit float Broadcast WAV (under 4 GB) or RF64 WAV (over 4 GB) files at 48 kHz sampling rates to a removable micro SD card (not included). 32-bit float files are recorded such that gain decisions can be made after recording. -
Page 19: File Transfer To A Computer
File Transfer to a Computer The A20-TX connects via USB-C to a computer as an exFAT-formatted mass storage device. Copy WAV files from the A20-TX to the computer. When file transfer is complete, eject the drive from the operating system and disconnect USB. -
Page 20: A20-Remote
A20-Remote A20-Remote is an application for Android/iOS phones and tablets designed to pair with A20 (A20-TX, A20-Mini) transmitters. All transmitter settings are conveniently controlled using A20-Remote. When connected via Bluetooth LE to the A20-TX, A20-Remote offers control and display of all A20-TX parameters, including: ●... -
Page 21: Interface Overview
Interface Overview Tablet View Phone View A20-TX User Guide... - Page 22 This window is not displayed when the A20 transmitter Mode is set to RF Only. 8: Transmitter Menu This menu offers control of the A20 transmitter Name, Frequency, Mute Mic, RF Power, Audio Input Type (A20-TX only), Modulation, Privacy, Mode, Options, and access to A20 transmitter Information. 9: Transmitter Controls Allows control of the active transmitter’s Power On, Power Off, Record, Stop, and Identify mode.
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Page 23: Manage Transmitters
Pairing an A20-TX with A20-Remote Access the A20-TX’s Settings > Pair menu to put the A20-TX into pairing mode. While in the process of pairing, ‘Pairing. Please wait …’ is displayed and the right top panel LED flashes blue. Make sure all instances of A20-Remote are fully closed on other mobile devices before attempting to pair to a new device. - Page 24 Once a license has 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 25 Sound Devices encourages all wireless operators to obtain a Part 74 license, and specifically to make sure applicable parts of the 600 MHz and 950 MHz range are included with their license application. This can help show an operator is aware of the available spectrum and is utilizing it responsibly.
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Page 26: 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 transmitter Status indicator that displays the status of the A20 transmitter’s power, audio presence/mute, record, RF transmission, and Identify mode. A20-TX User Guide... - Page 27 The A20 transmitter appears gray with “TC” in blue when it is powered off and holding timecode. Unknown State The A20 transmitter 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. A20-TX User Guide...
- Page 28 Battery Charge Indicator Displays the charging status of the battery. Orange = Charging Green = Charging complete USB Power Displays when USB is powering the A20-TX and there are no batteries inserted. A20-TX User Guide...
- Page 29 Reordering the Transmitter List Reorder Transmitter List by pressing and holding an A20 transmitter, then dragging it into the desired position. Groups cannot be reordered. Groups can be removed from the Transmitter List in the Group Setup menu. A20-TX User Guide...
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Page 30: Transmitter View
The Transmitter View displays detailed information, controls, and menus for the selected A20 transmitter. Active A20 Transmitter in the Transmitter View The active A20-TX 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. - Page 31 The Transmitter Menu is displayed beneath the Transmitter and Record & Timecode Status windows of the Transmitter View. It offers control of the A20-TX Name, Frequency, Mute Mic, RF Power, Audio input Type, Modulation, Privacy, Mode, Options, and access A20-TX Information.
- Page 32 Touch the Mode button to enter the Mode menu. Select between RF Only, REC Only, and REC + RF. When Audio Input Type is set to Lav, Simultaneous Record and Transmit mode is not available on A20-TX units sold or operated in the United States of America.
- Page 33 Background: Selects between white and black background colors. LEDs The A20-TX front and top panel LEDs can be turned on or off. Turn the LEDs off when you need the A20-TX to be discreet. Select which LEDs are enabled: ●...
- Page 34 LEDs = All On ● Display Orientation = Normal ● Display Background = White ● Recording = Stopped ● Timecode = 00:00:00:00 ● Frame Rate = 30 fps ● Identify mode = Off ● Power = On A20-TX User Guide...
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Page 35: Group Control
When active, the All Transmitters group is displayed and accessible from the Transmitter List. Deactivate to remove the All Transmitters group from the Transmitter List. Show Custom Group in the Transmitter List When active, the custom group is displayed and accessible from the Transmitter List. Deactivate to remove the custom group from the Transmitter List. A20-TX User Guide... -
Page 36: Group View
Group View The Group View displays a scrollable list of all available A20 transmitters in the group. Transmitters are displayed with the same information shown in the Transmitter List. Touching a transmitter accesses the A20’s Transmitter View. A20-TX User Guide... - Page 37 Partial is displayed in between the ON and OFF buttons and in between the Record and Stop buttons when there is a discrepancy between transmitters in the group. For example, if the group is powered on and an individual A20 transmitter is then powered off, “Partial” flashes between the ON and OFF buttons. A20-TX User Guide...
- Page 38 The Group Menu allows you to set Mute, RF Power, Mode, LEDs, Modulation, Audio Input Type, Display (Orientation and Background) 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-TX User Guide...
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Page 39: Sd-Utility
SD-Utility Sound Devices SD-Utility is a companion application for MacOS and Windows. This application can be used to process files recorded by A20 transmitters to be more suited to the given workflow. A20 transmitter 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 40 Conforming A20 Transmitter 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 transmitter 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 41 The interleave order of the polyphonic WAV tracks are determined by the order of the files in the Source Window. Silence is written to a track of the exported polyphonic WAV file whenever audio data is not available from the source files. A20-TX User Guide...
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Page 42: A20-Tx Specifications
A20-TX 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 ● 169 to 1525 MHz ● Transmitter tunable in 25 kHz steps ● Available frequencies are dependent on region RF Output Power ●... - Page 43 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 A20-TX units sold or operated in the United States of America. Timecode ●...
- Page 44 Dimensions (H x W x D) ● 3.3 x 2.5 x 0.71 in ● 8.5 x 6.4 x 1.81 cm Weight ● 0.2lbs (without batteries) ● 98g (without batteries) A20-TX User Guide...
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Page 45: Antenna Guide
Antenna Guide The A20-TX ships with an antenna set with three antennas (1 straight 470-548 MHz to SMA, 1 straight 548-638 MHz to SMA, 1 straight 17” uncut Astral VHF Whip Antenna to SMA), and set of antenna caps. Sound Devices offers additional pre-cut and uncut antennas as available options. -
Page 46: Servicing The A20-Tx
Servicing the A20-TX Do not attempt to service the A20-TX. 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 47: Included Accessories
Note: A plug-on adapter accessory for mounting the A20-TX on a boom mic is available from a third party. See https://www.sounddevices.com/category/3rd-party-solutions/ Installing the A20-TX Switch The optional A20-TX Switch is a physical latching on/off bayonet-style switch that mounts to the top of the A20-TX. It can be assigned to the following functions: ●... -
Page 48: Legal Notices
Copyright© 2023 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 49 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 50 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 of in a fire, or expose batteries to high temperatures.
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Page 51: Declaration Of Conformity
Declaration of Conformity Manufacturer’s Name: Sound Devices, LLC Manufacturer’s Address: E7556 State Road 23 and 33 Reedsburg, WI 53959 USA We, Sound Devices, LLC, declare under our sole responsibility that the product Product Name: A20-TX Model Number: 9295 Description: Digital Wireless Microphone Transmitter...
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