The Sound Devices 552 Field Production Mixer is the most technologically advanced portable audio mixer ever made. Using the best analog and digital technologies, along with advanced mechanical construction, the 552 gives professionals a superb sounding, compact, lightweight and power-efficient mixer that is equally at home in simple run-and-gun applications or in complex multi-input, multi-output production setups.

Performance Under Pressure
The 552, like all Sound Devices professional audio products, are designed to withstand the physical and environmental extremes of field production. The 552 uses molded, metalized carbon fiber top and bottom chassis panels for increased durability and weight reduction. Additionally, its front panel is gasketed for improved resistance to moisture.

Inputs
The 552 contains five precision high-dynamic-range transformer-balanced microphone inputs with expanded gain and headroom. Each input accepts audio sources of various types and levels. Inputs have their own limiter, sweepable high-pass filter, and pre-or-post-fade direct output.

Recording
The 552 has an integrated two-track, digital audio recorder writing industry-standard Broadcast Wave files to SD and SDHC media. A simple joystick controller is used to take command of recording functions. Push up to begin recording. Either WAV or MP3 files can be recorded. Recordings can be either 24 or 16 bit, with WAV files having sampling rates from 44.1 kHz up to 96 kHz.

Flexible Outputs
With its three sets of balanced master outputs (plus numerous unbalanced connections), the 552 provides complete connectivity for multi-camera and complex production setups. Additionally, a digital output option is available for either the XLR connectors or the 10-pin multi-pin outputs. When selected in the Setup Menu, the master XLR outputs can output four channels of 24-bit (or 16-bit) AES/EBU signals, the source of which is selected in the Setup Menu.

Sound Devices 552 Features

• Five high-performance microphone inputs with two-stage gain control, limiter, variable high-pass, and solo monitoring
• Pre- or post-fader direct outputs per input
• Multiple, balanced output connections, including XLR, Hirose 10-pin, and TA3
• AES/EBU output option, on either XLR or 10-pin multi-pin, two connections for four channels of digital output, sampling rates up to 96 kHz
• Integrated digital recorder with simple control records to SD or SDHC media
• Records two tracks of uncompressed Broadcast WAV up to 96 kHz sampling, or compressed MP3 files
• Accepts time code input to time-stamp recorded audio files
• Flexible metering modes, including zoom metering for high precision near 0 dBfs
• Voice-confirmation appear in headphones for critical operational information and when navigating Setup Menu
• Lightweight design uses metalized, molded carbon fiber top and bottom panels for durability and strength
• Front panel is gasketed for protection from weather
• Powered by four-AA batteries or external 10-18 VDC