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.
552 Key Features List
- 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
Specification
Frequency Response
10 Hz - 50 kHz, +/-0.5 dB
THD + Noise
0.09% max (50 Hz - 20 kHz, +18 dBu at line out, fader fully up)
Equivalent Input Noise
-126 dBu (-128 dBV) maximum. (22 Hz - 22 kHz bandwidth, flat filter, trim control fully up)
Maximum Input Level
XLR mic - 0 dBu (0.78 Vrms)
XLR line - +40 dBu (80 Vrms)
RTN A,B - +24 dBu (12.4 Vrms)
Maximum Gain
93 dB - mic in to line out
53 dB - mic in to mic out
79 dB - mic in to tape out
107 dB - mic in to headphone out
Input Type
XLR mic - Transformer-balanced for use with XLR line - Transformer-balanced for use with 2k ohm outputs
RTN A,B (3.5 mm, TA3, 10-Pin) - Unbalanced stereo for use with 2k ohm outputs
Input Impedance
(ohms actual):
XLR mic - 2k ohms
XLR line - 16k ohms
RTN A,B - 20k ohms
Input Clipping Level
0 dBu minimum (trim control fully down)
Common Mode Rejection Ratio
120 dB minimum at 80 Hz, mic input, 100 dB minimum at 10 kHz, mic input
High-Pass Filters
sweepable 80 Hz to 240 Hz, 12 dB/oct at 80 Hz, 6 dB/octave at 240 Hz
Mic Powering
(each mic selectable):
no power applied
12 V Phantom - through 680 ohm resistors, 10 mA per mic available
48 V Phantom - through 6.8k resisters, 10 mA per mic available
Input Limiters
affects the output of the mic preamps only ('Trim' stage), +18 dBu threshold, 20:1 limiting ratio, 1 mS attack time, 500 mS release time.
Output Type
XLR Line - Transformer-balanced for use with >600 ohm inputs
XLR -10 - Transformer-balanced for use with >10k ohm outputs
XLR Mic - Transformer-balanced for use with >600 ohm inputs
10-Pin Line - Transformer-balanced for use with >600 ohm inputs
10-Pin -10 - Transformer-balanced for use with >10k ohm outputs
10-Pin Mic - Transformer-balanced for use with >600 ohm inputs
TA3 Balanced Mic and Line: pin-2 and 3 driven, for use with >3k ohm inputs
TA3 Direct Outputs Mic and Line: pin-2 and 3 driven, for use with >3k ohm inputs
Tape Outs (3.5 mm and TA3-Type): Unbalanced, stereo, for use with >6k ohm inputs
Mono Mic Out: Unbalanced, mono, for use with >600 ohm inputs
Headphones (3.5 mm and 1/4"): Unbalanced, stereo, for use with 8-2k ohm headphones
Output Impedance
(ohms actual):
XLR - 85 ohms at Line setting, 3.2k ohms at -10 setting, 150 ohms at Mic setting
10-Pin - 85 ohms at Line setting, 3.2k ohms at -10 setting, 150 ohms at Mic setting
TA3 Balanced Outs - 1k ohms at Mic and Line settings
TA3 Direct Outs - 1k ohms at Mic and Line settings
Tape Outs (3.5 mm and TA3-type) - 1.8k ohms
Mono Mic Out- 150 ohms
Headphones (3.5 mm and 1/4") - 50 ohms
Line Output Clipping Level: (1% THD)
20 dBu minimum with 10k load
Maximum Output Level
Line (XLR, 10-Pin, TA3 Balanced and Direct Outs) - +20 dBu (7.8 Vrms)
-10 (XLR, 10-Pin, TA3 Balanced and Direct Outs) - +6 dBu (1.5 Vrms)
Mic (XLR, 10-Pin, TA3 Balanced and Direct Outs) - -20 dBu (0.078 Vrms)
Tape Outs - +6 dBu (1.5 Vrms)
Mono Mic Out - +6 dBu (1.5 Vrms)
AES3 Output
Balanced AES Out A,B on XLR connectors, 110 ohm, 2 V p-p, AES and S/PDIF compatible with RCA adaptor
Recording Media Type
Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC), Secure Digital (SD)
FAT32 formatted, will format media on-board
Recording File Type
WAV - 2-Track Polyphonic, 16 bit, 24 bit
MP3 - 2-Track Polyphonic, 64 kb/s, 128 kb/s, 192 kb/s, 320 kb/s
fixed file name using date/time as file name, daily folders
Time Code
Reads external timecode received and stamps BEXT/iXML header for WAV, stamps ID3 tag for MP3
Frame rates - (auto-sense) 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97DF, 29.97ND, 30DF, 30ND, 30+
Input - 20k input impedance, 0.3V-3.0V p-p.
Sampling Frequency
44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz
A/D
24 bit, 96 kHz maximum sampling rate
A/D Dynamic Range
103 dB, A-weighted bandwidth typical
Output Limiters
Affects the outputs of the mixer
Threshold selectable from +4 dBu to +20 dBu, 1 dB steps, 20:1 limiting ratio, 1 mS attack time,
500 mS release time.
Powering
internal ±16 V (bi-polar) regulated audio rails, 3.2-8 V range internal batteries, isolated (floating) external DC input jack, 5-18 V
Locking 4-pin Hirose connector, pin-4 = (+), pin-1 = (-),
Temperature
operating: –20°C to 60°C, 0 to 90% relative humidity; (non-condensing), storage: –40°C to 85°C
Metering
42 segment, sunlight-viewable,
selectable Peak, VU, or Peak + VU ballistics
Weight
2.0 kg, (4 lbs 6 oz.) unpackaged without four alkaline AA batteries
Dimensions
53 mm x 279 mm x 168 mm (H x W x D), 2.1” x 11 x 6.6"
Frequency Response
10 Hz - 50 kHz, +/-0.5 dB
THD + Noise
0.09% max (50 Hz - 20 kHz, +18 dBu at line out, fader fully up)
Equivalent Input Noise
-126 dBu (-128 dBV) maximum. (22 Hz - 22 kHz bandwidth, flat filter, trim control fully up)
Maximum Input Level
XLR mic - 0 dBu (0.78 Vrms)
XLR line - +40 dBu (80 Vrms)
RTN A,B - +24 dBu (12.4 Vrms)
Maximum Gain
93 dB - mic in to line out
53 dB - mic in to mic out
79 dB - mic in to tape out
107 dB - mic in to headphone out
Input Type
XLR mic - Transformer-balanced for use with XLR line - Transformer-balanced for use with 2k ohm outputs
RTN A,B (3.5 mm, TA3, 10-Pin) - Unbalanced stereo for use with 2k ohm outputs
Input Impedance
(ohms actual):
XLR mic - 2k ohms
XLR line - 16k ohms
RTN A,B - 20k ohms
Input Clipping Level
0 dBu minimum (trim control fully down)
Common Mode Rejection Ratio
120 dB minimum at 80 Hz, mic input, 100 dB minimum at 10 kHz, mic input
High-Pass Filters
sweepable 80 Hz to 240 Hz, 12 dB/oct at 80 Hz, 6 dB/octave at 240 Hz
Mic Powering
(each mic selectable):
no power applied
12 V Phantom - through 680 ohm resistors, 10 mA per mic available
48 V Phantom - through 6.8k resisters, 10 mA per mic available
Input Limiters
affects the output of the mic preamps only ('Trim' stage), +18 dBu threshold, 20:1 limiting ratio, 1 mS attack time, 500 mS release time.
Output Type
XLR Line - Transformer-balanced for use with >600 ohm inputs
XLR -10 - Transformer-balanced for use with >10k ohm outputs
XLR Mic - Transformer-balanced for use with >600 ohm inputs
10-Pin Line - Transformer-balanced for use with >600 ohm inputs
10-Pin -10 - Transformer-balanced for use with >10k ohm outputs
10-Pin Mic - Transformer-balanced for use with >600 ohm inputs
TA3 Balanced Mic and Line: pin-2 and 3 driven, for use with >3k ohm inputs
TA3 Direct Outputs Mic and Line: pin-2 and 3 driven, for use with >3k ohm inputs
Tape Outs (3.5 mm and TA3-Type): Unbalanced, stereo, for use with >6k ohm inputs
Mono Mic Out: Unbalanced, mono, for use with >600 ohm inputs
Headphones (3.5 mm and 1/4"): Unbalanced, stereo, for use with 8-2k ohm headphones
Output Impedance
(ohms actual):
XLR - 85 ohms at Line setting, 3.2k ohms at -10 setting, 150 ohms at Mic setting
10-Pin - 85 ohms at Line setting, 3.2k ohms at -10 setting, 150 ohms at Mic setting
TA3 Balanced Outs - 1k ohms at Mic and Line settings
TA3 Direct Outs - 1k ohms at Mic and Line settings
Tape Outs (3.5 mm and TA3-type) - 1.8k ohms
Mono Mic Out- 150 ohms
Headphones (3.5 mm and 1/4") - 50 ohms
Line Output Clipping Level: (1% THD)
20 dBu minimum with 10k load
Maximum Output Level
Line (XLR, 10-Pin, TA3 Balanced and Direct Outs) - +20 dBu (7.8 Vrms)
-10 (XLR, 10-Pin, TA3 Balanced and Direct Outs) - +6 dBu (1.5 Vrms)
Mic (XLR, 10-Pin, TA3 Balanced and Direct Outs) - -20 dBu (0.078 Vrms)
Tape Outs - +6 dBu (1.5 Vrms)
Mono Mic Out - +6 dBu (1.5 Vrms)
AES3 Output
Balanced AES Out A,B on XLR connectors, 110 ohm, 2 V p-p, AES and S/PDIF compatible with RCA adaptor
Recording Media Type
Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC), Secure Digital (SD)
FAT32 formatted, will format media on-board
Recording File Type
WAV - 2-Track Polyphonic, 16 bit, 24 bit
MP3 - 2-Track Polyphonic, 64 kb/s, 128 kb/s, 192 kb/s, 320 kb/s
fixed file name using date/time as file name, daily folders
Time Code
Reads external timecode received and stamps BEXT/iXML header for WAV, stamps ID3 tag for MP3
Frame rates - (auto-sense) 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97DF, 29.97ND, 30DF, 30ND, 30+
Input - 20k input impedance, 0.3V-3.0V p-p.
Sampling Frequency
44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz
A/D
24 bit, 96 kHz maximum sampling rate
A/D Dynamic Range
103 dB, A-weighted bandwidth typical
Output Limiters
Affects the outputs of the mixer
Threshold selectable from +4 dBu to +20 dBu, 1 dB steps, 20:1 limiting ratio, 1 mS attack time,
500 mS release time.
Powering
internal ±16 V (bi-polar) regulated audio rails, 3.2-8 V range internal batteries, isolated (floating) external DC input jack, 5-18 V
Locking 4-pin Hirose connector, pin-4 = (+), pin-1 = (-),
Temperature
operating: –20°C to 60°C, 0 to 90% relative humidity; (non-condensing), storage: –40°C to 85°C
Metering
42 segment, sunlight-viewable,
selectable Peak, VU, or Peak + VU ballistics
Weight
2.0 kg, (4 lbs 6 oz.) unpackaged without four alkaline AA batteries
Dimensions
53 mm x 279 mm x 168 mm (H x W x D), 2.1” x 11 x 6.6"