Sound Devices presents the 552 Production Mixer, 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.

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.

Mechanicals
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

• 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

Frequency Response:
20 Hz - 30 kHz, +0.2, -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
<600 ohm mics
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"