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| atlsoundguy... |
 Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:15 am |
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My First days with the Sound Devices 552 Mixer/Recorder
I got my 552 yesterday. First things first, let me say wow, as a first
impression it’s freakin’ awesome.
So, what is the 552? Well, take a 442 mixer, add an extra input
channel, then add a 2 channel recorder with time code input, then make
it way more configurable and easier to operate, add a bunch of
informative LEDs, add a weird sounding talking menu system and while
you’re at it, add a talk back circuit to boot… all in a package ½ lb
LESS than the 442… and voila – the 552.
Here is a list of the most noticeable differences between the 442 and
the new 552:
Front panel configurable
Remember all the switches on the left side of the 442? Well on the
552, they are gone. Instead, the options for mic/line levels and
phantom power are all accessible on the front panel via use of the
channels PFL(Pre-Fade Listen) switch in concert with the slate mic
switch to toggle settings.
The Knobs & Switches
The Input Faders are now contoured differently and sport a silver knob
on the tip of the fader for fingertip control. (I call it the “Suicide
Stick”, because it reminds me of the old steering assist knobs on
older style school buses from waaaay back in the day). I really like
the feel and response of the new faders.
The Coarse Gain, L/R Pot & Low-cut Filter knobs all have the same look
and feel, The only exception is that the Course gain has an additional
12db of upper end gain than the 442 had.
(22-72db on the 552 vs. 22-60db on the 442).
The Headphone Volume knob is now a digital knob with a built in
button. Not only does it control the headphones volume, but it also
controls MUCH more. When the Headphone knob is rotated, The VU meter
reflects the level of the volume.
The volume controller also controls secondary functions such as the
menu, LED brightness and return level control, depending on the button
or switch being held down, then using the volume control to adjust
setting and make selections with it’s push button. Simply pushing the
volume button engages the zoom function on the VU meter (which is a
mode where it shows you 0 to 20 on the mixer only, but spread over the
whole VU).
The PFLs operate differently from the 442. Rather than the “press and
hold” switches on the 442, when you slide the switch and let go of the
PFL, the channel is soloed until you slide it over again.
The Slate Mic/Tone switch is slightly changed too. When you quickly
slide the slate mic switch and release it, it solos the slate until
you slide it again. If you press and hold the slate switch for more
than a moment, it releases the slate mic when you release the switch.
The tone switch no longer latches. Instead, it acts like a press and
hold button, but when you hold it on for two seconds it stays in tone
mode until you flip the switch again to release it. The slate mic
level is adjusted by holding the slate mic and turning the headphone
volume knob. A visual level shows on the VU meter the volume change.
(This may SOUND complicated, but it’s very intuitive once you do it
for the first time!)
The Return switch for A & B returns now have LED lights showing if
they are active in the headphones. You can adjust the levels for the
headphones by holding the switch for the return on and adjusting the
headphone knob to raise or lower the levels. A visual level shows on
the VU meter the volume change.
Built-in Recorder
The 552 incorporates a high quality two channel WAV/MP3 Recorder. It
records in 16 or 24 bit and up to 96Khz WAV files.
It accepts incoming timecode, but does not generate it’s own. Timecode
needs to be fed into the mixer via a TA3 connector on the right side
to sync the device with a camera/s. This could be done a number of
ways, such as hardwiring, or the use of a lock-it box in the bag with
the 552, or even running a wireless transmitter on the camera sending
timecode out to a receiver in the bag to the 552.
The 552 automatically changes it’s timecode settings to reflect the
type of incoming timecode.
The file saving work flow saves each day of recording in a daily
folder (Year, Month,Day, 09Y10M15) and records filenames in order of
recording (Y,M,D, # – 09Y10M15-001.WAV). It also has a max recording
size of 2gb and automatically splits to the next file when it reaches
the limit.
Pressing and holding the Battery Check button enables SVEN to tell you
how much recording time remains on the card.
You have to remove the card and mount it in either a Windows or Mac
system to transfer the files. The USB connector that is next to the
card is for factory use only and does not allow you to use it to
transfer data.
Another nice feature of the recorder is the ability to playback files
to headphone AND/OR to your source mix or IFB. To enable Output/IFB
playback, hold down the Battery Button and press the play button.
There is a small chance of bumping the record toggle button, but I
don’t think it’s that much of a problem, but a record switch lock
might be a nice future addition.
The Menu
Getting into the control menu is much easier and can be done without
having to turn on and off the device. In fact, it can be operated
while actively mixing without interrupting the program! To access the
menu, hold down the Battery Check Button and click the Headphone
button. SVEN guides you through the setup of each function. He takes a
little getting used too. Use the volume control to guide yourself
through the menu items and use the volume push button to choose your
selection. To exit the menu and accept your changes, simply push the
battery check button.
Menu items are quite diverse and there are many more configuration
options than with the 442.
Talkback Function
When the talkback function is selected in the menu, the 1/8” headphone
jack is split off (from the 1/4”)
so that the slate mic appears in the right monitor of the boom
operator’s headphones for discreet communication from to the mixer. In
this mode, the slate mic does not go to program mix. There are various
options for what gets routed to the boom op.
As of yet, I’m not sure if it can be configured to allow for a
talkback from the boom op.
New LEDs
There are a lot more LEDs on the 552 than the 442. Whereas the 442 had
Level , Headphone, Peak, Limiter and Power LEDs, the 552 has many more
informative LEDs than it’s predecessor. Each pot has it’s own channel
specific LEDs that show the status of the channels phantom power and
line/mic status. Some channels have other LEDs for Phase, MS, and
Channel Linking.
There is another LED directly above each pot that I particularly like:
the Input Signal LED. Where as the 442 had a Peak & Limiter LED, the
552 now has a single LED the changes colors and brightness depending
on the level pushing through the channel (green, yellow, red). It also
changes to an off-yellow when the PFL is activated on channel to show
that it is being soloed.
LED Brightness is controlled by holding the battery check button and
turning the headphones knob left (-) or right (+). There are MANY more
levels of brightness steps than the 442 five steps.
Other LEDs:
-The Record LED changes colors to reflect current recording/playing
status. It blinks yellow if no SD/SDHC card is in the slot or if the
card is in, but remains unformatted.
-The Zoom LED lights up when it is engaged.
-There is also a LED on the front that lets you know if timecode is
actively being fed to the 552.
-Just like the 442, the Headphones LED will glow read when the
headphone amp starts to overload.
Other noticeable differences:
-Supports AES Digital outputs.
-Return Loop back ability (Takes the A&B return and sums them and
outputs to Tape Out and Mono Mic out)
-Split ear Return Monitoring (Listen to A Summed Returned in left and
B Summed Return in your right ear)
-Left Tone Oscillator function (to check to make sure your left and
right channels are properly set on cameras)
-Time of Day Date/Clock
What’s Missing?
Not much really.
One thing missing from the 552 vs the 442 is the option for T power
mics. All you 416T users are going to have to upgrade or get a Phantom
to T power converter.
I also wish the 552 had a built-in time code generator. Maybe the 552T
is in the future? We can only hope!
In Conclusion:
I really love my 552. It is an huge step forward in field mixing.
May the 442 rest sweetly in heaven… and the X5 burn baby burn! Long
live the 552!
(I will say that I used to have a Wendt X5 and it served me well for
many years, even though I had many particular issues with it
(limiters, channel bleed, etc.) )
See this post with picture gallery on my blog at:
http://blog.chrisdurfy.com/?p=130
More information can be found on the Sound Devices website at:
http://sounddevices.com/products/552.htm |
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| atlsoundguy... |
| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:56 am |
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I missed one section of the review. Here it is:
SVEN
(Synthetic Voice Enhanced Navigation)
SVEN is a voice driven menu system that talks to you through your
headphones. Frankly, he is a little hard to understand at first, but
as you become more familiar with"him" it starts to get easier to
understand him.
SVEN announces individual menu choices and options, record/play
status, time of day and recording time remaining on the card.
The first person who figures out how to hack the 552 to get SVEN to
sound more like a HELEN will get some serious kudos from fellow sound
mixers.  |
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| qdbsound... |
| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:23 pm |
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On Nov 7, 9:56 pm, atlsoundguy <cmdu... at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote:
Quote: I missed one section of the review. Here it is:
SVEN
(Synthetic Voice Enhanced Navigation)
SVEN is a voice driven menu system that talks to you through your
headphones. Frankly, he is a little hard to understand at first, but
as you become more familiar with"him" it starts to get easier to
understand him.
SVEN announces individual menu choices and options, record/play
status, time of day and recording time remaining on the card.
The first person who figures out how to hack the 552 to get SVEN to
sound more like a HELEN will get some serious kudos from fellow sound
mixers.
maybe Bob Dylan could sing the menu . |
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| Jimbo... |
| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 3:20 pm |
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Thanks for the info.
How are you finding the limiters? I ask as I'm a long time SQN user (5
series at present) and whilst I love the configurable-ness of bothe
the 442 and the 552 ins and outs I've never been a fan of how the
limiters played. SQN's have a pretty brick wall limiter but I've
always found it to be extremely transparent (at least to my ear) - not
so with the 442 when I've had a chance to use them, though I might
have just needed to adjust further. |
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| atlsoundguy... |
| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 4:59 pm |
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Hi Jimbo,
While I do set up the mix for unity, which should avoid engaging the
limiters at all, I did some overdrive tests of the 552 to see how it
sounded. To my ears, the 552 limiters sound great.
That being said, I haven't compared them to the SQN, but I would have
no problem saying the SD limiters performed very well, if not even
noticeable in the mix.
-Chris |
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| Brent Lestage... |
| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:11 pm |
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The only design issue I see becoming a nuisance is that the SD card
slot is located on the bottom of the mixer when positioned in bag rig
config. At present, this means you can either have a hole
professionally cut into your bag and sewn up with Velcro, or
disconnect cables to remove the 552 from the bag. PITA.
--
Brent |
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| Derek... |
| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:29 pm |
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On Nov 7, 11:11 pm, Brent Lestage <m... at (no spam) brentlestagesound.com> wrote:
Quote: The only design issue I see becoming a nuisance is that the SD card
slot is located on the bottom of the mixer when positioned in bag rig
config. At present, this means you can either have a hole
professionally cut into your bag and sewn up with Velcro, or
disconnect cables to remove the 552 from the bag. PITA.
--
Brent
Portabrace has the the new mxc-552 mixer combo case listed on their
site.. doesn't elaborate on much though.. but I bet it has a zipper/
velcro flap on the bottom for the SD card. |
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| Charles Tomaras... |
| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:09 pm |
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"atlsoundguy" <cmdurfy at (no spam) gmail.com> wrote in message
news:917e3d84-c4c4-4ed2-9add-c10773d3703e at (no spam) n35g2000yqm.googlegroups.com...
Quote: Hi Jimbo,
While I do set up the mix for unity, which should avoid engaging the
limiters at all, I did some overdrive tests of the 552 to see how it
sounded. To my ears, the 552 limiters sound great.
That being said, I haven't compared them to the SQN, but I would have
no problem saying the SD limiters performed very well, if not even
noticeable in the mix.
-Chris
Agreed...the 552 limiters seem to be great. I record interviews for the most
part and I like to record on the hot side of things. I keep my 552 limiters
set to -4 down from 0 (20) and I kiss them pretty often on my peaks and hit
them hard if someone really laughs hard or chortles etc. No noticeable
issues, my mixes seem to ride themselves. I've been using the 552 a bit
longer than others so far (testing) and I'm really impressed with it's
ability to properly set and manage gain structure.in all areas. |
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| Peter... |
| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 11:43 am |
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On Nov 8, 3:28 pm, Douglas Tourtelot <dtourte... at (no spam) comcast.net> wrote:
This also seems like the perfect thing to allow the use of a CF to SD
adapter in a Deva. SD is smaller and cheaper (and seems more readily
available.) Deva only physically accepts Type I devices, but is wired
for Type II. This adapter allows the use of Type II devices in a Type
I slot.
Peter |
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| johngooch... |
| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 11:54 am |
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| Matt Mayer... |
| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 1:38 pm |
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Brent Lestage wrote:
Quote: The only design issue I see becoming a nuisance is that the SD card
slot is located on the bottom of the mixer when positioned in bag rig
config. At present, this means you can either have a hole
professionally cut into your bag and sewn up with Velcro, or
disconnect cables to remove the 552 from the bag. PITA.
--
Brent
Brent,
I don't think it is as much of an issue as it may seem.
I have mine in an AO1.5 and am able to slide the 552 left and lift the
right side up, with Hirose, Power and XLRs attached and get the card out
with no problem.
As Charlie says, since the card pops out with a push, it is much easier
to remove than the CF in the 7 Series. With a little practice and the
help of the recess on the bottom panel, it's pretty easy to get back in
as well.
---Matt |
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| Charles Tomaras... |
| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 2:20 pm |
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"Charles Tomaras" <tomaras at (no spam) tomaras.com> wrote in message
news:KItJm.7693$de6.7140 at (no spam) newsfe21.iad...
Quote:
"Brent Lestage" <mix at (no spam) brentlestagesound.com> wrote in message
news:c7737197-749a-454b-b213-c5d15c94c0e3 at (no spam) z41g2000yqz.googlegroups.com...
The only design issue I see becoming a nuisance is that the SD card
slot is located on the bottom of the mixer when positioned in bag rig
config. At present, this means you can either have a hole
professionally cut into your bag and sewn up with Velcro, or
disconnect cables to remove the 552 from the bag. PITA.
--
Brent
With the Petrol organizer bags if you keep the 552 on the back of the bag
nearest your body you can unzip the back wall and access is with a little
more ease. It pops out with a push and once you have pretty much memorized
it's position it's fairly easy to reinsert. If I could find an extension
for SD that could plug into the SD slot and remote it to another location
I'd jump on it in a minute. There is one made for CF but not as far as I
can tell for SD.
Well I did find an extension that looks interesting but can't find anyone
selling it in less than lots of 1000.
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/260390030/SD_Cable_SD_transition_card_KCSD.html
Also has a USB port but I have no idea if the 552 would recognize it. |
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| Douglas Tourtelot... |
| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 4:28 pm |
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Guest
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Hi Matt-
Sorry to interject but, yes, it really IS an issue. Yes, there is a (sorta
ugly) work-around but for the guys with a 552 in a bag, the location of the
location was a bad choice.
Like Charlie T says, There is an "extender card" for a Compact Flash card.
http://www.sycard.com/cfext182.html
I use on on my 788T. Maybe SD can come up with their version of the same
thing for an SD card.
D.
On 11/8/09 10:38 AM, in article hd737f$qie$1 at (no spam) news.eternal-september.org,
"Matt Mayer" <Matt at (no spam) invalid.invalid> wrote:
Quote: Brent Lestage wrote:
The only design issue I see becoming a nuisance is that the SD card
slot is located on the bottom of the mixer when positioned in bag rig
config. At present, this means you can either have a hole
professionally cut into your bag and sewn up with Velcro, or
disconnect cables to remove the 552 from the bag. PITA.
--
Brent
Brent,
I don't think it is as much of an issue as it may seem.
I have mine in an AO1.5 and am able to slide the 552 left and lift the
right side up, with Hirose, Power and XLRs attached and get the card out
with no problem.
As Charlie says, since the card pops out with a push, it is much easier
to remove than the CF in the 7 Series. With a little practice and the
help of the recess on the bottom panel, it's pretty easy to get back in
as well.
---Matt |
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| Jason... |
| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 11:55 pm |
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Guest
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Hi everyone,
Can anyone advise if the A/B-return-levels & their dynamic range on
the 552 have been improved compared to the 442? (The low level of the
returns (compared to the main mix) is one of the few things that bugs
the hell out of me with the 442, & that if you turned the output-level
of the recorder up so the return more-closely matches the main-mix
level of the 442, the 442's return distorts (it isn't the output of
the recorder clipping).
Thanks,
Jason |
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| Charles Tomaras... |
| Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 10:30 am |
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Guest
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"Jason" <jasonmcreasey at (no spam) googlemail.com> wrote in message
news:6dad65cc-d30d-4c3c-80b5-9970169f692b at (no spam) j19g2000yqk.googlegroups.com...
Quote: Hi everyone,
Can anyone advise if the A/B-return-levels & their dynamic range on
the 552 have been improved compared to the 442? (The low level of the
returns (compared to the main mix) is one of the few things that bugs
the hell out of me with the 442, & that if you turned the output-level
of the recorder up so the return more-closely matches the main-mix
level of the 442, the 442's return distorts (it isn't the output of
the recorder clipping).
\
I've had no problems with the return levels on the 552. They are easy to set
by holding the return toggle while adjusting the level with the headphone
encoder. You can pretty accurately match output to return for close to unity
operation when monitoring. I keep mine in the return metering mode as well
since it's so accurate. |
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