Sound Devices updates its compact Astral Mini bodypack transmitter with 8+ hours of battery life, full SpectraBand tuning down to 169 MHz, and IP67 water resistance.
Sound Devices has launched the Astral Mini Plus, an updated version of its compact wireless bodypack transmitter aimed primarily at location sound, live music, and theatre productions. The Mini Plus keeps the same ergonomic form factor as the original Astral Mini while adding a handful of meaningful upgrades.
Supporting 32‑bit float, 48 kHz recording with 64 GB storage (approx. 80 hours), the headline addition for the Plus model is battery life. The Mini Plus uses a single or dual XL-B14500 rechargeable cell delivering 8+ hours of runtime, which can be topped up via USB-C when needed.
The transmitter now covers the full SpectraBand tuning range of 169–1525 MHz, reaching much further down than the original Astral Mini's lower limit of 470 MHz. This is going to give it access to more spectrum for international or touring use.
IP67 water resistance is also new, along with a sunlight-readable ePaper display and unspecified usability improvements for faster setup. GainForward technology, which allows gain-staging to be handled entirely at the mixer rather than at the transmitter, carries over from the original.
Size is 85 x 50.8 x 20.3 mm (3.35 x 2.0 x 0.8 in). Weight has not yet been given.
No word on either of these yet (though we would imagine availability is imminent). As a guide the original Astral Mini currently retails for $2495.