Sound Devices A20-RX Manuel utilisateur
A20-RX
Two-Channel, True Diversity Receiver
with SpectraBand Technology
User Guide v6.00
Table of Contents
Welcome to the A20-RX 3
SpectraBand 4
Panel Views 5
Basics of Navigating A20-RX 7
Power 8
Main Display 10
A20-Mini GainForward Input Menu 13
Selection Menu 14
Operating the A20-RX 19
Audio Output and Control 23
SuperSlot 23
User Groups 24
Firmware Update 27
Accessories and Adapters 29
Antenna Guide 37
Servicing the A20-RX 38
Warranty 38
Legal Notices 39
A20-RX User Guide 2
Welcome to the A20-RX
Experience ultimate flexibility as you find available spectrum away from the crowded UHF TV band. The A20-RX two channel true
diversity receiver features SpectraBand technology, which delivers a tuning range of 470 – 1525 MHz in a single unit – an industry
first. Superior low-loss, brick-wall SAW filters deliver excellent performance in noisy RF environments, while the AutoAssign feature
makes frequency selection and setting quick and easy.
● SpectraBand Technology: compatible with the A20-Mini from 470 MHz – 1525 MHz and all tuning ranges of the A10-TX.
● Advanced Digital True Diversity topology uses two complete RF receivers for each of the two channels, with four RF
receivers in total.
● State-of-the-art 100% digital long-range modulation delivers the longest transmission distance of any digital system on the
market.
● GainForward Architecture compatible with the A20-Mini. Set the Mini’s gain levels via trim control (with an 8-Series) or at
the A20-RX (for other mixers).
● Full 10 Hz – 20 kHz audio bandwidth; 100% digital RF modulation and transmission.
● SuperSlot compatible with the SL-2 and 8-Series mixer-recorders.
● Excellent immunity from nearby IFB or camera hop transmitters without the need for external filters or extra cabling.
● Maximum connectivity: SuperSlot, XLR, and TA3 backplates, A-RXMON headphone amp, and A-15PIN two-channel AES
Sony camera slot adapter.
● Analog line-level or AES digital audio output.
Our friendly and knowledgeable support team, based in the USA and the UK, is here for all your questions and comments. Our job is
to make your job easier.
We are honored to be part of your kit.
Sincerely,
Sound Devices
A20-RX User Guide 3
SpectraBand
The A20-RX introduces SpectraBand, a technology that enables the A20-RX to tune over a super wide range of 470-1525 MHz.
Tuning within this range varies by country. For instance:
In the USA, the available frequency ranges are:
●The entire UHF TV band (470-608 MHz)
●The 600 MHz guard band (614-616 MHz)
●The 600 MHz duplex gap (653-663 MHz)
●The 900 MHz ISM Band (902-928MHz)
●The 950 MHz STL Band (941.5-960 MHz)
●The 1.5 GHz AFTRCC band (1435-1525 MHz), with an appropriate license.
In the UK, the available frequency ranges are:
●The core UK UHF TV band (470-702 MHz)
●The 800 MHz duplex gap (823-832 MHz)
●The 800 MHz guard band (863-865 MHz)
●The DME bands (961-1015 MHz, 1045-1075 MHz, 1105-1154 MHz), with an appropriate license.
●The IMT band (1518-1525 MHz)
Please see https://www.sounddevices.com/frequency-tables/ for further detailed information on which frequency ranges are
available for each country.
A20-RX User Guide 4
Panel Views
Top Panel
1 & 10: Antenna Connector A & B
SMA connectors, connects to included 1/4-wave whip antenna.
2 & 9: Channel 1 & 2 Power LED
● Illuminates blue when the channel’s receiver circuitry is powered and operational.
● Blue LED flashes when the paired transmitter’s battery is critically low or depleted.
3 & 8: Channel 1 & 2 Green/Red RF Status LEDs
● Indicates signal strength of received RF
● Channel’s green LED illuminates solid green with good RF reception. It starts to flicker green as the received RF signal
quality deteriorates.
● Channel’s red LED illuminates solid red when the receiver channel loses lock to the transmitter signal due to weak signal
or transmitter being turned off.
● Channel’s green and red LEDs are off at the fringe of reception.
● Solid green LED and flashing red LED on both channels 1 & 2 when RF signal is approaching overload on either channel.
● Channel’s red LED flashes when RF overload is occurring.
4: Left Button
Moves the menu selection to the left, or decrements values.
5: Center Button
Enters the menu selection. Also used to select options in the menu.
6: Right Button
Moves the menu selection to the right, or increments values.
7: Display
The screen can be set to turn off after a period of inactivity from the Selection menu (Main
>Settings>Display>Screensaver).
A20-RX User Guide 5
Bottom Panel
1: Screw Holes
Used to secure various backplate accessories to the A20-RX.
2: Multi-Pin Accessory Connector
Allows connection to various accessories and adapters. A20-RX either includes the A-SL, A-XLR, or A-TA3 (coming soon),
depending on the model purchased. See Accessories and Adapters for details.
A20-RX User Guide 6
Basics of Navigating A20-RX
Navigating the A20-RX is simple and quick using the display and buttons on the top panel.
This section is aimed to provide you with the basics of navigating the A20-RX interface. Various screens and menus are described in
detail throughout this User Guide.
The A20-RX displays the Dual Channel screen when powered on. Channel 1 status is displayed on the left and Channel 2 on the
right. Press the Left button to navigate through Channel 1 related screens. Press the Right button to navigate Channel 2 related
screens.
The directional buttons toggle through the Dual Channel screen, Single Channel screen, GainForward Input menu (under certain
conditions), and the Transmitter Information screens. Press the opposite direction to return to the previously displayed screen.
Press the Center button to access the Selection Menu for the channel displayed. The Channel 1 Selection Menu is always accessed
from the Dual Channel screen.
The Selection Menu contains channel specific settings and global A20-RX settings. The Selection Menu displays the channel
number in the top left hand corner.
In the Selection Menu use the Left and Right button to move through the menus and options. Press the Center button to make a
selection. Select the back arrow to return to the previous screen.
A20-RX User Guide 7
Power
The A20-RX is powered when DC power is present. There are no additional power switches.
A-SL
With the A-SL attached, the A20-RX receives power via the D-sub. Power is provided by the host device, such as the 8-Series and
SL-2, the A10-RACK, or other third-party device.
A-TA3 (coming soon)
With the A-TA3 attached, the A20-RX receives power from the 4-pin Hirose female connector or TA-4 connector.
A-XLR
With the A-XLR attached, the A20-RX receives power from the 4-pin Hirose female connector. The 4-pin male Hirose connector is a
power loop through.
A-RXMON
With the A-RXMON attached, the A20-RX receives power from its attached Sony L-Mount style battery.
A-15PIN
With the A-15PIN attached, the A20-RX receives power via the 15-pin connector from the Sony camera.
Channel Power
Each of the two channels of the A20-RX can be powered on or off individually. When a channel is powered down that portion of the
A20-RX no longer draws power. When using A20-RX for a single wireless channel, best practice is to power down the unused
channel.
Channel Power LEDs
The A20-RX has blue Channel Power LEDs for each of its two channels. When first powering the A20-RX without transmitters
present, the LEDs illuminate indicating the receiver channel is powered.
The receiver channel can connect, or pair, to an A10-TX or A20-Mini transmitter that is powered on and set to the receiver
frequency. The Channel Power LED then shows the battery status of its associated transmitter.
● Solid blue indicates the transmitter battery is in good condition.
● Flashing blue indicates the transmitter battery level is low or depleted.
When a paired transmitter is powered down, the blue LED continues to show the last condition of the transmitter battery. If the
transmitter is powered back on, or a new transmitter is activated on the channel, that transmitter pairs with the receiver and its
transmitter battery condition is shown with the blue LED.
Note: The LEDs change assignment based on the orientation of the display. Channel 1 is always shown left of the display and
channel 2 is always on the right.
A20-RX User Guide 8
To power a channel on or off:
1. Press the Center button to enter the Selection Menu.
2. Navigate to Menu>System>Power.
3. Select the channels you want powered on.
a. 1 - Channel 1 is powered on, Channel 2 is off.
b. 1+2 - Both channels are powered on.
c. 2 - Channel 1 is off, Channel 2 is off.
d. Off - Both channels are powered off. The A20-RX enters Standby mode.
4. 4. Channels that are turned off appear as ‘Ch Off’ in the single and dual channel screens.
Using shortcuts to power channels on or off:
● To quickly power channel 1 on and off, press and hold the Left and Center button for two seconds.
● To quickly power channel 2 on and off, press and hold the Right and Center button for two seconds.
Standby Mode
The A20-RX enters Standby mode when the receiver is powered and both channels are powered off.
Pressing any button displays the following.
Power on any channel to exit Standby mode using the power channel shortcut described above.
To power on both channels from Standby mode:
1. Press and hold the Center button for two seconds.
2. Release the Center button when the Channel Power LEDs turn blue.
A20-RX User Guide 9
Main Display
When the receiver is first powered on, the main display shows the Dual Channel view.
Dual Channel View
The display shows channel 1 and channel 2 simultaneously. Parameters displayed include the RF signal strength at each antenna,
Q-meter, receiver frequency, audio level, and transmitter battery level.
1: Channel 1 Status
Displays Channel 1 RSSI, Q-meter, audio level, frequency, and transmitter information.
2: Channel 2 Status
Displays Channel 2 RSSI, Q-meter, audio level, frequency, and transmitter information.
3: TX Battery Status
Battery icons indicate status of transmitters’ batteries.
4: Audio Level
Each channel shows a horizontal meter for audio levels. For larger audio meter display, set Menu>Settings>Display>Q-meter to
small.
5: Transmitter Limiter/Overload/Mute
Displays the Limiter, Overload, or Mute status of the tuned transmitter. L = Limiter, ! = Overload, M = Mute.
6: Transmitter Record Status
The Record indicator is displayed when the tuned transmitter is recording.
7: Frequency
Displays the receiver channel frequency.
Region (X, Y, Z), TV Channel, and sub channel are displayed when the Display Options menu is set to TV Ch.
8: Q-meter
The Q-meter displays the difference between the signal from the transmitter and any interference using five circles. When a
frequency without little to no interference is selected, the Q-meter will display five bars.
9: RSSI Meter
Receive Strength Signal Indicators (RSSI) are displayed on the screen. The bars indicate RF signal strength at each antenna for the
selected frequency.
A20-RX User Guide 10
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