Sound Devices unveils Astral Mini Plus & software updates

Sound Devices has introduced the Astral Mini Plus wireless transmitter pack and outlined software updates for its Astral wireless range and 8-Series recorder line.

The new transmitter expands the Astral range with a compact unit aimed at location sound, broadcast and live production. It offers more than eight hours of battery life, a tuning range of 169-1525 MHz, IP67 water resistance and changes intended to speed setup and operation.

The Mini Plus sits within the wider Astral wireless ecosystem, used across film, television and live audio. Sound Devices positioned the announcement around both hardware updates and software integrations designed to connect its devices with third-party management and cloud systems.

Mini plus

Sound Devices presented the Astral Mini Plus as a continuation of its existing transmitter line, keeping the same general form while adding longer battery life and broader frequency coverage. The tuning range spans 169 MHz to 1525 MHz.

Water resistance is another key addition. With an IP67 rating, the unit is designed to resist dust ingress and temporary immersion in water, a specification likely to matter for crews working outdoors or in fast-moving production environments.

The company also highlighted usability changes, though it gave little technical detail beyond saying they are intended to support faster setup and smoother operation. That indicates the update is aimed as much at day-to-day handling as at hardware specifications.

Firmware update

Alongside the transmitter launch, Sound Devices released Astral v8.30 firmware for the broader Astral Wireless line. The update adds more flexible routing options and full AstralComm integration with SoundBase, a platform used for wireless audio frequency coordination and management.

The integration allows engineers to monitor and adjust Astral wireless devices during coordination work from within SoundBase. Listed functions include changing frequencies, renaming transmitters and using live management tools designed to keep operating information visible during production.

For production sound teams, frequency coordination is a routine but critical task, particularly in dense radio environments where interference can disrupt recording or live transmission. By tying AstralComm into SoundBase, Sound Devices is aiming to place its wireless products more directly within established workflows for planning and managing RF use.

Cloud link

Sound Devices also said its 8-Series mixer-recorders, including the 888 and Scorpio, now integrate with the Viviana Cloud system through the Viviana Cloud Box 2. This setup enables automatic upload to Frame.io.

In practical terms, the change is intended to give production teams an immediate route to cloud transfer from field recorders. The feature supports instant upload to a chosen cloud destination and can provide an added backup during critical shoots.

The move reflects a broader push across film, television and remote production toward faster file movement from set to post-production. Upload automation has become more relevant as crews face tighter turnaround times and as editors, producers and sound teams increasingly work from different locations.

Matt Anderson, Chief Executive Officer of Sound Devices, framed the developments in the context of changing production demands. "As production environments continue to evolve, our focus remains on supporting the core workflows of location sound, broadcast, and live production with tools built to perform at the highest level," he said.

He also linked the hardware and software announcements to the company's longer-term product direction. "The launch of Astral Mini Plus, along with continued firmware development and deeper software integrations, reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality solutions that professionals can rely on and that continue to improve over time," Anderson said.

Sound Devices has operated in professional audio for more than 25 years and says its equipment is used in feature films, television, live events, houses of worship and education. It designs, assembles and supports its products from its headquarters in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, and from offices in Madison, Wisconsin, and Rickmansworth, UK.