The future of wireless
Meet the half-rack receiver with an entire rack's worth of features. The next-generation Astral ARX16 is expandable from 8 channels up to 16 channels with software licenses and features forward-thinking technologies like SpectraBand, the powerful NexLink remote-control link, real time spectrum analysis, and more. With multiple options for audio outputs, powering, and remote control, the Astral ARX16 can seamlessly adapt to your workflow, both now and in the future.
Key Features:
- 8-channel ultra-high-performance, true-diversity receivers in a ½ rack size (8.0” x 6.6” x 1.6”).
- Expandable to 12 or 16 channels via Astral ARX16 4-Channel Expansion License. Licenses are $2500 USD, or $250 USD for a 7-day rental, or $850 USD for a 30-day rental.
- 169 MHz – 1525 MHz tuning range via SpectraBand Technology.
- NexLink: integrated, long distance remote control of all wireless transmitters
- Dante audio-over-IP of RF receiver audio.
- Flexible powering: via PoE+, DC input, 8-Series, or AC mains (with optional adapter).
- Web App control from browser on any computer, smartphone or tablet.
- Full remote operation capability: Power via PoE, audio via Dante, control via Web App.
- Dual DB-25 connectors for 16 channels of mic, line, or AES outputs
- 16 channels of Dante audio-over-IP output to DB25 connectors on the back panel.
- Wide, 6.2” colour OLED array with touch for control and monitoring.
- Integrated Real Time Spectrum Analyzer (RTSA) and scanning for intuitive frequency coordination.
- Optical Fibre Network option via SFP slot. SFP accepts a wide variety of modular network transceivers.
- Astral QuickDock allows docking and undocking in seconds from 8-Series mixer-recorders with no tools.
- Supports GainForward Architecture: No gain setting on the Astral transmitters. Adjust gain at the receiver or mixer.
- 100% digital long-range modulation delivers the longest transmission distance of any system on the market.
- Excellent audio quality, full 10 Hz – 20 kHz audio bandwidth.
- RF SAW filters for excellent rejection of interference from nearby IFB or camera hop transmitters.
- BNC timecode input for auto timecode sync of transmitters over NexLink
SpectraBand
SpectraBand technology delivers a tuning range of 169 – 1525 MHz in a single unit – an industry first. Experience ultimate flexibility as you find open spectrum away from the crowded UHF TV band.
NexLink
Control your Astral transmitters using the built-in long range remote control link. NexLink’s advanced long distance modulation reaches even farther than the A20-Mini’s long-range audio transmission.
Network away
You’ve got options. Configure your Astral ARX16 for Dante audio, use the built-in web server to control the receiver using the web browser on any computer, tablet, or phone, and even power the Astral ARX16 remotely using Power-over-Ethernet (PoE).
Real time spectrum analysis
The days of waiting for a frequency scan to complete are over. Instantly visualize the fluctuating RF spectrum around you in real time – while running all channels of the audio.
GainForward
With the Astral transmitters GainForward Architecture, easily set the gain, low-cut, and limiter directly on your Astral ARX16 or mixer-recorder. This immediate, local control of gain means never having to adjust the gain on the transmitter again.
Go cableless
Thanks to its half-rack size, the Astral ARX16 is equally at home in a rack, in a bag, or docked to an 8-Series mixer recorder for a cableless kit.
Shoot for the stars
The Astral ARX16 joins the growing lineup of Sound Devices Astral™ wireless products. With industry-leading features like SpectraBand, GainForward, NexLink, long range modulation, real time spectrum analysis, and more, the Astral Series pushes the bounds of wireless audio.
RF
- Tuning
- 169 to 1525 MHz (1055 MHz switching bandwidth)
- 25 kHz steps
- SpectraBand Technology for maximum rejection of out-of-band signals
- Available frequencies depend on country of operation
- Modulation
- Proprietary, 100% digital RF modulation
- Standard or Long Range, selectable per channel
- Spurious Rejection
- >100 dB typical
- Cascade output
- 50 ohm
- 3.5 dB Insertion Loss from front BNC through rear BNC: It is recommended to use an external powered antenna to overcome the 3 dB splitting loss in the Nexus so that the receivers maintain excellent range.
- Wideband power split, pre-LNA
- RF Bias output
- 12V, 200 mA each BNC
- Smart antenna support, Wisycom-compatible
Audio
- Latency
- Standard modulation = 2 ms, analog or digital outputs
- Long Range modulation = 3.9 ms, analog or digital outputs
- Audio Frequency Response
- 10 Hz–20 kHz, +/- 1 dB relative to 1 kHz
- Dynamic Range
- > 130 dB with A20-Mini as transmitter
- Output Level
- Line-level: +20 dBu for 0 dBFS
- Mic-level: -20 dBu for 0 dBFS
- Audio Output Sample Rate
- 44.1, 48, or 96 kHz
- Digital Audio Output
- AES3 balanced connection, 110 ohm output impedance
- Audio-Over-IP
- Dante, 44.1 or 48 kHz sample rate
Network
- Dante Audio-Over-IP
- 16 input/output channels
- Control
- Web-based control and monitoring of all Nexus settings
- Connections
- 2x RJ45 ports: For Dante and/or Control. Port 1 supports powering from PoE+
- 1x SFP: For Dante and/or Control. Compatible with Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) network transceivers
Powering
- Sources
- DC Input: dual, redundant (highest voltage takes precedence)
- PoE+: 802.3at, 30W needed (standard 15W PoE 802.3af will not work)
- 8-Series (through unit-to-unit connector when docked)
- AC mains adapter (sold separately)
- Levels
- DC input, 6.5 to 18V in, 3A minimum at 6.5 VDC
- 11 W idle, default configuration
- Extra power passed through for USB power, active antenna power, and DC output power
- USB-A: 5V, 500 mA output; supports keyboards, thumb drives, A20-Mini transmitters, and USB hubs
Environmental
- Operating Temperature Range
- -10 °C to +55 °C
- Dimensions (H x W x D)
- 4.0 cm x 20.3 cm x 16.7 cm
- (1.6 in x 8.0 in 6.6 in)
- Weight
- 1.27 kg (unpackaged)
- 2.8 lbs (unpackaged)
