Sound Devices unveils Astral Mini Plus wireless pack

SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO

News Editor

Sound Devices has introduced the Astral Mini Plus wireless transmitter pack as part of its Astral Wireless range.

Aimed at touring, live theatre and fixed-installation work, the device keeps the compact form factor of earlier Astral transmitters while adding longer battery life, a wider tuning range and water resistance.

Astral Mini Plus offers more than eight hours of battery life and a tuning range of 169-1525 MHz. It also carries an IP67 water-resistance rating, meaning it is designed to withstand dust and temporary immersion.

Alongside the hardware launch, Sound Devices has updated the broader Astral Wireless line with V8.30 firmware. The update adds SoundBase integration to AstralComm and introduces routing changes across the range.

According to Sound Devices, the SoundBase link is intended to give audio engineers a more direct way to monitor and adjust wireless devices during RF coordination. Functions include changing frequencies, renaming transmitters and keeping key operating information visible.

Broader range

The release expands a portfolio that Sound Devices markets to sound professionals working in film, television, live events, houses of worship and education. The company designs, assembles and supports its products from its headquarters in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, and offices in Madison, Wisconsin, and Rickmansworth, UK.

The new transmitter arrives as wireless audio suppliers continue to adapt products to shifting spectrum conditions and varied venue requirements. In that context, tuning flexibility and software control have become more prominent selling points for manufacturers serving touring crews, theatre operators and systems integrators.

Sound Devices said the new model was designed to improve usability and shorten setup times. It said the updated firmware is intended to simplify operation across the Astral range by giving engineers more flexible routing options.

Matt Anderson, Chief Executive Officer at Sound Devices, commented on the launch and the software update.

“Astral Wireless is the most full-featured wireless toolkit on the market, designed to meet the ever-changing needs of a rapidly evolving RF landscape,” said Matt Anderson, Chief Executive Officer at Sound Devices.

“The launch of Astral Mini Plus, along with continued firmware development and deeper software integrations, reflects our commitment to this constant evolution and our desire to provide high-quality solutions that reflect the day-to-day realities of the most demanding RF professionals,” Anderson said.

The launch reflects a wider trend in professional audio towards combining hardware improvements with deeper software integration.

As productions become more complex and spectrum management challenges increase, manufacturers are placing greater emphasis on tools that simplify wireless coordination and device monitoring. The addition of SoundBase integration is expected to appeal to engineers managing large-scale deployments where visibility and control are critical. Extended battery life and expanded tuning capabilities may also help reduce operational interruptions in demanding live and broadcast environments.

With the latest hardware and firmware updates, Sound Devices is continuing to position Astral Wireless as a comprehensive platform for professional RF applications.