Sound Devices unveils Scorpio portable high-end mixer/recorder
Sound Devices has announced an ambitious creation meant for production sound. Scorpio, as it’s called, stands for a portable 32-channel, 36-track mixer-recorder that’s equipped with 16 mic/line preamps and additional inputs, outputs, and functionality.
More specifically, its future owners get:
- 16 mic/line preamps with integrated analog limiters, high-pass filters, delay, 3-band EQ and 48V
- 32 Dante ins and outs
- AES input & output
- 12 analog outputs
- Additional headphone outputs
- 12 mix buses along with a fully customizable routing matrix
The desk’s digital aspect is facilitated by a 64-bit engine comprising 3 FPGA circuits and 6 ARM processors alongside an internal 256GB SSD for recording. Recording can be also done on two SD cards, simultaneously, for backup and other purposes. A companion app called SD-Remote (for Android devices) enables remote control from your smart device.
A dual L-Mount battery charger is integrated as well, with the console supporting L-Mount, smart batteries, NP-1 batteries, and in-line power. Its timecode generator is equipped with a dedicated battery, giving it the ability to retain timecode for up to 4 hours after power-off.
Price and release date
Sound Devices claims that particular attention to detail has been paid to the console’s ergonomics and ease of use. Common menus are said to be on tap via one or two button presses, while most shortcuts can be accessed with one hand.
Seemingly a modern and convenient desk for recording and production, the Scorpio will see its premiere at this year’s NAB convention in Las Vegas. It’s up for pre-order now, with a price tag of USD 8995 and shipping scheduled for the end of May. Yes, all this processing and recording power doesn’t come cheap. But Scorpio is obviously a flagship product, commanding an appropriate price. Perhaps Sound Devices will go on to downsize it, cutting away some of the FPGA/ARM power and inputs/outputs to suit more modest productions and budgets.
Additional information about Scorpio can be found at Sound Devices’ website.
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