Instruction Manual

552 User Guide and Technical Information

v. 1.4 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.

nector. The Hirose 10-Pin also includes an unbalanced stereo return (RTN A) input for headphone

monitoring. The Sound Devices XL-10 Breakout Cable is an available accessory that provides easy

access to the balanced outputs and stereo RTN A connection of the 10-pin Hirose connector. See RTN

and Connector Pin Assignments for details about the Hirose Multi-Pin connector.

Direct Outputs

Each input channel has its own balanced TA3 Direct Output connection. These outputs are used to

send the isolated channel’s audio to another destination. The Direct Output signal is menu-selectable

as either pre- or post-fader. When activated, the Slate Microphone and Tone Oscillator signals are

also sent to the Direct Outputs. The nominal output level is selectable in the Setup Menu as Mic, -10,

or Line level. See Setup Menu.

Tape Outputs

Tape Outputs are typically used to interface with consumer devices such as MiniDisc and compact

transcription recorders. The 552 includes two unbalanced tape level outputs, a TA3 connector and

a 3.5 mm jack. These two connectors are resistively in parallel and are isolated from the balanced

outputs.

Tape Outputs, by default, send the Left and Right stereo program. Using the RTN Loopback func-

tion, the Tape outputs can be used to send the incoming RTN A or RTN B signals directly to receiving

devices. See RTN Loopback for more details.

Mono Mic Output

The Mono Mic Output is a summed mix of the left and right output channels. The 3.5 mm female

connector outputs a mono, mic-level signal intended for connection with portable transcription

recorders and wireless IFB transmitters.

Using the RTN Loopback function, the Mono Mic output can be used to send the incoming RTN A or

RTN B signals directly to receiving devices. See RTN Loopback for more details.

AES Digital Outputs

Each of the XLR or 10-pin Hirose outputs can be conﬁgured in the Setup Menu to output AES3

digital signals. The front panel AES Out LED is lit when one or both of the XLR or the 10-Pin outputs

are selected as digital outputs. The Left XLR or 10-pin output contains the two-channel AES A pair,

the Right XLR or 10-pin output contains the two-channel AES B pair. The selected output connector’s

Level Switch should be set to Line when using it as a Digital Output. In the Setup Menu, the fol-

lowing routings can be sent to each one of the AES pairs. Program before the comma appears on the

left-side of the AES Output and program after the comma appears on the right.

• Left Program, Right Program

• Channel 1, Channel 2 Pre-Fade

• Channel 1, Channel 2 Post-Fade

• Channel 3, Channel 4 Pre-Fade

• Channel 3, Channel 4 Post-Fade

• Channel 5 Pre-Fade, Left Program

• Channel 1 Pre-Fade, Left Program

• Ch 1 Pre-Fade, Left Right Program

(AES A Only)

• Ch 5 Pre-Fade, Left Right Program

(AES B Only)