Sound Devices 833

The Sound Devices 833 is a powerful combination of portable mixing console and audio recorder. Like the popular 633 model, the new 833 is compact and lightweight, and offers easy-to-access controls for seamless use of the device in bags for maximum mobile recording.

The 833 features 6 mic/line preamps, 8 channels, 12 tracks, 6 analog outputs and a highly accurate time code generator. It also offers a number of features taken from the top-of-the-line Sound Devices Scorpio model including new preamp circuitry, 2 SD card slots, two L-Mount battery slots and an internal 256GB SSD. In addition, it also uses the same FPGA architecture for data processing as Scorpio, including flexible signal routing: physical inputs can be assigned to any track.

The 833 has both analog and digital I/O and several power options. There is also a three-band EQ that can be placed before or after the level control, and a treat is the Dugan Automixing/MixAssist technology (up to 8 channels) for automatically muting unused microphones when recording with a large number of mics.

There's also a feature for two-way communication with other crew members, including the ability to create several different mixes of recorded material. Recording can be done on up to three media at once (SSD + 2x SD): the SD cards can be handed over to the editing room after filming, for example, while keeping a backup on the internal 256GB disk.

The 833 can be controlled using the "SD-Remote" app for Android, which offers transport and measurement functions. Remote control can also be implemented using optional physical controllers with USB interface.

Basic functions

• 6 low-noise microphone preamplifiers
• 8 channels, 6 buses, 12 tracks
• 6 analog outputs
• Highly accurate time code generator
• 256GB internal SSD drive, 2 SD card slots
• Keyboard control (etc.), SD-Remote app
• Dugan Automixing/MixAssist technology for up to 8 channels

Update 7.40 (1/2021)
Sound Devices released update 7.20 for its 8 Series recorders and a new version of the SD-Remote app for iOS during December . Firmware 7.20 supports the ability to run up to eight instances of the NoiseAssist noise reduction plug-in on compatible recorders and support for the new version of the SD-Remote app, which is now compatible with all mobile devices running iOS 12+. The SD-Remote app (for Android or iOS) allows easy remote control of gain, channel routing, recording triggering, metadata insertion, etc. The 7.40 update was released in January with a number of other minor improvements (download here). Manufacturer Sound Devices has also launched a new noise/noise suppression plug-in, CEDAR sdnx, a collaboration with the legendary CEDAR Audio Ltd. Like the NoiseAssist effect, this software is available in licenses for simultaneous operation of 2, 4 or 8 instances, and is on sale directly from store.sounddevices.com. Based on CEDAR DNS 2 technology, the plug-in is compatible with sample rates up to 96 kHz and operates with minimal latency. A demo version is also available (plug-in requires FW 7.40+).