How big is the Scorpio?
The Scorpio is roughly the size of the 688.
What production bags fit the Scorpio?
It fits nicely in the CS-688 bag, Orca OR-34 Audio Bag or K-Tek Stingray Large Audio Bag.
What are my options for powering Scorpio?
Scorpio can be powered from several sources, including two DC inputs (TA4 connectors) or two L-Mount batteries. The power sources operate in series, allowing for long run times.
Can the Scorpio charge the L-Mount batteries?
Yes. There are two built-in chargers, one for each battery. These can be defeated through the menu.
Why did you choose to use the TA4 for power instead of the 4-pin Hirose on other SD products?
The Scorpio has a ton of functionality, include 16 full-featured (and full-powered) mic preamps. These, along with full 48 V per channel as well as two battery chargers means the Scorpio can draw a significant amount of peak current (the battery chargers can draw over 3 A alone). The 4-pin Hirose connectors are rated for 2 A per pin, which is not enough. Thus we went to the TA4 connector, which is good for 5 A per pin. Additionally, the TA4 delineates the connector on the Scorpio as a Smart Battery connector.
Is the Scorpio difficult to operate?
No – a primary design concept was ease-of-use. For users familiar with Sound Devices’ 633, 664, or 688, the Scorpio will feel very similar. The menus and physical controls are very much alike. However, due to the much greater capability, there will be some learning curve. Plan on taking a couple of hours to familiarize yourself with the Scorpio before using it in mission critical applications.
How is routing different from the 688 or 788T?
Unlike the 688 and 788T, the Scorpio has a full I/O matrix and multiple mix buses. Each physical input can be routed to any combination of buses, tracks, and outputs. Also, there is just more of everything: 16 analog inputs, 32 channels, 36 record tracks.
Can I send channels at different levels to multiple buses?
Yes. All channels feed the Left and Right mix bus post fader. The 10 additional buses can be fed from any channel, pre-fade or post-fade, or with a unique bus send level.
32 channels?
Yes. Channels 1-16 can be fed from analog mic or line, SL-6, AES3 or AES42 (XLR inputs 1 and 6), Dante, or Rtn-A, -B, or -C. Channels 1-16 are fully featured with trim, delay, polarity, high-pass filters, 3-band EQ, stereo or MS linking, pre- and post-fade limiting. Channels 17-32 can be used to connect Dante and Return audio, and they have faders and post-fade limiting.
I see front panel controls for 12 channels. How do I control channels 13-32?
Each of the 32 channels has an associated Channel screen from which you can setup any channel parameter. Trims, faders and bus sends for Channels 13-32 are controlled through their channel screens which may be accessed via the Menu or by using the star toggle switches + PFL toggle. For physical fader and trim control of channels 13-32, use the iCON Platform M+ USB Control surface.
16 microphone preamplifiers? Do they all support 48 V phantom power?
Yes, and phantom provides a full 10 mA per channel.
Can I adjust the levels of incoming Dante audio?
Yes. When routed to channels 1-16, Dante audio levels can be controlled with trim (pre-fade gain) and faders. If routed to channels 17-32, Dante audio can be adjusted using faders.
Can I link multiple Scorpio Mixer/Recorders together?
Yes, two Scorpios can be linked via audio through Dante, ideal for an ultra-portable 32 microphone preamp recording rig. 16 preamps from one Scorpio can be routed over Dante to the second Scorpio with its 16 preamps. All 32 iso tracks, plus 4 buses, can be recorded on the second Scorpio to three storage media simultaneously. All recorded tracks then appear on one unit and one set of media.
Does Scorpio support the SL-6?
Yes. Using the SL-Riser, the SL-6 can be fixed to the top panel of Scorpio and connect its six available wireless receiver outputs into channels 1-16. Scorpio supports SuperSlot. At first release, the Scorpio supports the Audio Limited A10-RX. A follow up release will add support for the following third-party SuperSlot ready receivers:
Lectrosonics SRb, SRc, SRc-941
Sennheiser EK-6042
Wisycom MCR-42
Why do I need the SL-Riser?
Mechanically, the SL-Riser positions the receivers further back so that the receivers don’t overhang Scorpio’s front panel.
Can I run an RF scan of a SuperSlot receiver from Scorpio?
RF Scan will be available in an upcoming firmware release.
Can I use my CL-1, CL-2, CL-6, CL-8, CL-9, or CL-12 with Scorpio?
Scorpio is built with an entirely new architecture which does not support these products.
Can I control Scorpio from a USB Control Surface with linear faders?
Yes. Sound Devices supports open protocols wherever possible. Scorpio supports the ubiquitous MCU (Mackie Control Universal) protocol which many USB-connected control surfaces use. At launch, the iCON Platform M+ (along with D2 Display) is supported.
Why the iCON Platform M+?
The iCON Platform M+ impressed us with its small footprint, DC powering, and bank switching allowing control of all 32 channels. From the iCON Platform, it is easy to adjust trim and fader levels of all channels and other functions, including channel soloing, mutes, record arming, bus levels, transport control, and more. This controller is being used on A-List tours and is a great value.
Will the control be open protocol, so customers can program their own controllers for use with Scorpio?
We conform to the MCU protocol, however Sound Devices cannot guarantee proper operation with anything other than the iCON Platform M+ due to the idiosyncrasies present in many controllers. While you are free to make your own controller, we cannot offer any technical support.
How do you get 36 tracks from 32 channels?
All 32 channels have isolated tracks, plus four mix buses (L, R, B1, B2) results in up to 36 available recorded tracks.
How many tracks can I record at the various sampling rates?
36 tracks at sample rates 96 kHz and below, and up to 18 tracks at 192 kHz.
Can I arm or disarm tracks during recording?
Yes. When a track is armed or disarmed during recording, a new file is created, including the added track, or excluding the disarmed track respectively. The two files will be sample-continuous. This feature is great for reality show productions or any production where recording never stops.
It appears that most recorders have a maximum file size of 4 GB? What if I want to record long events without the files splitting at 4 GB?
Scorpio supports the exFAT file system and RF64 WAV (64-bit) files. This allows file sizes up to 16 EB (ExaBytes – 260). In other words, you can fill up the entire 256 GB internal SSD with a single file with no splits.
Is there internal storage?
Yes. The Scorpio has an internal 256 GB SSD.
Can this SSD be replaced by a user?
Any user modifications, including drive replacement, nullify the warranty. We highly recommend having Sound Devices Service replace the drive. Replacement drives will be available as a service part in the future.
What can I use as a file deliverable to production?
In addition to the internal SSD, the Scorpio can record to two SD cards which may be easily delivered to post.
What is the recommended SD cards to use with the Scorpio?
At this time, the Sound Devices SAM-32SD card is approved.
Can I record to an external drive?
The Scorpio records to the internal SSD, SD 1, and SD 2 simultaneously.
Can I use my XL-DVDRAM?
No. 2006 called, they want this question back.
How about Mini DVD-RAM, Orb, or Jaz drive?
C’mon.
I noticed when I format the SSD and SD cards I’m not seeing the full capacity advertised.
We over-provision (reserve free space on) the media for optimum performance.
Is there a mobile device remote application?
Yes. The SD-Remote companion Android application is available. Scorpio connects via USB to Android tablets providing robust data interconnect and device charging with a single cable. The app offers large display of metering and timecode, scene, take and note editing, track arming, soloing, muting, transport control, and more.
Does the app connect over Bluetooth?
SD-Remote will eventually be supported over Bluetooth connection.
Will SD-Remote be available for iOS?
Yes, an iOS version of SD-Remote will be available in the future.
Can I use Sound Devices Wingman?
Wingman is for 6-Series and MixPre only.
Will Scorpio support MixAssist and Dugan Automatic Mixing?
Scorpio is powerful and flexible enough to accommodate both MixAssist and Dugan Automatic Mixing. These features will be available in a future release.
I work outdoors, how does the LCD perform in sunlight?
We carefully selected the LCD based on size and performance both indoors and out. The transflective LCD is clearly visible in direct sunlight.
What does the antenna connection do?
In the near-future the antenna will be used to connect the Scorpio via Bluetooth to SD-Remote, the companion application for Android and iOS.
When can I get one?
Scorpio is being tested as you read this and it will not ship until it is 100% production-ready. We expect to unleash Scorpio in the second quarter of 2019.
Can I use a USB Keyboard, SD-Remote, and a Control Surface at the same time?
The Scorpio supports USB hubs on the USB-A connector. This means that you can connect Scorpio to a USB hub and connect any of the supported USB devices to the hub and use them simultaneously. This allows you to run SD-Remote, a USB Keyboard, the iCON Platform M+, USB lights, etc… We have not tested USB Hamster wheels, USB exercising dogs, USB warming gloves, or any other such devices.
