What is Sound Devices Doing Today?

[graham]

I find myself being sensitive around criticism for established manufacturers in our market that continue to expand and support their products. Therefore I ask you to please read the following with a grain of salt.

Unlike many other branches in electronics and sound, production sound specific brands for film and video have very few customers and among those, there are varying needs. Every year there is a new iPhone or droid device. I don't expect that from niche manufacturers. I expect forethought to possible expansion, reliability and durability. Honestly, I expect my investment to hold its value and seviceability for some time.

I've read quite a few posts about X-brand X-model killers. When will X-company come out with a new product that will destroy the competition The first thought that comes to mind is "grow up". These companies do not have the R&D budget of Apple or IBM. They do the best that they can at a given time and thankfully stand behind and support their products. I bought a 442 mixer 7 years ago. It retains close to 2/3 of its value as does my Lectrosonics. My 7 year old car that cost 5 times more is valued for less. They pay attention to our needs and look ahead.

I've said this in another thread: if one of these companies annually put out products that drastically devalued previous generations, I would not invest my money in that companies products.

I am for innovation. Manufacturers in our market plan to support and upgrade existing products with firmware/ software and occasionally hardware. I salute them for this. With regards to Sound Devices, I know I can rely on them. It's a company called SOUND Devices. Good for them for exploring other options. As a sound mixer, boom operator and utility, the more understanding I have of other departments, the better I am at my job. If anything, I hope they profit enough to invest more into R&D for their sound products.

[Marc Wielage]

Yep, what Graham said.

I think at least with their recent products, particularly the 744, 552, and the 788, their gear really holds its value, plus it's built to last. I think the whole "Sound Devices vs. Nomad" thing is really a "Mercedes vs. BMW" comparison, where both companies are fierce competitors but also put out great products at several different price ranges.

Pro sound is also a very small niche market, and there's good reasons for manufacturers to expand into new areas -- as Zaxcom has with wireless, and as Sound Devices has with video. I'm amazed and impressed that SD has done so well with the Pix, because that's a crowded market. (And I hear a lot of grumbling from Red Camera people because Red has no self-contained box that will make QuickTime or DNxHD files on the fly the way the Pix can.)

I was just at Coffey Sound a few days ago and saw several Nomads ready to be picked up, and was at LSC last Friday and saw a small stack of brand-new 788's going out the door. I think both are still selling well, each has pros and cons, both top-quality products put out by companies that push the envelope.

[Martin Kittappa]

Hey.. I would like SD gear to turn into a six-pack and a pizza after midnight.

Unfortunately mine just turns into a Subway Tuna

[soundslikejustin]

I think SD should study up on lens mounts and image sensors, then glue one of each on the front of a PIX.

Jim "might take a little more engineering than that" Feeley

This. Funniest thing I've read today.

[myke2241]

<p>

<br />

Yep, what Graham said.  <img src="http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb212/DJoe_01/thumbs-up.gif" /><br />

<br />

<span style="color:#0000ff;">I think at least with their recent products, particularly the 744, 552, and the 788, their gear really holds its value, plus it&#39;s built to last. I think the whole &quot;Sound Devices vs. Nomad&quot; thing is really a &quot;Mercedes vs. BMW&quot; comparison, where both companies are fierce competitors but also put out great products at several different price ranges.</span><br />

<br />

Pro sound is also a very small niche market, and there&#39;s good reasons for manufacturers to expand into new areas -- as Zaxcom has with wireless, and as Sound Devices has with video. I&#39;m amazed and impressed that SD has done so well with the Pix, because that&#39;s a crowded market. (And I hear a lot of grumbling from Red Camera people because Red has no self-contained box that will make QuickTime or DNxHD files on the fly the way the Pix can.)<br />

<br />

I was just at Coffey Sound a few days ago and saw several Nomads ready to be picked up, and was at LSC last Friday and saw a small stack of brand-new 788&#39;s going out the door. I think both are still selling well, each has pros and cons, both top-quality products put out by companies that push the envelope.<br />

</p>

<p> </p>

<p> </p>

<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">702 - 744 are dated but still relevant and great recorders. if anyone actually read my first post they would see what i mean. Yes pro audio is a very small market but that doesnt mean that a manufacture cant consolidate product lines and streamline available choices. SD has done this 442 and introduced a more suitable mixer for the times. basically look at the 744 and compare it the 788 feature set. now look at the difference in cost which is $1900.</p>

<div> </div>

[myke2241]

I find myself being sensitive around criticism for established manufacturers in our market that continue to expand and support their products. Therefore I ask you to please read the following with a grain of salt.

Unlike many other branches in electronics and sound, production sound specific brands for film and video have very few customers and among those, there are varying needs. Every year there is a new iPhone or droid device. I don't expect that from niche manufacturers. I expect forethought to possible expansion, reliability and durability. Honestly, I expect my investment to hold its value and seviceability for some time.

I've read quite a few posts about X-brand X-model killers. When will X-company come out with a new product that will destroy the competition The first thought that comes to mind is "grow up". These companies do not have the R&D budget of Apple or IBM. They do the best that they can at a given time and thankfully stand behind and support their products. I bought a 442 mixer 7 years ago. It retains close to 2/3 of its value as does my Lectrosonics. My 7 year old car that cost 5 times more is valued for less. They pay attention to our needs and look ahead.

I've said this in another thread: if one of these companies annually put out products that drastically devalued previous generations, I would not invest my money in that companies products.

I am for innovation. Manufacturers in our market plan to support and upgrade existing products with firmware/ software and occasionally hardware. I salute them for this. With regards to Sound Devices, I know I can rely on them. It's a company called SOUND Devices. Good for them for exploring other options. As a sound mixer, boom operator and utility, the more understanding I have of other departments, the better I am at my job. If anything, I hope they profit enough to invest more into R&D for their sound products.

Yep, what Graham said.

I think at least with their recent products, particularly the 744, 552, and the 788, their gear really holds its value, plus it's built to last. I think the whole "Sound Devices vs. Nomad" thing is really a "Mercedes vs. BMW" comparison, where both companies are fierce competitors but also put out great products at several different price ranges.

Pro sound is also a very small niche market, and there's good reasons for manufacturers to expand into new areas -- as Zaxcom has with wireless, and as Sound Devices has with video. I'm amazed and impressed that SD has done so well with the Pix, because that's a crowded market. (And I hear a lot of grumbling from Red Camera people because Red has no self-contained box that will make QuickTime or DNxHD files on the fly the way the Pix can.)

I was just at Coffey Sound a few days ago and saw several Nomads ready to be picked up, and was at LSC last Friday and saw a small stack of brand-new 788's going out the door. I think both are still selling well, each has pros and cons, both top-quality products put out by companies that push the envelope.

702 - 744 are dated but still relevant and great recorders. if anyone actually read my first post they would see what i mean. Yes pro audio is a very small market but that doesnt mean that a manufacture cant consolidate product lines and streamline available choices. SD has done this 442. basically look at the 744 and compare it the 788 feature set. now look at the difference in cost which is $1900.

[John Blankenship]

+1 +1

What Graham said and what Marc said.

[Matt Geldof]

I'm not saying I don't want to see some new SD hardware, but I really appreciate the firmware updates. We have enough yearly purchases to make as is. Nice to know that companies like Sound Devices stand behind dependable products, with a commitment to keep them relevant for years. I don't know how some of my DP friends have kept up with the changing equipment trends and requests for the "newest and best" camera format. The other day I heard a camera guy joke that he was going to sell his camera, purchase a 788 and become a sound guy.