Sound Devices Astral Wireless v8.40

Sound Devices has released the Astral Wireless v8.40 firmware update. The latest firmware adds faster startup times, expanded Quick Setup memory, enhanced monitoring, and new control options across the Astral ecosystem.

What’s Included in v8.40:

• Support for Astral Mini Plus transmitter
• Quick Setup memory expanded from 4 to 8 slots
• AstralComm Macro-based control of handheld transmitter display color
• Local AstralComm macro triggering and test notifications
• Centralized firmware update workflow for Astral Outpost
• Extended RX output gain range from –20 to 40 dB
• Full reset behavior for Factory Defaults
• Tone generator disabled after power cycle
• Transmitter battery level shown as percentage on Astral ARX receivers
• Reduced Astral ARX8/16/32 boot time

Day-to-day operation is faster and more efficient. Reduced Astral ARX receiver boot times mean your system is ready sooner, while firmware updates for Astral Outpost are now accessed through a single, centralized menu for a more intuitive process. Quick Setup memory has also been expanded from four to eight slots, allowing you to store and instantly recall more configurations across different setups. 

System control and automation have been refined. You can now assign handheld transmitter display colors using AstralComm and DiGiCo macros, enabling consistent visual organization without manual adjustment. Local ARX receiver and webGUI AstralComm macro triggering and notifications make it easier to test automation paths directly on-device, while Mirror Mode improvements allow key functions like ID and Nexlink antenna selection to be accessed from secondary receivers, increasing flexibility and redundancy.

Audio performance and integration also benefit from an extended global RX output gain range of -20 to 40 dB, offering more precise level matching across a wider range of equipment.

Reliability updates help protect against interruptions and ensure predictable system behavior. Optional power-off confirmation reduces the risk of accidental shutdowns in critical moments, and a revised Factory Defaults process now performs a complete reset, including unpairing transmitters and clearing memory slots. The tone generator is also automatically disabled after a power cycle, preventing unintended output during startup.

Monitoring is clearer and more actionable. Astral ARX receivers now display Astral TX transmitter battery levels as a percentage, giving you more precise visibility so you can plan and react with confidence.