Sony PCMD1 Portable Audio Recorder

Built-in condenser mics in X-Y configuration. Analog level meters. Uses Pro-HG Duo Memory Sticks only.

Item: SNYPCMD1

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    • $1,849.95
    • Installment Plan:4 payments of $462.48
    • List: $1,995.00
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customer reviews

Rate and Review This Product:

37 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

6 People wrote reviews

* * * * * * * * * * 9 out of 10

"In a class by it's self..."

Feature:
This machine does not have too many bells & whistles. The controls and menus are direct & clear. The unique limiter seems to work well. I wish it had adjustable release times... But the limiter does get the job done in most cases. It comes with a functional foam windscreen. I would suggest you purchase a fur windscreen for recording outside. The unit comes with the usual batteries & charger.

Quality:
This is Sony at it's best. Very nice. It's not quite like Nagra or Sound Devices gear... But the unit is very rugged. The titanium shell is highly scratch & dent resistant. The frame is magnesium. The control knobs are well protected. The only thing I question is the plastic battery compartment door. They built 99% of the machine out of metal except this door. On the other hand... The unit works just fine without the door. So it's not going to stop you from recording if you did break it. Overall this device screams quality inside and out.

Value:
For the money and feature set... I just don't see anything else that can compare. It has better mics than the Nagra unit. It has super clean mic pre-amps like pro gear should have. It is compact and field worthy. It's more expensive than a Zoom H4. But it also performs like a professional recorder.

Desirability:
Very sexy. People always stare at it with LUST. This is truly a thing of beauty. It should win an industrial design award. Many complain about the high price... But take away the price and everyone wants one. (Don't forget you can find these units used too.!)

Sound:
This recorder has the best quality of any field recorder I have used. I suppose the Sound Devices 702 might have a slight edge on the pre-amp quality. But the PCM-D1 with the XLR adapter comes very close. And the 702 is a lot bigger and it does not have high quality built in mics. The sound quality of the built in mics are also very good. They are not going to deliver the low frequency sensitivity of a large diaphragm condenser... But you can't exactly hold a U87 in your hands either. These mics are very practical and have exceptional high frequency response and sensitivity. Overall... The sound is outstanding.

Ease of Use:
Compared to others... The words Intuitive, Direct and Simple come to mind. The gain control knobs are very easy to use. (Unlike the Zoom H4.) Not a lot of extra junk to sort through. It just works.

Support:
I really don't know about Sony support. The unit never needed any service. I wish it did have a firmware upgrade capability to allow new features like an adjustable limiter. I don't expect any upgrades for this unit.

Overall:
I have extensive experience with this type of recording equipment. I have used most of the popular units in real life situations. I don't buy stuff by reading about it. I try it on a job first. I had the opportunity to record with a PCM-D1 on a job prior to my purchase. I was very impressed by the sound quality of the mic-preamps from such a compact unit.

Submitted: 5/30/2008

Style of Music: Alternative, Classical, Jazz.

* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Feature:
I sat on the windscreen but I don't think i have missed it. The lack of mic imput options is a small drag. Also when using reg batteries it doesn't last long.

Quality:
It feels strong but I would not want to drop it

Value:
They got a model for 499.00. Almost the same specs. i would like to read a comparrison review here.

Desirability:
looks alive

Sound:
put righ in front of my Fender Guitar amp and jam. It is so easy to set up and it gets the guitar sounds perfect.

Ease of Use:
turn it on and point it.

Support:
sony sucks here. Everyone knows it. thank god this unit seems bullitproof.

Overall:
...one year so far. I did one live album for a friends band and it is selling.

Submitted: 3/27/2008

Style of Music: rock n roll

Read all reviews...

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About This Product!
Description
From Our Catalog
News
Designed to produce digital stereo recordings that are completely faithful to the original master, the PCM-D1 is capable of re-creating even the most subtle performance nuances. The PCM-D1 can be used for high-quality recording in an array of applications including live sound, house of worship and theatrical performance, as well as by journalists in the field.

"The PCM-D1's level of quality is matched only by its extraordinary 'cool' factor," said Paul Foschino, senior manager for professional audio in Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Production Systems Division. "The body of this portable recorder is fashioned from pure 1mm thick pressed titanium that's several times harder than alumite-treated aluminum. Sound engineers will simply not want to put this unit down."

The new recorder is lightweight, free of all drive mechanisms, equipped with extraordinarily sensitive, built-in condenser microphones, and designed with circuits that process stereo sound with virtually no extraneous noise.

The PCM-D1 features 96K/24-bit recording capability, 4GB internal flash memory, removable Memory Stick Pro high-speed storage and a built-in USB 2.0 port for Macintosh and Windows/PC operating systems.

Features:
Built-in condenser microphones in an X-Y configuration with low self-noise, high sensitivity and nearly 30kHz frequency response

.WAV recording file format capability

Analog level meters with LED peak overload indicators

LCD display with comprehensive recorder status indication and menu selection

4 AA nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries and charger (supplied, battery life at 96kHz of approximately 4.0 hours with rechargeable AA batteries)

Signal processing functions including SBM, limiter and 200Hz high pass filter

Technical Info

Weight: 18.5 ounces (with batteries)
Look beyond the sleek 18.5 oz titanium body, analog VU meters, and X-Y stereo mic configuration, and you'll find a 24-bit, 96kHz stereo recorder that's ready for anything! Memory Stick storage, 4GB flash memory, and USB 2.0 for Mac/PC WAV file transfer.
  • 09/25
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