Sony PCM-D50 Reviews

[brandondrury]

Sony PCM-D50 @ Musiciansfriend



Sony PCM-D50 @ Zzounds


Sony PCM-D50 Description
The PCM-D50 is a 96 kHz/24-bit recorder fitted with two-position (X-Y or Wide) stereo microphones, 4 GB of internal flash memory, and a Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo slot for additional storage. The body of the D50 is constructed of lightweight aluminum and it is built rugged to withstand the demands of pro applications, plus it offers long battery life using conventional AA alkaline batteries. The recorder includes a USB high-speed port for simple uploading/downloading its native .WAV format files to and from Windows PC or Macintosh computers. Other unique PCM-D50 features include digital pitch control, dual digital limiter (inherited from the PCM-D1), low-cut filter, Super Bit Mapping, A-B repeat, and MP3 playback capability. To complement the D50 recorder, new optional accessories include a remote commander, tripod stand, and microphone windscreen.

Built-in Electret Condenser Microphones The PCM-D50's electret condenser microphones have exceptionally high sound quality and offer a selection of 2 operating positions, X-Y and Wide Stereo. X-Y covers a wide sound range with good depth, perspective and a natural sounding stereo image; or alternatively, a wide stereo position offering a wider spread stereo image.

Superior Audio Signal Path The PCM-D50 is designed with four separate circuit boards to separate analog audio, digital audio, digital recording, and power supply circuits. Separate circuit boards for each function helps minimize noise.

Simple Uploading to Computer The PCM-D50 conforms to the USB 2.0 Mass Storage Class Device standard and this recorder's native recording file format is .WAV. This means recordings can be rapidly uploaded to a computer and used in conjunction with most common audio production software.

Versatile Recording Functions The PCM-D50 offers comprehensive signal processing features for location recording including a unique dual digital limiter function (inherited from the PCM-D1 recorder), a high pass filter with selectable frequencies (150 Hz or 75 Hz) and SBM (Super Bit Mapping) noise shaping. In addition, the PCM-D50 includes a 5 second pre-record buffer with an A-B repeat playback function.

[bilco]

Quality: 10
This machine has an aluminum case, solid switches for most functions needed, a display that even 53 year old eyes can see, good sounding small condensor mics built in, actual knobw to adjust recording level and playback level, no latency when monitoring through phones, no self-noise that I can hear, 4 gig worth of built in memory, up to 24/96 recording and runs on easy to find AA batteries.

Reliability: 10
Hey, it's a Sony. I had a portable stereo field recorder cassette deck from them that lasted years and years. When I sold it, it still worked fine. This unit has an aluminum case and a cage to protect the mics. Solid and substantial feeling.

Overall Rating: 10
I recommend this highly for anyone looking to get a flash recorder that will last and provides high quality recordings. I did a lot of research and listening to audio samples before deciding on this one. It costs more than a lot of its competitors, but to me, the added expense is justified by the quality of the mics, preamps, low self- noise and the aluminum case. The mics are a little edgy in a small condensor kind of way on my voice, but they are way more flattering to my Martin than a pair of SM81s and an RNP were. I am going to try to record a singer/songwriter CD with friends using only this unit and mic placement for tools. We'll see how it goes. Right now, my PT LE rig is gathering dust in the corner.