PORTABLE, DIGITAL RECORDER

Actual size

PCM-D1
Portable Linear PCM Recorder
PCM-D1 PORTABLE LINEAR PCM RECORDER

HIGHLIGHTS:

96 kHz-24 bit, virtually noise-free, recording quality Built-in, X-Y configuration electret condenser microphones for superb stereo sound 4GB internal Flash Memory, free of drive mechanisms Slot for removable Memory Stick PRO (High Speed) storage Built-in USB 2.0 port, compatible with Macintosh and Windows/PC operating systems Four rechargeable nickel metal hydride AA batteries (battery charger included) Rugged titanium body with portable, lightweight design
to protect the microphones from impact damage. This rugged exterior protects the PCM-D1's circuits and microphones and enhances the high sonic quality of the recorder.
Simple Uploading to Computer The PCM-D1 recorder conforms to the USB 2.0 Mass Storage Device standard. Because the recorder's native recording file format is.WAV, recordings can be rapidly uploaded to a computer and used in conjunction with most common audio production software.
AUDIO refined; COOL redefined.
High Quality Signal Processing The PCM-D1 recorder offers comprehensive signal processing features for location recording including a unique limiter function, a 200 Hz high pass filter and SBM (Super Bit Mapping) noise shaping. The digital limiter uses an independent audio buffer that contains audio 20dB lower then the audio processed in the normal recording signal path. With the PCM-D1 limiter enabled, when a loud sound suddenly occurs during recording, the over level part of the sound is automatically set within the range of the maximum input level (from the alternative -20dB buffer) in order to help prevent distortion. While this limiter function won't compensate for clipping of audio that is suddenly in excess of 20 dB, the sonic purity of the recording is fully maintained without the need to apply conventional limiter signal processing techniques. With the High Pass Filter enabled, audio below 200 Hz is filtered out and not recorded. This function can be used to reduce noise caused by external sources such as wind, the flow of air-conditioning equipment, etc. With the SBM function enabled (optionally used for 16-bit recording modes), Super Bit Mapping significantly increases the dynamic range acoustically by reducing noise that is particularly easy to hear within the human audible band. To improve the audio quality when converting 20-bit data into 16-bit, the

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

Built-in Electret Condenser Microphones
The PCM-D1's electret condenser microphones have extraordinarily high sensitivity and low noise characteristics. All microphone casing parts fit together nearly seamlessly and are adjusted with 100-micron level precision. With a frequency response of nearly 30 kHz, the microphones are positioned using an X-Y pattern and then angled toward each other with the left and right diaphragms
The PCM-D1 Portable Linear PCM Recorder takes mobile recording beyond the boundaries of typical field recording, making it the ideal choice for capturing live musical or theatrical performances, for recording sound effects, or for journalists in the field. With built-in, highly sensitive, electret condenser microphones; a circuit design that processes stereo sound with virtually no extraneous noise; and 96 kHz 24-bit recording quality, this recorder is capable of capturing even the most subtle performance nuances. Convenience features such as a 4 GB internal Flash Memory, a slot for
Sample Rate and Quantization 22.05 kHz, 16-bit 44.1 kHz, 16-bit 44.1 kHz, 24-bit 48 kHz, 16-bit 48 kHz, 24-bit 96 kHz, 16-bit 96kHz, 24-bit 256 MB MS Pro (HS) 45 min 20 min 15 min 20 min 10 min 10 min 5 min 512 MB MS Pro (HS) 1 hr 30 min 45 min 30 min 40 min 25 min 20 min 10 min 1 GB MS Pro (HS) 3 hr 5 min 1 hr 30 min 1 hr 1 hr 25 min 55 min 40 min 25 min

Memory Stick

(High Speed) storage media, a USB port,
close together, covering a wide sound range with reduced phase shifts. The
four AA size nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries, and a battery charger make this unit super-equipped for field recording. Free of drive mechanisms, this lightweight, portable, and rugged recorder is audio refined and cool redefined.
result is rich audio with a natural sounding stereo image, good depth, and perspective.

Superb Audio Signal Path

The microphone amplifier provided for each channel is the Analog Devices, Inc. AD797, which boasts ultra-low noise and distortion. A variable gain circuit is adopted for amplitude control, which enhances the actual signal-to-noise ratio. The line amplifier provided for each channel is the Analog Devices AD8672. Analog and digital circuits are mounted on separate circuit boards and also separately powered to help prevent interference between circuit blocks. The analog circuit achieves superb linearity so that the recorded sound is output faithfully.

top bits of information within the lower data (usually discarded when recording in 16-bit mode) are integrated into the 16-bit data track by shifting audible noise up into an inaudible higher frequency range.
2 GB MS Pro (HS) 6 hr 25 min 3 hr 10 min 2 hr 5 min 2 hr 55 min 1 hr 55 min 1 hr 25 min 55 min
4 GB MS Pro (HS) 12 hr 45 min 6 hr 20 min 4 hr 15 min 5 hr 50 min 3 hr 50 min 2 hr 55 min 1 hr 55 min
4GB Int. Flash Mem 13 hr 10 min 6 hr 20 min 4 hr 15 min 6 hr 4 hr 3 hr 2 hr
Outstanding Construction Quality
The circuitry of the PCM-D1 recorder is protected by a body made of 1 mm thick, pure titanium and covered with nitrate titanium, scratchresistant coating resulting in a finished titanium surface approximately ten times as hard as that of alumite treated aluminum. In addition, a distinctive arch-shaped polished stainless steel frame is provided
*Times noted are approximate.

SPECIFICATIONS DETAIL

Built in Microphones Electret condenser microphones mounted in X-Y configuration. High sensitivity (-32.0 dB /Pa 1 kHz); Maximum input level 130 dB SPL; Self noise level 20 dBSPL(A) Built-in flash memory 4 GB, Memory Stick PRO (High Speed) media (Not Supplied), Stereo Recording 22.05 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz and 96 kHz 16-bit linear, 24-bit linear For For For For Fs Fs Fs Fs = = = = 22.05 kHz: Frequency Response = 20 Hz to 10 kHz; 44.1 kHz: Frequency Response = 20 Hz to 20 kHz; 48 kHz: Frequency Response = 20 Hz to 22 kHz; 96 kHz: Frequency Response = 20 to 44 kHz
Recording Media Sampling Rates Quantization Frequency Response (Line Input to Line Output)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Line Input to Line Output) Total Harmonic Distortion (Line Input to Line Output) Wow and Flutter Mic Input (Stereo Mini Jack) Headphone Output (Stereo Mini Jack)
96 dB or greater (1 kHz IHF-A) when set to 24-bit 0.008% or below (1 kHz, 22 kHz LPF) Below measurable limit (less than +/-0.001% W.Peak) Input impedance: 22 k ohm, Rated input level: 2.5 mV; Minimum input level: 0.7 mV Rated output level: 400 mV; Maximum output level: 30 mW + 30 mW or more; Load impedance: 16 ohms
PCM-D1 Portable Linear PCM Recorder
Line Input (Stereo Mini Jack)
Input impedance: 47 K ohms; Rated input level: 2.0V; Minimum input level: 570 mV For Line Output Use = Output impedance: 220 ohms; Rated output level: 1.8V; Load impedance: 22 k ohm. For Optical Digital Output Use = Output level: -21dBm to -15 dBm; Emission wavelength: 630 nm to 690 nm 6V Hi-speed USB, Mass Storage Class; System requirements: Macintosh OS Version 10.2.8 or later; Windows/PC OS Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 and 2004, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition, Windows 2000 Professional (SP3 or later) Memory Stick PRO (High Speed) media; NOTE: Standard Memory Stick media not supported DC IN 6V (AC 120V, 60Hz); Four AA size nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries NH-AA (supplied); or Four AA size alkaline batteries (not supplied) 2.1W 2 7/8" x 7 5/8" x 1 5/16" (w x h x d) not including projecting parts and controls 18.52 oz (including batteries) Battery Type Nickel Metal Hydride Alkaline 96kHz 24-bit 4.0 hrs 2.0 hrs 44.1kHz 16-bit 5.0 hrs 2.0 hrs

Line Out/Optical Digital Output (Combination Stereo Mini and Optical Output Jack)
DC Input Jack USB Connection
Memory Stick Slot Power Requirements
Power Consumption Dimensions Weight Approximate Battery Life
Sony Electronics Inc. 1 Sony Drive Park Ridge, NJ 07656 www.sony.com/proaudio
A-1144 Printed in USA (12/05)
2006 Sony Electronics Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Features and specifications are subject to change without notice. Nonmetric weights and measurements are approximate. Sony and Memory Stick PRO are trademarks of Sony. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Post1206_064 ReviewRAV4FINAL.qxd

11/30/06

12:53 PM

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Sonys PCM-D1
he Sony PCM-D1 finally gives us the best of both worlds: Sonic quality and portability! The PCM-D1 is billed as a por table high-end digital audio field recorder featuring stereo condenser mics, analog and digital metering, adjustable sample rates and 4GB of internal memory holding over two hours of 24-bit/96kHz audio. Aimed at the broadcast market of audio field recording professionals, Sony packed on the features and benefits sparing no expense in the design and materials. Besides creating a solid titanium chassis, theyve also preconfigured the electret condenser microphones in a classic X/Y pattern in order to capture the widest stereo image.The entire capsule section is adjustable as one unit either forward or backward to provide additional versatility when aiming the recorder. Add to this Sonys use of ultra low-noise Analog Devices amplifier chips and youve got yourself one heck of an input stage.
with a maximum of 99.WAV files per folder. The files can be named once you impor t them onto a computer. The unit simply
one of my latest music projects. Using it on location for a piano recording also worked well, however, some of the

V I T A L S T AT S

By MICHAEL SWITTEL
Independent Mix Engineer/Producer www.mikeswittel.com
PRODUCT: Sonys PCM-D1 WEBSITE: www.sony.com/pro PRICE: $2,000 MSRP High-quality stereo condenser mics 24-bit/96kHz audio recording Rugged titanium chassis

mike@mssurrounded.com

This portable digital field recorder offers high sonic sound quality, ease of use and durability.
shows up on your desktop as a removable drive.You cannot, however, name the folders. For the future, it would be nice if the user could hit a shift button allowing the transpor t buttons to be used as an alpha input keypad. [Editors note: Sony engineers felt text entry on the recorder itself would be compromised with limited buttons and it would add to operational complexity.]
T H E D E TA I L S The face of the PCM-D1 looks like something straight out of your favorite sci-fi flick. It spor ts all of your traditional transport controls, peak indicators, record status, recording times, sample rate, file/folder locations and more. Not one important piece of information is missing. If you wish to use your own microphone or record directly into the PCM-D1 you can do so using the additional inputs and outputs located on either side of the unit. Sony also provides all the necessary attachments to get you star ted: USB cable, 6V DC power adaptor, Four AA nickel rechargeable batteries with wall charger, wrist strap and a carrying case. The case actually has a spot for your additional microphone if you wish to use one. Bottom line, a well thought out presentation. The file structure took a little getting used to.The internal memory automatically creates up to 10 folders, each
THE USES My biggest challenge with the PCMD1 was deciding what to use it for first. I started out by capturing outdoor ambient effects: wind, rain, chimes, birds, Foley, you name it. The unit performed quite well. I used the included wind screen and it appeared quite transparent. I then recorded a host of room tones in several locations. Upon listening to the files, I noticed that the sounds were true, accurate and the depth of field was enormous. If need be, I could have placed the raw, unprocessed files instantly into a film bed. Fantastic. The PCM-D1 also came in handy during interviews; simply placing the unit on a table yielded very good results. While tracking a nylon acoustic overdub session I placed the unit approximately two to three feet from the guitar body. Instantly I was able to get a warm, full tone without sacrificing any clarity. The recording captured the instrument true to nature. The untouched file worked brilliantly in

lower mids seemed to be slighty lacking. Changing the recording location of the unit did, however, alter the sound. In this case, experimentation was the key. With time running out I decided to use the recorder to do some re-amping; a process of re-broadcasting already recorded files through a sound system in an attempt to capture the rooms affect on the sounds. Specifically, I tried it out on a set of sequenced drums, looking to capture the warm natural reverb of our 20-foot ceilings.The result was interesting.The recorder captured the sound and the space amazingly well. Again, with a little experimentation regarding the location of the PCM-D1, I was able to create a very usable kit, all with absolutely no set-up time.
FINAL THOUGHTS Ultimately, I found myself wanting to use the PCM-D1 for everything. At an MSRP of $2K, its easy to see that it is aimed at the broadcast professional. Although the price is steep, if you consider yourself a pro who strives for quality and is in the field daily, the PCM-D1 is a must have. What if you are an audio pro that spends much of his time in the studio? Well, consider your workday.The unit has so much to offer and is so useful that any audio professional who needs to do quick, efficient high definition recordings with zero set-up time could benefit by using the PCM-D1. Imagine no cables, stands, or paid assistants! The bottom-line is where else can a product be so easy to use and allow the user such stellar results without the headaches? Ive seen all I need. The toughest part about this review was returning the product.