Topic: Sony's new $600 recorder PCM-D50 PT II

[notsofast]

I broke mine out for a band called the Mermen, did the sound check with just the built ins, ran the mics in different positions, just had it on the table. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality. Maybe over the weekend I can post the samples.

I was hoping to do a matrix of the show but the board to D-50 was all messed up and distorted, not sure what happened. I chalk up to the first running and not taking the time to learn the box better but overall I am very happy.

I will be adding a V3 shortly and will need the  V3 (SPDIF?) to D50 cable, what are folks running for that and where might I get one?

Tim

[Colin Liston]

Love the Mermen.  Would love to hear it.

[notsofast]

Will post on LMA this weekend. Also I know that the show will be showing up with MG m300 source as well. They played a full 3 hour show and well you give it a listen and let me know what you think. I am still working to get the SBD from the FOB engineer for the matrix.

Tim

[612]

Had mine sent to the work address and received it today. Oww, it's pretty. 

[audBall]

I will be adding a V3 shortly and will need the  V3 (SPDIF?) to D50 cable, what are folks running for that and where might I get one?

Assuming you're running a V3 with the opti-mod, you'll need a TOSLINK > Mini ("1/8 in" or "3.55mm") opti cable.  If your V3 does not have the optical modification, you will need to run coax (SPDIF) out into a coax>opti digital converter and then TOSLINK > Mini. 

[612]

UA-5 > PCM-D50 question:

I took it out tonight. Set the UA-5 to output 48kHz. Set the D50 to record 24/48 but when I went to record the signal was bumped down to 16/48. Ended up taping everything @ 16/44.1 for simplicity's sake, telling myself I surely missed something in the manual.

As soon as I got home I set my rig back up and busted out the manual. Pages 29-30 discuss turning the "SYNC REC" option ON. I figured this may have been what I missed so I tried but still got bumped from 24/48 to 16/48 as soon as I hit the Record button. Up until I hit Record I see 24/48 in the corner and figure I'm good. What am I doing wrong?

I'm re-reading both threads (for at least the 2nd or 3rd time) but it's 2:52 AM.  Has anyone else had this problem running a UA-5 in front of the D50? TIA!

Edit: I'm running a TOSLINK > Mini cable out of the UA-5. Same as I did for UA-5 > iRiver h120 for example.

[Todd R]

I never ran mine with a UA-5, but didn't have problems running the D50 out of my V3 at 24bits.  Did you also have the UA-5 set to record at 24bits, not 16?

[yug du nord]

is there a default that it might be stuck on for digi recording?  maybe the 24bit icon was for the external mics?  i've never ran one before...  so i'm just guessing...

[dallman]

Since you are running the D-50 as a bit bucket, the problem should be with the UA-5. It sounds like Todd R is correct, and the UA-5 is at 16 bits. That is likely why your Sony is saying 24 until you press record. The Sony is just taking in the feed from the UA-5.

[612]

I just ran through the UA-5 Team threads Parts II & III. Pages 2-4 on part III had some interesting discussion on outputting a 24 bit signal but I'm afraid I'm still confused. 

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,86745.msg1164564.html#msg1164564
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,86745.msg1166131.html#msg1166131

What is the proper way to set the UA-5 to record 24 bits? To my understanding the ADV switch on the back only makes a 96kHz sample rate possible. What other setting would produce a 24 bit signal sending from the UA-5? Here is what I did last night...

 - set the D50 to 24/48
 - Connect the UA-5 > D50 via an optical cable (sounds like people have no problem UA-5 > MT2496 via coaxial)
 - Set the UA-5 to output 48kHz
 - powered up the UA-5
 - powered up the D50

Thanks for the replies. They are appreciated!

[Brian Skalinder]

What is the proper way to set the UA-5 to record 24 bits?

It's been a while, but my recollection is that the ADV switch in the ON position outputs 24-bit, in addition to enabling (though not requiring) 96 kHz sample rate.

[ilduclo]

ran mine last night for the 1st time, loud heavy metal band, I used the built in mics at 90 and -20 db setting, set up on a 5 foot high camera tripod, it sounded great, I think for open taping this is the set up I'm going to use from now on, for stealth and for crowded venues it will still be the dpa omnis (4061's)

 The built in mics are great, and the preamps are nice, no distortion and clean sound even if I amplify the quiet portions of the show to max, no hiss.

nice recorder. next show using the built ins is the Oh Sees Wed.

[612]

What is the proper way to set the UA-5 to record 24 bits?

It's been a while, but my recollection is that the ADV switch in the ON position outputs 24-bit, in addition to enabling (though not requiring) 96 kHz sample rate.

Unfortunately I'm getting the same results with the ADV switch ON (& OFF). Now I fear there is something wrong inside my UA-5.

The D50 shows 24/48 until I hit Record and then it truncates the signal to 16/48.

[EarlyMorningRain]

if Thur still works for you John, I'll stop by and bring my UA5 with me to test out more stuff with you. I'll also bring along my iPAQ pda (which has an optical in on it)

Worst case scenario, if you end up sending your UA5 off for repairs/etc, you can use my pre in the meantime (that is unless I'm using it   )

[headroom]

In earlyer post`s this Problem was covered.  Its the fault off the Device in Front off the PCM 50 wich is not sending the correct flag for 24 bit. PCM 50 will fall back to 16 when this Flag is not embbeded in the  PCM Stream. Sony has no Firmware to corrrect this.
The Grace Design V3 Mic AMP  and AD  has this corrected in the newer Firmware


Jeff,
From my knowledge it's not the fault of the D50 but the fault of your core-sound Mic 2496 converter. Your core-sound converter is not sending the correct 24bit signal to your D50.

It happened to me with my D50 when using it with the V3. Grace Design upgraded the chip in the AD converter so that it will send the correct 24bit signal. Now it worked fine but I don't use it (my D50 and V3 is collecting dust now).

From Post
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,95964.150.html

If you ask Core-sound to send you a chip so that their mic 2496 version 1 will send the corrected signal you will be find.

So it's not the D50's fault but the your mic 2496.

There were posts regarding this issue when the D50 first came out. Many people had this problem but solved it by upgrading a chip in the AD converter. If I were you I will contact Core-Sound. Good luck!