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

[frogger]

My new pcm-d50 arrived (yay!!).  Now, I'm looking at what I would need to get a digital signal from my buddy's Tascam DA-P1 to the Sony.  My digital input is labeled optical, his is coax.  Is there a cable I can use to go between the decks or do I need a converter?  The digital cables for the coax look like an RCA.  Mine would probably be the size of a stereo mini plug.  Anybody have any knowledge of what I need?

Thanks.

[flintstone]

Here's a list of SPDIF format converters
http://www.minidisc.org/part_CoaxOptical_Conversion.html

Note that they all require external power.  They ship with
mains power "wall warts," but presunmably can be made to
work with an external battery.

Flintstone

[frogger]

Here's a list of SPDIF format converters
http://www.minidisc.org/part_CoaxOptical_Conversion.html
Flintstone

Thanks.  It looks like I'll probably be getting an analog signal this weekend if I plug out of him but I'll be doing some investigating this once I get back.

[Phiegze]

Here's a list of SPDIF format converters
http://www.minidisc.org/part_CoaxOptical_Conversion.html
Flintstone

Thanks.  It looks like I'll probably be getting an analog signal this weekend if I plug out of him but I'll be doing some investigating this once I get back.

Check out the "Digital Power Pack - PP99" at Amazon (or wherever)
http://www.amazon.com/iConcepts-Digi-Power-Pack-PP99/dp/B0009EXVGC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1219886108&sr=8-2

[612]

I just recently put the money together for a 24 bit recorder with digital-in and I've been strongly leaning towards the PCM-D50 for awhile now.

I've been researching to no avail. Does the PCM-D50 have a clip setting where the LCD will light up if you go over 0dB? Just curious... I really like that about the iriver h120. I run a little more conservative these days but it's a really cool feature.

Are people pretty happy with the metering?

[mrsoul]

Clip and -12db (which I use to set levels on my preamp).  I haven't had much problem since I usually go 24bit and just normalize if I ever need it but generally use the green -12db as my guide. 

[612]

Clip and -12db (which I use to set levels on my preamp).  I haven't had much problem since I usually go 24bit and just normalize if I ever need it but generally use the green -12db as my guide. 

That's a good point. I've read that running your levels to hot isn't as big of an issue with 24bit because there's really no need to.

+T

[mrsoul]

I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the PCM-D50.  It's a tank and the battery life has been excellent.  As stated before, it has optical input, line input, decent internals that can adjust to true XY or wide pattern (check my archive bookmarks below for at least 2 shows using the internals outside), great menu, 4Gb onboard flash memory, uses non-proprietary battery form (AA x4) and even is a solid mp3/wav music player if you want it to be.  Did I mention the headphone amp and optical/line output?  I have read others post about the HR09/R09 and others but for me, the PCM-D50 was and is worth the price. I got mine from Musician's Friend with the no interest deal for 12 months, of course that was before this economic meltdown.  Good luck with your search!

[Todd R]

I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the PCM-D50.  It's a tank and the battery life has been excellent.  As stated before, it has optical input, line input, decent internals that can adjust to true XY or wide pattern (check my archive bookmarks below for at least 2 shows using the internals outside), great menu, 4Gb onboard flash memory, uses non-proprietary battery form (AA x4) and even is a solid mp3/wav music player if you want it to be.  Did I mention the headphone amp and optical/line output?  I have read others post about the HR09/R09 and others but for me, the PCM-D50 was and is worth the price. I got mine from Musician's Friend with the no interest deal for 12 months, of course that was before this economic meltdown.  Good luck with your search!

Has anyone tested whether the optical digital output is active during recording and whether someone with another D50, or an H120, or a JB3 can get an optical digital patch during the show from a D50?

[mrsoul]

If I remember correctly, I went PC>optical out>D-50>optical out>Hi-MD when I first got the PCM-D50 but can try it again later tonight.

[brianp]

Are people pretty happy with the metering?

the meters are great on this unit, very detailed.

[mrsoul]

Has anyone tested whether the optical digital output is active during recording and whether someone with another D50, or an H120, or a JB3 can get an optical digital patch during the show from a D50?

Last night, I took the optical out from my Creative digital out>PCM-D50 optical input>Recording Active>Optical Out of PCM-D50>Sony Hi-MD recording. No problems and I get "Digital Recording" on the Sony Hi-MD.  So, yes, if recording with Optical in on PCM-D50, it still passes an optical out. 
Is it exactly the same signal?  I have no way of testing this personally.  Does it convert and then send out a different digital signal than what comes in?  I don't know.  Any way to test?

[Todd R]

Thanks for the testing and the reporting Mr Soul!  That's pretty interesting that we can give out optical digital patches.

I'm not too concerned whether the optical out is bit perfect or not, since I wouldn't use it myself for transfers or anything.  Resampled or not, a digital patch would sound fine to anyone using this method to patch in. 

[spcyrfc]

im thinking about picking a d50 up but have a lingering question... what should i pair it with?
thinking about an external pre --- which ones could i use?

I think the upside to the Sony XLR adapter is that is screws directly to the back of the unit and it probably is actually a good quality unit.  Sony obviously put a lot of thought into the D50 so it's unlikely they'd sell an XLR P48 adapter that's the same price as the recorder if it wasn't good.

the pro's of having an external pre are many, but for a streamilined, compact rig, would the xlr-1 be better.  the point above is a very good one. does anyone have any pics of the d50 in action with the xlr adapter?


thanks for feedback and pics if anyone has them.

[jlykos]

im thinking about picking a d50 up but have a lingering question... what should i pair it with?
thinking about an external pre --- which ones could i use?

I think the upside to the Sony XLR adapter is that is screws directly to the back of the unit and it probably is actually a good quality unit.  Sony obviously put a lot of thought into the D50 so it's unlikely they'd sell an XLR P48 adapter that's the same price as the recorder if it wasn't good.

the pro's of having an external pre are many, but for a streamilined, compact rig, would the xlr-1 be better.  the point above is a very good one. does anyone have any pics of the d50 in action with the xlr adapter?

I don't think that anybody here has tested it with the XLR-1, but it seems like a quality unit.  A small preamp under $500 that you could use is a used Sound Devices MP-2 / MixPre.  I am sure there are others that can be stealthed.  If you want something larger, you could use virtually anything; it is just a matter of price point and features.