Topic: Marantz PMD-561

[sic_tune]

http://marantzpro.com/products/view/pmd-561

Seems to be a quite interesting 4-channel capable device.
Couldn't find any info online except for what's provided on the official website, was wondering whether someone here might know more?

[aaronji]

Interesting!  Judging from the XLRs, it is pretty small...

[jazzgtrl4]

Yes interesting, where does it get the 4 channels from? i see the two xlrs, but are the other two through spidif? or ?

[WiFiJeff]

Well, there seem to be internal mics too.  This would be a FAIL for a 4 channel machine.  Hoping that this will do 24/96 on four external inputs, and have good A/D and preamps.  But the manufacturers don't seem to see a market for that.  But wait...maybe it will be "rubberized"! (Anyone tried playing catch with his Zoom H4n Pro yet?)

Jeff

[WiFiJeff]

Full Compass has a listing for it, no additional specs but a list price of $399 (they will knock it down to $384, wowie).

http://www.fullcompass.com/prod/515683-Marantz-Professional-PMD-561

Jeff

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

This could be nice to run behind a V3 since it has S/PDIF.

4 channels doesn't mean a thing to me if it records all 4 channels to a stereo file since I almost always take a board feed + mics and sync them up in post.

[dactylus]

Full Compass has a listing for it, no additional specs but a list price of $399 (they will knock it down to $384, wowie).

http://www.fullcompass.com/prod/515683-Marantz-Professional-PMD-561

Jeff

It looks like the PMD661 MKII has been discontinued according to the B&H site.  That sucks!  Full Compass still has the MKII 661's available.

[MakersMarc]

Oade Brothers shows the 661 out of stock with no ETA.

[larrysellers]

This looks pretty similar to the 661. The usb jack, digital input, card slot and dc jack are all in the same location from what I can see. I love the 661, so if they made it a little smaller and gave it 4 channel recording for $399, it looks like a winner.

[DigiGal]

Not a winner by me, unfortunately it looks like they are replacing the 661's with this. They're not the same company since D&M Holdings dropped them after dropping McIntosh previously. On the plus side it is lower priced and sports a digital input that should be AES compatible so it could be a suitable bit bucket for some applications.

[MakersMarc]

Has anyone seen detailed specs? Weird for this thing to be on sale with so little info. How does it do 4 channels, 1/8 in? Or just the internal mics onto one card along with the xlr input mics or line in source? If the latter that's weak.

[DigiGal]

^ I'm guessing the latter, but you are on the mark about released with so little information. It fits the current owners track record though, i.e.: 661 firmware revision updates with no update notes and no response from tech support with direct questions about what the release contains.

[WiFiJeff]

I'm not sure "released" is an accurate characterization.  Full Compass says shipping in a week, but elsewhere a September date is quoted.

Jeff

[WiFiJeff]

"Touchboards" whatever that is, is selling it for $322.  Absolutely NO information on what it is:

http://www.touchboards.com/Marantz-PMD-561/

[MakersMarc]

^ just bizarre.

[noahbickart]

might finally be a good small 2 channel bit bucket for a v3, minime, etc

[datbrad]

This is the first new portable product after the spin off from D&M Professional, so this is an entirely new sales channel. Their marketing is different that's for sure.

[spyder9]

I just had Doug Oade mod my 661..... and this comes out?  Jeez.   

I agree with everyone else.  I find it strange they would getting into dealers hands without a formal PR announcement. 

That said, it appears they chopped off a whole 1.5 inches in length.  Even if everything under the hood remains the same, a smaller footprint is always applauded in my household.

[MakersMarc]

If turns out to be good quality, agree on the 1.5 inches, I can just barely fit the 661 in a lower cargo pocket and with the PFA with the extended barrels isn't all that stealthy, only suitable for old folk security shows. But I have two Doug wmod 661s and no inclination to kick down for a 561 I'll just go nbox>m10 when necessary.

[StuStu]

It looks like you can set your files to mono. That's nice. I sure wish we knew the 4 channel specifics though.

[Colin Liston]

This reminds me a lot of the PMD-620

http://denonpro.com/products/view/pmd620#.V4JDSbgrLcc

[WiFiJeff]

Couple of these on buy-it-now at eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Marantz-Professional-PMD-561-Handheld-4-Channel-Solid-State-Recorder-/262520979180?hash=item3d1f783eec:g:6yMAAOSwyKxXhQOA

Estimated delivery July 27-Aug 9???

Still no more info on its capabilities.  I assume the two stereo meters (one on the menu) means it does 4 track, but does it take 4 external analog inputs or only two with the internal mics or digital in, and does it do 24/96 in 4 track mode??

Jeff

[MakersMarc]

661 also has two meter bars, so may or may not mean 4 channels.

[jb63]

For just under 400 bucks I am tempted to try it, but if it can't take a warm mod or a concert mod, then it really doesn't replace anything I'm using now.

[su6oxone]

With shipping, it's only $331 from Touchboards, but that is probably a pre-order as another site (Dale Pro Audio?) indicates it won't be released until September.  If Touchboards is a reliable seller, that is a pretty smoking deal as it seems pretty comparable to the 611.  Only real question seems to be if it has 4 discrete audio channels and if the input for the other two channels is through a single RCA (SPDIF) rather than the dual RCA inputs of the 661.  If it could do 4 channels via XLR x2 and RCA x2 that would be pretty great.  And of course, battery life is a big question mark especially when going 4 channels.

[dactylus]

It looks like you can set your files to mono. That's nice. I sure wish we knew the 4 channel specifics though.

[aaronji]

Some more details here and on the links from that page. It still says four channels, but there are no details, that I could see, describing that. 

Also, a potentially useful phantom box on the product sheet...

[H₂O]

Also, a potentially useful phantom box on the product sheet...

Looks pretty big and since it has foot pads is probably designed for shelf use which means it likely runs on AC

[smokenburn]

Also, a potentially useful phantom box on the product sheet...

Looks pretty big and since it has foot pads is probably designed for shelf use which means it likely runs on AC

It's marketed for DSLR's.

[H₂O]

http://marantzpro.com/products/view/phantom-pack

It's an AC unit per the specs here - definitely not an easy option for DLSR

[smokenburn]

http://marantzpro.com/products/view/phantom-pack

It's an AC unit per the specs here - definitely not an easy option for DLSR

Sorry, I think I posted in the wrong Marantz thread.

[aaronji]

It still says four channels, but there are no details, that I could see, describing that. 

Marantz changed "Handheld 4-channel solid state recorder" to "Handheld solid state recorder" on their site.  I guess that puts the speculation to rest!

[Leoi]

According to the CM of their Facebook page, the XLR preamps are different to the ones on the 661 (better, according to he/she).

[dactylus]

According to the CM of their Facebook page, the XLR preamps are different to the ones on the 661 (better, according to he/she).

Could you post a link to the post that you're referring to?  Thanks.

[Leoi]

According to the CM of their Facebook page, the XLR preamps are different to the ones on the 661 (better, according to he/she).

Could you post a link to the post that you're referring to?  Thanks.

https://www.facebook.com/marantzpro/posts/1355934504425098

[sic_tune]

The website has more information now + a user manual.
http://www.marantzpro.com/products/view/pmd561

No signs of 4-track recording. Pity, was hoping for a replacement for my DR-2D...

[H₂O]

• Signal-to-Noise Ratio 65 dB (Mic); 85 dB (Line); IEC-A-weighted
• THD (@ 0 VU) 0.08% (Mic); 0.02% (Line)
• Dynamic Range 85 dB

Kinda shitty Dynamic Range
Nice that it has a coax digital-in though

Looks like the Tascam DR-100mkiii has this unit beat pretty good though - in specs and features for about the same price:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DR100mkIII
vs
http://www.fullcompass.com/prod/515683-Marantz-Professional-PMD-561


Advantages of DR-100mkIII on paper:
- Higher Dynamic Range of 102db vs 85db on the 561
- recording at up to 24/192khz vs only 24/96Khz
- support for 88.2khz and 176.4khz recording and playback - 561 can only do 44.1, 48, and 96
- builtin dual power (2xAA and internal) - 561 runs off 4 AA's

[Leoi]

• Signal-to-Noise Ratio 65 dB (Mic); 85 dB (Line); IEC-A-weighted
• THD (@ 0 VU) 0.08% (Mic); 0.02% (Line)
• Dynamic Range 85 dB

Kinda shitty Dynamic Range
Nice that it has a coax digital-in though

Looks like the Tascam DR-100mkiii has this unit beat pretty good though - in specs and features for about the same price:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DR100mkIII
vs
http://www.fullcompass.com/prod/515683-Marantz-Professional-PMD-561

I would not dismiss the Marantz so soon. The specs manufacturers tell are usually not trustworthy. Remember the dr-100 II: Tascam told it had a 92dB or more S/N ratio, when the apparently worse PMD-661 (85 S/N ratio) was a better recorder.

[jb63]

Just read through that whole manual and it is a disappointing new product. Sigh. It's not really an upgraded 661 or 620 but combines the better features of each of those. I guess if they discontinued this older models it makes sense. Build quality of both of those were fantastic.

[theGeneral]

I bought one of the first ones available from B&H.  (Very similar to my PMD661 that died.)  It took me a month to discover it, but went to see Charlie Hunter this past weekend and it wouldn't let me pass a SPDIF at 96khz.  The preset selector menu is the same as the PMD661, but in this one, if you chose digital input, it only allows 16/24bit and 44.1/48khz - no 96khz.  I am returning it today for that reason.  It lets you select 96khz if you use the internal microphones.  No idea why it doesn't allow it for a digital input.

What other somewhat small recorder is out there that takes a spdif and will record 24/96?  Any suggestions?

thanks

Jeff

[Leoi]

Did you manage to test the XLR? How were the preamps?

[theGeneral]

I bought one of the first ones available from B&H.  (Very similar to my PMD661 that died.)  It took me a month to discover it, but went to see Charlie Hunter this past weekend and it wouldn't let me pass a SPDIF at 96khz.  The preset selector menu is the same as the PMD661, but in this one, if you chose digital input, it only allows 16/24bit and 44.1/48khz - no 96khz.  I am returning it today for that reason.  It lets you select 96khz if you use the internal microphones.  No idea why it doesn't allow it for a digital input.

What other somewhat small recorder is out there that takes a spdif and will record 24/96?  Any suggestions?

thanks

Jeff

Here is what Marantz told me, basically, this unit won't take a 96khz digital input.

Subject: RE: PMD561 - Support Request
 
Thank You for contacting us, I will be glad to assist!

I have tested our unit here in the office and it appears that you can set every other input to 96k but you can ot set the D.In.  I have contacted the Marantz Pro team for more information in regards to this.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.


Best Regards,

Jahmar Davis
Technical Support & Return Authorizations
inMusic
AIR | Akai Professional | Alesis | ▲lto Professional | Denon DJ | Denon Professional | ION Audio |  M-Audio | Marantz Professional | Marq lighting | MixMeister | Numark | SONiVOX

[GDfan]

I bought one of the first ones available from B&H.  (Very similar to my PMD661 that died.)  It took me a month to discover it, but went to see Charlie Hunter this past weekend and it wouldn't let me pass a SPDIF at 96khz.  The preset selector menu is the same as the PMD661, but in this one, if you chose digital input, it only allows 16/24bit and 44.1/48khz - no 96khz.  I am returning it today for that reason.  It lets you select 96khz if you use the internal microphones.  No idea why it doesn't allow it for a digital input.

What other somewhat small recorder is out there that takes a spdif and will record 24/96?  Any suggestions?

thanks

Jeff

Here is what Marantz told me, basically, this unit won't take a 96khz digital input.

Subject: RE: PMD561 - Support Request
 
Thank You for contacting us, I will be glad to assist!

I have tested our unit here in the office and it appears that you can set every other input to 96k but you can ot set the D.In.  I have contacted the Marantz Pro team for more information in regards to this.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.


Best Regards,

Jahmar Davis
Technical Support & Return Authorizations
inMusic
AIR | Akai Professional | Alesis | ▲lto Professional | Denon DJ | Denon Professional | ION Audio |  M-Audio | Marantz Professional | Marq lighting | MixMeister | Numark | SONiVOX

Hopefully it is something they can address in a firmware patch

[F.O.Bean]

So is this 4 channels or just 2? The links Ive seen say "4 channel handheld solid state recorder", so just curious!