Topic: Which portable recorders have a digital input?

[deejayen]

I have a portable preamp\converter which has a 24-bit S/PDIF output.  I've had a very quick look to see which new portable recorders have a compatible digital input, but haven't come across any, although I've remembered a few which have been discontinued:-

Tascam DR100 Mk III
Sony PCM-D100
Marantz 661

I suspect I'm missing a load of them!  Are there there (m)any others, especially current models?

I don't necessarily need built-in mics, and I'd also consider something with more than two mic inputs.

[grawk]

Sd 6xx,7xx,8xx series
Sonosax mini r82 and r4+
Lectrosonics spdr

[deejayen]

Thanks, Grawk!

[morst]

I have a portable preamp\converter which has a 24-bit S/PDIF output.  I've had a very quick look to see which new portable recorders have a compatible digital input, but haven't come across any, although I've remembered a few which have been discontinued:-

Tascam DR100 Mk III
Sony PCM-D100
Marantz 661

I suspect I'm missing a load of them!  Are there there (m)any others, especially current models?

I don't necessarily need built-in mics, and I'd also consider something with more than two mic inputs.

No, the Sony PCM-D100 lacks digital input.
https://www.sony.com/lr/electronics/voice-recorders/pcm-d100




The Sony PCM-D50, however, does include hardware to take a digital signal, optically.
Here is a pdf of the manual for D50 - digital recording info is on page 28, see my quote below
https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/res/manuals/4258/42584341M.pdf

Digital recording signals the recorder
supports
The recorder supports the following digital
signals when a digital device such as a CD,
MD or DAT player is connected to the LINE
IN (OPT) jack.
When incompatible signals are input,
“UNKNOWN DATA” is displayed and you
cannot record the signals.

Linear PCM 44.1/48.0/96 kHz digital
signals are supported.

You cannot record the copyrighted digital
signals (SCMS: Serial Copy Management
System). If such signals are input, “NO
DIGITAL COPY” is displayed. Some digital
devices output copyrighted digital signals.
For example, an MD or DAT media
containing copyrighted recorded material
outputs copyrighted digital signals, which
cannot be recorded with the recorder.
When the sampling quantifying bit number
is 16 bits or less, or unstable, it is
recorded at the 16 bit rate. Otherwise, it is
recorded at 24 bits.

[scb]

Sd 6xx,7xx,8xx series
Sonosax mini r82 and r4+
Lectrosonics spdr

SPDR i think runs all digital inputs through processing/filtering no matter what

[grawk]

I think all the recorders listed except the sd7xxs do that.   It's modern digital design.

[fanofjam]

Also...

Tascam DR-100, all versions (not just the mkiii)
Edirol R-4
Edirol R-4 pro
Edirol R-44
Tascam DR-680
Microtrack I
Microtrack II
Tascam HS-P82

[morst]

Also...

Tascam DR-100, all versions (not just the mkiii)
Edirol R-4
Edirol R-4 pro
Edirol R-44
Tascam DR-680
Microtrack I
Microtrack II
Tascam HS-P82

Those things were pretty solid once you power them with USB.
Can probably find them nowadays for a pittance.
https://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=53464.0
Note that they require a CF (compact flash) format memory card.

[goodcooker]

The Tascam DR100 mkii and Mkii have SPDIF input but the first version does not.

[jbell]

The Sony PCM D100 has a digital in and out!  I ran one for several years.  Optical for both

I have a portable preamp\converter which has a 24-bit S/PDIF output.  I've had a very quick look to see which new portable recorders have a compatible digital input, but haven't come across any, although I've remembered a few which have been discontinued:-

Tascam DR100 Mk III
Sony PCM-D100
Marantz 661

I suspect I'm missing a load of them!  Are there there (m)any others, especially current models?

I don't necessarily need built-in mics, and I'd also consider something with more than two mic inputs.

No, the Sony PCM-D100 lacks digital input.
https://www.sony.com/lr/electronics/voice-recorders/pcm-d100




The Sony PCM-D50, however, does include hardware to take a digital signal, optically.
Here is a pdf of the manual for D50 - digital recording info is on page 28, see my quote below
https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/res/manuals/4258/42584341M.pdf

Digital recording signals the recorder
supports
The recorder supports the following digital
signals when a digital device such as a CD,
MD or DAT player is connected to the LINE
IN (OPT) jack.
When incompatible signals are input,
“UNKNOWN DATA” is displayed and you
cannot record the signals.

Linear PCM 44.1/48.0/96 kHz digital
signals are supported.

You cannot record the copyrighted digital
signals (SCMS: Serial Copy Management
System). If such signals are input, “NO
DIGITAL COPY” is displayed. Some digital
devices output copyrighted digital signals.
For example, an MD or DAT media
containing copyrighted recorded material
outputs copyrighted digital signals, which
cannot be recorded with the recorder.
When the sampling quantifying bit number
is 16 bits or less, or unstable, it is
recorded at the 16 bit rate. Otherwise, it is
recorded at 24 bits.

[deejayen]

Thanks, everyone!

Unfortunately, it turns out that although the audio interface I wanted to use has a digital output, it's not able to operate in standalone mode, so it won't just send an input to its S/PDIF output.

[morst]

The Sony PCM D100 has a digital in and out!  I ran one for several years.  Optical for both

Oh no kidding?!
Modern Sony website has not got the full specs.

[jefflester]

The Sony PCM D100 has a digital in and out!  I ran one for several years.  Optical for both

Oh no kidding?!
Modern Sony website has not got the full specs.

Clear in the manual on Sony site. The 1/8" in/out jacks are also SPDIF optical.

[audBall]

^