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

[stantheman1976]

I'll order one in the next couple weeks from B&H Photo.  It's $470 shipped UPS Ground.  I know B&H is reliable and has an excellent return policy.

[stantheman1976]

One more question.  If you plug in a memory stick does it use that separately or add it to the total memory kind of like a RAID setting?

[mrsoul]

You have to choose which memory you are going to use in the menu.  It will NOT switch over automatically to the other memory.  Bummer, I know.  But, you just have to keep an eye on your memory/time as you get close.  It's a quick menu change, less than 30 seconds to do it.

[stantheman1976]

Are there any windscreens that will fit onto it besides the dead rats?  I'll be using it inside mostly so wind will not be a serious concern but some decent screens would be good.

[Belexes]

Are there any windscreens that will fit onto it besides the dead rats?  I'll be using it inside mostly so wind will not be a serious concern but some decent screens would be good.

Use this:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,102775.0.html

Sony sells one that looks very similar, but cost over twice as much.

[stantheman1976]

nice.  Thansk for the link.  I am really excited about the quality of the D50 but the accessories are overpriced.  $500 for the XLR adapter that is only a power supply and not a preamp and $50 for dead cat windscreen that is a "must have".

[Belexes]

Someone needs to make a cheaper and possibly better XLR adapter just like someone did on the windscreens.

*paging people on this board that could help*

[Arni99]

You lucky guys overseas in USA .
Here in Europe the PCM-D50 costs 590 Euro which is 914$ !!! 

It would be cheaper for me to import from the U.S. and pay customs duty etc. which makes additional 24% + shipping.

lets calculate:
PCM-D50 320€ = (496$ US price)
+20% tax +4% customs duty
--------------------------------
=>~400€
+     35€ shipping
--------------------------------
makes total cost of 435€(674$)
--------------------------------

Still 155€ (240$) cheaper than the Euro price of 590€!

 

[flintstone]

"Someone needs to make a cheaper and possibly better XLR adapter [than Sony's $500 model]"

Assuming your mics need 48V phantom power, try the ART Phantom II (~$65) or the Rolls PB224 (~$85).  Both use 9V cells to provide 48V phantom power via XLR connectors. 

If you're using the D50 or another recorder that uses a 1/8-inch minijack for mic input, you'll need a cable like the Hosa CYX401F, a one foot long cable with right angle 1/8-inch stereo miniplug on one end, and two female XLR connectors on the other. 

If one foot of cable is too short to connect the battery box to the recorder, use the CYX-402F (2 feet long) or CYX405F (5 feet long).

Flintstone

[stantheman1976]

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.

[flintstone]

Sony designed the 48V phantom power unit for use with the PCM-D1, their $1800 recorder. Of course, it works with the D50 and any other recorder with a 1/8-inch mic input.

[nolonemo]

I will be using the PCM-D50 to record jazz big band sessions.  Do people have any recommendations for which limiter settings to use?  I set my levels to leave enough headroom during the sound check, but occasionally in performance the band will get excited and play louder during crescendos - so the issue is not transients such as cymbal or drum hits, but the whole ensemble sound peaking for a couple of notes.

Thanks.

[guysonic]

I will be using the PCM-D50 to record jazz big band sessions.  Do people have any recommendations for which limiter settings to use?  I set my levels to leave enough headroom during the sound check, but occasionally in performance the band will get excited and play louder during crescendos - so the issue is not transients such as cymbal or drum hits, but the whole ensemble sound peaking for a couple of notes.

Thanks.

Suggest best to NOT use the limiter for musical material as it can have undesirable affect. 

Use instead 24bit depth initially adjusting recording peaks at -12 dB VU max having lots of headroom to later amplify master recording in post edit to desired level without any audible liability. 

[frogger]

Hi all,

I'm new to this site, taped a lot many years ago, starting with a Sony Walkman Pro, graduated to a Sony D5 with Nak 300's and went on to various Sony DATs with the Naks and Sonic Studios DSM-6P.  Getting back into taping and I've decided to stick with Sony and get this deck.  I have one question that hopefully somebody can answer.  Does this deck need the Memory Stick Pro HG Duo (expensive) or the (much cheaper) Memory Stick Pro Duo?  In other words, does it need a SanDisk Extreme III or will it work with the Extreme II?

Thanks for your assistance.

[stantheman1976]

MS Pro Duo sticks work fine.  I have an 8GB stick that I bought for my PSP.  It comes up with an "Unknown Media" screen at startup but writes to the stick with no problems.