The PCM-D1 portable audio recorder is ideal for capturing live musical and theatrical performances, or for journalists recording in the field. Features include 96 kHz-24 bit recording capability, 4GB internal Flash Memory, removable Memory Stick Pro High-Speed storage (optional) and a built-in USB port compatible with Macintosh and Windows/PC operating systems. The PCM-D1 is lightweight, free of all drive mechanisms, equipped with highly sensitive electret condenser microphones, and designed with circuits that process stereo sound with virtually no extraneous noise. The body of this portable recorder is made of pressed titanium that's ten times harder than alumite-treated aluminum.
Features:
Built-in Electret Condenser Microphones
The PCM-D1's electret condenser microphones have extraordinary high sensitivity and low noise characteristics. All microphone casing parts are cut from metal and fit together nearly seamlessly. During capsule manufacturing, each part is positioned and the front and rear openings are adjusted with 100-micron level precission. Peaks and dips within the mircrophones range are minimized so that acoustic energy is transmitted effectively to the diaphragm in each microphone capsule. The frequency response of the microphone is nearly 30 kHz. The microphones are positioned using an X-Y pattern and then angled toward each other with the left and right diaphragms close together, thereby covering a wide sound range with reduced phase shifts. The recorded sound from these microphones has good depth, perspective and provides a natural sounding stereo image.
Superior Audio Signal Path
The microphone amplifier provided for each channel is the Analog Devices AD797, which boasts ultra-low noise and distortion. A variable gain circuit is adopted for amplitude control, thus improviing the actual signal to noise ratio. The line amplifier provided for each channel is the Analog Devices AD8672. Analog and digital circuits are mounted on separate circuit boards and also separately powered to prevent interference between circuit blocks. The analog circuit achieves superior linearity so that the recorded sound is output faithfully.
Outstanding Build Quality
The circuitry of the PCM-D1 is protected by a body made of 1 mm thick pure titanium. By means of a pressing process called "drawing", titanium is shaped into a box to achieve a body rigidity that cannot be obtained through bending or using pressed aluminum. The use of drawn titanium minimizes resonance, which tends to occur when the body comes into contact with acousitc energy. The surface of the pure titanium material undergoes a process that increases the hardness of the material. The surface is then covered with an ion plating (a nitrate titanium coating that is resistant to scratches). The finished titanium surface is approximately ten times as hard as that of alumite treated aluminum. In addition, a distinctive arch-shaped polished stainless steel frame is provided to protect the microphones from impact damage. This rugged exterior protects the PCM-D1's circuits and microphones plus enhances the high sonic quality of the recorder.
Simple Uploading to Computer
The PCM-D1 conforms to the USB 2.0 Mass Storage Device standard and this recorder's native recording file format is .WAV. This means recordings can be rapidly uploaded to a computer and used in conjunction with most common audio production software.
High Quality Signal Processing
The PCM-D1 offers comprehensive signal processing features for location recording including a unique limiter function, a 200 Hz high pass filter and SBM (Super Bit Mapping) noise shaping. The digital limiter uses an independent audio buffer that contains audio 20dB lower then the audio processed in the normal recording signal path. With the PCM-D1 limiter enabled, when a loud sound suddenly occurs during recording, the over level part of the sound is automatically set within the range of the maximum input level (from the alternative -20dB buffer) in order to prevent distortion. This limiter function won't compensate for clipping of audio that is suddenly in excess of 20 dB; however, the sonic purity of the recording is fully maintained by not applying conventional limiter signal processing techniques. With the PCM-D1 High Pass Filter enabled, audio below 200 Hz is filtered out and not recorded. This function can be used to reduce noise caused by the flow of air-conditioning equipment, outdoor air, etc. With the PCM-D1 SBM function enabled (optionally used for 16-bit recording modes), Super Bit Mapping significantly increases the dynamic range acoustically by reducing noise that is particularly easy to hear within the human audible band. In order to improve the audio quality when converting 20 bit data into 16 bit, the top bits of information within the lower data (usually discarded when recording in 16-bit mode) are integrated into the 16-bit data track. This is done by shifting audible noise up into an inaudible higher frequency range.
Specifications:
| Built in Microphones | Electret condenser microphones mounted in X-Y configuration. High sensitivity (-32.0 dB /Pa 1 kHz); Maximum input level 130 dB SPL; Self noise level 20 dBSPL(A) |
| Recording Media | Built-in flash memory 4 GB, Memory Stick Pro High Speed (Not Supplied), Stereo Recording |
| Sampling Rates | 22.05 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz and 96 kHz |
| Quantization | 16-bit linear, 24-bit linear |
| Maximum Record Time using Internal 4GB Flash Memory | 22 kHz 16-bit Recording Mode: 13 hours and 10 minutes; 44.1 kHz 16-bit Recording Mode: 6 hours and 35 minutes; 44.1 kHz 24-bit Recording Mode: 4 hours and 15 minutes; 48 kHz 16-bit Recording Mode: 5 hours and 50 minutes; 48 kHz 24-bit Recording Mode: 3 hours and 50 minutes; 96 kHz 16-bit Recording Mode: 2 hours and 55 minutes; 96 kHz 24-bit Recording Mode: 1 hour and 55 minutes |
| Frequency Response (Line Input to Line Output) | For Fs = 22.05 kHz: Frequency Response = 20 Hz to 10 kHz; For Fs = 44.1 kHz: Frequency Response = 20 Hz to 20 kHz; For Fs = 48 kHz: Frequency Response = 20 Hz to 22 kHz; For Fs = 96 kHz: Frequency Response = 20 to 44 kHz |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Line Input to Line Output) | 96 dB or greater (1 kHz IHF-A) when set to 24-bit |
| Total Harmonic Distortion (Line Input to Line Output) | 0.008% or below (1 kHz, 22 kHz LPF) |
| Wow and Flutter | Below measurable limit (less than +/-0.001% W.Peak) |
| Mic Input (Stereo Mini Jack) | Input impedance: 22 k ohm, Rated input level: 2.5 mV; Minimum input level: 0.7 mV |
| Headphone Output (Stereo Mini Jack) | Rated output level: 400 mV; Maximum output level: 30 mW + 30 mW or more; Load impedance: 16 ohms |
| Line Input (Stereo Mini Jack) | Input impedance: 47 K ohms; Rated input level: 2.0V; Minimum input level: 570 mV |
| Line Out/Optical Digital Output (Combination Stereo Mini and Optical Output Jack) | For Line Output Use = Output impedance: 220 ohms; Rated output level: 1.8V; Load impedance: 22 k ohm. For Optical Digital Output Use = Output level: -21dBm to -15 dBm; Emission wavelength: 630 nm to 690 nm |
| DC Input Jack | 6V |
| USB Connection | Hi-speed USB, Mass Storage Class; System requirements: Macintosh OS Version 10.2.8 or later; Windows/PC OS Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 and 2004, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition, Wndows 2000 Professional (SP3 or later) |
| Memory Stick Slot | Memory Stick Pro (High Speed); NOTE: Standard Memory Stick not supported |
| Power Requirements | DC IN 6V (AC 120V, 60Hz); Four AA size nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries NH-AA (supplied); or Four AA size alkaline batteries (not supplied) |
| Power Consumption | 2.1W |
| Dimensions | 2 7/8" x 6 3/4" x 1 5/16" (w x h x d) not including projecting parts and controls |
| Mass | 18.52 oz (including batteries) |
