Sony PCM-D1 User Manual
PORTABLE,
DIGITAL
RECORDER
Actual size
PCM-D1
Portable Linear PCM Recorder
PCM-D1 PORTABLE LINEAR PCM RECORDER
AUDIO refined;
COOL redefined.
The PCM-D1 Portable Linear PCM Recorder takes mobile
recording beyond the boundaries of typical field recording,
making it the ideal choice for capturing live musical or theatri-
cal performances, for recording sound effects, or for journal-
ists in the field. With built-in, highly sensitive, electret con
-
denser microphones; a circuit design that processes stereo
sound with virtually no extraneous noise; and 96 kHz 24-bit
recording quality
the most subtle performance nuances. Convenience fea
, this recorder is capable of capturing even
-
tures such as a 4 GB internal Flash Memory, a slot for
Sample Rate
and Quantization
22.05 kHz, 16-bit 45 min 1 hr 30 min 3 hr 5 min 6 hr 25 min 12 hr 45 min 13 hr 10 min
44.1 kHz, 16-bit 20 min 45 min 1 hr 30 min 3 hr 10 min 6 hr 20 min 6 hr 20 min
44.1 kHz, 24-bit 15 min 30 min 1 hr 2 hr 5 min 4 hr 15 min 4 hr 15 min
48 kHz, 16-bit 20 min 40 min 1 hr 25 min 2 hr 55 min 5 hr 50 min 6 hr
48 kHz, 24-bit 10 min 25 min 55 min 1 hr 55 min 3 hr 50 min 4 hr
96 kHz, 16-bit 10 min 20 min 40 min 1 hr 25 min 2 hr 55 min 3 hr
96kHz, 24-bit 5 min 10 min 25 min 55 min 1 hr 55 min 2 hr
*Times noted are approximate.
256 MB
MS Pro (HS)
512 MB
MS Pro (HS)
1 GB
MS Pro (HS)
Memory Stick PRO™(High Speed) storage media, a USB port,
four AA size nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries, and
a battery charger make this unit super-equipped for field
recording. Free of drive mechanisms, this lightweight, portable,
and rugged recorder is audio refined – and cool redefined.
2 GB
MS Pro (HS)
4 GB
MS Pro (HS)
4GB
Int. Flash Mem
HIGHLIGHTS:
• 96 kHz-24 bit, virtually noise-free, recording quality
• Built-in, X-Y configuration electret condenser microphones
or superb stereo sound
f
• 4GB internal Flash Memory, free of drive mechanisms
• Slot for removable Memory Stick
PRO (High Speed) storage
• Built-in USB 2.0 port,
compatible with
®
®
and
/PC
Macintosh
Windows
operating systems
• Four rechargeable
nickel metal
hydride AA
batteries (battery
charger included)
• Rugged titanium
body with portable,
lightweight design
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Built-in Electret Condenser Microphones
The PCM-D1's electret condenser microphones have extraordinarily
high sensitivity and low noise characteristics. All microphone casing
parts fit together nearly seamlessly and are adjusted with 100-micron
level precision. With a frequency response of 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, covering a wide sound
range with reduced phase shifts. The
result is rich audio with a natural sounding
stereo image, good depth, and perspective.
Superb Audio Signal Path
The microphone amplifier provided for each channel is the Analog
Devices, Inc. AD797, which boasts ultra-low noise and distortion. A
variable gain circuit is adopted for amplitude control, which enhances
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
help prevent interference between circuit blocks. The analog circuit
achieves superb linearity so that the recorded sound is output faithfully.
Outstanding Construction Quality
The circuitry of the PCM-D1 recorder is protected by a body made of
1 mm thick, pure titanium and covered with nitrate titanium, scratch-
resistant coating – resulting in a finished titanium surface approxi
mately ten times as hard as that of alumite treated aluminum. In addi-
tion, 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 and
enhances the high sonic quality of
the recorder.
Simple Uploading to Computer
The PCM-D1 recorder conforms to the USB 2.0
Mass Storage Device standard. Because the recorder's native
recording file format is .WAV, 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 recorder offers comprehensive signal processing fea-
tures 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 automati-
cally set within the range of the maximum input level (from the alter-
native -20dB buffer) in order to help prevent distortion. While this lim-
iter function won't compensate for clipping of audio that is suddenly
in excess of 20 dB, the sonic purity of the recording is fully main-
tained without the need to apply conventional limiter signal process-
ing techniques. With the High Pass Filter enabled, audio below 200
Hz is filtered out and not recorded. This function can be used to
reduce noise caused by external sources such as wind, the flow of
air-conditioning equipment, etc. With the SBM function enabled
(optionally used for 16-bit recording modes), Super Bit Mapping sig-
nificantly increases the dynamic range acoustically by reducing noise
that is particularly easy to hear within the human audible band. 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 by
shifting audible noise up into an inaudible higher frequency range.
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