Embracing the design of its futuristic high-end PCM-D1 portable audio recorder, Sony last week at AES introduced a lower cost, more compact version of the recorder targeted for broadcast applications. Delivery is set for November.
Sony’s new PCM-D50 digital recorder weighs 12.8 ounces and offers 96 kHz/24-bit recording, two-position electret condenser stereo microphones, PC/MAC file transfer via high-speed USB interface, and both analog and SPDIF I/Os. It uses a similar software interface to the D1.
Housed in an aluminum case and costing one third the price of its big brother, the PCM-50 forgoes the audiophile microphones and preamps of the larger model that made it attractive for recording live music. The compact version was designed and priced for broadcast applications such as newsgathering and sports.
The PCM-D50 linear recorder features 96 kHz/24 bit recording in standard .WAV file format with 4GB of built-in memory that records up to six hours at 44.1 – 16 bit. A Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo slot allows for memory expansion with an optional flash memory card.
Two-position electret condenser microphones offer X-Y and wide-stereo polar patterns. There’s even an input for an external mic. The recorder also has LCD digital peak metering, digital pitch control, MP3 playback and five second prerecord buffer. An optional remote control, XLR mic adapter and furry windscreen are available.
For more information, visit www.sony.com/professional.
