Linear PCM recorder with studio-quality sound and versatile stereo recording.

The PCM-D50 is a 96 kHz/24-bit recorder fitted with two-position (X-Y or Wide) stereo microphones, 4 GB of internal flash memory, and a Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo slot for additional storage. The body of the D50 is constructed of lightweight aluminum and it is built rugged to withstand the demands of pro applications, plus it offers long battery life using conventional AA alkaline batteries. The recorder includes a USB high-speed port for simple uploading/downloading its native .WAV format files to and from Windows PC or Macintosh computers. Other unique PCM-D50 features include digital pitch control, dual digital limiter (inherited from the PCM-D1), low-cut filter, Super Bit Mapping, A-B repeat, and MP3 playback capability. To complement the D50 recorder, new optional accessories include a remote commander, tripod stand, and microphone windscreen.

Built-in Electret Condenser Microphones The PCM-D50's electret condenser microphones have exceptionally high sound quality and offer a selection of 2 operating positions, X-Y and Wide Stereo. X-Y covers a wide sound range with good depth, perspective and a natural sounding stereo image; or alternatively, a wide stereo position offering a wider spread stereo image.

Superior Audio Signal Path The PCM-D50 is designed with four separate circuit boards to separate analog audio, digital audio, digital recording, and power supply circuits. Separate circuit boards for each function helps minimize noise.

Simple Uploading to Computer The PCM-D50 conforms to the USB 2.0 Mass Storage Class 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.

Versatile Recording Functions The PCM-D50 offers comprehensive signal processing features for location recording including a unique dual digital limiter function (inherited from the PCM-D1 recorder), a high pass filter with selectable frequencies (150 Hz or 75 Hz) and SBM (Super Bit Mapping) noise shaping. In addition, the PCM-D50 includes a 5 second pre-record buffer with an A-B repeat playback function.

Sony PCM-D50 Portable Linear PCM Digital Recorder Features:

• Portable and rugged 96 kHz and 24-bit recorder
• LCD digital peak bargraph metering-along with dedicated nominal and peak level LEDs
• Offers solid-state storage, free of drive mechanisms
• Built-in high-quality electret condenser stereo microphones
• Dual A/D digital limiter and low cut filter
• MP3 playback and digital pitch control
• Includes Sound Forge audio studio LE software CDROM

Sony PCM-D50 Portable Linear PCM Digital Recorder Includes:

• Sound forge audio studio LE software CDROM, AC power adapter (6V) model AC-ES608K, USB cable, 4 x Alkaline batteries (AA size), Operating Instructions

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Sony PCM-D50 Portable Linear PCM Digital Recorder Specifications:

• Built-in Microphones
• Electret Condenser microphones. High sensitivity -35.0 dB/Pa 1kHz (typical); Maximum input level 120 dB SPL; Self-noise level 20.0 dB SPL (A)
  
  Recording Media
• Built-in flash memory 4 GB, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo (Not Supplied), Stereo Recording. The PCM-D50 is compatible with Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo MS-EX4G (4GB), MS-EX2G (2GB), and MS-EX1G (1GB); and Memory Stick Pro Duo (High Speed) MSX-M2GNU (2GB) and MSXM1GNU (1GB)
  
  Sample Rates
• 22.05 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz and 96 kHz
  
  Quantization
• 16-bit linear, 24-bit linear
  
  Recording File Format
• Linear PCM Stereo .WAV
  
  MP3 Playback
• Compatible bit rates and sampling frequencies:
• MPEG Version 1 Layer 3: 32, 44.1, 48kHz with 32 to 320 kbps (VBR)
• MPEG Version 2 Layer 3: 16, 22.05, 24 kHz with 32 to 160 kbps (VBR)
  
  Maximum Record Time using Internal 4 GB Flash Memory
• 22 kHz 16-bit Recording Mode: 12 hours and 55 minutes
• 44.1 kHz 16-bit Recording Mode: 6 hours and 25 minutes
• 44.1 kHz 24-bit Recording Mode: 4 hours and 15 minutes
• 48 kHz 16-bit Recording Mode: 5 hours and 55 minutes
• 48 kHz 24-bit Recording Mode: 3 hours and 55 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 40 kHz
  
  Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Line Input to Line Output)
• 93 dB or greater (1 kHz IHF-A) when set to 24-bit
  
  Total Harmonic Distortion (Line Input to Line Output)
• 0.01% or below (1 kHz, 22 kHz LPF)
  
  Wow and Flutter
• Below measureable limit (less than +/-0.001% W. Peak)
  
  Microphone Input (stereo mini jack)
• Input impedance: 22k, rated input level: 2.5mV, minimum input level: 0.7mV. Supports external mic plug-in power
  
  Headphone output (stereo mini jack)
• Rated output level: 400 mV, maximum output level: 25 mW +25 mW or more, load impedance: 16 ohms
  
  Line Input (OPT)
• Analog input - Input impedance: 40k ohms, rated input level: 2.0V
• Minimum input level: 450 mV
• Optical Digital Input - Input level: -24.5 dBm to -14.5 dBm, Absorption wavelength: 630 nm to 690 nm
  
  Line Output (OPT)
• Analog output - Output impedance: 220 ohms, rated output level: 1.7V, load impedance: 22k ohms
• Digital optical output - Output level -21 dBm to -15 dBm, Emission wavelength: 630 nm to 690 nm
  
  USB
• Hi-speed USB, mass storage class
  
  Power Requirements
• DC IN 6V, Four AA (LR6) alkaline batteries (supplied), Four nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries NH-AA (not supplied)
  
  Power Consumption
• 0.75W
  
  Dimensions
• 2-7/8" x 6-1/8" x 1-5/16" (w x h x d) not including projecting parts and controls
  
  Includes: Sound Forge audio studio LE software CDROM, AC power adapter (6V) model AC-ES608K, USB cable, 4 x Alkaline batteries (AA size), Operating Instructions
  
  Mass
• 12.88 oz (including batteries)

Sony PCM-D50 Portable Linear PCM Digital Recorder

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Average of 23 User Ratings

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Buy with confidence!

Posted by 2716 Poppy from Detroit on Apr 30, 2009

Experience w/product: I have heard about it

Reviewer's Background: Professional

Reviewer's Play Style: Sax Jazz

This little guy is awesome. I ordered as a gift for my friend, who is a professional musician. He is more than pleased with it's performance. A solid little piece of equipment. Be sure to order the wind screen. It is amazingly accurate at picking up everything. Enjoy!

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No time for the wrong Recorder

Posted by artgtr from Sullivan Cty, NY on Mar 24, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Classic rock, blues, any style.

I just got this recorder, first off I didn't have time to buy the wrong one, I followed the reviews right here and am satisfied that I purchased the right unit. It is a solid, does what it is suppose to do unit, Contains 4 - AA batteries, that is good and is the only unit that you can purchase a wired remote for that I found. I swear by the reviews, and if it hadn't been for them I don't think i would have been as confident as I was for this purchase. I didn't have the time/money to waste on a unit that wouldn't do what I needed done. enough said,.

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Better Sound Quality Than Expected

Posted by Danja from Louisiana on Mar 22, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: blues, country, rock

I have had this recorder for about ten months and it really works great. I bring it to gigs and either give it to the sound guy or I will place it somewhere around the middle of the stage pointed towards a monitor. If its on stage I just hit the divide button in between songs and then at the end of the night I load them on my computer and all the songs are already split so then I can give the other guys in the band a copy. It sounds really good and picks up bass very well but beware because it picks up wind as well. The 4 gig internal memory seems to be more than enough for 4 hours worth of recording

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Great Portable Recorder

Posted by Rudy from Philadelphia area on Feb 23, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Performing Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Classical organ & choral

I got the PCM D-50 to use for "test" recordings in various acoustic spaces with both instruments and vocal solos and ensembles. It has performed so well in so many different situations that it is now a permanent part of my travels and I am collecting many more useful recordings than I did when having to use larger equipment with external mikes, etc. Don't know how I existed without it!

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Very useful device for sound artists.

Posted by Devon from Albuquerque, NM on Jan 18, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Composer

Reviewer's Play Style: Experimental

I chose the Sony PCM D50 primarily to gather sound samples for my electronic music compositions. It was easy to use out of the box (batteries included!) and you can start recording within a few minutes. It is a little larger than similar products, but this unit is clearly made with durable, professional-grade materials. Nothing feels flimsy or weak, and the recording level knob is particularly nice. The built-in mics have surprisingly good sound quality. So far I have recorded a rushing river, some talking, my cat purring, and a few drums -- all of the recordings have accurate sound with nice bass and a clear high end. The digital limiter does a good job of controlling unexpected loudness. One drawback is that the mics seem to pick up a lot of wind, hence the available windscreen from Sony. I had no problem transferring the recordings onto my computer and then into editing software (ProTools). Overall I am very happy with this product and will use it all the time.

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Sony PCM-D50 Portable Linear PCM Digital Recorder

Read 23 Reviews