Sony PCM D50 Review

Jim Andrada · July 22nd, 2008, 10:37 AM

Abe,

Will do! We were supposed to do it a month or so ago, but this is Tucson in the summer - nothing much seems to happen on schedule. Even the Monsoon got confused and showed up a month early! At least it was early instead of late.

Glenn Fisher · July 30th, 2008, 11:52 PM

Has anyone come across a polar pattern for the d50? I find myself recording some marching band performances at the high school as well as some band concerts and I'm wondering where I would have to place the d50 if I was to purchase one.

In the past I've just been using a Rode Videomic which is NOT the best solution for recording music, but it's all I have at the moment and it does work great in the stands for rejecting some of the noise from parents talking in the stands.

Jim Andrada · July 31st, 2008, 12:47 AM

Glenn,

I mostly record our British style brass band. I've had good results with an M/S setup recording from just behind and above the conductor. We have a reading session scheduled for Friday night and I'm willing to try the Sony in the same position and see how it sounds.

We don't usually get to perform in ideal venues and as you noted, the audiences are usually not just sitting quietly so I think recording from back in the audience would be a bit iffy at best.

Allan Black · July 31st, 2008, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Andrada

Abe,

You got it! Actually, I thought most people on this forum would get it, but a lot of "normal" people I've run this by can't really tell the difference.

Great comparison Jim thanks. The definitive side by side, all comparisons and shoot outs should be made like that.....great.

In that C-NEt D-50 review they say an 'adjustable' limiter, what's that about?

Cheers.

Jim Andrada · July 31st, 2008, 01:59 AM

The limiter has three selectable release times, 150ms, 1 sec and 1 minute.

Honestly speaking, I've never fooled with the release time. Because of the way this one works I haven't seen any need to mess with it.

Allan Black · July 31st, 2008, 02:17 AM

Thanks. Set at 150 I guess, 1 minute is rare on a small rig.

Jim Andrada · July 31st, 2008, 02:28 AM

The default setting seems to be 150 ms and I haven't seen the need to change it - so far:<}

Allan Black · July 31st, 2008, 03:09 AM

That'd be hard on location.

O/T we're rebuilding a Convair 340 at your PIMA air museum. We're going to fly it back to OZ. Drop by and say hello.

Jim Andrada · July 31st, 2008, 03:16 AM

e-mail me through the forum and let me know your contact info and I'll set up a time to stop by.

How long will you be enjoying our rather cool wet Summer (cool compared to the last couple of years at least)

Allan Black · July 31st, 2008, 03:46 AM

Ok I'll mail you.

July 30th, 2008, 11:52 PM	#32
Glenn Fisher Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bridgewater, NJ Posts: 65	Side/Rear Rejection? Polar Pattern? Has anyone come across a polar pattern for the d50? I find myself recording some marching band performances at the high school as well as some band concerts and I'm wondering where I would have to place the d50 if I was to purchase one. In the past I've just been using a Rode Videomic which is NOT the best solution for recording music, but it's all I have at the moment and it does work great in the stands for rejecting some of the noise from parents talking in the stands.

July 22nd, 2008, 10:37 AM	#31
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	Abe, Will do! We were supposed to do it a month or so ago, but this is Tucson in the summer - nothing much seems to happen on schedule. Even the Monsoon got confused and showed up a month early! At least it was early instead of late.

July 31st, 2008, 12:47 AM	#33
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	Glenn, I mostly record our British style brass band. I've had good results with an M/S setup recording from just behind and above the conductor. We have a reading session scheduled for Friday night and I'm willing to try the Sony in the same position and see how it sounds. We don't usually get to perform in ideal venues and as you noted, the audiences are usually not just sitting quietly so I think recording from back in the audience would be a bit iffy at best.

July 31st, 2008, 01:59 AM	#35
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	The limiter has three selectable release times, 150ms, 1 sec and 1 minute. Honestly speaking, I've never fooled with the release time. Because of the way this one works I haven't seen any need to mess with it.

July 31st, 2008, 02:17 AM	#36
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,928	Thanks. Set at 150 I guess, 1 minute is rare on a small rig.

July 31st, 2008, 02:28 AM	#37
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	The default setting seems to be 150 ms and I haven't seen the need to change it - so far:<}

July 31st, 2008, 03:09 AM	#38
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,928	That'd be hard on location. O/T we're rebuilding a Convair 340 at your PIMA air museum. We're going to fly it back to OZ. Drop by and say hello.

July 31st, 2008, 03:16 AM	#39
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	e-mail me through the forum and let me know your contact info and I'll set up a time to stop by. How long will you be enjoying our rather cool wet Summer (cool compared to the last couple of years at least)

July 31st, 2008, 03:46 AM	#40
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,928	Ok I'll mail you.