Sony PCM D50 Digital Recorder Review.
plus, a nice "wind screen" idea.
List $599.00

Here's the deal after a little more time with the Sony D50.

(Update 6-16-08): The more I use the D50, the more I'm impressed by its sound quality - it's good stuff. I'm considering doing a podcast episode of nothing but the field recording's I've done with the D50 (I'll post a link here when it happens). Even with the unit's internal microphones (which I usually keep set at the 120 degree setting).


*** Previous update ***

It does actually fit in my jeans pocket (though barely). The recordings that I made with the internal microphones sound clearer than those I made with the R-09.

I finally got around to running a Rode NT4 stereo microphone into the D50's external microphone inputs. It sounded really nice. No problems and a very low noise floor (that's a good thing). I've reduced the wind noise with the unit's internal microphones by using the pantyhose / tulle netting (see below), but anything over a gentle breeze craps out the recording. Yes, I could use the "fuzzy" cover, but the recorder with the cover won't fit in my pocket.

*** Now for the review ***


So, how many people are addicted to recording as much as I am? Any guess? 4? OK, 4. Well, whatever your level of recording passion/obsession, you've probably taken an interest in the current line of available pocket recorders.


Many of you have probably read my review of the Edirol R-09 and know that I've been using one of those recorders since the Summer of 2006. At first, I loved the unit, but, after it fell victim to the popular "input jack issue" I began to question it's long-term reliability.


That aside, my R-09 is still working albeit minus functioning input jacks. But, would I spend $399 on a new one? Not without checking out the other recorders from Tascam, M-Audio, Zoom, Fostex, Marantz, Olympus, and Sony first (Edirol has recently updated the R-09 recorder to the R-09 HR which the company says has improved electronics as well as the ability to record at 96k).


Due to a store credit (not related to the R-09), I was presented with the option of purchasing a new "pocket recorder". After researching the available recorders in the $199 - $599 price range, I chose the Sony PCM-D50. And so far, I'm glad I did.


First Impressions

Well the D50 barely qualifies as a "pocket recorder" in my opinion as it just fits in to my cargo shorts pocket, and probably won't fit into my jeans pocket (actually, it barely fits in my jeans pocket). It's larger than the R-09 and runs on 4 AA batteries where the Edirol unit takes just 2. Though the Sony boasts a far better battery life than any of it's competitors as of today.


The D50 feels sturdy, more like a professional recorder should. It's easy to operate the D50, no manual needed as long as you remember to hit "pause" after you hit "record" to actually begin recording. No big deal. But, for best results, skim the manual OK?.


I was more impressed by the D50's sound quality. Using its' built in microphones set to the 120 position (wide stereo), I made some quick recordings of a dawn chorus outside my front door. It was a nice, clean recording, free of noise with a good sense of space. Even better was the woodpecker that I captured (click for sound sample). In post (Pro Tools LE with PSP Master Q plug), I rolled off everything below 500Hz and raised the overall output volume by almost 15dB (yes, 15dB gain!!).


Suburbia's noise was in the recording as I expected, but the Sony D50's internal and microphone noise was absent (GREAT!). Oh, and connection from the D50 to my Powerbook G4 via USB was quick and painless. The Sony's WAV files loaded into Pro Tools quickly and without issues. Cool.


Keep in mind that I've only spend a little time with the D50 (as of the time I wrote this). But, here's the main things that I like about it (not in order):

• 4 GB of internal memory standard (no external cards needed)
  but optional Memory Sticks will expand the available recording time.
• A "real" volume knob (versus tiny buttons)
• Adjustable internal microphones
• Great sound quality
• Long battery life
• Sturdy build quality
• "Divide" feature will automatically split a file while recording.

A note about wind protection. I've read a few complaints about this recorder being overly sensitive to wind noise. Personally, I can't think of any condenser type of microphone that doesn't need some kind of wind protection when used outdoors.


That said, if you get the D50, you better strongly consider some kind of wind protection. Even while recording and moving position indoors, I experienced some wind noise. Not a deal breaker by any means as I've had this same thing happen using professional shotgun microphones indoors.


My actual first recording with the D50 was of a bumble bee. I followed the bee with the recorder and got within inches of said insect. The recording was beautiful until the wind from the bee's wings hit the microphones. So, I slipped on a fuzzy wind cover. Well, the bee had enough of me, so I was left with just neighborhood ambience. The wind cover knocked out most of the wind problem, but it added a good bit of bulk to my recorder (which would make stealth recording much harder to do since I now had a ball of fur in my hand - people would be asking to see my sugar glider or something).


This is where the "netting" (see the D50 image above right) comes into play. The metal "roll bars" that protect the microphones also make for a great wind screen support (at least that's my idea). I took a few inches of netting fabric called tulle (see my wind test article for more details) and double-layered it over the microphone section, securing the fabric with rubber bands. That worked, but just a little bit. Next, I added a double layer of panty hose (my wife is so understanding when it comes to my recording addiction) to the tulle layer. Much better. As much as the "furry" cover? Not quite, but it also doesn't have the bulk of the fur either. And, it is acceptable in light outdoor breezes.


I'm going to be refining this wind protection setup for the D50 and will post the updated info here.


D50 handling noise: It goes without saying that anything you're holding that has microphones in it will conduct some amount of handling noise to the microphones. The D50 does seem a little more susceptible to this, so be careful when recording with the internal microphones - or record with external microphones. Any microphone that terminates in a 1/8" stereo plug will work (as long as it has its own internal power or can operate off the D50's available plug-in power.


In the meantime, I think that if you're looking for a small "pocket" field recorder, the Sony PCM D50 should be on your list to consider. Yes, it's about $100 more than its closest competition, but that extra money buys you a step up in quality.



For detailed features, specs and all other info, visit Sony's D50 web page.