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Sony PCM-D100 Portable Recorder
01 / 06
Sony PCM-D100 Portable Recorder
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Product Description
A powerful little tool for recording concerts, interviews, and other documentary elements, the Sony PCM-D100 has many of the same features as the beloved PCM-D50, plus some serious improvements in the sound department. It’s solidly made and easy to navigate, with built-in electret condenser microphones and internal audio circuitry (both upgraded from the D50), and a mini jack for external mics Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downsyncretism
0
Mar 20, 2018
As @JazzMaven noted, the last drop was for a gray-market PCM-D100 from China; it didn't ship with batteries, but it did ship with a 220v ac power supply, which is a bummer. Changing the language settings is trivial with a Google search, and once it's in English, it's functionally identical to any unit you'd buy stateside.
That said, the mic pres on my unit were fried, so I have sent it to Sony for repair or replacement. Dealing with Sony, including their professional support services, is neither a smooth nor pleasant process, but I'm confident that I'll have a working unit... eventually.
I've used the D100 in the past; when it works, it's a very good product, but not perfect for all jobs. Its built-in mics sound better than the D50's, or any similar Tascam I've used. I suspect that it's better than similar Zoom products, but I don't have first-hand experience with those. It's also not my only kit; when I want to use condenser mics in a tight space, I connect a Sound Devices USBPre to the optical port, which is a pretty great arrangement - I can use high gain external microphones when the work calls for it, or I can carry a single device on a Rycote audio kit for field recordings, or I can just use it as a safety in a larger recording setup. People will say that it's expensive, and maybe it is when you factor in purchase of a mount and power adapter, but I don't think it's in "diminishing returns" territory, and certainly not at the price Massdrop advertised. It does a few things and it does them well.
That said, I wouldn't use this if I were in a crowd of reporters clamoring for a statement, say. The noise from handling the chassis is unreal (get the Rycote thing). Attn: @Dr.McCoy
That said, the mic pres on my unit were fried, so I have sent it to Sony for repair or replacement. Dealing with Sony, including their professional support services, is neither a smooth nor pleasant process, but I'm confident that I'll have a working unit... eventually.
I've used the D100 in the past; when it works, it's a very good product, but not perfect for all jobs. Its built-in mics sound better than the D50's, or any similar Tascam I've used. I suspect that it's better than similar Zoom products, but I don't have first-hand experience with those. It's also not my only kit; when I want to use condenser mics in a tight space, I connect a Sound Devices USBPre to the optical port, which is a pretty great arrangement - I can use high gain external microphones when the work calls for it, or I can carry a single device on a Rycote audio kit for field recordings, or I can just use it as a safety in a larger recording setup. People will say that it's expensive, and maybe it is when you factor in purchase of a mount and power adapter, but I don't think it's in "diminishing returns" territory, and certainly not at the price Massdrop advertised. It does a few things and it does them well.
That said, I wouldn't use this if I were in a crowd of reporters clamoring for a statement, say. The noise from handling the chassis is unreal (get the Rycote thing). Attn: @Dr.McCoy
Ivan3
32
Jan 21, 2018
LOL, what part of MassDrop's "All Sales Final" do folks here NOT understand?
There are some things MassDrop is good for, this one likely NOT.
MassDrop Made is good if you know what you are buying (Sennheiser HD-6XX is/was a bargain) $1000 Kennerton Kans? $700 without the wooden box? Buy two, they're cheap!
Soon-to-be-discontinued-items?
You get all of the 'returns' they can find in the corner of the warehouse in these clearance sales.
ALL SALES FINAL!!!!
There are some things MassDrop is good for, this one likely NOT.
MassDrop Made is good if you know what you are buying (Sennheiser HD-6XX is/was a bargain) $1000 Kennerton Kans? $700 without the wooden box? Buy two, they're cheap!
Soon-to-be-discontinued-items?
You get all of the 'returns' they can find in the corner of the warehouse in these clearance sales.
ALL SALES FINAL!!!!
freezE
1
Jan 20, 2018
Do not buy! This is not a great price and you can get it cheaper / faster from other vendors.
JazzMaven
2
Dec 16, 2017
Further to my earlier posts I just looked again at the Sony Package and it seems they have sent me an Asian version with 220 Volt AC power and everything in Chinese and not the one for the USA. I can’t seem to find a phone number to connect with Mass Drop at all and its getting to be really frustating. Can anyone help by giving me a phone number as this unit is useless for me and needs to be returned for a new model with 120 volts ac adapter and which has everything in english. I have paid a lot of money for this product and this needs to be rectI fixed immediately. Please help. I don’t know where or whom to contact and the Help Center is no use at all.
Hamsteren
46
Dec 17, 2017
JazzMavenIf you go to your transactions then underneath is a contact support. This has worked anytime i have needed to contact the support.
Not sure if there is a direct number tho.
syncretism
0
Mar 20, 2018
JazzMavenIf you're still in a bind, I can help you with the language settings. No one can get you a US unit with a mains power supply, though; thats sold separately in the US, and always has been, as far as I know.
JazzMaven
2
Dec 16, 2017
How do I get in touch with Mass Drop custome service as my package box did not include everything that’s supposed to come with the box no batteries and the box is dated 2013 by Sony which leads me to believe it’s old and used as it seems to be repacked with tape etc. need help please
JazzMaven
2
Dec 16, 2017
I just got this drop yesterday and have got an old defective model in the box. How do I return it for an exchange or refund.? It’s an expensive purchase and when you first turn it on everything is written or displayed in Japanese. Very upset and disappointed with this experience. Can someone help or provide me with a contact number or details to resolve this plea
please? Thanks
brent71
23
Dec 16, 2017
This looks like an incredible recorder. I'd love to have one but just can't justify it. I have a Zoom H4n that rarely gets used as it is. =/
Hugo_Y
58
Nov 19, 2017
It's one of the best recorders, but many people used it as a music player like a big brick
MarkSA
49
Oct 28, 2017
Here is an excellent long-term review of this recorder:
http://www.creativefieldrecording.com/2017/01/18/sony-pcm-d100-review-one-year-later/
What is astonishing is that the in-built mics record sounds up to 96kHz (!), so the frequency response figures in the specs giving a top frequency of 20kHz are incorrect. Although we can't hear those frequencies, there is good evidence that we can recognize the increased rise times of recorded sounds that those frequencies allow, so this would seem to support why this recorder sounds so good.
http://www.creativefieldrecording.com/2017/01/18/sony-pcm-d100-review-one-year-later/
What is astonishing is that the in-built mics record sounds up to 96kHz (!), so the frequency response figures in the specs giving a top frequency of 20kHz are incorrect. Although we can't hear those frequencies, there is good evidence that we can recognize the increased rise times of recorded sounds that those frequencies allow, so this would seem to support why this recorder sounds so good.
Dr.McCoy
345
Oct 22, 2017
What's this like to hand-hold in terms of noise?
I'm having a hard time finding anything that strikes a good balance between the size of the Zoom H1 and the quality of larger recorders. The cost of this but lack of XLRs makes me take great pause.
EDIT: Also, what external mic recommendations are there for this?
I'm having a hard time finding anything that strikes a good balance between the size of the Zoom H1 and the quality of larger recorders. The cost of this but lack of XLRs makes me take great pause.
EDIT: Also, what external mic recommendations are there for this?
mathomas
42
Oct 22, 2017
Dr.McCoyReviews on Amazon lead me to believe there is a fair amount of self-noise if hand holding. Regarding external mics, I think the reason this thing is so expensive is because the mics and preamps are so good, and Sony didn’t bother with XLR for that reason. I guess we can question the decision. Hopefully someone else can weigh in on how to integrate external mics, because some people will want to, for sure.
Dr.McCoy
345
Oct 23, 2017
mathomasYeah I listened to the samples on Transom compared to the Zoom H5. It's really shockingly good. I'm juuuuuuuuuuust not sure about the functionality of it sans xlr.
If you wanna listen yourself: https://transom.org/2014/sony-pcm-d100/
https://transom.org/2015/zoom-h5/
If you wanna listen yourself: https://transom.org/2014/sony-pcm-d100/
https://transom.org/2015/zoom-h5/
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