Part of Sony's recently announced High-Resolution Audio initiative, the new PCM-D100 is a hand-held stereo audio recorder that's designed to be used in recording applications such as live music events, theatrical performances, and electronic news gathering. The recorder supports the latest high-resolution codecs and formats, including 192kHz/24bit PCM and 2.8224 MHz Direct Stream Digital (DSD).
The microphones use a new 15mm design that allows sounds up to 40kHz to be recorded, and they can be angled from 90 degrees to 120 degrees apart for XY and wide stereo recording.
The PCM-D100 records two versions of all incoming signals: one at the level you set with the input gain controls and another identical version, 12dB quieter that is automatically crossfaded in if the main recording level clips.
So you don't miss the start of a recording, the recorder also features a five-second pre-record buffer. The pitch of the audio can be shifted up to one octave up or down and sped up and slowed down for easy phrase training.
Available recording formats are linear PCM (at 192, 176.4, 96, 88.2, 48 and 44.1kHz); DSD (2.8224 MHz) and MP3 (320 and128 kbps). Additional playback support is provided for FLAC, WMA and AAC files. Using high-resolution formats can take up a lot of space, so the recorder has 32 GB of built-in memory and a combination SD Card/Memory Stick slot for expandable storage.
The PCM-D100 recorder, which replaces Sony’ previous PCM-D50 model, is supplied with Sony’s Sound Forge Audio software, a wireless IR remote commander, a microphone furry windscreen, carrying case, four AA batteries, AC adapter and a USB cable.
The PCM-D100 recorder is planned to be available in early 2014 for a suggested list price of $999, which will mean a street price of around $800.
