One of the first things I noticed about the PCM-D1 was how solid it is. This machine is built to last! Its body is made of 1mm thick, pure titanium, and the surface is scratch-resistant (which put my mind at ease when I was handling it). The built-in electret condenser mics are protected by a stainless steel “cage” to prevent impact damage to the mics. Sony definitely took measures to make this thing durable.
When I finally got over how well built it is, I decided to try some test clips. I had no problem doing so. Everything is incredibly simple to use. The controls are where you would think they would be, and recording is a snap. Just a touch of a button or two, and you can do most anything you want. Changing sample rates and bit-depth is just as easy. I felt extremely comfortable using the PCM-D1, and I was able to do what I wanted quickly and easily.
I ended up with several recordings, most of which were Foley material (doors opening, toilets flushing, footsteps, etc.). Honestly, I was amazed at the quality. The mics are top-notch, and the signal path is crystal clear. You’ll just have to hear for yourself how amazing it is!
Storage is certainly no issue with the PCM-D1. It comes with 4GB of internal memory – that’s huge! And if that’s not enough, you can use its Memory Stick Pro slot to record onto Memory Stick Pro media (not included). Transferring your files to a Mac or PC for storage is ridiculously easy. Just plug it in to a USB port, and the recorder appears as a USB mass storage device. Just drag and drop the files where you want them!
Bottom line: If you’re looking for quality, durability, and an easy, fun experience recording, the PCM-D1 has it all.
