|
Strengths: The Sony PCM-M1 offers the ability to limit and/or turn off the "SCMS", allowing for a person to make numerous digital copies of their own work! Durable metal body.
Weaknesses: The weaknesses of the PCM-M1 are as follows: (1) Does not have independent (R&L) recording volume. (2) Has extremely noisy and slow op-amps. (3) Has only a S/N ratio of approx. 88 db.
Summary: It would be rather exciting to have Sony or some other independent contractor redesign the "PCM-M1" dat unit. Again, I would like to see it with independent right & left recording volume controls. Also, the unit would undoubtedly find a place well suited for recording the most wounderful and great voice of God, if the A/D converter had a word length of 24-bits. Another great modification would be the utilization of some extremely high quality, fast slew rate op-amps, thus allowing for the operator to have the ability to record at higher "head room", if necessary. Finally, it would be "most excellent" if the dat unit could be modified to allow for individual channel control. Therefore, a recording could be produced at seperate locations if necessary. For example, let's say that a person wanted to record a species of bird on channel A (right side), while wanting to record the sound of a dog barking on channel B (left side), and the bird and dog are at two distinct locations some 25 kilometers apart. Ideally, all the recorder would have to do is to turn off channel B, but keep channel A on, while recording the birds at their location. Next, the person conducting the recording would simply travel to where the noisy puppys are, and turn off channel A. Before putting bark to tape, make sure that the tape is rewound and that now channel B is turn on. As far as cosmetics are concerned, it would wonderful if the data screen be made of a much harder material, such as quartz or Sapphlex, instead of plastic. Seeing as the PCM-M1 already has a magnesium body, I think one manufactured out of titanium would be even more pleasing to the eye! Anyway, of the many years I have been involved in making recordings in the field, and have, at one time or another, used various analog as well as digial recording machines, I think I am qualified to say that for its size and constuction, the Sony PCM-M1 has performed almost flawlessly! And yes, I would (will) most definitely utilize the PCM-M1 for two-track digital field recordings again and again, for many years to come. Or, at least, until a portable DAT recorder comes out with independent recording levels along with each side's I/O. Additionally, I would like to see the new machine have a 24-bit word length with with a sampling rate of 96 Khz. By utilizing a 24-bit analog to digital / digital to analog chip, I would hope that the unit's S/N ratio would be somewhere between 110 db - 116db. As far as the THD (A weighted) is concerned, I would like to see it as low as approximately 0.0002% for a digital output signal and 0.0008% for an analog output signal. Overall, on a scale of 1 - 10, I would rate the Sony PCM-M1 DAT recorder around 8. As it is very reliable, I am quite sure it will give me many more years of service in the field. I hope that I helped you answer a few of your questions in regards to the Sony PCM-M1.
 100% of People (4/4) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
 There are no comments for this review. Post a comment.
|
Report this as 