Sony PCM-D100 | Worth Buying in 2021?
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- Опубликовано: 5 окт 2024
- This is my long term user review of the Sony PCM-D100, the handheld recorder capable of recording pristine audio. The question is though, is it the best portable recorder ever made, and how does it compare to the Zoom H6, Zoom H5, or even the Zoom H4n?
Note: It is important to differentiate between the Zoom H4n Pro, and the H4n. The newer Pro version basically sounds the same as the H5 and H6. That being said, I'd say the Zoom H5 and Zoom H6 are still the better choice, due to the detachable mics, no SD card issues, and other features.
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I absolutely love this recorder to recording stereo ambiences, especially when I'm travelling. It's so easy to have it with you in a small bag
I know, I love mine as well! It's so handy to have.
just watching for 20 sec and im impressed with just your production value.
Thank you, glad you liked it :)
@@christianskyes I second that opinion, but your volume levels are nuts man! My ears were blown up when switchinng to your video. I think this is a very annoying way of advertising your sound skills. WTF!!! Tone it down, you're like those TV commercials that suddenly pierce your ears with no mercy.
Gee.. this review is so good that if I was out to buy a dishwasher and happened by chance across this review, then I'd buy the PCM-D100...
Really professionally done. I stupefied trying to think of something I'd want to know about it that isn't covered.
Haha, thanks!
Your reviews are absolutely fantastic! So incredibly detailed, with a stunning cinematic approach. Your voice is soothing, and your videography and flow of video editing is tremendously captivating. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos. It's helping me A LOT with deciding what recorder to purchase, since it will be my first recorder. I will likely purchase this one thanks to your video! Thank you for what you do and for sharing your gifts with the world.
That's far too kind :) Thank you, I'm glad to hear my video has helped you!
I mainly using D100 as a not-so-portable music player, and I can tell you, different battery result in different sound. I used to love Energizer Lithium, but buying them over and over again is a chore, so I ended up with Fujitsu Premium High Rechargeable. Eneloop Pro's midrange is too forward and thick, and low freq. is also quite muddy. I don't have any experience with Powerex though. Alkaline batteries tend to sound good at first, but when they lose voltage as capacity decrease, generally they will sound a bit muddy and somewhat 'slow' before they meet their end.
I don't test that in recording mode, as you may expect, but if you can try different set of battery for your recording session, might as well do it. You'll never know when someday you'll use different set of battery for different occasion! :)
Oh, that is fascinating! I didn't know that the battery brand can actually influence the sound of (at least) the playback.
I'll definitely have to try it when recording!
It's also good if you want to record or play via optical SP/DIF ports, which is good for people coming out of a digital mixer. It's also one of the very few devices that offers DSD recording. So it's for a very specialised market
I own a D-100 and in years I've been so grateful for its low noise ratio.
Same here :)
wow ... so well and professionally done! Thank you - i love your voice!
Thank you, and I hope the review was useful :)
I also use it as a music player. The sound quality is very good and its volume output is powerful enough for demanding hi end headphones. Something else to add is the possibility to record or play music using the digital out/input. Connected to a dac with digital out you can also record from your pc without loosing any information.
Fascinating!
Absolutelly top notch review. The quality of this production is top class, I am very impressed. Having this device for few years, this is eye openner of what it can do. Thank you so much for this. Handling it just make it very noisy, so the holders are a must. Subscribed with respect to this channel. Mike
Thank you very much Mike, and welcome :) Indeed, once you get a handle for it, things get so much easier!
this video was so good. well done mate!
Thank you very much, Elin :)
Superb review Christian; your production quality is just over-the-top great! Based on your assessments I purchased the D-100 primarily for my wife to use on piano (though I use it for ambients and drums), and it's just fabulous. The low noise floor, dynamic range, quality microphones and preamps make it a no-fuss "set and forget" tool. What really sets it apart, however, is the wireless remote control that makes recording multiple takes an absolute breeze, and simultaneous dual recording to mp3 for sharing rehearsal tracks in this "post-pandemic" world; most highly recommended (still) in 2020!
Hey, thank you very much. Lots of incredibly useful data in a short bit of time. Well done. And thanks again
Thanks, glad you liked it!
Hey, your content is just awesome! Please keep making your reviews. They are so much pleasure to watch.
Thanks a bunch :D I do so when I can, mostly focusing on freelance work at the moment.
Hi! I have both, the PCM-D100 and the H6. Loving the Sony for it's mics and overall sound quality and it is very portable and easy to use. I got it after I found the mics of the H6 sound a bit artificial and the converters on the XLR/Line inputs are not the greatest. To me it feels like you get a lot of functions on the H6 and is made for doing everything, but with so many parts for the price they need to comprise quality, I found it's far from studio quality (for example in comparison to RME interfaces), whereas the Sony is focused on field recording with internal mics and does it really well. The PCM-D100 is discontinued now and should be available second hand.
@@ubir9743 Hi, I would say they both are not as good as a great studio microphone, but for me the D100 wins over the H6. I've used the D100 a lot in the last weeks and it is nice to take it around. It's a bit smaller than the H6 with mics. The position of the recorder might be much more relevant than which recorder you use, depending on what sounds you want to record.
@@ubir9743 The D100 has such a significantly better sound that even a person who has never done anything with sound in his life will recognize it.
You forgot to mention the biggest Pro of this recorder that it records in a DSD format with an insane dynamic range. You can easily use this recorder to record a rocket launch with that kind of dynamic range.
Hello what would be better as an all around audio recorder? Zoom H6, or this?
@@FullTekAuto As I said in my post I don't have the money to spend on this recorder, so I don't own it but don't doubt it even for a second that this is a much better recorder, it is not even in the same class as H6. H6 Preamps hiss like crazy for low volume ambient recordings the Sony is much quieter. If you have the cash the answer is obvious. :)
Hi!
I was planning on buying a recorder with this format mainly to do nature ambient recordings and voice-overs. 50% of its use would be chirping birds, rivers flowing, wind blowing through trees, etc... And the other 50% would be me talking to it from a close distance.
I initially was going to buy the Zoom H5, but after getting to know this one, now I can't really decide. I love the H5's capsule system and its versatility, but the fact that the lower preamps on the Sony make it more suitable for outdoor ambient recordings prevents me from making a final decision.
Another important fact, is that I'll be buying a Rode VideoMic Pro+ or Rode VideoMic Pro in the near future for my DSLR camera. Would a combination of this mic along with the H5 solve its "high" preamps issue for quiet outdoor sounds?
I hope you can help me with this, since I am nervous about spending so much money into equipment with which I am not familiarized.
Kindly regards and thank you in advance
Pablo
Hi Pablo, sorry for the delayed response. I watch bushcraft videos quite a bit, and in my personal opinion, the PCM-D100 would be well suited to record the ambience whilst you're building something, walking around, etc. Any recorder can do that, but the D100 is quieter, so you'll get less hiss when recording really quiet stuff.
I'd also make sure to buy the Rycote kit with it, the grip, shock mount and windshield. You'll encounter a lot of wind, and the windshield will help with that. The reason why you want the shock mount is so that if you drop something heavy on the ground, or use a hammer, it will help attenuate the shocks.
Dropping something heavy next to the recorder on a stand for example, will affect the recording, whilst having a shock mount will attenuate the vibrations.
In terms of recording your voice, you have a few different options.
1) You could just speak directly into the PCM-D100 recorder. As long as you're close enough, you will get good sound. Worth trying it out before you buy anything else.
2) Get a Rode VideoMic as you mentioned, and plug it in your camera. You can have it on top of it as well, for ease of use. Again, stay relatively close to it, and you will get good sound.
3) Consider a wireless lav mic. You could run it underneath your shirt, and clip it on your collar. That would plug into a small device that you can attach to your trousers, and that will transmit audio directly to a separate device which you can plug into your camera (or potentially even the PCM-D100, though you'd have to do a bit of research on the lav model, to make sure it works).
With a bit of practice, you should also be able to hide the lav mic, so that your viewers can't see it.
4) You can also try a wired lav mic that you can plug into your phone. You have your phone in your pocket, or on your body somewhere, you attach the mic to your collar, and then plug the cable into the phone.
You then press record on the camera and on the phone, and clap, so that you have a point of reference on both audio tracks when syncing the audio up later in the edit. I hope that makes sense?
Hopefully these tips helped you out. Feel free to ask if you have any questions 👍
@@christianskyes
Hi!
I did not expected such a detailed and precise answer to all my doubts. Thank you very much for that. Now that my mind is clear with all these choices, I finally went with the Sony PCM-D100 (along with the shock absorbing mount and the dead cat).
I used your affiliate links so hopefully you get some monetary compensation for your helpful advices.
Kindly regards
Pablo
Hainbach got me interested in the Sony D100 -- claiming it sounds better than the Zoom or any other field recorder he's used (and he's a legend for Ambient/Foley recordings, so I put a lot of stock in his perspective.
Hi, currently I’m using h1n to record asmr eating sound. But the noise floor is terrible. I’m thinking of upgrading the mic with the lowest noice floor. Do you think this is the best mic+recorder? Or would you suggest something else? Thanks in advance!
When you're dealing with noise floor, you have three options: get the microphone as close as possible to the sound source, remove as much unwanted noise as possible around you, or upgrade your gear.
In regards to upgrading your gear, there are a few options, depending on how much you're willing to spend.
The Sony PCM-D100 might be a good solution for you, though it is rather pricey. A cheaper solution might be using a Rode NTG-2 and a Tascam DR-60D mkII.
I've used that set-up before, and I was able to cleanly record some really quiet sounds, without the devices introducing too much unwanted noise.
It's a rather inexpensive set-up, and if you buy them used, you'll get an even better deal.
Hope that helps :)
Great video! Precise and concise. And great audio too! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Much appreciated!
Great information..I am looking to upgrade my field recording capabilities. Appreciate your videos.
I'm glad I could help out :D No worries at all, and best of luck with your upgrade!
Yet another lovely video, the production perfection really screams out here!
Loved the tutorial on the sound quality breakdown, very helpful
Thank you
Thanks a lot, I'm glad it was enjoyable :)
I really like your review style!
I feel like peaceful! Lovely!
Thanks, glad you liked it :)
4:45 Dont worry about battery life - you should be more worried about the major design flaw of the battery housing tray! these are very thin plastic that get brittle with age and end up cracking which can lead to more problems later on like not being able to get the batteries out and finding a replacement battery tray - this is the same as the Sony PCM-D50 which I have. I would advice people to stay well clear of these because once that tray is broken you cant use batteries anymore! MAJOR DESIGN FAIL!
You will be very lucky to find a replacement if you do expect to pay around £60 just for a replacment battery tray that will do the same thing again sooner or later.
Im in the process of having to modify mine with a standard 4 x AA battery tray that will fit inside the recorder
A $10 roll of proper gaffer's tape will solve all your battery tray problems, and not leave any sticky residue when removed.
Very good video. Question 1: Your voice in this video, was recorded with the Sony PCM-D100? I hear your voice through the speakers of my SONY TV and it sounds fantastic! Question 2: When you record on a card, let's say that the recording of a non-stop project supposed to be 3 hours. The total recording time shall be 3 hours in 1 audio file, or the audio file stops every 10 minutes for example, then opens automatically another file and continues and so on? In other words, each audio file has a specific capacity of GB, for example 2 GB? Thanks again for the video, your time and attention.
Hi, sorry for the really delayed reply. It wasn't actually, it was recorded with the Amazon Professional mic which I reviewed on this channel. I use it mostly for convenience, as I can just plug it into my MacBook and record.
The files are automatically divided once they reach 2 GB (1 GB if you're recording in MP3). If you're recording in stereo, at 24bit/96kHz, 2GB should he hit within about an hour, or just short of it. If you're recording at 24bit/48kHz then it should be reached in about two hours.
No worries, glad I could help :)
You have such a compelling voice - and I really appreciate your level of detail. Don't know whether you check comments on past vids but if so....has your perspective changed since making it? I have the opportunity to buy a PCM D100 at a very reasonable price---I'd had a PCM D50 for years, but am only now returning to recording and need high quality up-to-date gear. You mentioned recording in WAV but I had understood the D100 only records in DSD or MP3. Did I get that wrong? Thank you so much for your response---I have to act quickly with this sale of the D100, btw, but no "presh" :)
How about for 2022 going into 2023? there is nothing else in this category with this kind of quality build...what its competitor? Only thing I'm hesitant about is the lack of warranty since its been discontinued. so its a steep price for a discontinued product.
Excellent review! Its very well made too (both the video and the recorder haha) :)
Hoping for a review of Sony PCM D-10 from a well known sound guy on RUclips. Maybe we can expect something from you as well, short term or long term, maybe both. I expect it to be good and will probably buy it. But can’t complain about price on Zoom H6, it’s really affordable.
I would love to review the PCM-D10, but I can't actually afford it at the moment 😀 Indeed, The Zoom H6 is actually really affordable. I think it might have been a bit more expensive back when it came out, but it's affordable now.
I love my D100 a lot, it's the best. One device I will never sell.
Wow, I love the quality of your videos, they're so astonishing, and the sounds quality is amazing what camera do you use to record those videos? and what software do you use to upload them? You work is out of this world :)
Hi! Thank you for this review! I’d like to know if you would be reviewing the Sony PCM D10 (not d100)? It has XLR inputs and phantom power and I’m wondering if it’s worth selling my H4n Pro for it. The noisiness of H4n Pro is bothering me and I’m hoping to make the switch to the D10 if it offers less noisy recording.
Sony PCM-D100 is a great ,high res Recorder but if they make it to be use as an audio interface could be REALLY No 1
Absolutely! I'm not sure, but I think the D10 might work as an interface? I'll have to look it up.
No XLR, sounds artificial but good build. Fostex FR2le beats it, lower noise floor, XLR and sounds very natural.
Interesting, never tried the Fostex FR2le but of course you lose the built-in mics.
Awesome. I'd love to grab 1 for natural sound outdoors!
If you do, let me know how it goes 👍
One of the best product information videos I have recently seen. Such clarity and precision. Just the the information needed. Thank you. Subscribed!
PS: you have an amazing voice!
Hey, I'm glad you found the video helpful :D
PS: Thank you!
I agree with most of what you say. It is unequalled in many ways BUT as an outdoor wildlife sound recordist living in a windy part of the world it is absolutely useless with the inbuilt mics, even with some wind protection. In still conditions it is brilliant. I most often use it with external PiP mics such as Telinga parabolas for species or LOM Usi mics for ambiences. In both cases there are few handhelds that can beat it.
Hey! Thank you very much for your video! I’m making decision to purchase this item for stereo recorder!
No worries at all :) I'm sure you're going to love it!
thanks for the great video and all the related articles.
No worries at all!
With the current price of the Sony you can buy the H5, H6 and H8 for the price of one recorder (Really sad though)
Indeed. When you have a really quality recorder which has been discontinued, prices are going to shoot up.
Plenty of clicking in your audio. After every phrase where you glue audio fragments together there is a click. Match levels - make smooth transitions to avoid clicks.
Hi. The clicks that you're hearing are not due to poor editing, but due to me having a naturally clicky mouth. I didn't remove as many clicks on that video as usual, hence the sounds.
I have one, and I love it. Great video my man.
Thank you very much :)
I am about to purchase. Cost is not a factor. My choice is a Zoom H5 or 6 and the Sony PCM-D100. I need portability. I will primarily be doing nature sounds, birds, wind, water and ll things nature etc. Most recordings will be with internal mic but some with external mics. Am I making a bad decision with the Sony since the mic choice will not be XLR connections? Thank You in advance. I will use your links to Amazon. While all are good choices I am a quality fanatic in sound.
Hello Christian. Hope all is well. Tremendous videos you create and post! Truly top notch!
I have a question that I have been attempting to research without definitive results. I believe you may be able to answer. I hope you do not mind - I greatly appreciate any input.
I am a nature photographer and now beginning to create short nature videos in Premiere Pro. I am considering either the Zoom H5 or the Sony PCM-D100. Will the PCM file format be supported by Premiere Pro? I know it supports wav files and wanted to know if the PCM and wav are essentially one in the same. I am new to this level of audio work and wanted to make certain PCM files would be usable in Premiere before I purchase the Sony which is 3x the price of the H5.
Thanks so very much for any potential input/advice. Cheers!
Excellent audio in the video. What audio track format did you use to post it on RUclips?
the d100 is rather pricey. do you know if either the a10 or d10 have equally good pre-amp? FYI, you can still get all of these on amazon JP
EDIT: oh i see the D10 is an upgraded version of the D100. what about the A10? is the preamp good on that?
From what I understand the a10 or d10 aren't actually as good as the D100. You could have a look at the D50, which is the model before the D100 🤔 They don't sound quite the same, but it's still a great recorder, and you might be able to find it for less than the D100 on eBay.
How would you compare the Sony PCM-D50 to this, if at all?
I would like the D100 but prices don't seem to budge southward. The D50 is still a bit pricey, but more accessible to people who don't have vast $$$ resources to purchase the D100.
A typical use case for me: I would be using the recorder to capture audio from a sound mixer (church service setting), and clean up any idiosyncrasies in post. Additionally, I would be capturing sounds from Keyboards, synths etc, to sample in my studio later. I need a high-quality, very portable, digital recorder.
If I ever need a nice XLR mic, I imagine I could just plug the mic into my Shure FP33 3 Channel field mixer, and go from the tape or XLR output into the D100/D50 input?
I've never used the D50 personally, but from what I've heard, sound-wise they're not that different. The D100 is a bit better, but where it stands out more is in quality of build.
In terms of your use, I haven't used the PCM-D100 in that way, so I'm hesitant to give you exact advice, but theoretically speaking, I don't see what would prevent you from doing that.
If you want to delve in a bit deeper, here is the manual for the D50 :)
www.avisoft.com/PCM-D50.pdf
We found the official Google voice guy
If only 😂
Thank you for great video. Would you prefer Sony PCM-D100 over the Zooms, H5 or H6? They are way more affordable but I'm not sure if the quality is comparable with Sony.
It depends what I'm recording. If I'm doing voice over, the Zoom H4n Pro, H5, H6 and H8 would do find. If I want to record really quiet stuff, I'd go for the Sony PCM-D100.
Hi, interesting review :)
I was going for the Sony PCM A10, but your review and others almost convince me to buy the D100 :D
What do you think about the A10 ? It is a lot more smaller an lighter (and cheaper) and has some modern features (like start recording at the same time that the video when plugged into a camera, or an smartphone app to control remotely the recorder), but I understand the sound quality is way better with the D100.
Is it possible to have the D100 in a pocket like we would do with a smartphone ?
I haven't tried the A10 personally, but I have indeed heard that the sound quality isn't quite on the same level as the D100.
In terms of whether you can have it in your pocket, it depends on the size of the pocket :) If you're wearing jeans, probably not. It's definitely larger than most smartphones.
You could probably get an attachment for your belt though, and have it in a case attached to it.That way you have easy access to it. Either that, or you can easily carry it around in a backpack.
This was a wonderfully made and informative video. I've been considering grabbing this as an upgrade to my old Tascam DR-40 and both the mic and pre quality seem leaps and bounds better. I have a quick question, but I'm not sure if you've ever tried this. Do you think this would work well mounted on a DSLR/mirrorless cam with the line out going to the camera audio input? I feel like it would work well on a tripod, but I wonder if having this mounted on a handheld cam would introduce handling noise to the audio recording. You mentioned how sensitive the recorder was, but I'm not sure if the extra stability of being mounted onto a camera would help reduce that. This is a pretty niche concern I guess. Thanks again for the informative video! I'll definitely be following your work in the future!
You can hook it up to a mixing board with XLR inputs though the line input from what i saw on the machine.
Great review,
Lovely,💯👌 studio in your pocket 😳
Thanks :) Indeed, I love how handy recorders like these are.
No, it's not ! No multitrack or editing capabilities ! This can only record stereo track, that's it ! Prove me wrong !
@@christianskyes They are!👌
So Versatile, I love Sony's Products....
A rich and very well made video! Bravo.
Is there a way for this device to work for more than 12 hours in order to leave it all day in a discreet location to capture natural ambiences?
If the recorder turns off, is there a risk of losing the recorded files?
Otherwise do you have suggestions for small discreet recorders that we can easily use for this kind of natural recording (why not with XLR inputs)?
Thank you for sharing ^^
Hi, thanks for the great review you did. One question: The built in mics are dynamic or condenser, omni, cardioid or hyper-cardioid? Many thanks!
Hi, glad you liked it :) If I recall correctly, they're omni condensers.
Thanks for the reply!
@@Musical.Maze.1 No worries, sorry it took over a week :) I don't always see comments.
They're condenser and - I think - cardioid. Definitely not omni.
Thanks for your great reviews! I like your channel!
Thanks a lot! More are coming :)
Hello and thank you for the amazing video!
My PCM D100 one stopped switching on. I sent it to an official SONY service in my country and it can be fixed but it will cost 200 euros (plus shipping, maybe another 15 euros).
Do you think it is worth it to spend this amount and try to fix it or am i risking it and i better buy a brand new cheaper recorder like the zooms or the tascams? Your opinion is really valuable. Thank you for your time and your amazing video! :)
Thanks! :)
It depends 🤔 The Sony PCM-D100 has better audio quality than the Zoom series (at least so far, haven't received my H8 yet).
If you want to keep doing what you're doing, and you don't need XLR inputs, I'd just repair the D100. If you want more versatility, and you're happy to have slightly noisier recordings in quiet circumstances, I'd get the H4n Pro, H5, and H6.
I assume they might go down in price a bit as well, as the H8 is due to release soon.
great video, well done!
I played with a Sony PCM-D100 and I found it to be very sensitive to wind noise. even with the rycote shock mount and wind protection. if the recorder gets any wind from the back ou sides you can hear it in the microphones. do you have any thoughts on this? thanks!
Wind noise can be a pain indeed, and all sound recordists have to deal with it to some degree. You have a few options. First, experiment with placement. Can you place it lower to the ground, perhaps near something that might block some of the wind?
You can also look up the Rycote b-a-l-l g-a-g windshield. Yes, that is actually what it's called, just remove the -. If I recall correctly, you should be able to fit about half of the PCM-D100 inside of it, and it will work better than the default windshield. I'd recommend you double check the sizes though.
Alternatively, you can go down the weirder route of placing it in a blimp, like i did. The blimp is not technically designed to house recorders like that, but it should fit inside most models (you can look up dimensions).
Great video. But it will be hard to get the D100 as it is no longer in production. How does the audio quality of the D100 compare with that of the D10? Also the D10 is much more modern, has USB-C power, 2 XLR-TRS combo jacks, and BT monitoring and NFC. It also doubles as a high res audio player. However one field sound recordist has commented that the D10 isn't as good. Can you comment? I'm particularly interested in the D10 in regards to its pre-amps, quality of the built-in mics / pre-amp combo, and any electro-magnetic interference. Cheers.
Very good video! What recorder would you recommend if the PCM-D100 is too expensive (for me)?
I record nature sounds (atmosphere of a place) in the area I live - mostly water sounds (creeks, streams, ...). Set up my tripod in a forest next to a water and film and record the scene. The viewer (in best case) should feel like he is there and the final video is intended to be used for relaxation and meditation.
At the moment I use a Zoom H2n but now I want to upgrade and eventually use mikroUsi microphones (not sure it, still watching videos and learning :) )
I already know that H4n Pro is probably too noisy... is there a good solution in 200-400 $ range for my scenario? Thanks ....
Subscribed, thank you 🙏
Hi Christian, awesome Video i bought one. Is there any settings to change to get these clean noiseless sound?
Not really, just try not to pump the gain too much. Maybe keep it around 6 or so. This also depends on how quiet what you're recording is.
What is your opinion on this vs Zoom H6, I mostly make acoustic fingerstyle guitar music, wich often tends to be in very low volumes, as I understand it after watching your reviews sony was better at low volumes, and having the opertunety to record some nature ambience would also be very nice, would you recomend sony?
The Sony is fantastic, I would definitely recommend it. You can probably use the H6 for finger style guitar though. You might get a little bit of hiss if you're super quiet, but that's not necessarily as big of an issue with music. Sometimes a bit of recording hiss can add character to a track 🤔
"Worth Buying in 2021?" ----- well, I can put it this way. I bought one - it only just arrived recently - and even had to pay 'duty' fees through DHL and GST etc. Was it worth it? After testing it out ----- the answer is - absolutely worth it. Those people aren't kidding when they say very good sound quality. I wasn't actually expecting much from it. But now I know what they mean. Also, one reviewer online says you need to push the 'play' button after pushing the record button in order to record. That is partially correct. The other button to push is the 'pause' button after hitting the record button. I quite like that feature - with the recording primed in the 'pause' mode. You just get very used to it in no time ---- and it works nicely with the remote control too - because hitting 'record' on the remote control puts the LED into the flashing mode - to indicate something at least worked (ie. primed and ready to go) --- and then pushing either the play button or the pause button on the remote will get the record mode rolling along (which means permanent steady red colour on the remote receiver module LED during recording). It is really clever design actually.
One extra comment is ------ if extra features are required, such as XLR inputs, then one solution is to buy a D100 as well as some other recorder. So we can then use whichever one we need for the application. Having a variety of devices gives us options.
Cool does it come with
wind cover
Yes, it does 👍
Thankyou for the great video and information :)
My question is - given that the recorder is sensitive to touch, if I need to reduce the recording levels during a live performance - what method do you recommend. If the recorder is mounted on a stand, can I adjust the volume dial on the right hand side without introducing 'handling noise'? Alternatively, can the remote control or a mobile phone app be used to adjust the recording levels.
Thanks and Regards
Chris
I've heard so many good things about this, many claiming sound quality is better than any other field recorders, including the Zoom series.
I'd like to hear more audio samples before I drop 1k , if anyone has any recommendations I'd appreciate it. Been considering getting a Lewwit 440 Pure condenser for my studio, but this Sony might end up being all I need for my style of music.
Hi, thank you for the fantastic review you did. I just bought one last week. I want to use the pcm-d100 for recording my singing with acoustic guitar.
Could you give me some advice about the settings (The settings what I’m using now is LPCM 48khz/24bit, and take everything(limiter or Low cut) off. And the recording level is about 6.5).
Thanks! I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
would it work well if I put it in the middle of small classical orchestra, 7 cellos and human vocal , distance from players and singer maybe 3m
Thank you for te info .How doe sit compare to the ZOOM 6...what is the distance range for recording ?
It's not as noisy as the H6, but it also doesn't have XLR inputs. The range depends on how loud the sound you want to record is. With any recorder, the quieter the desired sound is, the more hiss there will be in the recording. Some devices have less hiss than others.
Hi Christian, Thank you for the great content! Question about the Sony PCM-D100. I am starting out experimenting with making music with hardware synthesizers. I am looking for a high quality portable recorder such as the D100 to record the music without having to go directly into a computer for now. I know the Zoom H6 has XLR inputs, but I like the D100 for some of the other features. With the D100's line out, could I use a 3.5mm to a dual 1/4 plug (to Right and Left outputs), to record music from a music sequencer or electronic instrument for example? Would the Sony recorder accept/recognize the incoming signal? I guess I am asking if there is a workaround the limited input options. Thanks for your time.
I can't decide between the zoom h6 and the sony PCM-D100, the zoom h6 got more mics attachments that I can replace and can put 4 more mics with phantom power (or 6 but 2 of them without phantom power) but I don't see myself using more then the built in microphones attachments but it's still nice to have. Now people say that the PCM-D100 got a batter quality sound then the h6 which is nice to have but it seems quite limited.
Tough decision indeed. If you don't see yourself needing to use external mics, you might as well get the Sony PCM-D100. It has better pre-amps and it generally sounds better.
If you do one day decide to plug in some mics, you can always get the H5, which is cheaper, and basically sounds the same as the H6.
@@christianskyes thanks! And do you know if there is going to be a new sony PCM recorder anytime soon?
@@I-XIV-IV-XXV The PCM-D10 came out a while ago. Haven't used it personally, but people have said that apparently it's noisier. It does have XLR inputs though.
10 seconds in : subscribed.
Hi! Have you had a chance to field test Sony's Sony PCM-D10? It would be awesome to see how it compares to Sony PCM-D100. Thanks!
Hi Greg, I haven't actually had the chance to get my hands on one, but from what I've heard, the main differences are that it's noisier, but you get XLR inputs on it.
I have two PCM-D100s and several recorders. The PCM-D100 is still worth owning in 2024. I use the PCM-D100 when recording the most important sounds.😂
You forgot the DSD hifi audio format which is supposedly better than PCM.
What microphone and other equipment did you use to record this video? Thanks in advance!
The video was shot with a Canon 77D + a 18-55mm kit lens. In terms of audio, if I recall correctly, I actually used the Amazon USB mic which I reviewed on this channel for this :) There should be some links in the description to my updated gear if you're interested.
@@christianskyes thank you for your informative, high quality video and reply. It’s been very helpful to me. Subscribed.
@@cdb8315 No worries at all, and welcome :)
Sony does not even give the specs for the integrated microphones...
I can't recall what they are off the top of my head, but I think they're somewhere online. They might even be in the comments section of this video, as I remember I might have commented them on someone else's question 🤔
Hi! Can you use it with a lavalier microphone? For example a Sennheiser ME2-II that has a mini-jack input connector. For this Sony device, most of the videos I find are for recording sounds in the nature but not for voice...
Hey Christian!
I play a guitar and i sing. I like to record outside or wherever i am at the moment because I travel a lot.
Would a Zoom h5 be good enough for me or should I save up for the Sony? I wont use any extra mics so dont really need the XLR inputs but are the preamps on the zoom good enough really? :) I know that can be higly subjective but what would you say. Is the difference drastic?
Is it possible to connect D100 to camera while recording video in order to avoid sound sync later?
Now that 32 Bit float recorders are on the market, do you think the D100 is still worth it? I know some of the 32Bit recorders are bigger/heavier and have poorer battery life, but aren't they more versatile? Saves faffing around with setting sound levels. On the 32 but float systems, there is enough headroom, so is the D100 still worth it?
Hello there I have a Cannon 600d i want to go out and make videos of our water falls.. there big and loud . I don’t know anything about what I need to buy to do this.
I want to have two mics one low to the water and one up in the air for a clear separation of both channels for a full stereo sound like a asmr or a recorder if that is a better way to go.what setup do you recommend to do this. I would love your help/ input.....Thanks
I think I found my audio for the original bmpcc & it’s cage!
Sweet :)
If you can't find a PCM D100 at a decent price, the Sony PCM M10 is smaller and less expensive. I mount it on my BMPCC cage and send the line out of the Sony into the camera. The battery life is excellent so I don't have to worry about always turning it on and off.
Hi, thanx for this amazing content. i have a question. I am looking for a really good recorder that aloud me to rec nature sound, narural enviromemts like lakes, rivers, moors, mountains and all this kind of sounds. Would you recommend me this beauty Sony or which recorder you recomend me for this task I am looking for???. Too much gratitude.
If you want something portable, yes. The Sony PCM-D100 is fantastic for that, as in terms of using the built-in mics, it produces some of the cleanest recordings when it comes to handheld devices.
Hope this helps! 👍
@@christianskyes this is amazing, thank you very much!. Is such a great help. Gonna try to find it, I have looked but is discontinued everywhere 😔😔😔
i saw on SOS that it is actually not suitable for handheld recording because the finger touch will be captured. Do we have to use a stand? what do you think of it?
Are you referring to handling noise? If so, you can indeed use a stand, or you can use the Rycote kit I mention in the video :) It basically puts a shockmount between your hand and the device, thus minimising and even eliminating handling noise (depending on how hard you shake the device).
Have you had experience with the cheaper Sony M10 recorder? Is there a noticeable difference between the 2 recorders of different price range? Thanks!
I would like to buy it to record my songs with electric guitar in analog mode. Not so sure about this.
Not sure what to say in regards to your particular example, though it is a fantastic sounding recorder 👍
It has analog line-in and you could monitor through analog outputs (headphone or speaker). The quality is most probably as good as anything. Just be careful with levels - I'm not familiar with the equipment typically used in your specific use case.
Normally I use a Sound Devices MixPre 6 Mark 2, but I am looking for a self contained travel recorder for video when motorcycle touring. Thinking of the Sony PCM-D100, Tascam DR-100 Mkiii or Zoom H5. I would also take a RØDE Video NTG (3.5mm connection) for directional recording, such as birds. Of the 3 mentioned, which would you recommend?
What's a good microphone to record vocals? (Singing)
I dont think I need xlr, but cant decide should I buy the new d10 instead of d100. I heard d100 has lower self-noise though.
That's what I heard as well, as I haven't used a D10. I don't think the difference is too massive though, so if you think you'll need XLR inputs at some points, you're probably better off getting the Sony D10.
Don't understand, there is a line-in mini-jack socket on the right side of the device. Is it not functional?
2019 - this channel is going to hit 1,000,000 subscribers! Watch and see.
That's really nice of you to say, thank you very much! 😄
Great Channel! I am doing YT live streams via my macbook pro and I want the BEST USB microphone for innterview audio. What would you reccommend as the Best in audio quality? Thank you !
Hey, glad you like it :) Not necessarily sure what the absolute best USB mic might be, but I just uploaded a review the other day of the AmazonBasics Professional Condenser Microphone.
Feel free to have a look. I personally like it a lot, and I've been using it to record the audio for my channel, including the voice over for this video.
@@christianskyes Wow, this voice over sounds amazing! Did you do any post-processing of the voiceover to fatten the sound? if so a tutorial would be a great idea for a new video!
Haha, thanks 👍 I only do light processing in post, though proximity effect does help a little bit. I record quite close to the mic, which helps make the sound a bit beefier.
Apart from that, my voice is rather rich, and I speak from the diaphragm, which makes it naturally resonant.
I might actually make a video on how I record my voice overs, thanks for the suggestion 👍
It doesn’t even have any mic inputs?
What do you think about the Sony Pcm A10 and D10?
I'm looking to record ambient sounds (mostly nature) from rugged, backpacking destinations. Would this recorder be the best one to use for that specific objective?
Key features I need are QUIET sound floor, large storage capacity and long battery life.
I'm willing to spend about $1000-$1500 on my whole kit... what should I buy?
I'd say that the Sony PCM-D100 ticks all those boxes. It's small, so you can fit it in a backpack, it has 32 GB of built-in storage capacity, and it can take SD cards as well.
The battery lasts quite a long time, though you might want to pack some extra AAs with you. The recorder takes 4 x AAs at a time.
Additionally, it has a quiet noise floor, and it costs around $800.
I'd recommend getting the Rycote kit I mention in the video, for some extra wind protection, and the ability to handhold it.
@@christianskyes Thank you so much for the great video and detailed reply! When I order I'll make sure to use your link!!!
Happy to help 😃
Of course. Still the best, probably ;)
Great video!
Thanks!
Thank you for the interesting review, would you recommend this device for recording 1) piano solo, 2) vocal accompanied by piano? I currently have H2n and looking for an upgrade.