Marantz PMD660 - Compact Portable Stereo PC card recorder, XLR input, Phantom Power, Line in/output, remote mic facility - (Includes DA 600 charger - batteries not included)


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Details
The PMD660 recorder is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but it has features that make more expensive, full-sized field recorders green with envy. It can run for hours on just four AA batteries. It records on Compact Flash (CF) media cards (not included) which you can find in any discount store, and will store more than 36 hours of mono on a single card. If audio quality is your key requirement, you get over an hour of pristine, uncompressed, 16-bit .wav files. Editing can be achieved right there in the field using either of two editing modes, or you can use your favorite audio editing application by transferring files to your PC-the PMD660 even has its own USB port. XLR inputs, phantom power, built-in mics and more it's all there in the PMD660.

Highlights
WINNER of the 2005 Radio World Cool Stuff Award
WINNER of the 2005 Radio Magazine Pick Hit Award
Smallest PMD yet fits in your hand
Uses inexpensive, widely available Compact Flash (CF) media cards (NOT INCLUDED)
Operates for four hours on four AA batteries
Two XLR mic connections with +48v phantom power
Two built-in condenser mics for easy, true stereo recordings

Features
Solid State Technology
The PMD660 is the newest generation of Flash Recorders. By storing audio data on Compact Flash (CF) media cards, all of the mechanical hassles of tape recorders are gone forever-as are the costs of servicing and maintaining them. Solid State Technology makes the PMD660 less vulnerable to bumps, vibrations, and sonic deterioration over the long haul. Not only that, but CF storage allows you to choose from several recording formats, and makes transfer to computers a snap.

Long Battery Life
Tired of lugging around six extra D-Cells just so you can interrupt your recording to change batteries half-way through an event? The PMD660 will run for four hours on four AA cells. You can carry an extra set around and not even notice they're there-not that you'll need them.

Long Record Times
No more flipping tapes! A single 1 GB flash card can hold up to 36 hours of uninterrupted audio (monaural .mp3 at 64 kbps). For music recording, the same size card can hold more than 17 hours high quality compressed stereo (.mp3 at 128 kbps). If you need the unmatched quality of uncompressed audio, you can get about one-and-a-half CDs worth of 16-bit linear PCM audio at 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz on the same 1 GB card.

Professional I/O
Let's face it. Plugging professional-grade microphones into an 1/8 inch jack is asking for trouble. The PMD660 offers two balanced XLR mic inputs with +48v phantom power. And just in case you don't have the time, space or budget to use external microphones, the PMD660 includes a stereo pair of condenser mics built right in.

Editing and File Transfer
In the end, you'll probably want your audio to be used for broadcast, or burned to a CD for evidence, documentation, or just for convenient playback. You'll want to edit out dead air and relevant information. You can do this right on the PMD660 with cut-and-paste simplicity using the Copy Segment mode. You don't need to worry about mistakes, because the PMD never erases your original recording. Once you have it the way you like it (or if you prefer to edit on your computer or DAW), you can transfer your audio files to a PC for broadcast or CD burning through the PMD660's built-in USB Port.

Exclusive-Virtual Track Mode
For more sophisticated editing jobs, the PMD660 features Marantz Professional's exclusive Virtual Track mode. In this mode, you can create up to 99 virtual tracks-internal playlists of audio segments. You simply tell the PMD660 what segments of a file to play, and in what order, and it does it-without altering the original file in anyway, and without using up more card memory. Need 5 and 10 second sound bites and a two-minute interview segment, all from the same file? It's easy with virtual tracks.

Optional Wired Remote
It would be great if every recording situation had a field engineer running everything behind the scenes. Unfortunately, all to often it's just you, wishing you had more hands. The RC600 wired remote control enables you to start and stop recording, and to mark new track-starts on the fly. It even has a peak meter right on the remote, so you can keep an eye on your recording, without taking your eye off the ball.

Specifications
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Digital Audio Systems
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System - Solid State Recorder
Usable Media - CF Memory Card
Microdrive
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Recording Format
MP3 - MPEG Audio Layer III compression
PCM - 16 bit linear PCM
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Recording Bit Rate
MP3 mono - 64 kbps
MP3 stereo - 128 kbps
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Sampling Frequency - 44.1, 48 kHz
Number of Channels - 2 (stereo), 1 (mono)
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Audio Performance
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Frequency response - 16,000 Hz (-0.5dB)
Signal-to-noise ratio - LINE 80 dB
IEC-A weighted - MIC 60 dB
Total harmonic distortion - LINE 0.06%
at 0 VU (PCM) - MIC 0.15%
Dynamic range - 80 dB
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Inputs
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MIC IN L/R
Type - XLR (1:GND, 2:HOT, 3:COLD)
Input sensitivity - 1.2 mV rms /6.5k ohms
LINE IN L/R
Type -1/8 inch mini jack
Input sensitivity - 300 mV rms /20k ohms
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Outputs
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LINE OUT L/R
Type - 1/8 inch mini jack
Standard level - 2 V rms max. /2k ohms
Headphone
Type - 1/8 inch mini jack
Output power - 8 mW /32 ohms
Speaker
Output power - 150 mW /16 ohms
Phantom power - +48V, 5mA
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General
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Power consumption - 4 W (DC)
Recording/Playback
Battery life (Alkaline) - 3 Hours (typical)
Dimensions
Width - 4.5 inch (113 mm)
Height - 1.9 inch (47 mm)
Depth - 7.2 inch (183.5 mm)
Weight - 1.1 lbs. (0.5 kg)
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Included Accessories
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AC adapter x 1
USB cable x 1
Audio cable x 1
Carry strap x 1
Screws (ISO 3x10 mm) x 2
Plastic pin and retainer x 1
CD-ROM x 1
User guide x 1

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Optional Accessories
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Wired remote - RC600PMD

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
What types of CF cards are recommended?
The Marantz PMD660 is designed to work with standard type I or type II Compact Flash cards, or Microdrives. Because of the variety of different card formulations evolving on the market, it has been discovered that some CF manufacturers cards work better with the PMD660 than others. Current suggested manufacturers include; LEXAR, PNY, VIKING, IBM, and HITACHI. Please be aware that although cards by companies not listed above may work with the PMD660, they are not recommended.

How long can I record on a CF card?
Recording time will depend on both the memory capacity of the Compact Flash card, and the recording format being used. MP3 recording uses less memory on a Compact Flash card than Wav (PCM) recording. Also Mono recording in either recording format uses less memory. A typical 1 gigabyte compact flash card can allow over 35 hours of recording time when set to MP3 Mono recording. The same capacity card can allow over 3 hours when set to PCM Mono recording.

What recording formats does the PMD660 use?
The PMD660 can record in uncompressed .wav audio (PCM) at 44.1, or 48khz. The PMD660 can also record in the MP3 format.

What type of batteries can the PMD660 use?
The PMD660 can use AA alkaline batteries, or Rechargeable NiMH batteries. Batteries can not be charged in the PMD660.

Can I use condenser microphones with the PMD660?
Yes. The PMD660 should be compatible with most types of microphones. Dynamic microphones deliver reliable results in a durable format. Condenser microphones can also be used when higher fidelity is desired. The PMD660 incorporates a -20db pad, that can be applied to compensate the units input sensitivity.

My input level seems to overload when I use certain microphones?
Some microphones, particularly high quality condenser microphones have increased output levels that sometimes mismatch the PMD660 input sensitivity. A -20db attenuation pad is provided in the Menu setting, to compensate for these hotter microphone outputs.

Can I record in Mono?
Yes. The PMD660 can record Mono or Stereo files in either Wav, or MP3 formats. Mono recording allows the longest recording time. In meeting recording, or interviews, for instance, it may be unnecessary to record in stereo.

How are Virtual tracks different than Copy Segment?
Virtual Track is a brand new Marantz solid state recorder feature. With Virtual Track, the user can mark In and Out edit points during playback. These edit points can be saved as a Virtual Track and is available for immediate playback. 99 Virtual Tracks can be stored. The same In and Out Edit points could also be used to Copy the Segment as a new file instantly. Virtual Track, however, does not use card memory, and is convenient to create onboard edits which can be copied as new files later.

How do I transfer my files to a computer?
The PMD660 has a built in USB interface. Simply connect the supplied cable, and your PMD660 becomes an external USB drive, ready to be accessed by your computer to move files over for editing, archiving, or burning to a CD. The PMD660 is compatible with both PC and Mac formats. Additionally, the CF card can be removed from the PMD660, and inserted in your computers card reader for even faster file transferring.

FEATURES (for comparison):
EDITING
Erase File/Card - Yes
Format - Yes
General
Audio Encoding Format MP3/PCM
Channels STEREO/MONO
Disk Format FAT32
File Format MP3/WAV/BWF
Flash Compatability - Yes
HD Compatability MICRODRIVE
Maximum File Size 4.3GB
MPEG Bitrate (kbps, per channel) STEREO 128 / MONO 64
Number of Slot, Drive 1
Recording Medium CF TYPE2
Sampling Frequency (kHz) 44.1/48
INPUT/OUTPUT
Analog Line IN 1/8 inch
Analog Line OUT 1/8 inch
Built-In Microphone - Yes
Built-In Speaker - Yes
Headphone Jack w/LC - Yes
Mic Attenuator (dB) - Yes
Mic IN - Yes x2
Microphone Inputs 2
Phantom Power - Yes
USB Port - Yes (USB1.1)
Wired Remote OPTIONAL - RC600
OTHERS
Alkaline Battery 4 x AA
Card slot cover w/screw - Yes
Media Bundled - None
Preset Menu - Yes
Rechargeable Battery Options - Yes
Software Update - Yes
PLAYBACK
Repeat Play (1, ALL) - Yes
Single Track Play - Yes
RECORDING
Auto Marking - Yes
Auto Track On/Off - Yes
Automatic Level Control (ALC) - Yes
Dual Level Mono Recording - Yes
Independent REC button - Yes
Instant Track Increment - Yes
Manual Marking - Yes
Manual Record Level - Yes
Manual Track Increment - Yes
Mark Search Buttons - Yes
Pre-Record Cache - Yes
Silent Skip Recording - Yes
Time/Date Stamp - Yes
REMOTE CONTROL
Wired Remote OPTIONAL - RC600
PMD660