Marantz PMD620 Handheld SD MP3/WAV Recorder - 2024 report by Whydis

Marantz PMD620 Handheld SD MP3/WAV Recorder

Product Description The PMD620 is a rugged yet lightweight digital recorder that doesn't skimp on features or performance. It records to SD or SDHC cards (even the huge ones!) so storage media is affordable and readily available. The PMD620 fits comf...

Reviews by Features

Unit

(3 reviews)
Player

(3 reviews)
Recording

(3 reviews)
Feature

(2 reviews)
Room

(2 reviews)
Mic

(2 reviews)
Choice

(2 reviews)
Cassette

(1 reviews)
Size

(1 reviews)
Battery

(3 reviews)
Range

(3 reviews)
Marantz

(3 reviews)

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Recommended :

Reviews around unit (5.00 of 5)

  • I expected better audio quality, but this unit is handy.
  • M-Audio microtrack II looks like a pretty nice unit too, but the proprietary (and short-lived) battery is a bad option if you consider the possibility of your player dying when you need it most...and the T-mic is a forced plug-in.
  • But the read disappointment came when the unit stopped working after only 3 days of use.

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Reviews around player (5.00 of 5)

  • All said, it's a phenomenal player with a quirky exterior.
  • The Sony PCM-D50 is a phenomenal player (but $450) - really the standout of the bunch - but it is extremely prone to wind noise and the NON-included windscreen is $50!!.
  • it shouldn't be THAT hard to build a good player

You are reading snippets from reviews of Marantz PMD620 Handheld SD MP3/WAV Recorder


Reviews around recording (5.00 of 5)

  • This recorder makes clean (if slighly hissy) recordings with an AT-822 or similar electret stereo mic.
  • In summary, the PMD-620 makes excellent recordings.
  • I recently gave my audio file to a CBS radio station and they said it was as good as their "professional" recordings

You are reading snippets from reviews of Marantz PMD620 Handheld SD MP3/WAV Recorder


Reviews around feature (5.00 of 5)

  • Otherwise, lots of positives: great small size, fits in a jacket pocket, good preamps, Nice features
  • While the zoom offers some great features, it does so by questionable techniques, such as using a 0-100% attenuator to offer so called "line in" while leaving the mic preamps turned on.

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Reviews around room (5.00 of 5)

  • Since that was a few months ago I won't say more than that I was impressed with the quietness of the recordings in an extremely quiet room
  • I had read about a bit of a noise floor with the internal mics, but couldn't hear this when I listened to reviews on line and haven't discovered it in my quiet-room recordings either

You are reading snippets from reviews of Marantz PMD620 Handheld SD MP3/WAV Recorder


Reviews around mic (5.00 of 5)

  • The higher the output of your mic(s), the quieter the recordings will be.
  • When it works, you get pro sound for radio, especially when using an external mic, like a Sennheiser

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Reviews around choice (5.00 of 5)

  • For me, the Marantz has clearly been the right choice.
  • I think it's one of the best choices in its price range, though it does have limitations

You are reading snippets from reviews of Marantz PMD620 Handheld SD MP3/WAV Recorder


Reviews around cassette (5.00 of 5)

  • If you're a pro, don't expect this recorder to be as reliable as your Marantz portable cassette recorder was.

You are reading snippets from reviews of Marantz PMD620 Handheld SD MP3/WAV Recorder


Reviews around size (5.00 of 5)

  • Otherwise, lots of positives: great small size, fits in a jacket pocket, good preamps, Nice features

You are reading snippets from reviews of Marantz PMD620 Handheld SD MP3/WAV Recorder


Reviews around battery (3.22 of 5)

  • Having a field-replaceable battery makes this recorder much more useful than the M-Audio and others with fixed internal batteries
  • The battery door and the SD card door both feel quite fragile and feel like they could break at any time when changing batteries, especially if the temperature was below zero
  • M-Audio microtrack II looks like a pretty nice unit too, but the proprietary (and short-lived) battery is a bad option if you consider the possibility of your player dying when you need it most...and the T-mic is a forced plug-in.

You are reading snippets from reviews of Marantz PMD620 Handheld SD MP3/WAV Recorder


Reviews around range (3.22 of 5)

  • The ALC has trouble handling a really wide dynamic range of sounds
  • The ALC has trouble handling a really wide dynamic range of sounds
  • But, the Marantz is much higher quality so this isn't a dis on the 620 in general just a note that an ALC controlled recording doesn't cover enough dynamic range, and setting it in manual mode locks out

You are reading snippets from reviews of Marantz PMD620 Handheld SD MP3/WAV Recorder


Reviews around marantz (3.22 of 5)

  • You can "rescue" these files by transferring them from the SD card to your computer, but usually if the Marantz has generated an "error," the files are corrupt and skip or glitch or are otherwise unusable.
  • If you're a pro, don't expect this recorder to be as reliable as your Marantz portable cassette recorder was.
  • Marantz could have improved on this by having preset buttons on the face of the unit

You are reading snippets from reviews of Marantz PMD620 Handheld SD MP3/WAV Recorder


More about Marantz PMD620 Handheld SD MP3/WAV Recorder

  • Product Description The PMD620 is a rugged yet lightweight digital recorder that doesn't skimp on features or performance
  • It records to SD or SDHC cards (even the huge ones!) so storage media is affordable and readily available
  • The PMD620 fits comfortably in the palm of the hand and houses two high-quality electret condenser microphones and a monitor speaker, making it ideal for go-anywhere field recording application, such as interviews, podcasting, and meeting recording ? even live music
  • The PMD620 can record in MP3 or WAV formats in 16 or 24 bit resolution
  • MP3 offers stereo 192kbps, 128kbps
  • and 64kbps recording
  • WAV offers 44.1 or 48k recording. Amazon.com Marantz puts the world of professional field recording within easy reach with the PMD620, a rugged yet lightweight digital recorder that doesn’t skimp on features or performance
  • The PMD620 fits comfortably in the palm of the hand and houses two high-quality electret condenser microphones and a monitor speaker, making it ideal for go-anywhere field recording application, such as interviews, podcasting, and meeting recording – even live music
  • A true handheld, the PMD620 features an intuitive layout and tactile buttons for easy one-hand operation, while a high-contrast organic LED (OLED) screen makes setup a cinch under any lighting conditions
  • Just hit the Menu/Store button and the interface quickly walks you through the choices to ensure optimal recording for your needs
  • The Marantz PMD260 is small, portable, and super powerful The PMD620 uses convenient SD/SDHC cards, the most stable and commonly available type of flash media
  • Audio can be recorded either as uncompressed WAV files or any of three quality levels of MP3, in mono or stereo
  • So whether it’s capturing an interview, a lengthy board meeting or a band’s jam session, the PMD620 is always ready for action
  • The PMD620 shines in post-production as well
  • Journalists and podcasters will especially appreciate its non-destructive on-board editing
  • Transcription is a breeze with its Skip Back function, and file transfers to any computer are drag-and-drop simple with the USB 2.0 connectivity
  • In short, the PMD620 combines ease of operation, professional recording quality and insightful features in a compact, ergonomic design
  • Key Features True handheld portability with one-touch stereo recording Professional recording features and flexible file formats Digital recording with file size limited only by SD card capacity On-board editing and playback features Full inputs and outputs, including USB 2.0 connectivity A True Handheld with Ergonomic Form Factor At 2.5 by 4 inches by 1 inch and weighing under 6 ounces, the PMD620 slips easily into a pocket and fits comfortably in the palm of the hand, with oversized, tactile buttons that are laid out for intuitive, one-hand operation, from recording to playback
  • The high contrast OLED screen provides at-a-glance status of all critical functions, even offering a large font option
  • Integral high quality electret condenser microphones pick up the action, while LED telltales track Peak and Level conditions
  • Professional Digital Recording The PMD620 can record uncompressed WAV files for high fidelity stereo music, or lower resolution, mono MP3 files to maximize record time
  • For WAV files, choose from 16- or 24-bit linear PCM recording at either 44.1 or 48 kHz sample rates
  • Podcasters will appreciate having a total of six MP3 bit rates available, ranging from 192 kbps stereo down to 32 kbps mono
  • And, the menu selectable Auto-Input feature detects whether the line input or external mic input is being used, switching off the dual integrated mics automatically
  • Stability and Portability The PMD620 is a true handheld, light in weight yet ruggedly constructed
  • The use of SD cards as a recording medium provides the ultimate in space efficiency and stability, with no practical limit on file size
  • Two AA batteries, either alkaline or NiMH rechargeables, provide upward of five hours of operation
  • On-board Editing and Playback Features The PMD620 makes field production amazingly easy
  • Use the integrated speaker or mini-plug headphones to monitor or transcribe
  • The Copy Segment function extracts a piece of audio as a separate file while keeping the original intact, while the Skip Back feature acts as a preset "back up and replay" function, programmable for audio jumps of up to 59 seconds at the touch of a button
  • Connectivity and Hardware Despite its compact, slender profile, the PMD620 offers a full array of 1/8-inch stereo connectivity, including both line and mic inputs, a Line Out for playback, and a headphone jack for monitoring
  • A pair of convenient Up/Down buttons allows adjustment of input sensitivity, while the USB 2.0 port makes file transfers to any computer a breeze
  • Once connected, the PMD620 appears as a device on your PC desktop, with all files contained in a master folder
  • Just drag and drop any or all of them onto your desktop
  • The PMD620 comes complete with SD card, audio and USB cables, AC adapter and more – everything needed to step into the world of high-resolution field recording
  • Specifications Digital Audio System System: Solid State Recorder Usable Media: SD/SDHC Cards Recording Format: MP3: MPEG1 Layer III Compression WAV: 16/24 Bit Linear PCM Recording MP3 Bit-rate: Stereo: 192/128/64 kbps Mono: 96/64/32 kbps Sample Rate: 44.1/48 kHz Number of Channels: 2 (Stereo) / 1 (Mono) Audio Performance Frequency Response: 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz (±1 dB) Signal-to-noise Ratio, IEC-A Weighted: MIC: 68 dB LINE: 80 dB Total Harmonic Distortion at 0 VU: MIC: 0.06% LINE: 0.02% Dynamic Range: 81 dB Inputs External MIC: Type: 1/8" stereo jack Input Sensitivity: 6 mVrms/30 kohms LINE: Type: 1/8" stereo jack Input Sensitivity: 500 mVrms/20 kohms Outputs LINE: Type: 1/8" stereo jack Standard Level: 1.0 Vrms/10 kohms Headphone: Type: 1/8" stereo jack Standard Level: 16 mW/16 ohms Speaker: Standard Level: 150 mW/8 ohms General Power Consumption: Recording/Playback 1.5 W (DC) Battery Life (Alkaline) 5 hours (Typical) Phantom Power 5V, 1mA (Max.) Environmental Conditions: Operational Temperature: 0 ~ 40°C (32 ~ 104°F) Operational Humidity: 25 ~ 85% (No condensation) Storage Temperature: –20 ~ 60°C (–4 ~ 140°F) Dimensions: Width: 62 mm (2.5") Height: 102 mm (4") Depth: 25 mm (1") Weight: (Excluding Batteries) 110 g (4 oz) Included Accessories: Audio Cable, USB Cable, AC Adapter, User Guide, CD-ROM,Handy Strap, Customer Registration Document (U.S
  • Only), Tripod/Belt Clip Adapter, SD Card