Marantz PMD-671 - Hi-Resolution Compact Flash Field Recorder

Comments about Marantz PMD-671 - Hi-Resolution Compact Flash Field Recorder:

I use the PMD - 671 primiarily for voice over applications for TV video projects, a 30-minute radio interview program and podcasts. I use only Sandisk high end CF cards and it has performed flawlessly for the two years I have had it. I use Rode NT1-A mics because they are phantom powered and have very quiet electronics. A great match! The set up is not as easy as it should be but once set up you never have to change it.
Also, I do not use the machine for anything but recording! After recording, I pop the card out and insert into Soundbooth, Audition or Premier Pro for audio mastering or video projects.In my experience the recorder and CF card writer have been flawless.

Minor Cons
1) The manual is complex and non-intuitive
2) The level control with a split dial is awkward
3) Changing the settings is a chore, but once you bookmark the manual you get used to it.

Overall a solid digital recorder for the money and when it was introduced, was almost $300 less expensive.

Comments about Marantz PMD-671 - Hi-Resolution Compact Flash Field Recorder:

I've owned this unit for a couple of years now. Recording mostly music on-site. Overall it's a decent recorder, the mic-pres are clean, with plenty of gain for my MK-012 and AT4050 mics. But gain is little lite on Ribbons or Dynamics with some noise at full gain. Initial set-up is pain, with lots of bells and whistles. But once you get it set, it's pretty simple. Flash drive writer is rock-solid, with no issues.
If you are looking for a solid recorder for music or text, the PMD-671 will do the trick.

Comments about Marantz PMD-671 - Hi-Resolution Compact Flash Field Recorder:

I use this recorder in a variety of environments. In the field as a wildlife biologist, in the studio as a music producer, at live concerts as the operator of a mobile recording studio, and for video and film as a sound recordist and foley artist. I like this product -- it works for me. It has not failed me. In the wilds of Alaska I wouldn't waste my money or time with a product that didn't work properly. I bought mine after using someone else's PMD 660 and PMD 670, and after purchasing a PMD 670. I often use use my two field recorders to record four track sound. Sorry to hear of other people's issues with this product, but I have had NO PROBLEMS and am perfectly happy with my purchases.

Comments about Marantz PMD-671 - Hi-Resolution Compact Flash Field Recorder:

I've tried to use this as a field recorder, wanting the highest bit rate I could afford. This is why I purchased the PMD671 instead of the PMD670. This machine has been a huge disappointment. I've reverted to an old Sony PCM-M1 mini DAT after this machine failed after every day of attempted recording. Some of the cuts would play back, others were digital hash.

Were I to have taken this thing on a major recording expedition somewhere, this would have been a nightmare. Need to send it back.

Comments about Marantz PMD-671 - Hi-Resolution Compact Flash Field Recorder:

I'm looking forward to using this Pro CF Recorder.
I ran a Marantz PMD700 DAT until the wheels fell off, and am happy to be Marantz-ing again via Compact Flash. (I'd owned 3 Marantz Cassette machines before that).

I record nature sounds--that's right birds, frogs, bugs, lions-tigers, bears.

I had purchased several large capacity compact flash cards prior to getting the recorder (Transcend 8GB, a few Ridata 2GB and a Ridata 4GB).

My Transcends, and larger faster Ridata CF cards will not work with this unit. Marantz Pro states that the card they recommend, is Lexar, any size, any speed--as long as it is Lexar!

2 of my Ridata 80X pro 2GB cards do work, but newer Ridatas did not. Nor did the 2 4GB Kingston cards that B&H had bundled. So choose your cards wisely, shop around online to find bigger Lexars. B&H is crediting my card for the Kingstons that it had been bundled with.

I'm no stanger to CF data handling from my digital cameras, but am not sure I like having all of my start and stops generating separate audio files. To recreate sequences--where I paused for unwanted sounds (cars, dogs, planes) I'll have to import these sounds into a program like SoundForge. I'm not seeing the Marantz software for managing cuts available.

Comments about Marantz PMD-671 - Hi-Resolution Compact Flash Field Recorder:

I bought this recorder, for my first field production kit. Ihave worked with Tascam DATs and Edirol HD recorders butpersonally they cannot compare with this recorder. It worksgreat! It is rugged, no moving parts so you could be runningwith it and there is no problem recording. It has a verynice back light that works well through the reporter stylecarry case. With multiple record formats and up to a 96khzsample rate you can record very high quality audio. With a2GB CF card you can at 128 bit rate and 44.1 khz record 12+hours of digital quality audio. I am not going to continuelisting off all the tech. pros because we would be here allday, but rest assured, this is a great price for a greatrecorder that won't let you down. Thanks for your time.

Problems Encountered: The only problem I have encountered with this recorder wasduring a VO session. I turned the recorder on and it didn'tturn on. I pulled the switch again and it turned on. Ihaven't run it to that problem since, and besides that it noother problems at all. Only thing I would have like to haveseen on this recorder is an extra 2 XLR inputs, and insteadof the circle-in-circle record level adjustment knob I wouldhave liked to see something similar to the Edirol R-4'srecord level pots.

Items I Recommend: RC-600, PRC-600 (aka Reporter style carry case)

Comments about Marantz PMD-671 - Hi-Resolution Compact Flash Field Recorder:

Clean vinyl through a high-end pre-amp and recorded to this machine at 24/96 sounds noticeably better than a CD. In this respect, the 671 is excellent for saving out-of-print or personal recordings for the ages. Trying to convert 24/96 back down for CD listening requires software such as CD Architect. The machine is too delicate, expensive, and tedious to use in microphone-based situations, studio or field. Also, I find it difficult to control playback of music through the machine. Basically, it's not versatile. I would rather use a multi-track workstation in-studio and the PMD-660 in the field.

Problems Encountered: The button which advances the tracks backwards is also used to redo a take, making it an extremely often-used button unless you waste memory on goof-ups. I expect it to fail prematurely. The overall build is not built to last.

Previous Equivalent Items Owned: Home studio recording via sound card

Items I Recommend: High-end microphones and headphones