Marantz PMD661 vs. H1 included stereo mic

M

muroshi

Well-known member
I need just athmos for my current project. Given that Marantz PMD661 could be updated in the next time I'd like to ask if there is a huge difference about the included(!) stereomics. I'm not that sure if Marantz included mics are very good.

On the same time I have to update my dictaphone, which speaks also for getting just the H1 now and wait for a Marantz-update.

What's your impression?
 
I have a Marantz PMD661. I really love it for its relatively high quality mic preamps. However, I bought a Rode NT4 to do stereo recordings instead of using the built in mics.

I have observed that as portable recorders get more expensive, the built in mics get worse and the mic preamps get better. This was perfect for my needs, but I think the built in mics on the Zoom H4n sound better than the built in mics on the Marantz PMD661. However, the PMD661 with a Rode NT4 sounds better than the built in mics on the H4n.

I haven't played with the H1 so I can't comment directly on that.
 
[..] I think the built in mics on the Zoom H4n sound better than the built in mics on the Marantz PMD661.
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Then it's a buy. The reviews on sound-quality seem really good on bhphoto. I can't go wrong at that price and it serves my second purpose (recording lectures) better than the Marantz because of size/weight. I'm very sure to get one later down the road though, looks like the best product below SD-recorders. :)

Thank you very much.
 
Hi all.

First, sorry for my english.

I have a 661 and a H4.
The H4 has very good internal microphones. Perfect for recording loud sounds, but there are lots of hissing if ambient sounds are quiet.
The H1 is an ultra portable field recorder. Excellent for this price, but a little bit more hissing than the H4 in the same situations.
And Marantz internal mics are worth. :-D

But the 661 is not for this kind of recording.
Preamps and phantom power are excellent to use with an external static mic.
I use the 661 with a Rode NT4 and sound is perfect. Clear, not hissing (always to much but it is much better than the Zoom collection)
But internal mics are awful, and don' represent any known configuration (XY, ORTF, etc)

Remember the 661 is 5x more expensive. Because one is a "dslr" and need to have good "lens" and the other is a very light compact one. Useful but cheap.
Not the same application. Not the same quality. Not the same users.

:-)
 
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I think Marantz markets the PMD661 partly to journalists doing interviews and such. The built in mics would be perfect for setting it on a table and having a conversation with someone. For that matter, they're still better than the built in mics on DSLR cameras. They might work in a pinch to record quick indistinct ambience tracks (muffled city background sounds or something).

But really, for me it was all about getting the cheapest recorder that was: made well, has clean quiet non-hissy mic preamps, XLR inputs, provides phantom power, has a 1/4" headphone jack, and has true line level inputs. No other recorder that cost less than the PMD661 had all of this.
 
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