PMD671, question about the limiter and roll off

J

Jema

Well-known member
Hello!

Sorry if this has been taken up before - I've searched for a while but couldn't find anytthing, so here I go (if it's already been brought up, just state so and I'll look again).

I recently found a pretty good deal for a used 671 - a lot better than any of the possibly more preferable choices in this price range like the HD-P2, FR2-LE, DR680 etc (this is Sweden were talking about, and these things are rare to find used and relatively expensive new), and so I subsequently set out to get some more info on it. From what I've gathered it seems to be an ok device, not great but decent, and possibly adequate for my uses. The thing is I've used one before at one time (though it might have been a 670, I'm not shure), and that one seemed to have a dysfunctional limiter. At least I assumed it was malfunctioning, but then I read some posts from Noiz stating that the limiter and roll off on this unit is near useless. I would not be using a mixer for the moment, so this could be a deal breaker for me, and a good thing to know if I ever ended up having to use one on a shoot again.

So, I simply would like some more information about this - is it true, and why?

Thanks alot in advance!
 
The reason I call them near useless is that the roll off is very gentle and doesn't seem to do much for low end rumble. And that is what I would be using it for.
The limiter acts like a lot of consumer AGC circuits. It reacts (late) to an overage and then recovers slowly. So it "pumps" if you clip and it's reaction time is to slow to prevent the clip. You get clip then pump, personally I would opt for just the clip. I think it's designed to be a limiting AGC. So you bring it someplace to record a concert or something bump the level and don't notice it will lower the volume and keep the rest from clipping. That doesn't relate to you record for film so I always have it off.

If it has relatively recent firmware then it's a nice recorder with decent preamps and has a nice UI. You can always put on an inline roll off. Limiters are not necessary, I love having the safety net but you can record with out a limiter.
 
Yes, if the roll off is too gentle then it would be a bother for film. You're description of the limiter makes me believe that the one I used was indeed malfunctioning, becouse it didn't seem to work at all. Shure I could do without it, but as you say it's very nice to have that extra security.

I'll ask about the firmware and then see what I'll do - if it doesn't go up much in price then I might take it as an intermediary step, otherwise a mixpre-D or DR680 is looking quite tempting.

Thanks for the response!
 
Well the MixPre doesn't record so that is a bit Apples and Oranges. I use a MixPre as the front end to the PMD671. I already had the MixPre and I just love the limiters and the flexibility of having the mixer separate from the recorder. It also gets you avery usable roll off, and a slate mic etc. The MixPreD would be fantastic to have.
 
Well yes, I'm fully aware that a mixpre is just a mixer and not a recorder - I should have added that I would then be going into a cheaper recorder from it, like a sony m10 or similar, as an alternative of buying a one-in-all box. I've used an original mixpre and 302 several times, so I know the benefits of all that a good reliable mixer provides. it's just that I'm currently a student and doesn't have much money, so until I can get a paid job I'm looking at cheaper alternatives for smaller film projects, which makes me look for a recorder with decent preamps.
 
I've used the MixPre with a stack of recorders from cheap MiniDisk to a Nagra IV (it was a test), with a bunch of DAT recorders and a few Flash recorders thrown in. It made a HUGE improvement to the cheap recorders.

If I had to choose I would probably go for the MixPreD and a cheap recorder over the PMD671.
The reason is it's a tank (well the original is) and you can use it for lots of stuff. It can be the front end to a computer and you can keep it as you move up with the recorder. If you get just a recorder then thats all you have. I like the ergonomics of the 671 over any small recorder by a HUGE margin, but I like that the MixPre has been the stable part of the rig. And it will last a lot longer.
 
I am indeed attracted to the thought of going mixer and cheap recorder becouse of flexibility, and since the mixer would be a mainstay even if the rest of the chain were exchanged. In the end, it's just a question of money - a mixpre-D costs about 1200 dollars here, and a recorder an extra 300 dollars. I can get the 671 used for about 450 dollars.
 
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