Released in 2013, the Denon Professional DN-500R marked a shift in installed recording systems from ageing tape and disc-based machines to solid-state reliability. Packaged in a standard 1U chassis, it delivered a professional feature set at a price accessible to contractors fitting out churches, schools, and lecture theatres.
Its clear OLED display and ability to capture audio directly to SD/SDHC or USB media at resolutions up to 24-bit/96 kHz gave users a modern, dependable tool at a time when solid-state media was becoming the new standard.
The Denon Professional DN-500R stood out for its emphasis on redundancy and reliability. Dual Record allowed simultaneous capture to SD and USB, ensuring a safety copy in applications where failure was not an option, while Relay Record switched seamlessly to backup media when the first filled. Features like these gave confidence to installers and operators in mission-critical settings such as conferences and live events.
Denon Professional leveraged its long history of broadcast and installation hardware by including balanced XLR and RCA analogue inputs alongside AES/EBU and coaxial digital I/O, ensuring compatibility across a wide range of systems.
External integration was also forward-thinking, with RS-232C serial and GPIO support for AMX or Crestron control, as well as hot-start playback options for instant triggering. This made the Denon Professional DN-500R more than just a recorder: it was a flexible component in larger automated AV systems.
Editing functions on the device, combined with EDL marking, reflected the needs of users who wanted recordings ready for quick turnaround. When paired with the included Windows-only DMP Mark Editor software, these functions streamlined workflows further.
Playback versatility was another strength, with the unit supporting MP3, WAV, AIFF, and AAC formats, making it as useful for reliable playback as it was for capture.
The Denon Professional DN-500R’s design was ultimately about reliability and practicality. A universal switching power supply enabled worldwide installation without concern for local voltage, and removable rack ears made it equally at home in permanent installations or mobile racks.
In retrospect, the Denon Professional DN-500R represents a point where Denon Professional successfully bridged traditional installation expectations with modern solid-state recording, offering a tool that was simple, rugged, and highly adaptable.
Features
- Records to SD/SDHC and USB media in MP3 and WAV (up to 24-bit/96 kHz)
- Dual Record feature (records to both media options simultaneously for primary and backup recording)
- Relay Record feature (continues recording to backup media when primary media is full)
- XLR and RCA audio connections (analogue and digital)
- Timer recording/playback (30 schedules available)
- MP3, WAV, AIFF, AAC playback
- RS-232C, GPIO, USB keyboard remote control
- Front panel USB keyboard connection
- EDL marking and file edit functions (Move, Copy, Combine and Divide)
- Record Monitor (listen to the recorded signal while recording)
- Large, bright OLED display
- DMP Mark Editor software included (Windows only)
- 100–230 V switching power supply
- Removable rack ears