Released by 1991, the Sony PCM-2700 was a professional Digital Audio Tape recorder designed to provide the audio performance required by professional users while retaining simple operation for recording, playback, programme transmission, and studio applications. Sony positioned the PCM-2700 as an affordable professional DAT recorder, combining broadcast and recording studio functions with the operational familiarity of consumer DAT machines.
The Sony PCM-2700 conforms to the DAT format and provides a maximum recording time of two hours on a DT-120R digital audio cassette. The deck can also operate in Long Play mode, doubling the recording time to four hours when using 12-bit non-linear digital recording at a 32kHz sampling frequency. For standard recording and playback, the Sony PCM-2700 supports 48kHz and 44.1kHz sampling frequencies, while 32kHz operation is also available. This gave the machine flexibility for professional programme work, digital transfer, and longer-duration recording.
The digital audio section of the Sony PCM-2700 uses a built-in 1-bit Delta Sigma A/D converter and a 1-bit pulse D/A converter. The design was intended to provide low noise and low distortion for clean recording and playback. The Sony PCM-2700 also uses second-generation LSI devices, with dedicated audio circuitry and digital processing circuitry mounted independently to support reliable audio performance.
The transport system is based around a 4DD direct-drive mechanism with separate direct-drive motors for the head drum, capstan, supply reel, and take-up reel. The mechanism is controlled by a servo system using newly programmed software rather than a traditional analogue servo arrangement. This allowed stable tape handling and supported high-speed search operation at approximately 150 times normal speed.
A key professional feature of the Sony PCM-2700 is its RAW, or Read After Write, capability. The deck uses a rotary four-head construction, allowing the recorded signal to be monitored from tape in real time while recording. This made the Sony PCM-2700 suitable for confidence monitoring in recording and broadcast environments where checking the recording during operation was important.
The Sony PCM-2700 includes both balanced analogue and unbalanced digital connection facilities. Analogue input and output are provided on balanced XLR connectors, while digital I/O is provided through unbalanced IEC-958 phono connections. The analogue input and output levels can be adjusted over a range from -12dBs to +8dBs, allowing connection to a variety of professional audio equipment.
Subcode handling is another central feature of the Sony PCM-2700. The recorder can record Start IDs, Skip IDs, End IDs, programme numbers, absolute time, and date information. Programme numbers can be recorded sequentially as Start IDs are written, and the unit can correct the sequence if additional Start IDs are inserted. Manual ID recording also includes a rehearsal function, allowing Start, Skip, and End IDs to be relocated forwards or backwards in 0.3 second steps before being written.
The front panel provides a multiple information display showing linear counter information, tape remaining time, programme time data, recorded time, and absolute time. Peak level metering is provided with a 29-segment peak level meter and 0.1dB step peak margin indication. The Sony PCM-2700 also includes absolute time recording in the subcode area, allowing continuity of absolute time to be maintained across consecutive audio segments.
For professional installation, the Sony PCM-2700 was supplied with a 19-inch rack mount adaptor. Remote control facilities were also provided through a 37-pin parallel remote connector, which could be connected to the optional RM-D7100 parallel remote controller. The deck was also supplied with the RM-D2700 wireless remote control, giving access to remote operation functions from a handheld unit.
Additional convenience functions include a built-in crystal clock for date recording, high-speed tape location using absolute time entry from the front-panel numeric keys, Long Play recording and playback, and a 64-step digital fader. The digital fader provides both fade-in and fade-out for analogue input and output, analogue line output, and digital output, with fade duration adjustable from 0.2 seconds to 15 seconds.
Features
- Professional Digital Audio Tape recorder for broadcast, studio, programme transmission, recording, and playback applications
- Standard recording at 48kHz and 44.1kHz sampling frequencies
- 32kHz recording and playback with Long Play mode
- Long Play mode doubles recording time to four hours on a DT-120R tape
- Built-in 1-bit Delta Sigma A/D converter
- 1-bit pulse D/A converter
- 4DD direct-drive mechanism with independent drum, capstan, supply reel, and take-up reel motors
- Rotary four-head construction with Read After Write monitoring
- Balanced analogue input and output on XLR connectors
- Unbalanced IEC-958 digital I/O on phono connectors
- 37-pin parallel remote connector for optional RM-D7100 remote controller
- Supplied RM-D2700 wireless remote control
- Absolute time recording in the subcode area
- Start ID, Skip ID, End ID, programme number, absolute time, and date subcode recording
- High-speed tape location using absolute time entry from the front-panel numeric keys
- Software controlled servo system with search speed up to approximately 150 times normal speed
- Double-encoded Reed Solomon Code error correction
- 29-segment peak level meter with 0.1dB step peak margin indication
- Supplied 19-inch rack mount adaptor
- 64-step digital fader with adjustable fade time from 0.2 seconds to 15 seconds