Marantz PMD661From real comments

Name: Marantz PMD661
Rating: 3 (16 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 16 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment53%

PROS 53%

CONS 47%

Rank based on 16 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want low-noise preamps with strong gain for dynamic and condenser mics
You value a simple, production-ready menu and per-card preset storage
You need solid build quality and good headphone monitoring in the field

What users love

Low-noise, capable preamps0 mentions

Strongly positive

Per-card preset storage0 mentions

Widely praised

Sturdy, quality build0 mentions

Widely praised

Intuitive, production-focused menu0 mentions

Strongly positive

Strong headphone amp0 mentions

Widely praised

Good results in real-world field use0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You need timecode syncing for picture
You record loud, high-sensitivity condenser mic sources without careful attenuation
You need a built-in limiter

What users complain about

No built-in limiter0 mentions

Generally negative

Distortion with high-sensitivity condenser mics0 mentions

Frequently criticized

No timecode for syncing picture0 mentions

Generally negative

Date and time reset bug0 mentions

Generally negative

Noisy internal mics at high gain0 mentions

Generally negative

Perceived as overpriced by one user0 mentions

Generally negative

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Marantz PMD661

Low-noise, capable preampsPer-card preset storageGood results in real-world field useNo built-in limiterDate and time reset bugDistortion with high-sensitivity condenser mics

Marantz PMD661

Low-noise, capable preamps

Per-card preset storage

Good results in real-world field use

No built-in limiter

Date and time reset bug

Distortion with high-sensitivity condenser mics

Versatile
1. MXR Super Badass Distortionarrow_upward15
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward6
3. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward4
Expensive
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_downward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_downward3
3. Eventide Orvillearrow_downward4
Dynamic response
1. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward8
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward2
Build quality
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_upward3
2. Marantz PMD661arrow_upward1
3. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_upward1

Overall Impression

Preamp quality impressed multiple owners, especially versus the older PMD660. Commenters describe the mic preamps as low noise and good quality, with one saying it's probably a lot better than the 660. Another comment favorably compared the recorder's sound to a much pricier Sound Devices unit, calling it three-dimensional and analogue sounding, with only slightly more noise, though not dead silent.

High-sensitivity condenser mics can cause distortion despite safe-looking levels. One detailed user report explains the preamps are so sensitive to high-pressure signal from condenser mics that brickwalling distortion occurs even at -12dBFS displayed levels, and lowering gain doesn't fix it; only applying -10/-20dB pads on the mic itself helps, requiring careful headphone monitoring to catch.

The preset system and menu are called simple but genuinely useful. Reviewers like that each SD card stores its own three presets, letting users keep different settings per card for high quality versus voice/mp3 recording. One suggested six presets would be even better. The overall menu navigation is described as simple, mature, and geared toward real production use rather than showing off features.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

micLow-noise, capable preamps

3 mentions

Strongly positive

Multiple users found the preamps low noise and good quality, an improvement over the PMD660, with enough gain to drive dynamic mics like the Sennheiser MD421.

@mindentmegnezek

no problems with sd cards incompatibility yet.buttons are rubber, nicely tactile, silent and yes, the big buttons are wobbly(as Lucas says) but they are a joy to press, they gives you solid feedback - in hand feels like a quality and elegant device, not too light(with batteries installed) plastic seems sturdy enough but yes, it's not the throw it everywhere stuff. yes, it's big but that can be good, i loose small things more often than the big ones :) - menu system simple and great, gain dials enough friction, easy to rotate together, useable but but not the best when you want to rotate them separately(right channel knob) - line in connection takes jack and xlr also, very good quality(from sd302 mixer, +4dbu signal) - headphone amp is strong enough using low ohm(32-64) headphones(ands sounds surprisingly good) - the volume level dial: more friction would be better, and numbers also to see where are you're listening levels(but doesn't matter if you're in the dark, isn't) - internal mics noisy at high gain, but sounds good, good stereo image, and they have some internal wind protection. handling noise is minimal with care given - display and signal leds: beutiful - battery: you do need to have enough juice left in the batteries when you want to save presets or copying files to another device, with low battery will not save presets, nor finish the copy procedure. during recording the device will shut when batteries dying, but will save the recording - preamps: quality sound, enough gain(tested with dynamic mics also). pay attention that the mic attenuation choices in the menu are part of the gain structure: the noise floor is lower with the mic attenuation at -18db and gain dials at max, than with no atten.(0db) and gain dials low - my cons with the preamps: they are so sensitive to high pressure signal coming from high sensitivity condenser mics that the device will distort(brickwalling) even if the displayed/recording signal level is at -12dbfs, and turning down the gain levels doesn't help. mic attenuation set to -12/-18db helps but with real high pressure sound only the -10/-20db pads helps on the mics body..need to be careful(you can spot these distortions with headphones) - can't say anything about the marks, Mark editor or file encrypting, don't use them --- so no need to write this version of the PMD661 down (every other recorder in this price range has his own shortcomings). i'm impressed that the functions on this are set for production(and not for show off): ex: adding gain for the preamps dials will not introduce excessive noise until you reach 9/10 of the values, easy and mature menu navigation....my2cents

smart_display

May 10, 2020

@TheCoffeeCompanion

I just recently found a used one. I was expecting very little, but I was astonished at how good it sounds. I own a Sound Devices SD-722 and it's on par with it. Perhaps slightly noisier (that is - \"some noise\" - just not dead silent) but the Marantz is very 3 dimensional and, dare I say, analogue sounding. Just to clarify, I found a sticker on it proclaiming it as an Oade Brothers Modified machine. I'm floored by its sound quality. Quite intuitive work flow too. Only thing it lacks is a limiter.

smart_display

November 30, 2019

@cielencom

The mic preamp is pretty low noise/good quality, probably a lot better than the 660. It takes about 2.5 seconds to boot the PMD 661 up until it is ready to record so in most situations this should not be an issue.

smart_display

April 21, 2009

savePer-card preset storage

2 mentions

Widely praised

Each SD card can store its own three presets, letting users switch between quality and voice/mp3 settings by swapping cards; a suggestion to expand to six presets shows the feature is well-liked.

@cielencom

If you want more presets just use different SD cards. Each card can store its own set of three presets that can be loaded. So you might use a large card for high quality recordings and the included 1 GB card for voice/mp3 recording - each with the according settings stored on the card.

smart_display

April 21, 2009

@luminousoctaves

I like the preset-soluyion. That is innovative, and needed. Next model make it six presents and it will be even better.

smart_display

March 8, 2009

check_circleSturdy, quality build

1 mentions

Widely praised

Owners describe the device as feeling elegant and sturdy in hand, with tactile rubber buttons that give solid feedback, despite some wobble on the larger buttons.

@mindentmegnezek

smart_display

May 10, 2020

tuneIntuitive, production-focused menu

1 mentions

Strongly positive

The menu system is called simple and mature, with gain adjustments that don't introduce excessive noise until near max, designed for real production work.

@mindentmegnezek

smart_display

May 10, 2020

headphonesStrong headphone amp

1 mentions

Widely praised

The headphone amp is described as strong enough to drive low-impedance (32-64 ohm) headphones and sounds surprisingly good.

@mindentmegnezek

smart_display

May 10, 2020

movieGood results in real-world field use

1 mentions

Widely praised

One user patched the recorder into a Shure FP33 mixer and got excellent results on a location shoot, also noting it's great for Foley.

@johnmellor932

Its a really great recorder I patched it to a shure FP33 mixer and got exellent results on a location shoot. Its just such ashame it doesn't have timecode to sync picture. Syncing manual is a nightmare. Its great for Foley though.

smart_display

June 5, 2019

warningNo built-in limiter

2 mentions

Generally negative

Multiple commenters note the lack of a limiter, with one calling it a likely tactical decision and suggesting an external mic preamp with limiter as a workaround.

@TheCoffeeCompanion

smart_display

November 30, 2019

@luminousoctaves

Yes, no limiter is probably a tactical decision. However, there is always the option to invest in a portable mic preamp (incl. limiter). US company Sound Devices have some top notch stuff that I am thinking of myself. They cost almost as much as the 661 itself, but on the other hand you can use them together with any future audiorecorder.\nIf you find more pro/cons about the 661, plz post them here. I'm not an owner YET... :)

smart_display

March 13, 2009

errorDistortion with high-sensitivity condenser mics

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A detailed report describes brickwalling distortion from high-pressure signals even when displayed levels look safe, requiring mic-body pads to fix, and can't be resolved by gain alone.

@mindentmegnezek

smart_display

May 10, 2020

scheduleNo timecode for syncing picture

1 mentions

Generally negative

One user found it a shame the recorder lacks timecode for syncing to picture, making manual sync a nightmare despite otherwise great results.

@johnmellor932

smart_display

June 5, 2019

bug_reportDate and time reset bug

1 mentions

Generally negative

A user reports the date and time repeatedly revert to 12/25/2008 after power cycling, even after being changed and saved.

@Grimpeiro

Date and time are not saved on my Marantz 661. After turning it off and on again, the date and time always return to 12/25/2008.\r\nI've already changed and saved it and it always returns to the old date.\r\nHow do I save the current date and time, so that after disconnecting I can obtain the current date and time information?

smart_display

November 13, 2023

volume_offNoisy internal mics at high gain

1 mentions

Generally negative

The built-in mics are noted as noisy at high gain levels, though still usable with decent stereo image and some wind protection.

@mindentmegnezek

smart_display

May 10, 2020

attach_moneyPerceived as overpriced by one user

1 mentions

Generally negative

One reviewer says they don't recommend the recorder, calling it expensive and not delivering even half of what it promises.

@GallegoReyEditor

It is a recorder that I do not recommend. Expensive and does not offer even half of what it promises

smart_displayTranslated from Spanish

March 5, 2023

Marantz PMD661chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Versatile

Expensive

Dynamic response

Build quality

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Marantz PMD661From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression