Marantz PMD720

Marantz's first cassette multitracker made quite a stir on its launch last year, with its eye‑catching retro styling and round VU meters — and it sounded good too. Derek Johnson takes a look at its lower‑cost brother and finds it shares much of the same appeal.

Marantz surprised everybody when last year they released their first cassette‑based multitracker; even more suprising was the fact that it was actually very good — though it shouldn't have been that much of a surprise, since Marantz do make exceedingly good hi‑fi equipment. However, the PMD740 (reviewed in SOS August 1993) was a bit of a departure, both in concept and execution — who could forget those deliciously retro moving‑coil VU meters?

Well, it's a year hence, and we have another Marantz multitracker to look at. The new PMD720, while sporting a lower price tag, offers a similar control surface, similar electronics and (most importantly) a similar sound to the first machine. The PMD720's facilities have been stripped down, but that is reflected in the lower retail price. When I say stripped down, I don't mean compromised: this machine offers a two‑speed transport, simultaneous recording on all four tape tracks at once, eight mixer channels, dbx noise reduction and sync facilities. The four main mixer inputs offer mic or line operation, while channels one and two feature balanced XLR connectors and insert points. The remaining four inputs are configured as two stereo channels. In common with the PMD740, the new machine features one effects send (with stereo return), comprehensive monitoring, and two stereo headphone outputs. The facilities that are missing don't make an awful lot of difference to the 720's performance, but they are worth noting — see the accompanying box.

In Use

The PMD720 is very comfortable to use, with logical layout and ergonomic design. I plugged it in, tuned up my guitars, whacked down a drum pattern, and a couple of hours later I had a pretty funky finished track — the PMD720 is as easy to use as they come. However, I found one or two omissions to be operationally stifling. First of all, one effects send is simply not enough. While it is possible, with planning, to use the send and the insert points on channels one and two to stretch the effects possibilities by adding effects as you record and bounce, nothing beats having an extra effects send. Secondly, the 720's meters do not turn red when the machine goes into record. This was one of the most attractive features of the PMD740, providing an instant visual indication of what's being recorded where. On the 720, all you have is a single LED over the record button, and a visual indication from the rather small Record Select buttons — and it's quite easy to absent‑mindedly neglect to put these buttons into their correct state, because all that happens when they are switched to Record mode is that a small blob of red paint becomes visible through a hole — there's no LED or light of any sort.

One point of interest to synchroniser users is that the 720 lacks separate sync sockets. Rather, in Sync mode, individual outs 3 and 4 function as sync in and out respectively, and when used in this way, individual output 3 is disabled. I wonder how much money that saved?

The 720's noise reduction, like the 740, is dbx, and it works well. I recorded a drum machine (a test which should reveal shortcomings like 'pumping' in a noise reduction system), and found no problems in spite of pushing the levels consistently into the red. Since there is no peak indication, you have to trust your ears as to when distortion is approaching, but I found the VU meters to be a perfectly adequate barometer. Just out of interest, I dug out a couple of old 4‑track tapes recorded on another dbx‑equipped multitrack, both single and double speed. The tapes played back flawlessly.

Punching in and out can only be done by ear (gone are the automated transport features of the PMD740), but I find that this is often the best way to do it anyway. There can be a noticeable gap when punching out, but practice makes the best of the situation — punching in and out is always fraught on cassette multitrackers, since even at double speed, the tape isn't moving all that fast.

Although the manual which comes with the PMD720 is friendly and chatty, its organisation could be a little better. For example, the section that tells you what all the buttons do starts on page 18, rather than right at the beginning — and I do miss an index. However, all the help and info you need is in there, and it's well‑illustrated.

Conclusion

In spite of a handful of moans, I was impressed by the PMD720 — it's fun to use, and it sounds great. The meters give a fair indication of what's going to tape, the dbx noise reduction does a fine job of masking hiss, and the microprocessor‑controlled transport is really responsive. If I was being picky, I'd comment on the sticky faders, although they did seem to loosen up during the review. Sound quality after bouncing is remarkable: bouncing three tracks plus an overdub onto track four produced a backing track that sounded virtually as good as the originals. Apart from the lack of stereo, you'd hardly know the difference. It's even possible to go one bounce further without seriously compromising the sound quality of the end result.

I found that with the EQ flat, the resultant sound did tend to a slight plumminess, giving the bottom a definite enhancement. This is no bad thing in general — recordings are warm and have an attractive bass presence — but if you're looking for accurate rather than attractive, or want a bit more high‑end sparkle and detail, then you'll have to work a little harder with your source sounds and the EQ, which just happens to be very musical and effective.

Had this review happened a couple of months ago, price would have been very much an issue: the PMD720 used to retail for £649, which, to be honest, was steep. However, UK distributors John Hornby Skewes have recently slashed £100 off that price, which makes it a much more attractive proposition. I daresay that if you shop around, you may find an even better deal.

Marantz's new baby has a lot to offer — the PMD740 was a personal favourite, and in spite of the simplified layout, the PMD720 gives me no real cause to change my opinion.