The PMD650 incorporated XLR and line inputs, allowing signals transmitted through microphones and amplified instruments to be recorded directly onto the disc. The PMD650 also carried a +48V power supply to provide the necessary phantom power to connected condenser microphones. Instrumentalists and vocalists could record isolated tracks into the recorder, allowing for increased clarity within the audio mix.
The PMD650 included on-board editing tools that allowed users to cut, transport and remove unwanted sections of audio. Prior to the invention of digital audio workstations such as Reason or Logic, the editing tools included on devices such as the PMD650 were the only utilities available to many amateur musicians.
The PMD650 requires two AA batteries in order to operate. The device is also compatible with the RB1100 battery pack.