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Author Topic: New gear question, possible upgrade.  (Read 3555 times)

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Offline shadowfax1007

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New gear question, possible upgrade.
« on: October 18, 2019, 09:52:01 AM »
I'm currently in Tokyo and I've come across a used PCM-M10 at a decent price.

I currently have an Olympus LS10 that has been my primary recording device for years. I recently also got an Olympus LS12 for a few dollars due to an Amazon pricing error but I'm yet to use it.

My question is, is the PCM-M10 an upgrade based on my current gear, or would I be getting much of the same? I only ask as I see the PCM-M10 often referred to and highly regarded. They are difficult to find in my country so trying to decide if I should get one.
www.bnelive.net

Mics:
SP-CMC-2 (Cardioid & Sub-Cardioid caps)
SP-BMC-12 (Omni)
SP-BMC-1 (Omni)

Power:
SP-SPSB-10

Recorders:
Olympus LS-10
Olympus LS-12
Sony PCM-A10

Offline rocksuitcase

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Re: New gear question, possible upgrade.
« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2019, 09:59:15 AM »
If you're talking internal mics, I say the LS-10 is better for most circumstances. Folks like the M10 for a mic in/line in device as supposedly the A/D converter is one of the best at that price point.
music IS love

When you get confused, listen to the music play!

Mics:         AKG460|CK61|CK1|CK3|CK8|Beyer M 201E|DPA 4060 SK
Recorders:Marantz PMD661 OADE Concert mod; Tascam DR680 MKI x2; Sony PCM-M10

Offline nulldogmas

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Re: New gear question, possible upgrade.
« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2019, 01:12:36 PM »
The M10 A/D converter is indeed excellent, but the main advantage of it is the battery life: I can easily get 20-30 hours out of a single pair of cheap AAs. Not having to worry about running out of power so long as I leave the house with even a single bar of charge is a huge upside for me, but YMMV.

Offline rocksuitcase

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Re: New gear question, possible upgrade.
« Reply #3 on: October 18, 2019, 02:04:36 PM »
The M10 A/D converter is indeed excellent, but the main advantage of it is the battery life: I can easily get 20-30 hours out of a single pair of cheap AAs. Not having to worry about running out of power so long as I leave the house with even a single bar of charge is a huge upside for me, but YMMV.
Seconded. We've gotten more than 30 hours out of a pair of AA's.
music IS love

When you get confused, listen to the music play!

Mics:         AKG460|CK61|CK1|CK3|CK8|Beyer M 201E|DPA 4060 SK
Recorders:Marantz PMD661 OADE Concert mod; Tascam DR680 MKI x2; Sony PCM-M10

Offline dyneq

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Re: New gear question, possible upgrade.
« Reply #4 on: October 18, 2019, 02:44:25 PM »
I used to have an LS10. It's the most ergonomically well-designed pocket recorder I've ever used, and feels built to last.

However, it does have a non-defeatable bass roll-off (starts at around 150Hz and drops about 6dB per octave from there). That's why I got rid of mine, because I'd rather record full range audio and make any modifications in post.

I don't know if the LS12 rolls off or not, but if that matters to you, the M10 would be an upgrade (especially since your signature says you use cardioids).

Offline shadowfax1007

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Re: New gear question, possible upgrade.
« Reply #5 on: October 18, 2019, 08:58:19 PM »
Incredible. I had zero idea the ls10 had roll off.

I alternate between cards and omnis.
www.bnelive.net

Mics:
SP-CMC-2 (Cardioid & Sub-Cardioid caps)
SP-BMC-12 (Omni)
SP-BMC-1 (Omni)

Power:
SP-SPSB-10

Recorders:
Olympus LS-10
Olympus LS-12
Sony PCM-A10

Offline dyneq

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Re: New gear question, possible upgrade.
« Reply #6 on: October 19, 2019, 01:09:54 AM »
With omnis, the roll-off could be an asset depending on personal tastes in music and recording location.

If the M10 is a decent price, just grab it and experiment with combinations of your mics, recorders and locations. Wait until you try everything and then sell what you don’t need.

Offline Niels

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Re: New gear question, possible upgrade.
« Reply #7 on: October 19, 2019, 05:09:29 AM »
Just an observation worth keeping in mind: The Japanese M10 has button labels printed in Japanese characters. That may not matter to you, but will affect the resale value outside JP.
I don't know what you mean by decent price, but I rarely see them offered for less than 18,000 JPY and that is for very used copies, and in the range 50,000-90,000 for NOS.
At either price point, there are current offerings I find more attractive - although modern alternatives does not share the tactile solid feel of the M10 (the LS10 is equally solid).
« Last Edit: October 19, 2019, 07:10:39 AM by Niels »
Roland R-07 -> FEL Communications Clippy EM172 Omnis or pair of RØDE Lavaliers.
iPhone 14 -> Shure MV88 or Sennheiser AMBEO Smart Headset

 

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