Topic: Beat to Death - M-10 vs Dr2d

[mec111272]

So I know this one has been talked over about a million times in various threads, but I am going to sum up what I have found and open this up to others.

1. Both units are very nice and easy to use.
2. The M-10 build quality may be a little better.
3. The M-10 battery life is superior.
4. The DR2D has the option of 2 - 2 channel tracks.

And here's the big one!!
5.  Sonically they are just about the same when fed from and external amp and used for A/D & "bit-bucket". 

Would others like to opine on the topic? 

[darby]

I don't like to give opinions, but since I own both...
the M10 is my go to deck for 2 channel for reasons 2, 3 & 5 plus I find it easier to use.
another reason is because the DR-2d is no longer in production and will be harder to replace at some point

[adrianf74]

I've run an M10 since shortly after it was released; great deck and the menus are pretty straight forward.  The DR-2D is a discontinued product and will be harder to come by. 

I agree with darby on his stance.  The key advantage to the DR-2D is if you're gonna run two sets of mics with preamps that output to 1/8", you'll have clock synced signals.  Some people would still prefer to run two M10's.

I'd originally gone the route of the DR-2D but decided to keep my M10 and run a Tascam DR-60D (P48 and 1/8" input) when I want to run two sets of actives/mics and/or a board feed.

[yousef]

"bit-bucket"

Why do people have people have such difficulty with this term?

[DigiGal]

I don't own either unit, however, number five above isn't accurate since for either to be considered a "bit-bucket" a digital input on the recorder would be required.

[aaronji]

The M10 can also take a considerably hotter signal and the mic input is much quieter...

[mec111272]

I don't own either unit, however, number five above isn't accurate since for either to be considered a "bit-bucket" a digital input on the recorder would be required.

Thread Hijack ALERT!!!!

BLAH BLAH BLAH,  I get it, but to be perfectly accurate once it passes its A/D it is then a Bit Bucket.   

[mec111272]

The M10 can also take a considerably hotter signal and the mic input is much quieter...

So we need to adjust #5.  Sonically the M-10 is "better".  Quieter mic input, can handle hotter signal.  Anyone disagree?

[2manyrocks]

I have both. 

The 2d is a quality recorder.  The option to record 4 channels sets it apart from the M10. 

The M10 is still about $210, but the 2d got cleared out around $99.  Is the M10 worth the price difference?  If you only do short recordings where battery life isn't important, the 2d will work fine.  For longer recordings where battery life is more important, the M10 is the clear winner for battery life, for easier menu navigation, for the rotary gain knob, and for being just the right size to fit a shirt pocket, IMO.

With the 2d being discontinued, the current question for some buyers will be whether to choose the M10 or the Tascam DR 60d now that the 4 channel 60d is on sale for about the same price as the M10. 




 

[adrianf74]

With the 2d being discontinued, the current question for some buyers will be whether to choose the M10 or the Tascam DR 60d now that the 4 channel 60d is on sale for about the same price as the M10.

Sadly, you're gonna have a hard time putting a DR-60D in your shirt or pants pocket. 

The M10 is still a better deck and will be my go to recorder unless I'm planning on doing 4-channels (two sets of mics or mics and board).   Even when I'm running 4-channels, especially if I'm using P48, I'll need to invoke my external USB battery 

[DigiGal]

"bit-bucket"

Why do people have people have such difficulty with this term?

 

[dallman]

I don't own either unit, however, number five above isn't accurate since for either to be considered a "bit-bucket" a digital input on the recorder would be required.

Thread Hijack ALERT!!!!

BLAH BLAH BLAH,  I get it, but to be perfectly accurate once it passes its A/D it is then a Bit Bucket.   

Not really. DigiGal is right on the mark. You are running analog out from a preamp into analog in on the Sony which goes through the Sony pre.

[2manyrocks]

With the 2d being discontinued, the current question for some buyers will be whether to choose the M10 or the Tascam DR 60d now that the 4 channel 60d is on sale for about the same price as the M10.

Sadly, you're gonna have a hard time putting a DR-60D in your shirt or pants pocket. 

The M10 is still a better deck and will be my go to recorder unless I'm planning on doing 4-channels (two sets of mics or mics and board).   Even when I'm running 4-channels, especially if I'm using P48, I'll need to invoke my external USB battery 

Well, you're right that  I can't carry a camera, DR60D, a 10' light stand for my mics, and a camera tripod in my shirt pocket. 

I haven't read about stuff breaking on the M10 except maybe a battery door or something along the way.  I saw a review of the 60d where the reviewer complained that one of the strap mounts broke while the unit was in his bag.  The M10 form factor and the way the controls lay in the hand are pretty hard to beat.   If someone came out with a soft clamshell case with a flip out screen cover for the M10, that would be terrific.   

[hi and lo]

"bit-bucket"

Why do people have people have such difficulty with this term?

 

heh. I'm just wondering why we're trying to have an analytical discussion about two low-budget recorders while treating terminology 101 lessons as thread-jacks.

[acidjack]

For making recordings of PA systems with modest microphones either of these products is fine. The M10 probably sounds a little better, is easier to use, and it is made by a company that, in my opinion and experience, makes vastly better products, at least in portable audio. But it's not like the "quality" of the sound will be much affected by either. Bigger issues are stuff like ease of use, battery life, and reliability. The M10 is the best in class in those categories, though I'd say the Roland R-05 comes pretty close.

The DR-2D can do "4 channel" (kind of) which is the main only thing to recommend it over one of the other two.

[yousef]

"bit-bucket"

Why do people have people have such difficulty with this term?

 

heh. I'm just wondering why we're trying to have an analytical discussion about two low-budget recorders while treating terminology 101 lessons as thread-jacks.

It's in the same category as "phantom power" and "remaster": terms needlessly abused, presumably because they sound interesting and cool...

[mec111272]

So is this where we are now?

1. Both units are very nice and easy to use, but in general the M-10 is preferred.
2. The layout and controls on the M-10 is "better".
3. The M-10 build quality is a little better.
4. The M-10 battery life is superior.
5. The DR2D has the option of 2 - 2 channel tracks.
6.  Sonically the M-10 may be a little less noisy, and the mic input can handle a hotter signal,  however for the purpose of recording output from a pre-amp there is likely little difference.

Seems to be coming down to how much you want the 2-2 channel option. 

Kind of interesting I guess.

[colinw]

I have the dr-2d and I love it. I have had no issues with the machine at all, except for short battery life. I have recorded 2 channels and also 4 channels (2 mic sources, 1 mic/1 sbd, etc), all with great results. I don't know if you can find another 4 channel recorder that does such a great job for such a cheap price. I know they are discontinued which is a real shame, because it is fantastic. THere really isn't anything else that can compare except for the ROland r-26 which is MUCH more expensive.
All that being, said, I would like to buy an M10 and the single reason is that I want the longer battery life for the 2 channel recording. The rest is a wash - build quality is good enogh in both units that it doesn't make a difference. I haven't noticed any "noise" using the mic-in. The controls are just as easy to use as each other, no real difference, it takes about 5 minutes to figure either of them out if you have never used them before.
If all you do is 2 channel, the M-10 is the winner due to battery life. If you can live with the shorter battery life and will ever need 4 channels, the dr-2d is the winner.

[pohaku]

I have both and I agree with acidjack.  The only reason for me to use the DR2d is needing 4 channels (and something smaller than my DR-680).  The ease of use and battery life on the M10 make it a no-brainer for 2 channel recording.  I wish they would run a sale so I could rationalize buying another one.

[aaronji]

6.  Sonically the M-10 may be a little less noisy, and the mic input can handle a hotter signal,  however for the purpose of recording output from a pre-amp there is likely little difference.

The mic input on the M10 is considerably quieter; I don't know about the line input.  Both inputs on the M10 can handle a much hotter input (-13.78 vs. +2 dBu for mic, 8.22 vs. 24 dBu for line)...

[mec111272]

6.  Sonically the M-10 may be a little less noisy, and the mic input can handle a hotter signal,  however for the purpose of recording output from a pre-amp there is likely little difference.

The mic input on the M10 is considerably quieter; I don't know about the line input.  Both inputs on the M10 can handle a much hotter input (-13.78 vs. +2 dBu for mic, 8.22 vs. 24 dBu for line)...

That is a substantial change.  Does that change the second part of #6?  Does the ability to run a hotter signal produce "better" results.

[tooldvn]

I have the dr-2d and I love it. I have had no issues with the machine at all, except for short battery life.

What are we talking here?  How long does it last?

[mec111272]

I have the dr-2d and I love it. I have had no issues with the machine at all, except for short battery life.

What are we talking here?  How long does it last?

I have run my DR2d for about three hours and haven't run out of juice,  the issue is that the M10 runs for DAYS

[aaronji]

That is a substantial change.  Does that change the second part of #6?  Does the ability to run a hotter signal produce "better" results.

I don't know about "better", but certainly less prone to distortion (especially with sensitive mics, high SPLs, and/or a pre with a fixed minimum gain).

[techgui]

Aren't both of these getting a little long in the tooth?  I have the Dr-2d and have been very happy with it.  Especially the ability to record 2 - 2 channel tracks.  I use the feature to record the 2nd track several db lower than the first, since I can't predict where my levels will end up.  That said, lately I've been tempted to replace it with a Sony MV1 audio/video recorder.  Looks like better built in mics and still has the capability to use externals.  Great low light video recording, but you can also just record audio with it if you want. 

I'm hoping to pick one up this spring.