Topic: Sony PCM-10

[pats]

I am thinking about buying a Sony PCM-10 (after years of MD recording) and I wanted to ask a few questions from any seasoned folks who have used this recorder.

1. How does the internal mics handle recording loud rock shows, such as metal ?
2. Does the unit have a "hold" feature so that it won't accidentially shut off while recording ?
3. Can you record multiple bands on one SD card ?  For instance the opener and headliner without changing cards ? or using the internal memory ?
4. Are there any external mics that are recommended for a use with the Sony PCM-10 that would cost under 100.00 and produce decent sounding results without distorting the recording ?

Thanks everyone and happy new year !!

[nassau73]

I am thinking about buying a Sony PCM-10 (after years of MD recording) and I wanted to ask a few questions from any seasoned folks who have used this recorder.

1. How does the internal mics handle recording loud rock shows, such as metal ?
2. Does the unit have a "hold" feature so that it won't accidentially shut off while recording ?
3. Can you record multiple bands on one SD card ?  For instance the opener and headliner without changing cards ? or using the internal memory ?
4. Are there any external mics that are recommended for a use with the Sony PCM-10 that would cost under 100.00 and produce decent sounding results without distorting the recording ?

Thanks everyone and happy new year !!

1) Can't answer because I do not use the internal mics
2) Yes. The unit has a hold feature.
3) As long as you have space you can record to the capacity of your installed memory.
4) External mics under 100--- I have no idea. People here will recommend Church mics - and I have heard excellent recordings from these mics. Since 2007, I have been using Audio Reality binaural mics.

People here will disparage the Audio Reality mics. Personally, I have been happy with the recordings I get using those mics both with my mini-disc recordings and now the PCM-M10.

Critically assessing their performance, the Audio Reality mics can lack a bit on the high end at times and, when necessary, I have worked on this recently in my post production.

My recordings have been "fuller" when I used the recommendations by other taperssection members to change the bbox setting to the 30hz rolloff with the M10.

I can honestly say that depending on the recording location - some of my recordings using Audio Reality binaurals have been better than what I've heard using the Church mics and some have been lesser.

Ultimately, you will need to pay more than $100 for external mics - no matter where you get them. From what I have heard by listening to online recordings, the Church mics will give you a good bang for your buck.

You can hear recordings made using mics by many different manufacturers at the Live Music Archive and well as Sugarmegs.org.

[earmonger]

Pats--

I came to the Sony PCM-M10 from MD as well. It's an improvement in every way. 

1) But internal mics for metal? No. They'll still overload.

2) Yes, it has a Hold switch. It's the Power button slid the other way.

Photos here will show you all the views and controls. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/638090-REG/Sony_PCM_M10_BLACK_PCM_M10_Portable_Audio_Recorder.html

3) It has 4GB of internal memory and will take an outboard microSD card of 32GB--or even 64GB if the 64GB card is formatted to FAT32.  High fidelity PCM/wav.  recording at 24/48 is about an hour per gigabyte. If you do mp3 at 320 one hour is about 140 MB.  So the internal memory alone would handle a four-hour hi-fi concert, and a whole lot more at mp3. And an external card---well, you'll just get totally spoiled.

http://www.sounddevices.com/calculator/index.html

4) I don't know if you got in on the Church Audio deal. They are made for high volume and would be your best bet.  That deal included two pairs, and if you're broke you could sell one in the Yard Sale. I'd keep the omnis because I prefer omni recording.


 Otherwise a good combo, around $130, is the Soundprofessionals BMC-2

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-BMC-2

(Get them with the clips unless you're going to sew them into a hat or something.)

plus a battery box, SPSB-10 (you don't need or want bass roll-off):

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category/310/mics

The battery box feeds extra power to the mics that helps prevent them from overloading. You can feed that signal into Line-In, which bypasses the preamp at the Mic-in jack, another place that can overload (and that's what often overloaded in MD).  The PCM-M10 preamp at Mic-in is more robust than the one in MDs, but metal volume is still too much for it.

If you got in on the Church deal, there's a preamp in there too, so you don't need a battery box. At a loud concert you just turn the preamp down low or to zero and run through Line-in.

When I got the PCM-M10 I could hardly believe how much less hassle it was than MD. Files are just .wav or mp3 files that upload directly from the card or internal memory--no SonicStage madness.

[TimSmith]

1. How does the internal mics handle recording loud rock shows, such as metal ?
4. Are there any external mics that are recommended for a use with the Sony PCM-10 that would cost under 100.00 and produce decent sounding results without distorting the recording ?

Good advice above. I just wanna add my 2 cents.

1. Not sure about metal, but I recorded a loud electric blues show once with internal mics. Everything went fine.
Why don't you search Dime for some samples? http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-browse.php?search=%2B%22m10%22+%2Binternal&cat=0&searchscope=
Personally I have an impression that m10's internal mics are one of the best among handheld recorders. The drawback is that that they are omni, so don't expect good stereo image from them.

4. I would not buy any new mics below $100. Better save the money and use internals for a while. If you want to be as cheap as possible - your best bet is to buy used Church Audio mics + CA Ugly battery box on yard sale.

[Ultfris101]

1. How does the internal mics handle recording loud rock shows, such as metal ?
4. Are there any external mics that are recommended for a use with the Sony PCM-10 that would cost under 100.00 and produce decent sounding results without distorting the recording ?

Good advice above. I just wanna add my 2 cents.


4. I would not buy any new mics below $100. Better save the money and use internals for a while. If you want to be as cheap as possible - your best bet is to buy used Church Audio mics + CA Ugly battery box on yard sale.

Agreed as well. M10 is great. Long battery life. been very reliable for me. I haven't recorded anything terribly loud with internal mics so can't comment on that but i would think they could handle a lot if you kept gain low. Before I got my external mics I used the internals a couple times and while they did better than I'd have thought, the external mics make a big difference even if you're just after personal souvenirs of a show. it's nice to have a consistent quality recording if you can get it.

Definitely recommend some CA mics + a CA Ugly battery box whether new or used. The M10 only puts out about 3.5v of power on mic jack I believe so not quite enough to drive mics to handle loud sources.

with CA mics and a bb you'll be in great shape. If you can stretch to get that setup I think you'll be happy in the long run.

[F.O.Bean]

I agree. M10 is GREAT IMO! I would get ca11/14 mics and a battery box and if you like what you're doing and want to keep doing it, then start to save up for more mics or a preamp