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Author Topic: New SONY PCM-A10  (Read 126336 times)

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Offline gewwang

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Re: New SONY PCM-A10
« Reply #150 on: February 01, 2019, 10:14:58 AM »
Yes, line in and manual levels. I'm definitely going to use the app next time out.

Offline DavidPuddy

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Re: New SONY PCM-A10
« Reply #151 on: February 01, 2019, 10:43:54 AM »
Anyone know how long this takes to charge via USB? I see in the user manual it says to plug it into a computer, so I imagine it takes a while.
Mics: mk4v/mk41v/mk22 > CMC1L/Nbobs, 4061, MKE2
Preamps: Mixpre-D, Nbox Platinum ABS
Recorders: Mixpre-6 ii, PCM-A10

Offline MakersMarc

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Re: New SONY PCM-A10
« Reply #152 on: February 01, 2019, 11:31:35 AM »
Anyone run with a babynbox? Gotta be mic in, right?
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Offline zeus163

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Re: New SONY PCM-A10
« Reply #153 on: February 01, 2019, 03:31:35 PM »
Here's what I noticed:

"I ran some initial tests with a babynbox, an IPA (set at 4db), and a tinybox (low setting--I think it is 4db as well). From my initial tests, I think I'd have to run line in with the babynbox. On the M10, I ran mic in as per Nick's suggestion. With mic in, I peaked levels quite easily (even at 1). I was screaming like a banshee into my mics and going over each time. I know that isn't the best test, but I figured it would be somewhat close to real life."

To be more clear, when I ran mic in on the A10 my levels peaked even at 1. Of course, I was screaming into my mics. So, maybe that wasn't the best test, but I think it might be safer to run line/audio in. I'm trying to get out tonight, but I may not be able to now. If I do, I'm going to try and use all three toinght (babynox, IPA, and Tinybox)..
Kangol wearing fool...

Offline Sebastian

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Re: New SONY PCM-A10
« Reply #154 on: February 01, 2019, 04:17:59 PM »
I did read in the manual/instructions that it came with under precautions that "Noise may be heard when the unit is placed near an AC power source, a fluorescent lamp or a mobile phone during recording or playback". I find this statement odd since there is a phone app. Which to me would kind of defeat the purpose of the phone app. Sebastian have you had an issue with that? Might be something to look out for.

I haven't noticed anything in real-world scenarios. Just did a quick test with a live phone (that had a 4G voice call active) and could reproduce some RFI. However, I had to turn the gain on the preamp (tinybox) and on the A10 up all the way for it to be audible. And I think the RFI entered through my unbalanced Schoeps actives rather than the A10 or tinybox. Also tested the M10 and the RFI behaviour was about the same. So I'd say there's nothing to worry about on the recorder side of things.

Sebastian when you were running your Tinybox did you just set it to (audio) line in and manual levels? I'm just curious...

tinybox at no gain for super loud shows, +6dB for less loud ones. Line (audio) in on A10. Worked perfectly. I would think settings with the babynbox should be around the same as for tinybox without gain.

To be more clear, when I ran mic in on the A10 my levels peaked even at 1. Of course, I was screaming into my mics.

At what distance to the mics? When you scream into any mic at close range you will clip, no matter what.

I'm definitely going to use the app next time out.

Yes, you really should. The A10 itself is so small that I almost find it too fiddly. The app works much better for me.

Offline gaijin

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Re: New SONY PCM-A10
« Reply #155 on: February 01, 2019, 04:30:23 PM »
Question for Sebastian / general knowledgeable folk:

Are we not concerned with the low freq response only going down to 40Hz?  Even my low budget low pro mics go down to 30Hz; are we not losing something on the very low end in that scenario?

Offline flask

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Re: New SONY PCM-A10
« Reply #156 on: February 01, 2019, 04:42:36 PM »
Question for Sebastian / general knowledgeable folk:

Are we not concerned with the low freq response only going down to 40Hz?  Even my low budget low pro mics go down to 30Hz; are we not losing something on the very low end in that scenario?
I believe that is only in reference to the built in mics.
Mics: AKG C480B CK61/CK63 | AT943C/O
Pre/Pwr: UA-5 wmod | SPSB-1 | Baby nbox
Recorders: TCD-D7 | NJB3 | DR-680mkii | PCM-A10

Offline gaijin

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Re: New SONY PCM-A10
« Reply #157 on: February 01, 2019, 04:55:57 PM »
Question for Sebastian / general knowledgeable folk:

Are we not concerned with the low freq response only going down to 40Hz?  Even my low budget low pro mics go down to 30Hz; are we not losing something on the very low end in that scenario?
I believe that is only in reference to the built in mics.

I've seen that bandied around but I'm not so sure, as usually Sony quotes those specs in relation to the line / mic instead on these devices (see D1, D50, M10 specs which specifically reference mic / line in). 

Do we have some sort of reference to reassure us that it's only about the built ins or are we only going on those couple of guesses from the beginning of the thread?

(Not being akward, just trying to determine if I want to plunk down my hard earned pesos on this thing).

Offline Sebastian

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Re: New SONY PCM-A10
« Reply #158 on: February 01, 2019, 05:52:04 PM »
Question for Sebastian / general knowledgeable folk:

Are we not concerned with the low freq response only going down to 40Hz?  Even my low budget low pro mics go down to 30Hz; are we not losing something on the very low end in that scenario?

Well, my Schoeps cardioids only go down to 40 Hz. So no, I'm not concerned. And I don't feel I'm losing anything. ;)

Offline flask

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Re: New SONY PCM-A10
« Reply #159 on: February 01, 2019, 06:15:47 PM »
Taken from https://pro.sony/ue_US/products/portable-digital-recorders/pcm-a10#ProductSpecificationsBlock-pcm-a10

FREQUENCY RESPONSE LPCM 96.1 KHZ, 24 BIT 40-40,000 Hz (0~-3 dB)
FREQUENCY RESPONSE LPCM 48 KHZ, 24 BIT 40-21,000 Hz (0~-3 dB)
FREQUENCY RESPONSE LPCM 48 KHZ, 16 BIT 40-21,000 Hz (0~-3 dB)
FREQUENCY RESPONSE LPCM 44.1 KHZ, 24 BIT 40-20,000 Hz (0~-3 dB)
FREQUENCY RESPONSE LPCM 44.1 KHZ, 16 BIT 40-20,000 Hz (0~-3 dB)
FREQUENCY RESPONSE MP3 320 KBPS 40-20,000 Hz (0~-3 dB)
FREQUENCY RESPONSE MP3 192 KBPS 40-18,000 Hz (0~-3 dB)
FREQUENCY RESPONSE MP3 128 KBPS 40-16,000 Hz (0~-3 dB)
FREQUENCY RESPONSE MP3 48 KBPS (MONAURAL) 40-14,000 Hz (0~-3 dB)
Mics: AKG C480B CK61/CK63 | AT943C/O
Pre/Pwr: UA-5 wmod | SPSB-1 | Baby nbox
Recorders: TCD-D7 | NJB3 | DR-680mkii | PCM-A10

Offline gaijin

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Re: New SONY PCM-A10
« Reply #160 on: February 01, 2019, 10:19:07 PM »
Taken from https://pro.sony/ue_US/products/portable-digital-recorders/pcm-a10#ProductSpecificationsBlock-pcm-a10

FREQUENCY RESPONSE LPCM 96.1 KHZ, 24 BIT 40-40,000 Hz (0~-3 dB)
FREQUENCY RESPONSE LPCM 48 KHZ, 24 BIT 40-21,000 Hz (0~-3 dB)
FREQUENCY RESPONSE LPCM 48 KHZ, 16 BIT 40-21,000 Hz (0~-3 dB)
FREQUENCY RESPONSE LPCM 44.1 KHZ, 24 BIT 40-20,000 Hz (0~-3 dB)
FREQUENCY RESPONSE LPCM 44.1 KHZ, 16 BIT 40-20,000 Hz (0~-3 dB)
FREQUENCY RESPONSE MP3 320 KBPS 40-20,000 Hz (0~-3 dB)
FREQUENCY RESPONSE MP3 192 KBPS 40-18,000 Hz (0~-3 dB)
FREQUENCY RESPONSE MP3 128 KBPS 40-16,000 Hz (0~-3 dB)
FREQUENCY RESPONSE MP3 48 KBPS (MONAURAL) 40-14,000 Hz (0~-3 dB)

Thanks flask.  I have spotted that in a couple of different places, but it is never indicated whether it is the mics or the mic/line in, hence my confusion.  I guess my thought is if they don't specifically call out the mics AND given the Sony history of that spec being published in reference to the recorder inputs themselves, I tend to assume we are talking about the device's frequency response.  I don't really know though so hoping one of the smarter people around here could help.  I guess the other part of the question though is "is there anything down there worth worrying about?"  I've seen more than one post from dsatz where the general message is "there is nothing you need down that low anyway."

The only things stopping me from pulling the trigger are this 40Hz question and the fact that I absolutely detest internal rechargeable batteries as its a situation that never ends well (expensive repair, self-service, lack of parts, etc.).  If I could knock one of the 2 niggles off the list it would finally make it's way out of the shopping cart and into my home!

Thanks in advance for any other input on the low-end concern.

-g

Offline flask

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Re: New SONY PCM-A10
« Reply #161 on: February 02, 2019, 01:34:16 AM »
Yeah, not a big fan of the battery either. FWIW, it does operate with an external battery plugged in, but that certainly defeats the form factor.
Mics: AKG C480B CK61/CK63 | AT943C/O
Pre/Pwr: UA-5 wmod | SPSB-1 | Baby nbox
Recorders: TCD-D7 | NJB3 | DR-680mkii | PCM-A10

Offline gewwang

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Re: New SONY PCM-A10
« Reply #162 on: February 02, 2019, 10:38:20 PM »
The internal battery’s supposed to run 6:35 at 24/96 and 13:15 at 24/48. If this is true, there aren’t many occasions where you need anything more than the internal battery...

Offline StPatric

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Re: New SONY PCM-A10
« Reply #163 on: February 02, 2019, 10:51:50 PM »
The internal battery’s supposed to run 6:35 at 24/96 and 13:15 at 24/48. If this is true, there aren’t many occasions where you need anything more than the internal battery...

I seen this a couple of times now. Why does it take so much more power to store 24/96 vs 24/48 ? I get that it needs mush more storage space for the 24/96 recording. But and the rest of the power needs are ~ the same ? Or am I missing something here ?

Offline gaijin

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Re: New SONY PCM-A10
« Reply #164 on: February 03, 2019, 12:12:25 AM »
The internal battery’s supposed to run 6:35 at 24/96 and 13:15 at 24/48. If this is true, there aren’t many occasions where you need anything more than the internal battery...

What about after 4-5 years when that capacity has gone down to 60% (and even worse moving on from there)? 

It's not that I'm worried I'm going to run out of battery while recording right when I get thing, it's that eventually the battery will need to be replaced as it will have deteriorated to an unusable state. 

At that time there are some obvious downsides: Sony won't service it for less than ~$200, tearing such a small intricate device apart oneself is not without a bunch of stress / risk of damage, and one often struggles to find the exact part used more and more as time goes by.   

They should have gone with a AAA like the LS-P4, and given us more assured longevity.

 

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