... If its self-noise would be as low as the M10's I'd buy it in an instant, the XLR inputs would really come in handy somewhere down the road. Maybe you could make a short nature recording with its internal mics? I'd really appreciate that:)
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How could my "nature" recording tell you anything at all? If I take my recorder out and crank it up I hear motorcycles on the freeway 2 miles away long before I hear preamp or mic noise. But I can still hear the local insects at work over the freeway. How loud are your bugs compared to mine?
Since this is a music oriented comparison it's probably of no interest, but it includes clips comparing a D50 and H6 on the same source. Poorly level matched, I'm afraid. http://www.homebrewedmusic.com/2013/08/15/zoom-h6-acoustic-guitar-shootout/
***zoom-h6-acoustic-guitar-shootout thoughts.
The most important factor in any outdoor recordings I've done has been wind protection. A Tascam DR-05 with a good wind sock will pull better recordings than an SD702 and Sennheiser rig without one, 90% of the time.
Experience counts a lot in getting a good capture. It's a constant problem solving process. Get started on the learning curve with a sub-$100 dollar device and figure out what you'll record, where, why, and what issues actually arise. You've set out to solve the problem of preamp and mic self-noise without any evidence that these will be the main problem preventing successful recordings.
I can give such advice with authority, having spent thousands on gear only to learn that experience is the real key to good recordings.
Fran
Well, unless the SNR of a given recorder miraculously changes itself from recording to recording, I can't see why a short sample of a relatively quiet source wouldn't give me even a vague idea of the H6's self-noise. You're the expert here and maybe I'm jest stupid but I don't think it matters all that much whether my "bugs" are louder or quieter than yours. I know that experience, mic placement, proper "environmental awareness" (if I may call it that) and the environment itself are the key to making good recordings. I didn't bring up the importance of using a windsock because it's obvious. However, no matter how great of an expert you are (and I believe you are an expert in this field, no irony here), self-noise is self-noise and it won't miraculously go away (unless you're quite adept at post-processing). You can be the best driver in the world but if your car's suspension is all shot to hell you'll still go through the pearly gates in a big ball of fire;p Recording and playing back sounds as we hear them is not a problem. It becomes a problem when you want to get them a bit louder. That's why I'm asking about such things. I'm not talking SD/Schoeps noise floor but something decent or good or whatever you want to call it. I've been pondering upon the problem of recording in environments I'll most probably record in myself and inferred that if a significant issue arises, it'll most likely be the noise floor. Maybe I should've factored in the possibility of being attacked by a polar bear but somehow the noise-floor of my equipment had sprung to mind first;p Just taking the Mickey, sorry;p In all seriousness, I agree with you on the experience part, after all I'm here to learn. Sorry for being a nuisance.
On a side note: as you can probably tell, I'm not a native user of English so if I write some utter cobblers in terms od grammar, semantics and whatnot, please bear with me. Also, I wrote this post on my phone which acts up quite a bit and often throws in random words as I'm typing, even when I turn off next-word suggestions;p
Thanks for the sample, ozpeter! I hope I'm not pissing you off that much with my pointless amateur twaddle;p