Topic: Sony PCM-D10 sound quality?

[deejayen]

I'm considering buying one of these while they're still available.

However, there aren't too many reviews, and the ones I've read say they're noisy.

I'd be using it to record a singer-songwriter with a single external mic (DPA 4015A or a large diaphragm condenser such as a Gefell M940).  I'm looking for as good a quality and natural sound as possible.  Is the Sony going to be a good option for this?

I could get a used Sound Devices 302 mixer\preamp (with transformers on the inputs) to feed the Sony if that would help with sound quality or noise performance.

I know the Sony is chunky, but I quite like the plethora of buttons and switches to control things.

It seems most people are recommending the Zoom F3 or the Sound Devices MixPre 3 these days, but...

[Niels]

That recorder never seemed to catch any traction. Somewhat of a letdown when compared to the D100.
The upcoming Zoom H5Studio seems to be a worthy competitor - with physical knobs if you desire to record 16/24bit and control the gain - and you wouldn't have to bother with external preamps since it has F-series preamps build in.

[deejayen]

Thanks, Niels.

Yes, I'm not sure why the PCM-D10 appears to be a failure.  Perhaps it was its large size, or maybe the reviews complaining about the noise put buyers off.

The H5Studio looks an interesting option, but I don't think it's currently available here in the UK.  Dealers are listing a delivery date of early June.

[morst]

I would guess that it didn't get popular because most folks ready to spend $500 on a recorder didn't need one with built in mics taking up extra space.

[deejayen]

I'm also considering Tascam DR 100 Mk III if I can find a used one in nice condition.

Has anyone used both (the Tascam DR 100 Mk III and the Sony PCM-D10)?  I'm not too bothered about the internal mics, as I may never use them.  The Tascam seems to have some nice features including a wired remote option for a footpedal, which could be handy, and digital input (which I may never use).

The sound quality using external mics or line-in is important to me, but other things such as the user interface can make a difference.  The Sony would be new with a warranty, if that means anything. 

[Melanie]

I'm also considering Tascam DR 100 Mk III if I can find a used one in nice condition.

Has anyone used both (the Tascam DR 100 Mk III and the Sony PCM-D10)?  I'm not too bothered about the internal mics, as I may never use them.  The Tascam seems to have some nice features including a wired remote option for a footpedal, which could be handy, and digital input (which I may never use).

The sound quality using external mics or line-in is important to me, but other things such as the user interface can make a difference.  The Sony would be new with a warranty, if that means anything.

Dr 100mklll is gold, I use a DR40 for board feed, and DR 100 for mics. Just got an X8, 8 inputs and detachable mics. getting ready to write up a review soon, need another show or two to run it through it's paces. Nice thing is that without the mics it's more low key and roughly the same size as
dr100. Bob

[deejayen]

Thanks, Bob.

It seems like all the recorders I'm interested in have been discontinued!  I was aware of them being around for years, but now they're no longer available, and some of the features of the current models are less appealing to me.

[heva]

The DR100mk3 has a nice feature: recording mics with decent gain vs ‘no gain and then raised in post to the same level’ makes only about 1dB difference. Works for me, no 32bit float needed

[Melanie]

The DR100mk3 has a nice feature: recording mics with decent gain vs ‘no gain and then raised in post to the same level’ makes only about 1dB difference. Works for me, no 32bit float needed

I  agree, my new X8  has 32 floating bit, no easier  than my Dr 100mklll. Maybe a situation will come up where the benefits will be seen. Bob

[heva]

The DR100mk3 has a nice feature: recording mics with decent gain vs ‘no gain and then raised in post to the same level’ makes only about 1dB difference. Works for me, no 32bit float needed

Difference in noise level, to be clear