Topic: Sony PCM-M10 (Part 6)

[audBall]

My m10s have been nothing but SOLID concerning the input jacks. But then again, I use HQ jacks

You had your input jacks upgraded?   

[F.O.Bean]

My m10s have been nothing but SOLID concerning the input jacks. But then again, I use HQ jacks

You had your input jacks upgraded?   

No silly, the mini jacks are either Neutrik or Rean

[Todd R]

I think he's referring to the fact that jacks are on the M10, and we don't know what Sony is using.

You're referring to using quality 1/8" plugs on your cables, from Rean and Neutrik.

[Todd R]

BTW, I've been getting out and using the M10 a bit more lately.

For moe. this past weekend, I did a comp of:

Night 1) A comparison of the M10 A/D to the Sound Devices USBPre 2's A/D:  DPA 4022 > Aerco MP2 > SD USBPre 2 and then digital out UB2 (optical) > Sony D50 and UB2 (analog) > M10

Night 2) A comparison of the Aerco MP2 + M10 to a USBPre 2:  Again DPA 4022, splitter cables to Aerco MP2 > M10 and other split to USBPre 2 (optical) > Sony D50


The first comp is a direct comp of the M10 line-level input (essentially as A/D + recorder) to the line-level input (A/D) of the USBPre 2. 

The second comp really is lumping together the mic preamp of the Aerco + the A/D of the M10, and comparing to the USBPre 2 acting as both mic preamp+A/D.

I haven't listened much to the Night 1 comp, but the Night 2 comp is really pretty close in sound.  I can hear the typical transformer sound of the Aerco compared to the non-transformer USBPre 2, but both sound very good.

DPAs > Aerco MP2 > Sony M10 should make for a very compact, high quality recording rig.

[adrianf74]

Sorry to hear about this VWMULE.  I'm willing to bet you have a 1/8" Neutrik right angle gold connecter on your battery box, no? 

Apparently Neutrik dropped the ball when it comes to specs on their more recent product.  I have several 1/8" r/a Neutrik plugs from various Church Audio gear purchased over the years and all of them connected securely to my M10 except for a recent battery box build from this past summer.  When I connected the 1/8" plug into my line in (or mic in), I noticed it wasn't "gripping" tightly and it would slide out.  I didn't notice this before I used my B3's and Ugly Battery Box for the first time but did notice a "hit" where the connector slipped out at the start of a show.  I was able to "fix" it for the second show a few weeks later by taping it to the deck and rubber-banding it so it wouldn't come out.  Ultimately, I had the r/a changed to a different one; can't say I'll be using Neutrik again anytime soon. 

So, the moral of the story is: don't blame your M10 too quickly (I'd already done that in another post this past summer). 

[F.O.Bean]

Yes Adrian, it's not always songs fault

[tim in jersey]

So I tragically discovered the loose connector problem with the M-10 tonight, recording Neil Young.

Seems the plug from CA battery box was not fully in and the internal mics* kicked in. Major letdown as it was a killer show and I was in a good spot and generally can't stand stealth. Is there a way to disable internals? I didn't know anything was wrong because I could see the levels were fine. The recorder was in a jacket pocket. Def learned a lesson about taping down the cable. The M-10 connection is a design flaw.

* Read here that if external mic cable not fully engaged, then internal is default. And the recording has that sound. But is it possible that CA-14 mics were just not delivering the full dynamic range? They were plugged in somewhat, like past the first band on the connector. The recording of Patti Smith, who played before Neil, was 100 times better.

Bummer.

Learned my first lesson about properly seating the 1/8" connector my first time out with the M-10 in an open-taping scenario. Learned my second lesson which is to secure the mini-plug with gaffers tape on the M-10 during it's maiden voyage in a 007 situation. A few channel drop-outs and some static from the plug rotating in the jack.

I now have a strict "seat it 'n secure it" regimen I follow religiously. No problems since...

[James Lopez]

Hello everybody. 1st post here, even though ive been following the PCM-M10 thread for some time now. Ive finally got myself this little recording jewel and even though im generally quite satisfied with the purchase, i too have the levels mismatch issue. Specifically, left channel is always 4-5 dB hotter than the right, using the external mics. I wasn't expecting something like that considering the recorder's quality standards and to be perfectly honest i think this is unacceptable for a pro recording unit. Im going to take it back to the store i bought from and ask for a replace, hopefully getting back a calibrated unit as it happened to some other user here. A big thanks to all tapers here for their comments/opinions/tests, very helpful indeed. Peace

[Brian Skalinder]

left channel is always 4-5 dB hotter than the right, using the external mics.

Using internal or external mics?  If the internal built-in mics, take it back.  If external, you may want to test first to determine whether the mismatch lies with the mics or the recorder.

[James Lopez]

left channel is always 4-5 dB hotter than the right, using the external mics.

Using internal or external mics?  If the internal built-in mics, take it back.  If external, you may want to test first to determine whether the mismatch lies with the mics or the recorder.

Sorry i misspelled it.. I was talking about the internal mics, I'll take it back tomorrow. I am however tempted to go for the LS-11 instead. The thing is that im planning to use this recorder via line in connected to my SD302 (mainly for dialogue and ambiences), or using the internal mics as a ultraportable recording setup, mostly for nature/ambience recordings on the go. That said, I'm not really thinking about using the unit's mic-in. Hence my doubts between the PCM-M10 and the LS-11. Ive read great things about the sony's low noise circuitry (preamps, mics, line) but the omni configuration doesn't really give great results as far as stereo imaging is concerned. The Olympus' cardiods surely would do better in that aspect but they sound a bit thinner to my ears compared to the sony's internals (even though not many sound tests around) and maybe a little noisier (?). Considering my setup (SD302 via line-in or internal mics use) what would you recommend? Thanks for your time reading this 

[F.O.Bean]

I would go with the m10

[James Lopez]

I would go with the m10

Thanx for the advice.

[pontiacb]

After 6 months of heavy use with no problems my M10 has started having problems with the plug in the line in giving me occasional crackles, presumably when the plug is rotated slightly (I use a right angled connector and keep it in my baggy trouser pocket).  Never had this issue in 5 years of heavy use with my iRiver and I've got the problem with two different battery boxes.  I've resorted to running a back up rig in parallel with the M10 as it's happened a fair few times now in the last month. 

So thinking of trying the mic in next week as an experiment to see if I get the same issue.  Real shame as I love the recorder apart from this issue, which seems to be occurring for a fair few people based on posts here.  I've not taped the jack in to date, but will try that as well and will report back.

[vanark]

Sounds like you need to clean the jack and plug.

[pontiacb]

Sounds like you need to clean the jack and plug.

Did cross my mind.  Any tips how to do this and where to get the product from ( in the Uk)? 

I'll try anything!