Topic: Sony PCM-M10 (Part 7)

[BlindGuyEars]

Hi folks. I have some questions about the file system and formatting.

Since I'm blind, it would be easier if I could just format the memory card while it is in the unit or in a card reader attached to the PC. This would mean I wouldn't have to count button presses and format through the M10's menus. 

Is there any reason why I shouldn't do this? What specs does the PCM-M10 expect? I'm guessing FAT32, but what cluster size?

Also, I'm seeing a specific directory structure in the unit's internal memory - \mssony\hifi\file01 file02 etc. Does this tree need to be present for the recorder to work, or is it there for convenience?

In \MSSONY\HIFI there is also a 2.81MB file named MSGLISTA.MSF.  Does anybody know what this contains? Is it firmware, or something else equally important?

thanks!

Chris

[dyneq]

It is best to format the card in the unit so that it can populate the card with the directory structure you noticed. That structure does need to be there.

I did a quick search on that file and found the following:

http://www.sony-asia.com/support/faq/242217

John

[it-goes-to-eleven]

It turns out in the end that the whole first set was static and the second set recorded fine.

The audio may be present, just misaligned.  You should import the audio as raw into your editor of choice and then experiment with offsetting.  You may find your waveforms suddenly appear.  This has come up quite a few times in the past, though rarely with the m10.

[F.O.Bean]

It turns out in the end that the whole first set was static and the second set recorded fine.

The audio may be present, just misaligned.  You should import the audio as raw into your editor of choice and then experiment with offsetting.  You may find your waveforms suddenly appear.  This has come up quite a few times in the past, though rarely with the m10.

6666 posts Brian!!!

And I agree, with cards up to 32gb, it's best to format the cards in the m10!!!

[BlindGuyEars]

Thanks a lot for this John.

It is best to format the card in the unit so that it can populate the card with the directory structure you noticed. That structure does need to be there.

I did a quick search on that file and found the following:

http://www.sony-asia.com/support/faq/242217

John

[iammattp]

So I'm looking into purchasing one of these and getting into the hobby. Originally I was planning on getting the H4N because of the 4-track recording (I assume that means I can record the out from the sbd and the ambient noise at the same time, is that right?).
It seems like the PCM-M10 has much better reviews though, my only hang up on it though is would I be able to record the soundboard and the ambient noise at the same time with it, or if not what would be necessary to do so? I've got some extra money in my budget for cables,accessories, ect. so I'm open to the PCM-M10 if it's doable.

[BlindGuyEars]

Will the PCM-M10 support 32GB cards or higher?

[udovdh]

Will the PCM-M10 support 32GB cards or higher?

Yes, there have been reports. Links others can give.

[Phil Zone]

Will the PCM-M10 support 32GB cards or higher?

Yes I have a 32gb sandisk class 10 in mine

[dnsacks]

I use a 32gb samsung class 6 in mine (tested faster than a lot of the class 10s)

[BlindGuyEars]

Thanks guys. I should have done some digging before asking that question. Apparently you can even go 64GB if you format the card for FAT32 first. More info at:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/456327/sony-pcm-m10-as-portable-player/120#post_8727898

Off I go to compare some prices online.

[F.O.Bean]

Yeah I have some 32gb AData cards in my m10s with no issues. I also have the option to get some 64gb cards really, really cheap so ill be getting those around the holidays, just for next summer

[earmonger]

So I'm looking into purchasing one of these and getting into the hobby. Originally I was planning on getting the H4N because of the 4-track recording (I assume that means I can record the out from the sbd and the ambient noise at the same time, is that right?).
It seems like the PCM-M10 has much better reviews though, my only hang up on it though is would I be able to record the soundboard and the ambient noise at the same time with it, or if not what would be necessary to do so? I've got some extra money in my budget for cables,accessories, ect. so I'm open to the PCM-M10 if it's doable.

The PCM-M10 only takes a stero input through mic-in or line-in. You'd need a mixer if you wanted to do SBD + ambient.

The problems widely reported with Zooms are cheap build quality and noisy inputs. I've never had one so I can't say. But if you have access to the SBD you might want to budget for a PCM-M10 plus mics and mixer.

[F.O.Bean]

So I'm looking into purchasing one of these and getting into the hobby. Originally I was planning on getting the H4N because of the 4-track recording (I assume that means I can record the out from the sbd and the ambient noise at the same time, is that right?).
It seems like the PCM-M10 has much better reviews though, my only hang up on it though is would I be able to record the soundboard and the ambient noise at the same time with it, or if not what would be necessary to do so? I've got some extra money in my budget for cables,accessories, ect. so I'm open to the PCM-M10 if it's doable.

The PCM-M10 only takes a stero input through mic-in or line-in. You'd need a mixer if you wanted to do SBD + ambient.

The problems widely reported with Zooms are cheap build quality and noisy inputs. I've never had one so I can't say. But if you have access to the SBD you might want to budget for a PCM-M10 plus mics and mixer.

I, too, would DEF recommend the Sony M10 over the Zoom ANYDAY of the week If you wanted to do 4-track recording, like SBD>recorder + Mics>recorder and do both stereo sources on ONE recorder, the Tascam DR2D is the way to go. Under $200 and you can run SBD>LINE IN DR2D and Mics>MIC IN DR2D If you just want a 2-channel stereo recorder, the Sony PCM-M10 is HANDS DOWN the way to go IMO. Has an AMAZING battery life, the M10s preamps and ADC are way above expected for such a small and cheap handheld recorder, and it does 24bit, just like the Tascam DR2D So, do you need 2-channel or 4-channel Once you answer that, we can go from there

[iammattp]

So I'm looking into purchasing one of these and getting into the hobby. Originally I was planning on getting the H4N because of the 4-track recording (I assume that means I can record the out from the sbd and the ambient noise at the same time, is that right?).
It seems like the PCM-M10 has much better reviews though, my only hang up on it though is would I be able to record the soundboard and the ambient noise at the same time with it, or if not what would be necessary to do so? I've got some extra money in my budget for cables,accessories, ect. so I'm open to the PCM-M10 if it's doable.

The PCM-M10 only takes a stero input through mic-in or line-in. You'd need a mixer if you wanted to do SBD + ambient.

The problems widely reported with Zooms are cheap build quality and noisy inputs. I've never had one so I can't say. But if you have access to the SBD you might want to budget for a PCM-M10 plus mics and mixer.

I, too, would DEF recommend the Sony M10 over the Zoom ANYDAY of the week If you wanted to do 4-track recording, like SBD>recorder + Mics>recorder and do both stereo sources on ONE recorder, the Tascam DR2D is the way to go. Under $200 and you can run SBD>LINE IN DR2D and Mics>MIC IN DR2D If you just want a 2-channel stereo recorder, the Sony PCM-M10 is HANDS DOWN the way to go IMO. Has an AMAZING battery life, the M10s preamps and ADC are way above expected for such a small and cheap handheld recorder, and it does 24bit, just like the Tascam DR2D So, do you need 2-channel or 4-channel Once you answer that, we can go from there

Well 4 channel sounds way more convenient. Would you be able to give me an idea of what i'd be losing out on getting the DR2D over the PCM-M10?

edit: Also if I were to go with the PCM-M10 how much should i expect to drop on a mixer?