Topic: Sony PCM M-10 vs Something for College Lectures

[doblecombo]

Hey there guys

Just want to know, If this recorder might work, for the purpose already mentioned on the title. I'll be mainly using the built-in mics

I dont want anything bulky (Although I'm looking for either the Zoom h4n, dr-100 or dr-100 mk ii for home)

I find the long lasting battery lilfe awesome aswell as the low hiss recordings

But the omnidirectional mics with the low gain it's making me ask if these recordings will have a good sound level for playback.

I'm also worried about the laptop typing and the recorder getting that sound

Any other suggestions?

I want a good quality mic since I'll be doing transcriptions and It'll last a lot of years with me while in college

Thanks a lot guys!

[TimeBandit]

3 suggestions:

PCM-M10 (anthrazite colour)
PCM-M10 (white colour)
PCM-M10 (red colour)

nuff said 

[doblecombo]

3 suggestions:

PCM-M10 (anthrazite colour)
PCM-M10 (white colour)
PCM-M10 (red colour)

nuff said 

Have you used it for something like this?

Meeting recordings or so?

[audBall]

The Sony PCM-M10 would work fine.  The issue that would arise with any recorder in this setting is the proximity of sounds nearby the unit.  The mics, regardless of their quality, are going to pickup what sounds are closest to them (i.e. typing, coughing, ruffling of papers, etc.) and they will stand out during playback.  Perhaps you could ask your instructor if you could place the recorder on the podium/desk up front.  This would make the instructor more prominent in playback, but questions coming from the audience might not be as discernible.   

[TimeBandit]

nope for this usage, but for lectures maybe you should get an headset mic for your speaking, plug it into the recorders mic in and you`re set.

Generally the PCM-M10 is the "bullet proof" recorder here. it has very long battery life.

but if you do really professional transcriptions you should check also professional olympus lineup of those recorders, which have features which you want to use at your work.

[doblecombo]

nope for this usage, but for lectures maybe you should get an headset mic for your speaking, plug it into the recorders mic in and you`re set.

Generally the PCM-M10 is the "bullet proof" recorder here. it has very long battery life.

but if you do really professional transcriptions you should check also professional olympus lineup of those recorders, which have features which you want to use at your work.

Well, I just want to use them to record my teacher/instructor and afterwards listen to the playback.

[doblecombo]

The Sony PCM-M10 would work fine.  The issue that would arise with any recorder in this setting is the proximity of sounds nearby the unit.  The mics, regardless of their quality, are going to pickup what sounds are closest to them (i.e. typing, coughing, ruffling of papers, etc.) and they will stand out during playback.  Perhaps you could ask your instructor if you could place the recorder on the podium/desk up front.  This would make the instructor more prominent in playback, but questions coming from the audience might not be as discernible.   

Ok, Any other suggestions, I just want to keep it next to me, that's if my classroom mates see it, they will probably be asking me for the recordings which I dont have time to.

I might just put it above my jacket or so to avoid computer noises.

[rastasean]

M10 on your desk front and center...or where ever the teacher spends the majority of their time. What kind of quality are you really expecting to get? microphones pickup everything from the person walking down the hall to A/C vents to the person sitting next to you drinking water. Before purchasing the record, have reasonable expectations for the equipment and practice active listening for sounds you probably ignore daily.

[doblecombo]

M10 on your desk front and center...or where ever the teacher spends the majority of their time. What kind of quality are you really expecting to get? microphones pickup everything from the person walking down the hall to A/C vents to the person sitting next to you drinking water. Before purchasing the record, have reasonable expectations for the equipment and practice active listening for sounds you probably ignore daily.

So is this a good go for this recorder? (Any other one you would recommend?) I'm planning to get pretty nice quality and yeahI know an external mic would be better but I dont want to attract attention from other students.

And when you mentioned the desk u talking about mine or the teacher's?

[rastasean]

The closer the mics can get to whoever you want to record, the better. If the teacher is often at his desk, put it there. I really enjoy my m10 and have used it a couple times with external mics recording room noises.
If you do want another recorder with cards, it may be a bit of a hassle to make certain you're always able to hear the teacher since they may walk around the room. While omni recorders pick everything up, that can be beneficial for class interaction

As someone in class, I don't really care to hear the teachers replayed later on. Are you certain you really need to record everything the teacher says? Why not take comprehensive notes and read the material?

[doblecombo]

There are psychological studies that prove that if you listen to something while you sleep and during the day, when you sit down to study, you can remember things easily. Besides it's worked well before in high school.

[doblecombo]

Now I was thinking I could use these for an external lav mic on the go. And BTW what you think about the zoom h2 for this purpose?

[dogmusic]

This is all you need:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Digital-Flash-Recorder-ICD-PX312/dp/B004M8SSZK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327000151&sr=8-1

Takes microSD card for expanded memory. Has jack for external mic.

[doblecombo]

This is all you need:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Digital-Flash-Recorder-ICD-PX312/dp/B004M8SSZK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327000151&sr=8-1

Takes microSD card for expanded memory. Has jack for external mic.

I'll be also using it for a 3.5mm external mic for interviews and that kind of stuff, a want a small one for filed recording and a big one for mor pro usage, are the preamps on this thing good?

[dogmusic]

This is all you need:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Digital-Flash-Recorder-ICD-PX312/dp/B004M8SSZK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327000151&sr=8-1

Takes microSD card for expanded memory. Has jack for external mic.

I'll be also using it for a 3.5mm external mic for interviews and that kind of stuff, a want a small one for filed recording and a big one for mor pro usage, are the preamps on this thing good?

Good enough for college lectures. If you want to do field recordings, concerts, etc., get the M10.

[doblecombo]

This is all you need:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Digital-Flash-Recorder-ICD-PX312/dp/B004M8SSZK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327000151&sr=8-1

Takes microSD card for expanded memory. Has jack for external mic.

I'll be also using it for a 3.5mm external mic for interviews and that kind of stuff, a want a small one for filed recording and a big one for mor pro usage, are the preamps on this thing good?

Good enough for college lectures. If you want to do field recordings, concerts, etc., get the M10.

I'll probably get both..dunno

[F.O.Bean]

Go  with an M10

[doblecombo]

Go  with an M10

You got any experience with it? Any similar situation like mine?

[F.O.Bean]

Go  with an M10

You got any experience with it? Any similar situation like mine?

Yes, I own [2] M10's I dont use the internal mics, but for what you want to do[voices, conferences, etc.] I would DEF go witrh something that has omni mics ala the M10

Thats just what I would do YMMV

[doblecombo]

Go  with an M10

You got any experience with it? Any similar situation like mine?

Yes, I own [2] M10's I dont use the internal mics, but for what you want to do[voices, conferences, etc.] I would DEF go witrh something that has omni mics ala the M10

Thats just what I would do YMMV

YMMV It's been a long time since the last time I heard that.

I guess I'll pick that one up so I can also use decent external mics

Would you mind doing a test at home with your m10 and tell me how it went? (Just like if you wre in college)

I'd greatly apprreciate it

[F.O.Bean]

Go  with an M10

You got any experience with it? Any similar situation like mine?

Yes, I own [2] M10's I dont use the internal mics, but for what you want to do[voices, conferences, etc.] I would DEF go witrh something that has omni mics ala the M10

Thats just what I would do YMMV

YMMV It's been a long time since the last time I heard that.

I guess I'll pick that one up so I can also use decent external mics

Would you mind doing a test at home with your m10 and tell me how it went? (Just like if you wre in college)

I'd greatly apprreciate it

What do you mean "test it" Ive recorded around 100 sets of music w/ my black M10, KNOCK ON WOOD, and has been reliable 100% of the time, thus far

[doblecombo]

Go  with an M10

You got any experience with it? Any similar situation like mine?

Yes, I own [2] M10's I dont use the internal mics, but for what you want to do[voices, conferences, etc.] I would DEF go witrh something that has omni mics ala the M10

Thats just what I would do YMMV

YMMV It's been a long time since the last time I heard that.

I guess I'll pick that one up so I can also use decent external mics

Would you mind doing a test at home with your m10 and tell me how it went? (Just like if you wre in college)

I'd greatly apprreciate it

What do you mean "test it" Ive recorded around 100 sets of music w/ my black M10, KNOCK ON WOOD, and has been reliable 100% of the time, thus far

Ohh crap, nvm, forget it I trust you

It's the sony then, although now I need to save more money :b

[F.O.Bean]

Go  with an M10

You got any experience with it? Any similar situation like mine?

Yes, I own [2] M10's I dont use the internal mics, but for what you want to do[voices, conferences, etc.] I would DEF go witrh something that has omni mics ala the M10

Thats just what I would do YMMV

YMMV It's been a long time since the last time I heard that.

I guess I'll pick that one up so I can also use decent external mics

Would you mind doing a test at home with your m10 and tell me how it went? (Just like if you wre in college)

I'd greatly apprreciate it

What do you mean "test it" Ive recorded around 100 sets of music w/ my black M10, KNOCK ON WOOD, and has been reliable 100% of the time, thus far

Ohh crap, nvm, forget it I trust you

It's the sony then, although now I need to save more money :b

If you dont like it, you can resell at a very nice price  without losing your ass

[doblecombo]

Go  with an M10

You got any experience with it? Any similar situation like mine?

Yes, I own [2] M10's I dont use the internal mics, but for what you want to do[voices, conferences, etc.] I would DEF go witrh something that has omni mics ala the M10

Thats just what I would do YMMV

YMMV It's been a long time since the last time I heard that.

I guess I'll pick that one up so I can also use decent external mics

Would you mind doing a test at home with your m10 and tell me how it went? (Just like if you wre in college)

I'd greatly apprreciate it

What do you mean "test it" Ive recorded around 100 sets of music w/ my black M10, KNOCK ON WOOD, and has been reliable 100% of the time, thus far

Ohh crap, nvm, forget it I trust you

It's the sony then, although now I need to save more money :b

If you dont like it, you can resell at a very nice price  without losing your ass

Researching out there I found on 3 different websites that for my purpose the type of mics on the pcm m10 (omni directional) are not good, They say I would be better with a unidirectional cardoid built in mic, so I dont know, is this true?

[Teen Age Riot]

Disclaimer: I have not used the M10.

Having said that, I have used the Edirol R09 and R09HR to record lectures. The results were good in the sense that what I recorded was intelligible, and the recordings  helped me review those passages that I found hard to grasp during the lecture. The closer to the sound source, the better. This is way more important than the particular recorder you're getting.

I've been doing educational research for the last couple of years, which involved taping high school students in class, an environment that is usually a lot noisier than your typical lecture hall... In this context, the recorders that were designed for speech did better than the Edirols and my Tascam DR-2d which, btw, has cardioid mics. The results were more intelligible and therefore easier to transcribe. There also seemed to be a bit less background noise, which is remarkable because the decks were placed among the students, next to their textbooks, papers, pens etc. so they were exposed to a lot of noise. One of those speech-optimized recorders was an Olympus DM-450, the other one was also an Olympus, but I don't remember which model.

So if I had to record lectures again (thank god those days are over...), I might look into a dedicated voice recorder. Then again, you'll get decent, usable results with just about any other deck, as well.

[doblecombo]

Disclaimer: I have not used the M10.

Having said that, I have used the Edirol R09 and R09HR to record lectures. The results were good in the sense that what I recorded was intelligible, and the recordings  helped me review those passages that I found hard to grasp during the lecture. The closer to the sound source, the better. This is way more important than the particular recorder you're getting.

I've been doing educational research for the last couple of years, which involved taping high school students in class, an environment that is usually a lot noisier than your typical lecture hall... In this context, the recorders that were designed for speech did better than the Edirols and my Tascam DR-2d which, btw, has cardioid mics. The results were more intelligible and therefore easier to transcribe. There also seemed to be a bit less background noise, which is remarkable because the decks were placed among the students, next to their textbooks, papers, pens etc. so they were exposed to a lot of noise. One of those speech-optimized recorders was an Olympus DM-450, the other one was also an Olympus, but I don't remember which model.

So if I had to record lectures again (thank god those days are over...), I might look into a dedicated voice recorder. Then again, you'll get decent, usable results with just about any other deck, as well.

I'll have to think that, a friend of mine told me about these.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-ECM-DS70P-Electret-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B00006HOLL/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1327090362&sr=1-1

He says those are good, and well, a dedicated voice recorder might work, I guess I'll end up with one recorder for college, another one for stealth and another one for high-end pro recordings with xlr inputs

[rastasean]

Once again, any recorder and microphone will do well if its near the sound source. I have that sony mic (i'd need te double check the model #) and if you really want to have it, I'll take $15. PM if you want.

I am in a class room that has five students and its very quiet but I can hear the hum of the fluorescent lights and the roar of the traffic a few hundred yards behind me and every mouse click and keyboard press...the point is the mics and recorder are likely to pick all of this up as well. Don't expect hollywood results from that mic or the m10 or really any of the recorders you're looking at.

[earmonger]

Recording speech and recording music are a different. Most of us here record music, and we want deep bass frequencies all the way up to feedback screeching. Speech is a narrower frequency band.

I have set my PCM-M10 on a table near someone talking and gotten great recordings.

But the PCM-M10 is probably overkill  for your purposes. You could get a voice recorder, like the Sony ICX series, or some of the Olympus recorders, or the Tascam, and do just as well. If money is a problem, Google "voice recorder" and take it from there. Or save up, get the PCM-M10, and take it to a concert sometime.

---------------
Meanwhile, DS70P....not at full price. Please.  It's not even as good as the built-ins on the PCM-M10, though it is directional instead of omni, which would help for lectures.

 The DS70P has got no bass response--frequency range is 100 - 15000 Hz. The limited frequency range is probably helpful for speech, to limit things like air conditioner hum. But it is noisier than other mics in its price range.  Here are its specs.

http://reviews.cnet.com/microphones/sony-ecm-ds70p/4507-6469_7-20648800.html
 
You can find better, cheaper cardioids (directional mics)  from places like www.soundprofessionals.com or www.microphonemadness.com.  Then again, if Rastasean will sell one for $15 it will do the job.
-------------------------------------------------
As pointed out above, just about any recorder will get a passable speech recording if you have the microphone placed where it picks up more lecture than noise. Voice recorders can clarify speech because they don't pick up the highs and lows of ambient noise, and they probably have directional mics. But if you are planning to use a recorder for music, then yes, save up for the PCM-M10.