Topic: I have a budget of $200~$300 - what recorder should I buy?

[willndmb]

Thanks,

i will go and order the sony m10.

About the mics, this 2 small mics are great, but i will have to put them on me.

Is there a small mic that can be attached to the m10 or with a small tripod ?

Thanks,
Ron.

Although there are some direct plug in mics intended for use with dictation type recorders, I can't think of any small mics that just directly plug in that would be better than the M10's internal mics. 

The M10 has a standard 1/4 camera tripod screw mount on the back.  No problem to attach it to a camera tripod, and that should be better than putting it on the floor.

There are an infinite number of ways from that point to attach mics to a camera tripod-even coat hanger wire. 

Having spent probably $220 of your budget on the m10, that leaves $80 or so for mics?   Do you already have a tripod or would you have to buy that, too, within your budget?

I do have a small gorilla tripod, im ok with spending another ~$100

add some at853 or church mics
Able to go 150 and get mic with battery box

[Brian E.]

I'm looking for something smaller and more inconspicuous than my trusty Edirol R09-HR.  Is the M10 a lot smaller?  Black is better too.

Really all I need is a receptacle for 24 bit audio pumped from CA-14's and an external amp (CA-9100 or sound professionals 9V tiny amp).  Doesn't need to be fancy other than that it accepts SD cards and is reliable, and does 24 bit.

[Ziggz]

I would've said the M10 is smaller, but I just stacked it on top of my HR and they are the same. It looks smaller due to its sexy curves 
M10 is a tad thinner by around 5mm

HR

Width
    62 mm
    2-1/2 inches

Depth
    113 mm
    4-1/2 inches

Height
    27 mm
    1-1/16 inches

Weight
    174 g
    0 lbs. 7 oz.


M10
Dimension (W x H x D)    Approx. 62.0 x 114.0 x 21.8mm

[Brian E.]

thanks   How about Zooms?  They're pretty small right?

[2manyrocks]

The Zoom h4n looks bigger than the M10 in the photo here:  http://www.wildmountainechoes.com/equipment/comparing-the-zoom-h4n-and-sony-pcm-m10/.

I've seen the other zoom model, and my recollection is that the m10 is the more compact overall. 

Honestly, I have difficulty thinking of any other 2 channel recorder that's as compact as the m10.

[LikeASong]

Honestly, I have difficulty thinking of any other 2 channel recorder that's as compact as the m10.

Roland R-05 comes to mind, smaller than the M10 and highly regarded as a great bang for the buck.

[Chimney Top]

I would consider a used Tascam DR-40 (under $150 which has decent internal mic's,XLR/TRS inputs and 4 channel recording)

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=tascam+dr100&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR10.TRC0.A0.Xtascam+dr-40&_nkw=tascam+dr-40&_sacat=0

Whatever money you have left use to purchase microphones or accessories.



edit) hell, you can buy a new one for $165 with free shipping.

[Brian E.]

Honestly, I have difficulty thinking of any other 2 channel recorder that's as compact as the m10.

Roland R-05 comes to mind, smaller than the M10 and highly regarded as a great bang for the buck.

if I already have the R09-HR the R05 wouldn't be much of a difference, right?

[2manyrocks]

http://cms.rolandus.com/assets/media/pdf/r-series_brochure.pdf

They are so close that I can't see why you'd want to spend any more money. 

[LikeASong]

Honestly, I have difficulty thinking of any other 2 channel recorder that's as compact as the m10.

Roland R-05 comes to mind, smaller than the M10 and highly regarded as a great bang for the buck.

if I already have the R09-HR the R05 wouldn't be much of a difference, right?

2manyrcks already answered you, but yeah: they are pretty close. The 09 seems to accept a slightly hotter input (useful when having a soundboard input) and has a rubber body, but the 05 is lighter, smaller, overally better designed and has the tripod mounting socket. They're pretty similar. Then comes the price difference and the 05 gets the award for a mile, in my opinion.

[Brian E.]

thanks.  looks like i'll stick with my 09. 

[F.O.Bean]

thanks.  looks like i'll stick with my 09. 

Smart move. IF/WHEN you need a new recorder, you can go from there