Topic: Who Went from a R-09HR to PCM-M10

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Many of us taped with portable Sony DAT decks which also had a gain knob, was this that big of an issue back then? Wasn't for me.

It's more than that.  Adjusting gain with buttons allows an exact change in gain without ever looking at the display, or removing the recorder from pocket, etc.

And if the knob is moving, as acidjack mentions, will that pot get noisy/dirty and cause the gain to jump around?

[acidjack]

Certainly the gain pot getting dirty is also a potential issue, though that never happened with my DAT deck. 

The wheel moving is a real issue on the M10 also because, unlike on a DAT where the gain knob was on the top of the unit, in the same place as the line-in, on the M10, it's on the side. So if it's in your pocket and you pull it out, it's more likely to rub against your clothing or your hand and move.  I don't recall if I ever tried to put my D8 in my pocket, as I'd have needed a pretty big pocket, but that design would have, in theory, made it less likely to have that happen. 

[Belexes]

I admit, I wear a small fanny pack.    However, it eliminates any issues with anything rubbing against the wheel.

[aaronji]

The M10 knob moves and cannot be locked.  I don't care that gaff tape can hold it down; it's still a flaw in the unit (for what we are doing).

I wouldn't call it a flaw.  Some people have posted here that they like the set-up of the M10 gain knob, while others (and I would put myself in this camp) don't really care too much one way or the other...

In any event, for those that view it as a flaw, the problem is easily solved: don't get the Sony.  Stay away from the Olympus models too...   

[Chris K]

The gain knob on the M10 is not loose...at least on mine it is very stiff.

I really don't know what all the debate is about on the gain knob and stealth...I mean back in the day I would stealth with an SD MP-2 and an SBM-1 both of which had gain knobs that were not lockable. I got it done and I am sure those with a Sonosax or other variable gain preamps were similar.

Technology has come so far mostly for the better that I find the whole M10 gain knob vs R09 gain buttons trivial. Not to mention these recorders both can do 24bit recording so you don't have to peg levels like you did in the ole 16bit days which translates to more conservative levels which also means less worry about level checking every 5 minutes.

[Belexes]

I think folks like to still peak at their levels all the time, like was done more during 16 bit recording.

Set it and forget it. - Ron Popeil

[F.O.Bean]

Ummm, what kind of runtimes does one get w/ the R09/R09HR I will be using Energizer 2300mah AA's

[hurrysundown]

I'm a noob to this board-tons of info. Is the M10 good for DAT xfers(non-taper here, just have clones from the 90s). I'll use RCA outs of a D10 refurbed at Pro Digital(no dig out, Euro model i think cause the manual doesn't have english).  Do i need a converter or can i go straight from D10>M10?  Then USB to PC>Audacity? The Tascam DR 03 didn't seem to handle the levels well, even though I had used the manual setting w/level turned all the way down.  I have other questions but I'll start here, just didn't want to start a new thread unnecessarily.
Thanks
Eddie

[Belexes]

I wouldn't do DAT transfers on any deck that doesn't have a digi out, but that's me.

[hurrysundown]

I wouldn't do DAT transfers on any deck that doesn't have a digi out, but that's me.

Thanx Belexes,  Does the M10 have a digital input?  I will send sick DA-P1 to Pro Digital, I bought on ebay it to just play tapes a few years ago.  I don't think I wanna buy another DAT and have another bad out.   There is a mild whine/buzz from the digital out.  Do they make a digital cable to go from the digital out of the DA-P1 to the M10 digital in?

[Belexes]

M10 doesn't have a digi in, but the D50 does.

[jamroom]

I found this to be a helpful thread, since I am looking for a new recorder (R09 owner). I guess it probably boils down to two issues for me. Paranoia about not being able to lock all buttons (volume - taking into account comments about the M10 not being that easy to accidentally adjust in the pocket into account) and the continually on, low pro screen of the R09HR vs the bright screen of the M10 that needs to be turned on to check levels. Needless to say my low pro approach favours the R09HR, even though I fancied a change to the M10.

[gmm6797]

like any other change in your life.... you get used to the changes with in a show or two... and i have never knocked the volume knob on the M10

[Brian E.]

I have an r-09HR and I was just googling around to see if the M10 offered anything better sound/feature-wise, but I don't think it really does.  I'm happy with my HR and I don't think the M10 would offer any upgrade for me.

[rastasean]

It's understandable you don't want to or feel the need to upgrade since the 09hr is quite a nice recorder on its own. Congrats on your decision!