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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: BlindGuyEars on September 20, 2011, 01:26:25 PM

Title: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: BlindGuyEars on September 20, 2011, 01:26:25 PM
First, I should say that I have been quite happy with the Edirol. 
But, if I could find something that booted a little quicker and had better sound from the internal mics, I'd probably switch to it.

How does the sony compare to the R-09HR?

90% of the time I'll be running cards or omni's, Church Audio 9100 preamp, line in jack. but sometimes, I do like to just use internal mics to grab something quick, as an audio scratch pad.

Running line in, is the Sony quiter, or does it have better converters than the R-09HR? 

thanks for any opinions/info,
Chris
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: adrianf74 on September 20, 2011, 03:18:22 PM
Everything I've read points to the M10.  Apparenly better internals with with less noise. 

I didn't own the HR model, but I prefer the layout/buttons/etc. on the M10 to the R09.  Boot time on the M10 is quicker, too (plus it has 4GB internal just in case your card runs out on you or you forget your card).
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: Fried Chicken Boy on September 20, 2011, 03:52:48 PM
Everything I've read points to the M10.  Apparenly better internals with with less noise. 

I didn't own the HR model, but I prefer the layout/buttons/etc. on the M10 to the R09.  Boot time on the M10 is quicker, too (plus it has 4GB internal just in case your card runs out on you or you forget your card).

Agreed.  And battery life for the M10 is just extraordinary.  Stories abound with tapers recording whole festivals on a single pair of AA's with the Sony.

For me, the only deal-breaker with the M10 is that you can't lock the wheel that adjusts the recording level.  Not an issue for open taping but if you run stealth and have to keep it on the down-low, I've heard anecdotes from a few people about their levels getting changed as they slide the recorder into and out of their pockets.  Can probably be solved with a piece of gaffers tape over the wheel once it's set, but something to be aware of.
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: sunjan on September 20, 2011, 04:45:25 PM
Running line in, is the Sony quiter, or does it have better converters than the R-09HR? 

Talking strictly about line in, Guysonic actually stated that the R-09HR had a small edge in his tests:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=133149.msg1787254#msg1787254

Too bad it seems that his site is now offline, and with that also his excellent graphs.

That said, other advantages mentioned still weighs in favor of the M10.
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: F.O.Bean on September 20, 2011, 11:02:59 PM
I have used both the R09, and the M10, and I would DEFINITELY SAY the M10 is the way to go. Just 2 weeks ago my R09 died on me mid set at moedown :( I doubt that would've happened w/ the M10!
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: anr on September 21, 2011, 09:09:40 AM
I have an Edirol , Zoom H2 and Sony M10.   The Edirol is on it's last legs (Line in jack broken).  Sony is relatively new.  When using Internals, which I've done many times, my order of preference is;

1. Zoom
2. Edirol
3. Sony

It isn't even close, in my opinion.


When using Line In from either soundboard or Mics > Battery Box/Pre-Amp,   the Sony wins hands down.

Interestingly, at a low level acoustic show at the week-end, I went CSB > Battery Box > M10 Mic In and the result was a superb recording.  Definitely in my top 5 ever.  I think this says a lot for the Sony design.  Excellent machine. 
 
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: rastasean on September 21, 2011, 10:16:08 AM
A few nice things about the edirol:



Other than that, I like the m10 much better.
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: jmz93 on September 21, 2011, 02:02:48 PM
Thanks for the replies guys! :) Much appreciated.
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: fmaderjr on September 21, 2011, 02:41:11 PM
Running line in, is the Sony quiter, or does it have better converters than the R-09HR? 

Talking strictly about line in, Guysonic actually stated that the R-09HR had a small edge in his tests:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=133149.msg1787254#msg1787254

Too bad it seems that his site is now offline, and with that also his excellent graphs.

That said, other advantages mentioned still weighs in favor of the M10.

Guy's site can still be accessed via the way back machine:
http://web.archive.org/web/20110430085055/http://sonicstudios.com/

I really hope Guy is OK, but it doesn't look good...
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: yousef on September 21, 2011, 02:59:51 PM

I really hope Guy is OK, but it doesn't look good...

Surely someone on here must have avenues of personal contact with him - phone/personal email/live nearby etc...
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: Fried Chicken Boy on September 21, 2011, 05:02:48 PM
A few nice things about the edirol:

  • OLED screen so you can see it in the dark easier than m10
  • can record in mono (good for interviews not saving space)
  • roland provides firmware updates

Indeed.  Having a few Edirol decks, I've come to really like the OLED displays; very easy to see in all light conditions.  Don't know why they changed the display type for the new R-05.  A step backwards, IMHO.
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: it-goes-to-eleven on September 21, 2011, 06:43:08 PM
Indeed.  Having a few Edirol decks, I've come to really like the OLED displays; very easy to see in all light conditions.  Don't know why they changed the display type for the new R-05.  A step backwards, IMHO.

The OLED is completely useless in daylight, especially direct sunlight.
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: rastasean on September 21, 2011, 07:15:41 PM
Indeed.  Having a few Edirol decks, I've come to really like the OLED displays; very easy to see in all light conditions.  Don't know why they changed the display type for the new R-05.  A step backwards, IMHO.

The OLED is completely useless in daylight, especially direct sunlight.

I'd say it is easier to shade rather than trying to see in the dark.  :-\
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: it-goes-to-eleven on September 21, 2011, 08:52:10 PM
Almost impossible to see, even trying to shade with your hands.  You need to cup around the unit and hold it right up to your face.  That isn't always possible when the unit is part of a rig that's strapped to something, etc.  And even when you're in the shade, that still isn't dark enough to see it.  And I pity anyone who forgets to set it to max brightness before going outside.

An LCD can be backlit in the dark, and that works Just Fine.

When recording nature, and non-musical events, level checking is a constant need.  You can't set it and forget it.
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: sunjan on September 27, 2011, 09:13:46 AM

I really hope Guy is OK, but it doesn't look good...

Just returned from the dead  ;D:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=83254.msg1904538#msg1904538
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: Gutbucket on September 27, 2011, 04:36:03 PM
Just a heads up.. seems like a lot of comparisons here to the original R-09 instead of the newer HR version the OP specified.

Apples, oranges and applesauce..
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: prof_peabody on October 03, 2011, 11:04:43 AM
Did the line-in jack break on your R-09HR?  I'm starting to have problems with mine (occasional static).

I have an Edirol , Zoom H2 and Sony M10.   The Edirol is on it's last legs (Line in jack broken).  Sony is relatively new.  When using Internals, which I've done many times, my order of preference is;

1. Zoom
2. Edirol
3. Sony

It isn't even close, in my opinion.


When using Line In from either soundboard or Mics > Battery Box/Pre-Amp,   the Sony wins hands down.

Interestingly, at a low level acoustic show at the week-end, I went CSB > Battery Box > M10 Mic In and the result was a superb recording.  Definitely in my top 5 ever.  I think this says a lot for the Sony design.  Excellent machine.
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: Gutbucket on October 03, 2011, 11:12:00 AM
Occasional static sounds like a dirty jack or plug.  Jack failure on the R-09 usually manifests intermitant signal or none at all.

Try cleaning it with electrical contact cleaner or denatured alcohol.
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: prof_peabody on October 03, 2011, 11:17:35 AM
Occasional static sounds like a dirty jack or plug.  Jack failure on the R-09 usually manifests intermitant signal or none at all.

Try cleaning it with electrical contact cleaner or denatured alcohol.

I'll give it a shot tonight.  I tend to get some static a lose a channel is mild pressure is put on the input jack.  I'm almost wondering if the contacts in the female side have lost some of their spring?  BTW - it's an R-09HR... probably doesn't make much difference.
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: fmaderjr on October 03, 2011, 06:16:11 PM
Occasional static sounds like a dirty jack or plug.  Jack failure on the R-09 usually manifests intermitant signal or none at all.

Try cleaning it with electrical contact cleaner or denatured alcohol.

I agree-very likely not a jack failure.

from guysonic's site (he prefers isopropyl alcohol):
Clean & recondition noisy mic. jacks with 91 - 99% pure isopropyl alcohol.  Repeatedly insert a headphone type plug soaked to the point of dripping (filling the alcohol bottle cap and dipping only the metal part of the mini-plug works well) into the mic jack until any connection noise disappears.  Monitor the progress with a set of headphones while the deck is in a record function.  Rotating the microphones plug should not produce audible noise with cleaned and conditioned contacts.   Applying a contact conditioner to already cleaned plug and jack metal parts
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: prof_peabody on October 03, 2011, 06:33:18 PM
Thanks, I'll give it a shot tonight.
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: Gutbucket on October 03, 2011, 06:34:02 PM
Thanks for the correction. Isopropyl is what is recommended.  I just use denatured because I have it around at work and it seems to do the job. Use Isopropyl if you have it, stronger the better.
Title: Re: R-09HR or Sony M10?
Post by: prof_peabody on October 09, 2011, 08:31:42 PM
Thanks for the correction. Isopropyl is what is recommended.  I just use denatured because I have it around at work and it seems to do the job. Use Isopropyl if you have it, stronger the better.

Cleaning with isopropyl alcohol did the trick.  Thanks everyone.