Sony PCM-M10 (Part 2)

[johnw]

No, unity gain would apply only to line in not mic in. If you are using an external preamp like the CA-9100 or littlebox and have the M10 at less than 5-6 (or whatever unity really is) then you are attenuating the signal coming from your preamp.

[Dede2002]

No, unity gain would apply only to line in not mic in. If you are using an external preamp like the CA-9100 or littlebox and have the M10 at less than 5-6 (or whatever unity really is) then you are attenuating the signal coming from your preamp.

What he said 
Set you recorder at unity and control your levels with the preamp.
You'll have the best of both worlds.
Take care.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

No, unity gain would apply only to line in not mic in. If you are using an external preamp like the CA-9100 or littlebox and have the M10 at less than 5-6 (or whatever unity really is) then you are attenuating the signal coming from your preamp.

I believe that is an assumption based on the headphone output jack levels, so it may not be correct.

And, regadless, I haven't seen anyone post that they've tested what setting sounds best.  So from that perspective, "unity" is a fantasy.

[earmonger]

Freelunch, I appreciate your theoretical rigor, but I trust guysonic.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=dac2c7d0169a44be714cbf8a13ea4ec8&topic=130924.30

[Ozpeter]

I've said several times that if I take the output from devices claiming to produce standard level line output, the M10 needs to be set at about 4.  If you set it above that, then the output from the device feeding the M10 would have to be set to produce less than a standard line output level.  My recommendation would be to use 4 if connected to unknown equipment for the first time, then adjust from there in the light of experience.  You can do your own tests simply by connected the M10 to every device you can find around the place and see whether 4 works for you with them.

[willndmb]

does it really make much difference for recording shows?
if i have it at 4 and i am using the preamp to get levels i want or i have it at 6 and use the preamp for levels

[Cheesecadet]

Yes because you want to get as much gain from your preamp as possible

[willndmb]

Yes because you want to get as much gain from your preamp as possible

correct, but i guess since no one knows for sure (i heard it was 5) is there going to be a huge difference in using 4, 5, 6

[Cheesecadet]

Like I posted up a fw responses I had my dial @ 2.5 - 3 with the preamp gain at full and it sounds great...nothing that I could tell while listening a nice pair of flat response studio monitoring headphones.

At least that is my experience...good luck

[CatScan]

Not sure if this has been asked before, but which speed ("Class") SDHC micro card should I use with the PCM-M10? I'm aware that higher speed cards alow for higher file transfers when put into a card reader, but I'm more concerned about the minimum speed requirements the M10 itself needs to capture audio.

Also, since I've just been using the internal memory of the unit and connecting a USB cable to it for transfers I'm wondering if it makes much difference to remove a memory card from it and put it in a card reader as opposed to just continuing with the USB cable method? The USB cable seems more practical and would offer less tear/wear on the card connector and plastic door (which seems rather flimsy).

[Cheesecadet]

I use an ADATA 8gb Class 6 MicroSDHC card.  Picked it up at Frys Electronics for like 13 bucks or so a few weeks back.

No issues whatsoever with the card.  The sales guys at Frys said that the Class of the card really pertains to video capture more that audio but I went with a class 6 card just in case I want to use it for other stuff.  I figured it couldn't hurt.

I also use the USB cable because its easier for me to do so.

[aaronji]

When I tried it out, the card reader was ~4 times faster than USB (6 min 35 sec versus 28 min for a full 8 GB card).

Class 2 cards should be OK even at 24/96.  Assuming a non-fragmented card that performs anywhere near spec...

[johnw]

No, unity gain would apply only to line in not mic in. If you are using an external preamp like the CA-9100 or littlebox and have the M10 at less than 5-6 (or whatever unity really is) then you are attenuating the signal coming from your preamp.

I believe that is an assumption based on the headphone output jack levels, so it may not be correct.

And, regadless, I haven't seen anyone post that they've tested what setting sounds best.  So from that perspective, "unity" is a fantasy.

Does the tape out on the 722 attenuate the signal at all? I could record to the 722 and plug in the M10 to the tape out for a comparison.

EDIT: looks like it attenuates the signal by -10dB. I don't have any TA3 cables or I'd try the analog out.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Does the tape out on the 722 attenuate the signal at all? I could record to the 722 and plug in the M10 to the tape out for a comparison.

EDIT: looks like it attenuates the signal by -10dB. I don't have any TA3 cables or I'd try the analog out.

Unfortunately the analog outputs on the 7xx all go through the a/d > d/a stage.  So while that could still be useful and interesting, it isn't the signal path we'd prefer.

[willndmb]

Can I get clarification on settings please
Mice > littlebox > m10
The mic send hi/low doesn't matter, correct
The record level manual/auto ??
DPC - off
LCF - off
Limiter - off

Anything else I need to check/ be aware of?
Thanks