Topic: Sony M10 onboard mics

[dano420]

Hello,

So I broke down and bought the M10! It looks like a very nice device so far but haven't used it yet.

I know that most onboard mics are not the best of quality and was wondering if anyone has attempted to mod the M10 and replace the mics. I was thinking of trying to replace them with maybe some AT853 or silmilar with the 4.7k if possible.

What do ya all think? Can anything be done to improve the quality of the onboard mics?

[F.O.Bean]

doubtful

[12milluz]

There was a thread awhile ago about someone who loved the internals so much, they almost went and opened the unit and took them out. Most of the users on the forums here convinced him not to due to difficulty, chances of destroying unit, and the fact that good external mics would be way easier. I would not touch the internals. That is just asking to ruin the unit and make things harder than the need to be. You could find a way to rig up the externals so they are on the unit (gaff tape?) though if you really were set on a tiny rig.

[illconditioned]

They are omni capsules, 10mm diameter.  I've considered it, but the built in mics are pretty good.  The sound is OK, but they are also *very* low self noise, <= 20dBA.  I keep them for impromptu ambient recording.

If anyone finds an omni mic 6 or 10mm diameter with a gold mylar diaphragm, and comparable low noise, please let me know.  I'd be happy to start using them...

  Richard

[dano420]

Yeah, I do understand that digging into the unit might be a chance of destroying the unit. But sometimes that's the chance that has to be taken in order to possibly improve on something. People hack stuff all the time and come up with some incredible modifications. Sometimes well worth the effort.

Richard, does Transcend make decent cards that would possible fit into the M10?

[illconditioned]

Yeah, I do understand that digging into the unit might be a chance of destroying the unit. But sometimes that's the chance that has to be taken in order to possibly improve on something. People hack stuff all the time and come up with some incredible modifications. Sometimes well worth the effort.

Richard, does Transcend make decent cards that would possible fit into the M10?

You mean Transsound (TSB).

You can't (easily) put cardioids inside, since they need openings ("vents") on the back of the mics.  I guess you could glue them onto the case, pointing outward, but I woudn't want to alter the unit that much...

  Richard

[Ozpeter]

If it were possible to put cardioids in there, Sony would no doubt have done it, as they can't be unaware of how daft it is to have omnis mounted like that (in terms of stereo image degradation).

[dano420]

Oh yes, Transsound I meant. Haha Been a while since I've been to their site.

I guess I was wanting to be a little too ambitious on adapting some higher cards into the unit. I just like to hack stuff!

Thanks for all of the good info!

[techgui]

If you wanted cards, wouldn't the DR-2d have been a better choice. 

[illconditioned]

I don't doubt that the Sony (both M10 and D50) could be improved.  But I'm hesitant to put new mics in there due the incredibly low noise mics in there now.  I'm not a fan of the internal mics for music, but for ambient stuff, they really are quite good.  I guess if you want great built-in mics you have to buy that D1 or whatever the name of their monster rig is.  The one with the analog meters on it!

  Richard

[dano420]

I just thought that this could be hacked with better onboard mics specifically for music but not really a big deal. It would have been nice to have a small unit AND really good onboard mics. But I guess you can't have everything.

I really appreciate all if the great comment. It saves me from ripping apart the M10! Haha

[tlsmith]

Does anyone have pics of the pcb in the m10?

[dogmusic]

Does anyone have pics of the pcb in the m10?

I got these on the web somewhere. Apologies to whoever took them for not being able to give you credit.

[thunderbolt]

Get some AT853s with the 4.7K mod and a BB.  It sounds great for the $.

[F.O.Bean]

Get some AT853s with the 4.7K mod and a BB.  It sounds great for the $.