Topic: here's a new one: PCM D-50 vs. Olympus LS-11 internal mics

[jsterne]

Hi There,

Yes, the title is sarcastic.

I'm looking for an all in one recorder  for long-form one-on-one interviews.  My plan is to get a dead cat windscreen (rode? redhead?) and a lightweight camera tripod to get it up off the table (suggestions?), but still have something very unobtrusive (so people will forget about it as they're talking with me) and portable (so it takes up minimal space on my trips).  Some of the audio will wind up in presentations or on the internet where I would like it to sound good.  I also want some stereo separation.  Most recordings will be in an acoustically imperfect but quiet room.  Some will be in coffee shops and the like.

From reviews I've read, it looks like the built-in mics on the Olympus LS-11 and Sony PCM D-50 are best.  They are directional and quiet.  Both have very long battery life.  I like the raves about build and sound quality for the Sony.  I like the potential storage space and size of the Olympus.  I may just buy both and try them out and return one, but if people here have heard both and have opinions relevant to my intended use, that would be great.

I don't do clandestine recording and environmental sound so I don't imagine handling noise will be much of an issue.

Thanks for reading.

PS -- I have fantasies of using it to record me playing instruments and stuff, but I have much better mics and pres for that and would probably just keep using them and my computer.

[rastasean]

As nice as the sony looks, I'd prefer something that takes more standard memory cards like SD and microSD cards. The LS-11 has 8 gigs built in and it accepts SD/SDHC cards.
just something to think about...

[jsterne]

As nice as the sony looks, I'd prefer something that takes more standard memory cards like SD and microSD cards. The LS-11 has 8 gigs built in and it accepts SD/SDHC cards.
just something to think about...

Thanks -- that is a big consideration for me.  But I'm wondering also about sound quality of the built in mics.  I'm not sure if an audience would notice the difference, but I'm worried I might!

[flintstone]

The Sony PCM-M10 is considerably cheaper than the D50, and has a less directional mic.  That will help capture both sides of a conversation when the recorder is sitting on a table between two people.  As a bonus, the M10's mic adds a bit less noise to the recording than the D50's mic does.

Here's a PDF of the D50 mic characteristics
http://ws.sel.sony.com/PIPWebServices/RetrievePublicAsset/StepID/SEL-asset-47278/original/pcm-d50%20microphone%20frequency%20response.pdf

and a similar doc about the M10
http://ws.sel.sony.com/PIPWebServices/RetrievePublicAsset/StepID/SEL-asset-177183/original/PCM-M10%20Microphone%20Characteristics.pdf

[stantheman1976]

As nice as the sony looks, I'd prefer something that takes more standard memory cards like SD and microSD cards. The LS-11 has 8 gigs built in and it accepts SD/SDHC cards.
just something to think about...

Thanks -- that is a big consideration for me.  But I'm wondering also about sound quality of the built in mics.  I'm not sure if an audience would notice the difference, but I'm worried I might!

If you give me your email I can send you a couple samples of the D50 internals at rock shows to give you an idea of what they can handle.  I really like the internals myself.  The don't seem to flavor the sound too much and can handle some pretty loud stuff.  The D50 is a little bulky but it's well built.  I dropped mine from a table onto tile flooring a while back.  It landed on the mic guards and bent them a little but it proved that they are there for a reason and do their job well.

Here is a song with the internals only.  The D50 was sitting on a table about chest level left of center of the band.  The stage was in the corner and the band was playing straight through their amps.  It was a two piece with a vocalist/guitarist and drummer.  The vocals were routed through and amp on the left side of the state closest to the recorder, about 6-8' maybe.  The guitar was on the right side of the stage, about 12-15' from the recorder maybe.  I had the -20dB padding on the D50 and was recording at 1 or so IIRC.  All I did in post was make sure the levels were up to just under 0dB.
http://soundcloud.com/stantheman1976/undermine-the-effect-feb-4

[jsterne]

The Sony PCM-M10 is considerably cheaper than the D50, and has a less directional mic.  That will help capture both sides of a conversation when the recorder is sitting on a table between two people.  As a bonus, the M10's mic adds a bit less noise to the recording than the D50's mic does.

Here's a PDF of the D50 mic characteristics
http://ws.sel.sony.com/PIPWebServices/RetrievePublicAsset/StepID/SEL-asset-47278/original/pcm-d50%20microphone%20frequency%20response.pdf

and a similar doc about the M10
http://ws.sel.sony.com/PIPWebServices/RetrievePublicAsset/StepID/SEL-asset-177183/original/PCM-M10%20Microphone%20Characteristics.pdf

Thanks Flitstone, and everyone.  I was under the impression that two directional mics would be better for an interview in terms of rejecting ambient sounds, but if I'm wrong, I'd love to know.  I was looking at the M10 but the few comments on interviews suggest the m10 doesn't shine there.