Topic: Couple of questions, about the Sony Pcm m10.

[darkfry]

Will Sony be replacing the Sony Pcm m10 soon? (Maybe at E3?)

Also what color is nicer the black or the red?

And lastly what is a better field recorder for nature, and possible concert recordings. (Varied music) The Sony Pcm m10 or Tascam Dr2D vs Olympus Ls10 or other in the $200 street price.

I likely will be using the built in mics for a while.

[hi and lo]

Not that I have any empirical evidence, but I would highly doubt a replacement is on the horizon. If anything, the D50 is due for a refresh, but I would also say that's unlikely. Both are still excellent products.

I would give the edge to the M10 in virtually every category over competing products except the ability to run 4-channels on the DR-2d. That feature wouldn't even factor into my decision making process, but others have had success.

[morst]

I actually like the built-in mics on the inexpensive Zoom H2 better than the Sony PCM-M10, and the H2 has 2channel & 4channel surround mode available. I don't like the Zoom's Line Input stage AT ALL, and I totally like the PCM-M10's. The D50 is fine on the line stage for twice the money, but I would hope that sony might update it before they bother with a replacement for the M10.

But take heed, the M10 supply is delayed due to nuclear meltdowns, so get one that is in stock, not on back order if you need it soon.

[mattmiller]

Not that color is as important as all of the other factors, but I own one of each, and I like the black much more due to its finish.  The black one has a matte finish, while the red one is glossy.  It's impossible to keep fingerprints off of the red one.  Many people wouldn't care, but I have a phobia of fingerprints (I refuse to own any touch-screen device, and my co-workers know that putting their fingers on my LCD monitor is the quickest way to get kicked out of my office).

[adrianf74]

I wouldn't worry about a replacement for the M10 at this point.  It's a solid piece of equipment and I'm sure will be in production for at least another year or two.  I used to own an Edirol R09 and much prefer the M10 to it (in fact, I just bought my M10 from B&H last month).

[darkfry]

Is the sony pcm m10 made in China?

[audBall]

Yes.

[darkfry]

How does the Tascam DR100 compare to the Sony Pcm m10?

[earmonger]

You should search around here, but here's what Wingfield Audio has to say:

http://www.wingfieldaudio.com/tascam-dr-100-review.html

Note that they call it "good" when their other reviews also go to "very good" (PCM-M10) and "excellent (PCM-D50). 

http://www.wingfieldaudio.com/portable-recorder-reviews.html

The Tascam does take XLR inputs, if that is important to you. It also has pretty low bettery life.

[hi and lo]

How does the Tascam DR100 compare to the Sony Pcm m10?

It doesn't compare at all. Maximum line input rating of the DR100 is +6dBV whereas the M10 is like +21dBV. Mic inputs are roughly the same comparison. If you enjoy distortion free recordings, don't even consider a Tascam/Olympus except the DR-2d (and strictly for the purpose of psuedo 4-channel recording).

This topic comes up about once a week. I don't know why people are always looking for alternatives to the M10. It's hands down the best small recorder, period. Save your money; you won't regret it.

[darkfry]

How does the Tascam DR100 compare to the Sony Pcm m10?

It doesn't compare at all. Maximum line input rating of the DR100 is +6dBV whereas the M10 is like +21dBV. Mic inputs are roughly the same comparison. If you enjoy distortion free recordings, don't even consider a Tascam/Olympus except the DR-2d (and strictly for the purpose of psuedo 4-channel recording).

This topic comes up about once a week. I don't know why people are always looking for alternatives to the M10. It's hands down the best small recorder, period. Save your money; you won't regret it.

I heard somewhere that professional audio is +4dBV so where does the +6dBV and the +21dBV compare? Does having the +21 dBV mean better soun quality when recording with line in?

[hi and lo]

A hot signal from a soundboard can easily exceed +4dBV, resulting in "brickwall" distortion. The same for many electret condenser microphones at loud concerts.

You absolutely want a recorder that can handle as hot a signal as possible before overloading the inputs, else you will frequently walk away with a distorted and unsalvageable tape. The m10 is the best pocket recorder for what we do, especially because it can handle a very hot signal without overloading.

I reserve the right to be off on the numbers I stated... I just used a dbu/dbv converter, but the general principle should be correct.

[F.O.Bean]

I agree w/ what Hi/lo said. the m10 is by far the best recorder in its price range, at least IMO

[refrain]

Hi,

There's so much hype around the M10, what about its internal mics? for this recorder size is a important matter. I know that they omnis, but so close together, what about its stereo image? and noise floor? Does anyone use them? or just external preamps... I know the D50 mics, they're neutral with a very nice stereo image, not noisy... one of the best for handheld recorders...


best,
CS

[Cheesecadet]

The only upgrade that I could see with the Sony M10 (and that I would like to see) is adding SPDIF In and making the mics Cardioid instead of Omni.

I would buy another one on the spot if it had SPDIF In.