Topic: Sony PCM-M10 (part V)

[Ekib]

-Does the recorder only have a limiter function to prevent "brickwall" ( overloading ). Isn't there something like  a mic "low" level like on the HI MD recorders ?
I record mainly metal shows and I have always used ( Sony ) recorders that had a + 20 DB function . The limiter on this recorder goes to + 12 DB . Is that enough to prevent distortion ?
Most of the metal shows are pretty loud .

-Also , I have understood you can't check the levels if in hold position ? Or can you leave the backlight on when in hold mode ?

[rastasean]

The levels may be checked when the recorder is locked. There are green lights that show when it has a -12 db input and when its peaking higher. Also, if the lock is engaged, you can tap the play button to illuminate the screen and see the meter. You are able to adjust the levels without unlocking the recorder.

The recorder does have a low/high setting. Most tapers record with manual settings with recorder set to low to preven peaking, but if you're input is too high (from a pre-amp, for instance), it would be possible to peak/distort.

[Ekib]

Thanks ! ^^^^

How reliable is this unit ? Has anyone ever had any problems here ?

Does it make any difference what brand memory card to use ?

[F.O.Bean]

VERY RELIABLE. In fact, so reliable[knocks on wood] I sold my SD 722 and bought a 2nd M10 Now I need a white one for my 3rd rig Just buy a decent MicroSDHC Card and you *should* be all set

[Ekib]

Thanks ! ^^^^

Is it easy to accidently hit the hold button and the recorder switching off , or going to pause mode.

Also does the unit recognize a 32 GB memory card ?

When finished recording , does the PCM M10 needs to write the file to memory card ? Or does it automatically write to the memory card ( a bit like a DAT used to write immidiately to the tape itself ) during recording ?

When  uploading , does the computer recognize the memory card itself and it's file ? Or can you only upload connecting the PCM M10 to the computer ?

Thanks for the answers . Really appreciate the help .

[jbell]

All your questions are already answered in this thread!!!

Thanks ! ^^^^

Is it easy to accidently hit the hold button and the recorder switching off , or going to pause mode.

Also does the unit recognize a 32 GB memory card ?

When finished recording , does the PCM M10 needs to write the file to memory card ? Or does it automatically write to the memory card ( a bit like a DAT used to write immidiately to the tape itself ) during recording ?

When  uploading , does the computer recognize the memory card itself and it's file ? Or can you only upload connecting the PCM M10 to the computer ?

Thanks for the answers . Really appreciate the help .

[adrianf74]

Is it easy to accidently hit the hold button and the recorder switching off , or going to pause mode.

Also does the unit recognize a 32 GB memory card ?

When finished recording , does the PCM M10 needs to write the file to memory card ? Or does it automatically write to the memory card ( a bit like a DAT used to write immidiately to the tape itself ) during recording ?

When  uploading , does the computer recognize the memory card itself and it's file ? Or can you only upload connecting the PCM M10 to the computer ?

Indeed, these have all been answered before but I'll be nice and answer them.

The hold button slides up and "locks" into place and you need to unslide to get out -- it is easy to stop a recording when you come out of HOLD mode (I've done it so I usually only unlock after a set).

I run a 32GB Class 10 microSDHC in mine with *NO* issues.   

I believe the M10 records to the card as it goes along (or when you turn it off [as I mentioned previously coming out of HOLD mode) because the file to that point is there.   

You can put the microSDHC in an adapter, place it into your computer and you'll see the folders on your desktop.  If you're using a Class 6 or 10 card, this will be much faster than connecting the unit via USB.

[Ekib]

AdrianF^^^^ I appreciate your extra help and kind answers !

Sure , I suppose some of my questions were already mentioned somewhere . But to go back 24 and more pages to try finding the few things I need to know>> again highly appreciated . And maybe someone else benefits from your answers aswell !

I simply need a new recorder after my HI MD recorder(s) kind of fall apart after 8 years of service ...

I think I'll go out and order this one although It doesn't have all the features I like. For example , I don't like a manual knob to use for recording settings . It brings memories back to the DAT days and I never liked it . I was happy with the digital feature the HI MD recorders used to have . I always knew almost every show I attended had a setting between 16-18 . Now with the manual knob you just never really know where you are . That's the reason I totally liked the remote on the HI MD records . You could do almost everything with that feature . Now I have to deal with the unit itself .
But reading the other reviews this seems to the best choice for live recording . Especially since I had a few power out's on my HI MD recorder and lost two precious recordings ...

[bryonsos]

AdrianF^^^^ I appreciate your extra help and kind answers !

Sure , I suppose some of my questions were already mentioned somewhere . But to go back 24 and more pages to try finding the few things I need to know>> again highly appreciated . And maybe someone else benefits from your answers aswell !

I simply need a new recorder after my HI MD recorder(s) kind of fall apart after 8 years of service ...

I think I'll go out and order this one although It doesn't have all the features I like. For example , I don't like a manual knob to use for recording settings . It brings memories back to the DAT days and I never liked it . I was happy with the digital feature the HI MD recorders used to have . I always knew almost every show I attended had a setting between 16-18 . Now with the manual knob you just never really know where you are . That's the reason I totally liked the remote on the HI MD records . You could do almost everything with that feature . Now I have to deal with the unit itself .
But reading the other reviews this seems to the best choice for live recording . Especially since I had a few power out's on my HI MD recorder and lost two precious recordings ...

I'll go ahead and answer the next obvious question, set the level knob to 4 or 5 and make adjustments with your pre to get the signal to where you want it. I set and forget at 4.5, so the knob can easily be taped down at that point.

[adrianf74]

I think I'll go out and order this one although It doesn't have all the features I like. For example , I don't like a manual knob to use for recording settings . It brings memories back to the DAT days and I never liked it . I was happy with the digital feature the HI MD recorders used to have . I always knew almost every show I attended had a setting between 16-18 . Now with the manual knob you just never really know where you are . That's the reason I totally liked the remote on the HI MD records . You could do almost everything with that feature . Now I have to deal with the unit itself .
But reading the other reviews this seems to the best choice for live recording . Especially since I had a few power out's on my HI MD recorder and lost two precious recordings ...

The manual recording knob isn't very loose compared to a D7 or D8.   The "wheel" on the D7/8 was very loose and could be easily moved.  The knob on the M10 is pretty stiff so it's not going to be easily moved (I've never managed that in my entire time with the M10).  Again, you'll find out you new setting as you use your new gear.  A lot of this is going to be trial and error until you get everything to where you want it.  Personally, I never really "deal" with the unit other than hitting record, then play and then HOLD.   I used to primarily run a Church Audio 9100 preamp which would let me adjust levels on the fly but I've been learning to like the Ugly Preamp more because I can add 8dB of gain to my 4061's, offset the "unmatched" levels between them and get my recorder to live at 4.5 (as bryonsos mentioned) and never really have to look at the deck.    With the 9100, I'd usually have the knob set to around 1 o'clock to add about 8-10dB as well.  If you're using a battery box/mic, you'll have to adjust the gain on the deck some more.   The good thing about the M10 is that it's relatively quiet compared to a lot of other devices out there (I came from the original Edirol R09 and it was pretty noisy).   I don't see why you'd be worried about the M10; a lot of people here love it (myself included).   

[rastasean]

Sure , I suppose some of my questions were already mentioned somewhere . But to go back 24 and more pages to try finding the few things I need to know>> again highly appreciated . And maybe someone else benefits from your answers aswell !

Ekib,

Its always nice if you can find answers on your own since it will be your recorder. If i am new to something, i'll spend a lot of time reading and trying things out because I know the question I have has been asked before. Also, reading the manual will answer your questions as well.

FAQ for this recorder: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=147551.msg1891476

[bluntforcetrauma]

thanks for the above exchange.  I see if you set the m10 at a 4.5 or whatever, BUT what if your running JEDI and using a sonosax pre amp and that is what instrument you set and forget then is the m10 the same level?  of course i know it matters if it is a loud rock show or quite acoustic. But if you had to adjust the M10 because the sonosax is taped up " not available to change due to location" what do you adjust the M10 too? below unity? or does is matter as long as you dont run HOT?

[Ekib]

Sure , I suppose some of my questions were already mentioned somewhere . But to go back 24 and more pages to try finding the few things I need to know>> again highly appreciated . And maybe someone else benefits from your answers aswell !

Ekib,

Its always nice if you can find answers on your own since it will be your recorder. If i am new to something, i'll spend a lot of time reading and trying things out because I know the question I have has been asked before. Also, reading the manual will answer your questions as well.

FAQ for this recorder: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=147551.msg1891476

Thanks for your help and kind comments .
I am just in a really big hurry to get a new recorder . As I've stated before , both of my current recorders are getting unreliable and I have an important concert coming up this sunday.
So I just didn't have time ( I have a busy job too ) to scroll down to the 100 something pages in these 5 threads .
Besides , not every question I have asked was answered in the FAQ thread .

About the volume knob ( and this is in answer to some of the other guys responding ) ...I am just surprised SONY has that feature added again . It is something that is on their portable recorders since 1986 . Yes , the 80's when we only had cassette walkman's ... You'd think in 2012 they'd do a digital knob ( like on the HI MD ) .
Also the + 20 DB settings is something they have on the recorders as a switch since the 80's . It was so obvious , I didn't even look it up in the manual of the PCM M10. I only saw the limiter function which goes to + 12 DB . I didn't even think in 2009 ( when they designed this recorder ) they'd still add a feature like that !

Anyway , I'll order this unit today . I can't afford to waste more time and look further .

So again , thanks guys for all the extra help . Highly appreciated ...even if some of the questions may have been a bit annoying . Now you know the reason why !

[pasteler]

Has anyone else experienced a problem with unmatched left-right channels on their m10? I know they bill them as matched to within 1db of each other, but mine has a left channel about 2db higher than the right channel. Easily correctable in post, and not extremely noticeable given that it's an omni pattern, but kinda annoying none-the-less.

Yes, I just got mine last week and have noticed same (with internal mics). Seems OK with an external mic. I agree, annoying. I did see 2 similar posts:

[

Hello everyone!
Just discovered this forum after searching for info on the M10. Today I returned an M10 that was recording hotter on the left internal mic than the right. When at the store, we tried another unit and it did the same thing. Has anyone noticed this with their M10?

^yes.  I was surprised to find that the channels danced so differently on the meters, considering the mics are so close together. The left does seem to peak a little hotter, though the overall balance isn't as bad.  It isn't audible.

Thank you. 

Well, I sent mine back to B&H for a replacement because of that left channel being slightly hotter.
The new one arrived and fortunately the levels are normal. Glad I did.
What a great recorder. I'm as happy with it as when I first received the original Sony Walkman Professional back in the day (and it still works).

[Ekib]

Has anyone else experienced a problem with unmatched left-right channels on their m10? I know they bill them as matched to within 1db of each other, but mine has a left channel about 2db higher than the right channel. Easily correctable in post, and not extremely noticeable given that it's an omni pattern, but kinda annoying none-the-less.

Yes, I just got mine last week and have noticed same (with internal mics). Seems OK with an external mic. I agree, annoying. I did see 2 similar posts:

[

Hello everyone!
Just discovered this forum after searching for info on the M10. Today I returned an M10 that was recording hotter on the left internal mic than the right. When at the store, we tried another unit and it did the same thing. Has anyone noticed this with their M10?

^yes.  I was surprised to find that the channels danced so differently on the meters, considering the mics are so close together. The left does seem to peak a little hotter, though the overall balance isn't as bad.  It isn't audible.

Thank you. 

Well, I sent mine back to B&H for a replacement because of that left channel being slightly hotter.
The new one arrived and fortunately the levels are normal. Glad I did.
What a great recorder. I'm as happy with it as when I first received the original Sony Walkman Professional back in the day (and it still works).

Did you have the Sony WM D 3 ? That was an awesome recorder for sure ( and yes , mine still works too ! ).