Topic: Need advice/info on choosing new recorder

[Om_Audio]

Hey everyone- been recording on and off for 15 or so years and need a new recorder and need some info you can't get from manuals and reviews to inform my decision. (Mainly first 2 items in "need" list)

I started with micro cassette (and still listen to awful recording of guitarist Mike Miller and Chad Wackerman)
Then MD (bought decent binaurals at same time)
Then M-Audio Microtrack 24/96
Now Zoom H1

The Zoom has some awful drawbacks and I need to replace.

I need:
-sequential naming even if device media is erased
-date created tag in file headers (not just modified)
-ability to record high volume sources without additional hardware
-good, quiet, built in stereo mics
-sub $300 price range

I want:
-ability to drive binaurals properly if needed
-metronome/multi tracking
-small
-solid history of performance (no freezing, etc.)
-speaker
-etc.

[rastasean]

Forget the speaker, pretty much useless on most recorders.

What kind of internal mics, card or omni?

[Om_Audio]

ya I hear ya.
I suppose card mics as I prefer to control direction of source- like I can hear a sweet spot with my ears in the room and go from there- one reason I still like the binaurals sometimes- I tape them up where the sound is often better and easy to place
thanks

[F.O.Bean]

Sony PCM-M10

[ScoobieKW]

Sony PCM-M10

That's a surprise. 

 

[F.O.Bean]

Sony PCM-M10

That's a surprise. 

 

Hey its the perfect recorder for him

Also, the Tascam DR2D is a contender because he wants a metronome, and for $125.00 its in his budget as well!

[earmonger]

PCM-M10 has omnis. Not that that's a bad thing in my opinion. Binaural mics were probably omnis

The PCM-M10 names each file with the recording date and 00, 01 for each recording made that day.  If you then divide a recording into tracks, there is yet another number added to keep them in sequence. Those filenames don't change unless you change them.  So if I understand correctly, that meets your "sequential naming" criterion. And the dates are in the filenames--I don't know what goes on in the file headers.

You might also investigate the Roland R-05.

[TimeBandit]

-ability to record high volume sources without additional hardware

with that point the choose of recorders aren't tgreat. If you find a Marantz recorder which usually have 5 Volt PIP on the standard 1.8 Jack you can successfully run mics without external pre or battery box. The PMD620 is very small if you need small size. Otherwise pmd 66X.

But some users report the internal preamp of the PCM-M10 is also very good. soem users run CA11 Mics, CAFS mics (with low sens mod for high SPL) successful on the unit. But not mics like CA14 or similar they really need 9V Power to run successful on high SPL.

so your choice is. You've guessed it the PCM-M10. Marantz PMD-620 only used ones. new to expensive compared to the sony.

[yousef]

The PCM-M10 names each file with the recording date and 00, 01 for each recording made that day.

One annoyance I have with M10 is that the file-naming is completely independent between the internal memory and memory card. So I have occasionally had a situation where the first set (taped to internal memory) has exactly the same name as the second set (taped to miniSD card).

Not a huge issue but occasionally gets annoying during file transfer plus the need to rename one of the files can lead to confusion as to what is a raw file and what has been subject to processing.

There may well be a workaround here - please enlighten me if so.

[earmonger]

Well, you could change the clock date between sets. 

[yousef]

Or make an initial short dummy recording on the card before starting the second set...

[F.O.Bean]

Or whisper into your mics "set 1" and "set 2" and so on and so on

[ScoobieKW]

The PCM-M10 names each file with the recording date and 00, 01 for each recording made that day.

One annoyance I have with M10 is that the file-naming is completely independent between the internal memory and memory card. So I have occasionally had a situation where the first set (taped to internal memory) has exactly the same name as the second set (taped to miniSD card).

Not a huge issue but occasionally gets annoying during file transfer plus the need to rename one of the files can lead to confusion as to what is a raw file and what has been subject to processing.

There may well be a workaround here - please enlighten me if so.

No solution, but 16 or 32 GB cards alleviate the issue.

[Om_Audio]

Thanks for all the replies thus far! Very helpful indeed-

1- sequential naming with created date in header is a MUST and also sequential naming to continue after card/memory is erased- PCM-M10 still not clear on these points- date created in header is less important if file naming continues after erasing.
2-Marantz PMD620 is out- this Amazon review comment mirrors experience with my M-Audio (2 diff units and diff CF cards) and is maddening "Here's the problem: it fails to properly record once every 40 or 50 files. It doesn't record header info for the files which renders them useless. "
3-DR-2d looks good- inexpensive- and dual record feature would be useful- I record mostly myself at home playing elec and acoustic guitar and more than a few times have had clipping issues (I know- set levels correct- but on the fly inspiration leaves little room for tech acuity)
4-might end up with 2 recorders as a mutitracking unit like Boss DR-80 is VERY enticing for me personally (I play bass and drums and guitar and like odd time signatures which the BR-80 supports via midi files)
Cheers-
O

[rastasean]

just curious but what's the big need for sequential file naming?
Also, are you not planning on using external mics/preamp at this point unless it's for binaural mics?