The Ugly is pretty hard to adjust--you don't want to be monkeying around with a screwdriver at the show. So I'd suggest you give it just the tiniest boost and deal with the variables of the particular show using the level knob. If you're boosting the signal with the preamp you'll probably want to be in the 2-5 range of the level knob, but that will depend on the show.
The reason you're going through Line-in is that Mic-in has a preamp of its own, while Line-in is made for the amplified signal you're sending it. The external preamp will give you cleaner amplification than the built-in one (though that's pretty good on its own). But no need to amplify twice.
Trial and error is the method, yes. You'll find that your particular mic-preamp combo will generally end up around certain settings. With my PCM-M10, I go CA-14-->battery box-->Line-in. The battery box powers the mics but doesn't amplify them, and most rock concerts end up with the level around 5 or 6 for me, though I have had to go as low as 2 or 3 for some real bass boomers.
I don't know if the CA-11 has the same sensitivity as the CA-14, and you will be boosting its signal if you add gain from the preamp, so that's why I think you'll end up as low as 2.
On the PCM-M10, levels around 1 are a little unreliable, so try not to go below 2.
Your typical rock show is amplified of course, so your big goal is to avoid overload and distortion. With the PCM-M10, I seek to find a level where the green lights blink occasionally. Green means the level is ideal, but concerts have ups and downs and inevitably get louder as they go, so if you had steady green at the beginning then you'd probably be overloading by the end. Being under the level of the green light gives you a fine recording anyway--pretty much anything where you can see a few bars of the volume indicators sounds good.
If you have a home stereo or a boombox or a car radio, I'd suggest you crank that up and play with levels to set the CA-Ugly and find what level works best on the PCM-M10. Then when you record a show, which will probably be louder, dial the PCM-M10 down by a digit. For starters.
Experience is the best teacher (and a quick one). But don't sweat it: You have a lot of leeway with the PCM-M10, and a few shows should give you a good idea of what works best.
One thing I suggest is that you go into the PCM-M10's menus and turn on the Limiter. That's your airbag if it overloads; it drops the incoming signal if it senses a sudden burst of loudness. Otherwise it won't affect the recording. Some people here argue against using the Limiter, but I have never understood their reasoning. If your levels are set right, the Limiter will never kick in, but I like it as insurance.
Do make sure the REC LEVEL slider on the back of the unit is always on Manual, not Auto--which will really mess up a music recording. The display will change to a dark band at the top if you ever put AUTO on by mistake. I leave Mic Sensitivity on Low, but it's irrelevant if you're going through Line-in. High or Low Sensitivity controls the gain on the built-in preamp behind Mic-in. DPC (digital pitch control) should also stay Off. If it were my call, those switches would be in the menus, but I haven't had problems with them; if you are putting the recorder in a tight jeans pocket conceivably you might. Otherwise the PCM-M10 is a joy indeed.
I know this is long and involved, but once you've done a few shows you'll see how easy it is.
Topic: Hopefully Simple Configuration Questions (Read 2752 times)