Odd. Those are quite different.
Though some discount the idea that using a recorder's internal pre-amp (going mic-in) has a different effect relative to line-in, and the manufacturers don't say what parts of the circuitry chain are bypassed going line-in (if any), there seems a clear difference in this instance.
I'm sure it depends on the manufacturer and model of recorder.
In this case I'd say the LS-12 has a very cheap internal pre-amp that dramatically colors the sound. I'd also say I'd do whatever you need to in order to run line-in. Honestly I thought the line-in seemed slightly thin, but the mic-in very muddy.
Take for instance a Sony M-10 and I don't think you'd hear any difference running the same thing into either line-in or mic-in (if the output level of each result is similar).
Thank you for listening to my samples and for your findings. ;-)
I've made another upload to compare: This time, four inhouse field recording samples of the same band & same track, within a few recent dates in Europe (DE, NL & BE), received from my buddies. Yes, I'm aware of the different circumstances - different location, different live mixer, different PA different recording equipment and so on ... but ...
... I think this is still interesting, because I had made very, very similar experiences with this "muddy recording quality" on my old Tascam DR-05 recorder in the old days - via Mic-In.
No EQ was applied to the four recordings!
01 Banned From Utopia - 2016 10 14 Eeklo BE - 05 Cosmic Debris --> Zoom H2 (no external mic)
02 Banned From Utopia - 2016 10 20 Weert NL - 05 Cosmic Debris --> Zoom H2 (no external mic)
03 Banned From Utopia - 2016 10 24 Muenster DE - 05 Cosmic Debris --> OKM Rock --> A3 --> Line-In Olympus LS-12 (Pittylabelle's recording)04 Banned From Utopia - 2016 10 26 Hamburg DE - 05 Cosmic Debris --> Zoom H2 (no external mic)
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B6uqci5m7hraX3N2THlWYXg2VnM?usp=sharingRegardless, of weather your statement about my LS-12 Line-In seemed to be "slightly thin", I think my setup is still the best of the four - at last soundwise.
What do you think?
Track sample: "Cosmic Debris - Banned From Utopia (Frank Zappa)"