Topic: Sony PCM-A10 (Part 2)

[Melanie]

Melanie is getting an PCM A10 for Christmas, what is the best price available right now? And who can we get to make  a custom battery box made with microdot connectors ? Bob

[robgronotte]

Someone just listed a barely used one in the yard sale here for $175. I bought mine last year for about $200, new in box from ebay.

[Melanie]

Someone just listed a barely used one in the yard sale here for $175. I bought mine last year for about $200, new in box from ebay.

Thanks for input, found new one for $180.99 , free shipping. Bob

[gambra]

Just looking to get a sense check on my settings etc. I'm now using DPA 4061's going into a JGSound BB2 (8.3V battery box from a UK manufacturer w/ 6k8 Ohm resistors, https://www.jgsound.co.uk/battery-box-bb2/) and I'm not super happy with the first couple of tapes I've done so probably an issue with the settings I have on the A10. I've currently set it to record in 24bit, does hz matter much at all? Also have limiter on just in case but generally set it at 12 input volume on the Audio In setting) then adjust. What db level should I be aiming at for good later mastering? Is there any other setting I should have on/off etc?

[adrianf74]

Just looking to get a sense check on my settings etc. I'm now using DPA 4061's going into a JGSound BB2 (8.3V battery box from a UK manufacturer w/ 6k8 Ohm resistors, https://www.jgsound.co.uk/battery-box-bb2/) and I'm not super happy with the first couple of tapes I've done so probably an issue with the settings I have on the A10. I've currently set it to record in 24bit, does hz matter much at all? Also have limiter on just in case but generally set it at 12 input volume on the Audio In setting) then adjust. What db level should I be aiming at for good later mastering? Is there any other setting I should have on/off etc?

24-Bit, yes.  44 or 48kHz is your preferred option (I like 24/48 but some people recording to burn to disc prefer to record at 44 to avoid any resampling but it only matters if you're planning to burn to CD. 

Audio In is also correct.  Input level between 11 and 13 is generally where I land but I try to watch my levels and see them peak at -8/-10dB.  You need to ensure any limiter or auto-gain control is set to OFF.   When you say "not super happy," that can be a whole bunch of reasons why that's the case.  You need to remember that DPA 4061 are omnidirectional mics (that is, they pick up everything around you including chatter, etc.).  Did the audio "sound good" where you were situated?  Did it sound muddy in that spot?  If that's the case, the 4061's are pretty much gonna pick up what you're hearing and you'll want to find the so-called sweet spot. I've found I like to more or less stack tape with 4061's (that is, be in line and pretty close to the speaker array).  Keep in mind, some people do post-processing on their recordings before getting out there.  For instance, I was at Kraftwerk a couple of months back and was FAR TOO CLOSE to the stage for a great capture but after some serious EQ-work and post processing, I got a recording out there that sounds quite good.

Hopefully this helps give you a little feedback.  I've been doing this for well over 30-years now which pretty much every setup that's been tried.  Still to this day, I have 'tapes' that are less than stellar sounding and this is using about US$2500 ahead of the deck.

[tapedatshow]

I recently picked up an sp-spsb-11 12v battery box with bass roll off. I noticed that if holding the PCM-A10 next to the battery box that the recording will pick up non-stop clicks. Move them further apart and the clicks disappear. I recall in one of these threads that someone had a similar thing happen when placing the A10 near/on top of active cables. I didn’t hear the clicks when using the app or even holding my phone next to the A10. It doesn’t do it when laying the mic cables over the recorder either. The clicks only happened when the battery box itself is next to the A10.

EDIT: Solved per the post below. Turning off NFC in the Bluetooth menu removes the clicking sound.

[beatkilla]

I recently picked up an sp-spsb-11 12v battery box with bass roll off. I noticed that if holding the PCM-A10 next to the battery box that the recording will pick up non-stop clicks. Move them further apart and the clicks disappear. I recall in one of these threads that someone had a similar thing happen when placing the A10 near/on top of active cables. I didn’t hear the clicks when using the app or even holding my phone next to the A10. It doesn’t do it when laying the mic cables over the recorder either. The clicks only happened when the battery box itself is next to the A10.

I had this issue but turning OFF  NFC in the A10 menu eliminated the problem.

[tapedatshow]

I recently picked up an sp-spsb-11 12v battery box with bass roll off. I noticed that if holding the PCM-A10 next to the battery box that the recording will pick up non-stop clicks. Move them further apart and the clicks disappear. I recall in one of these threads that someone had a similar thing happen when placing the A10 near/on top of active cables. I didn’t hear the clicks when using the app or even holding my phone next to the A10. It doesn’t do it when laying the mic cables over the recorder either. The clicks only happened when the battery box itself is next to the A10.

I had this issue but turning OFF  NFC in the A10 menu eliminated the problem.

Just tested it and that worked. And the app still functions via Bluetooth as well. No more clicking. Thank you!

[beatkilla]

I recently picked up an sp-spsb-11 12v battery box with bass roll off. I noticed that if holding the PCM-A10 next to the battery box that the recording will pick up non-stop clicks. Move them further apart and the clicks disappear. I recall in one of these threads that someone had a similar thing happen when placing the A10 near/on top of active cables. I didn’t hear the clicks when using the app or even holding my phone next to the A10. It doesn’t do it when laying the mic cables over the recorder either. The clicks only happened when the battery box itself is next to the A10.

I had this issue but turning OFF  NFC in the A10 menu eliminated the problem.

Just tested it and that worked. And the app still functions via Bluetooth as well. No more clicking. Thank you!

Glad it worked it out.

All credit goes to user on here : Sebastian

[gambra]

No way that's the issue fix, I was just coming in here to ask about the exact same issue I had with two recordings recently. Constant clicking interference sound every second. Nearly ruined two jazz recordings as its quite noticeable on low volume recordings but luckily iZotope works wonders in the click removal.

If anyone has issues with recordings affected by it the "GSM cell phone buzz" declick preset works great, just turn down the sensitivity to about 5 or 6 or it'll affect the sound of high frequencies like cymbals.

[willndmb]

I’m sure somewhere in here it talks about it but how is the a10 at not setting off metal detectors?
My m10 sets it off

Looking for something that will not, or at least not as much…
A10
Deity maybe

Looking to run 4.7 mod at853 > recorder for shows that I have no option in going back “to car”.
Ie a show coming up is 30 min train ride away
Tia

[ol' dirty taper]

The M10 has an aluminum housing where the A10 is plastic.

Another option is the Zoom F3 or the new Tascam recorder.

[willndmb]

The M10 has an aluminum housing where the A10 is plastic.

Another option is the Zoom F3 or the new Tascam recorder.

thanks

[HarW182 (clover182 old handle)]

How does this recorder compare to the Roland R-05? I'm looking for something that won't/is less likely to set off metal detectors. I heard the settings for loud gigs can be complicated and that the pre-amps aren't as good. What do you guys think? Cheers!

[jbell]

I love mine!  I previously had the PCM M10 and this recorder is so much better.  Being able to control it from you phone is awesome.  It's mostly made of plastic so should be fine for metal detectors.  I don't stealth so can't confirm. Here is a link to a recent pull

https://archive.org/details/wsp2025-07-25.DPA4018

How does this recorder compare to the Roland R-05? I'm looking for something that won't/is less likely to set off metal detectors. I heard the settings for loud gigs can be complicated and that the pre-amps aren't as good. What do you guys think? Cheers!