The "what portable recording device should I buy?" thread

[Phijel]

Could I ask why you went for the PCM-10 over the PCM-50, was it simply an issue of price?

Yes, I was tempted by the PCM-50 as well but, considering it was a gift, price was one the main reasons 

but beside that, I liked the ultra small size & portability of the M10, I like to have it in my pocket while recording like a spy with my in-ear binaural mics  , I didn't want to have a setup like : the recorder + an external battery + an XLR adapter + a mic preamp +...+...etc...

The built-in omni mics are probably not comparable to the condenser mics included with the D50, but this wasn't such an issue for me, because I have the Rode when I want to make a good quality directional recording (and I mainly use the binaural mics). Built-in mics are pretty good for ambient recording tho, and I used them a lot already (indoors or without wind). So all in all it gives me enough options for different situations.

I also think the price for the XLR adapter is waaay too much for the D50, almost the price of the unit itself !

philippe

[seaworthy]

thanks philippe, I am starting to wonder if I'm just as well off with the PCM-10 if I'm going to be using a lot of external microphones. General vibe seems to be that the sony units are a little better in sound quality than tascams right? Could you also please confirm that the PCM-10 DOES record in .WAV?

[Phijel]

Yes, the PCM-M10 records in MP3 up to 44.10 kHz / 320 kbps or WAV up to 96kHz / 24 bit

considering you posted the link to wingfield audio, you probably saw these audio sample comparison, but I repost the link anyway because I think they're pretty instructive and not directly accessible through the page you mentioned (they also cover other devices including the Sony M10):

http://www.wingfieldaudio.com/portable-recorder-noise.html#samples
http://www.wingfieldaudio.com/portable-recorder-sound-samples.html

If you listen on a good audio system, on the first page (floor noise), in the first column (internal mike test) consider how clear both sony sounds compared to the tascams (especially to the DR-07, the DR-1 and DR-100 being gradually better). The worst I think is the fostex FR2-LE

I must admit the 2nd column (mike input / dynamic) is not very convincing for the M10 (very noticeable hum), but it's not very good for the tascam either. I don't own a dynamic mike, but with a condenser one it's a whole different story I think.

philippe

[seaworthy]

Just to let you know, I went with the Sony PCM-50 in teh end. It arrived this week and even with limited opportunities, it has already impressed me. I'll look forward to sharing some noise in coming weeks. Thanks for the tips everyone.

[mac]

for all you zoom h4n users. a week ago i got myself a rycote windjammer for my unit. can't believe i was recording for over a year with the foam wind cover that comes together with the zoom. the rycote thingy does an excellent job. don't know if that rycote has the best product out there. bet other jammers made by other companies do equally well.
just saying, forget the foam, replace it with a real jammer. that just made recording for me so much less stressful.   

the purchase was inspired by this great article on choosing both, beginner as well as more pro kits, by Tim Prebble.

http://www.musicofsound.co.nz/blog/gear-for-starting-out-field-recording

Tim's blog excellent as well. highly recommended for regular read.
http://www.musicofsound.co.nz/blog/ 

[oootini]

yeah it's essential really. i got a cheap enough dead cat type thing to slide over the foam mic cover that came with my h2 on ebay. works a treat.

[haesslich]

tim prebble's article inspired me to look out for a shotgun mic. I got one beyerdynamic MCE86 with battery power really cheap, and bought a rode pistol grip and rode windshield (one of those furry ones). this really was the best addition to my field recording gear (which was only the olympus ls10 before).

[kristofferlislegaard]

just discovered this. is it worth the double price of a h4n?

http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.php?ProductId=1178

[billygomberg]

just discovered this. is it worth the double price of a h4n?

http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.php?ProductId=1178

IMO the zoom h4n sounds like garbage.  the cost of these devices is already so low that spending up for a more "premium" device is well worth it.  but really don't go buying this new thang without trying a hands on test and/or reading some really industry reviews.

[Le Berger]

Does it sound like garbage because of the built-in mic? or is it other components?

[mdoudin]

Hey Billy.. same question here. I got a H4n matched with a Rode Nt4..

[mac]

Does it sound like garbage because of the built-in mic? or is it other components?

the built-in mics are alright. when you don't crank up gain over 20% they are fine and recordings are perfectly usable. yet it's a fact that h4n has a distinctive self-noise, especially when you record quite ambiences. the pre-amp for the xlr/jack inputs is another story. imo it is very disappointing. quiet, hissy, flat, not very useful. it's not even ok.
i made tons of recordings with mine. recording both with built-in mics as well as with jacks inputs. it was fun. but looking from the perspective of my needs, which is mainly recording ambiences, i wouldn't buy it again.

[mac]

just discovered this. is it worth the double price of a h4n?

http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.php?ProductId=1178

i already read a few reviews. some concise info here:
http://socialsounddesign.com/questions/10584/lets-have-an-updated-chat-about-portable-recorders

but with a budget of double price of h4n i'd go with already well proven sony d50 anyway, even though it doesn't offer xlr.

[billygomberg]

I've helped a handful of folks w sound for short film, and, especially w/ VO, I'm asked about "that noise in the background."  most recently this case was presented to me, after I had made recommendations on recording (do whatever you can to minimize the background noise of NYC, monitor your input) and there was really a lot of noise on the recording, which was done on an h4n, even on the mic channels that had no mic plugged in.  the built in mic recordings were, to my ears, barely useable.

as I think I detailed earlier in this thread, when my 1st gen edirol R09 was stolen, I upgraded to the Sony D50, and would make the same choice again.  I do not use XLRs in most recordings where I deploy the D50 (field and "studio) - some studio situations where an XLR or four are needed, usually Richard Kamerman brings his Sound Devices, or I'm w/our friend Charlie, who also has a Sound Devices (722 I think).

The D50, for my uses (field/room recording or direct line from mixer) as been exceptional in terms of quality and reliability.  If I'm going to cash out on a mic setup that requires XLR, I'm going to cash out on a Sound Devices rig too.

[mdoudin]

Thank you for your explanation, Billy. I now have a good impression of what the problem with this handy recorder might be. I'll keep some money back for the D50.