Sony PCMM10 Portable Digital Recorder (Black)

Review by Douglas Berry for Sony PCMM10 Portable Digital Recorder (Black)
Rating:
I had a Zoom H4n for about a week, and I returned it, and got the Sony PCM-M10. It ended up being a nice trade for me. The mics and preamps on the Zoom were fantastic, but the Sony’s are as good, if not better, quality than the H4n. The H4n is a multi-tracker, and has XLR inputs, etc., making it a different type of device than the Sony, and the H4n was very large in the hand, making it a little too big for subtle hand-held recordings, and other situations where you don’t want the recorder to be the center of attention. The mics on the Sony are fixed in place at 90 degrees, unlike the Zoom where you can change from 90 to 120 degrees with a twist function. I didn’t change to the Sony necessary for the functionality as much as the form-factor. The Sony is compact and is a little more discreet, making it almost (visually) pass as an MP3 player in appearance. It is the same size as an iPhone, but a little thicker, and it feels nice and solid in the hand.

Another thing I might add is that in the description on this item page, the package contents aren’t mentioned very thoroughly, so I would like to put them here. It comes in a nice looking box, and you are definitely buying the retail item as it ships from Sony, which includes everything that it is supposed to (the item page almost makes it seem like you are buying just the recorder itself). Anyway, here is what comes in the box:

Sony PCM-M10

Sound forge audio studio LE software CDROM

AC power adapter AC-ES3010K2

USB Cable

Hand strap

2 x Alkaline batteries (AA size)

Operating instructions

Wired remote control

Also, for information purposes, I thought I would mention that there IS a STANDARD TRIPOD MOUNT on the back of the Sony PCM-M10, which for some reason was difficult information to come by for me in my research. I found pictures of the rear of the device, but even then it was hard to verify that I was actually seeing a mount.

I recorded last night with a friend, two acoustic guitars and vocals, side by side with the Sony PCM-M10 and an Equitek E-100 Condensor Mic, running into a mixer and computer software, and the Sony sounds as good if not a little better. Low noise, clean, and full frequency response from the Sony. It has meter (green) and peak lights (red) on the areas above each of the stereo mics on the body of the Sony, so monitoring is visually possible, without having to look at the screen on the front. The H4n didn’t have that.

The Sony PCM-M10, with 2 NiMH AA batteries (2500 MaH) will record for 50 hours (yes, it’s true), and recording @ 320Kbps, 44Khz MP3, the 4gb internal memory will hold 27 hours of sound. The Zoom H4n could record for 7.5 hours using NiMH batteries (the same ones I am using in the Sony), and had no internal memory of its own. There is a MicroSD slot on the Sony PCM-M10, and can hold the currently available 32gb cards if necessary. I could find no indication anywhere I looked that it wouldn’t hold even bigger cards if they become available in the future. The Zoom takes full size SD cards, but also supports 32gb cards.

When you power up the Sony PCM-M10, it is up and running, and able to record, in around 5 seconds, which is phenomenal, and was an added bonus for my purposes…

The Zoom H4n wasn’t “ready to record” for over 15 seconds. The Sony also has a record-ahead buffer, which will start recording a 5 second cache, before the record button is pressed, so you don’t lose the beginning of something, if you weren’t able to hit the record button in time. That is sweet.

The two input jacks (mic and line) are on the top of the device, in between the microphones, which is a good location, and the speaker is on the bottom (yes there is a monitor speaker for quick playback review).

The buttons feel solid and responsive, even for my stumbling fingers, which is remarkable, and the remote buttons are more of a “soft dome” sort-of depression style, but same thing, very responsive and solid feeling. The screen is big and very clear, with all the information laid out logically and vividly. It supports ID3 tag, so if you put MP3 music on the device, it will show you the information on the screen.

There is a tight and precise REC level wheel on the right side of the unit, and a rocker style output level on the left side of the unit. The functions available directly on the outside of the device are (if you are facing the display screen):

1. Below the screen:

Folder, Menu, Delete, playback functions (A-B), Display (I really like this feature, being able to turn the backlight on, etc., with a single button)

2. Transport keys:

Fast Forward (shares with menu up), Fast Reverse (shares with menu down)

Pause

Stop

Play

RECORD

T-Mark (marks tracks for splitting)

3. Left Side:

Volume (output level), DPC (Speed control) (on/off)

4. Right Side:

Mic sensitivity (Low / High), REC LEVEL WHEEL, REC LEVEL Switch (Manual/Auto), Power switch (it is a slide, and has a HOLD function)

Besides the physical adjustments mentioned above, the Menu on the device is replete with features, and very very easy to maneuver.

Review by W. Welch for Sony PCMM10 Portable Digital Recorder (Black)
Rating:
Somebody finally got it right. This recorder sounds great, with very low self-noise and wide frequency range from the internal mics. It is easy to setup, and super-easy to use.

Other reviews cover general features. Here are some remarks about stereo recording in particular:

Stereo recording:

The two built-in omnidirectional condenser mics give you nice stereo separation when the recorder is in the midst of a sound field. I was a little surprised, as you wouldn’t expect to get decent stereo imaging from omnis so close together, it’s why stereo recorders/mics typically use two cardioid pattern mics. The downside of cardioids is less sensitivity for low frequencies, whereas an omni will capture those lows. Sony has a neat trick here: the omnis are set into the body of the recorder, shielded from each other, so each effectively sees its own half of the room (plus reflections of the other half). You get a nice stereo separation (though not the kind of imaging that lets you pinpoint sound sources). And you get the wide, flat frequency response of omni microphones. If anything, the bass can be a little boomy when you’re too close to a sound source — and the recorder has a low-frequency cutoff you can switch on if you want to lose some of that low-end rumble. They are nice-sounding mics.

Using your own mics:

If you want to use your own microphones, you will need a female XLR to mini stereo cable (eg, Hosa 2′ Right Angle Mini Stereo Male to 2 XLR Female Breakout Y-Cable) to plug them into the recorder. The recorder is advertised as having plug-in-power (eg, phantom power) for external mics. But that’s the 2V variety of phantom power for little electret condensers, not the 48V you need for your nice condenser mics. You’ll have to power them separately, either using a phantom power box like the Rolls PB223 Dual Mic Phantom Power 48 Volt Power Supply or an external pre-amp. The recorder will accept both line-level and mic-level inputs.

A case!

The recorder does not come with any sort of protective case. It’s an odd size, but I’ve found that a PSP Go Soft Carrying Case works beautifully, will also fit the official Sony windscreen, and has an extra pocket for the remote control.

Review by Terry Roth for Sony PCM-M10/R Portable Linear PCM Recorder, 96 kHz/24-bit, 4GB Memory & USB High-Speed Port, Glossy Red
Rating:
The sonic attributes are exemplary—-the auto recording seems well thought out, recording the noisy hubbub of a choir rehearsal was nicely within range, no distortion or overload. THe buttons are intuitive and large enough to be easily pressed, but not so large or tall that they are easy to press inadvertently. The supplied remote works well and is uncomplicated, just 4 of the most necessary buttons: Pause, Record, Stop and T-mark. There is an indicator light on the remote telling you recording status.

Unfortunately, there is no way to name tracks from the recorder’s menu—there is a disk supplied with Sound Forge Audio Studio, but it is PC only—-no good for us MAC owners. The recorder assigns a name or rather a date stamp to each track, such as 100302_3 for the fifth track recorded on 3/2/10. Not very useful. If you are recording in the field, various birds for instance, or bells in Tuscany, or “songs” by a music group, you’ll need to make written notes as you go along for later editing in your computer—-a PITA. My little ZOOM H2 had the ability to name the tracks with its onboard editor, something Sony should have included! A wireless remote would be a better solution that the plug-in one, for stealthy use.

The onboard mikes are nice, sound is quite realistic—at least for the spoken and sung voices I recorded of the Vashon Chorale singing Mozart’s Requiem. They are recessed into the topsides of the unit, making it somewhat clumsy to attach a windscreen, but there will probably be plenty of after-market products coming along. The “dead-cat” type work better than the foam, so a trip to a fabric store for some fuzzy fake fur will be in the offing for me—no $49 Sony OEM product, thanks. The mikes are (on the “hi” setting)—extremely sensitive. Your own breath sound is quite audible from 3 feet away! I think this will be the gold standard unit for nature sounds. I used in-ear binaural mikes to make some outdoor bird recordings, the soundfield is astonishingly realistic.

Using $300 Shure earbuds for playback, there is no preamp or mike noise audible (but then, my ears have 67 years on them….YMMMV). The little onboard speaker is useless for anything except making sure you actually got a signal of what you were attempting to record—I got this unit for less than $300, including shipping. Considering the way above average build quality and exemplary sound quality, a steal!! Unhesitatingly recommended. My “cons” are pretty minor, except for lack of onboard track editing, but I’d still rate it 5 stars due to the terriffic audio and build quality. The manual is pretty good, index could be more complete but it’s logically written by a tech writer whose first language is English!

Review by W. Welch for Sony PCM-M10/R Portable Linear PCM Recorder, 96 kHz/24-bit, 4GB Memory & USB High-Speed Port, Glossy Red
Rating:
Somebody finally got it right. This recorder sounds great, with very low self-noise and wide frequency range from the internal mics. It is easy to setup, and super-easy to use.

Other reviews cover general features. Here are some remarks about stereo recording in particular:

Stereo recording:

The two built-in omnidirectional condenser mics give you nice stereo separation when the recorder is in the midst of a sound field. I was a little surprised, as you wouldn’t expect to get decent stereo imaging from omnis so close together, it’s why stereo recorders/mics typically use two cardioid pattern mics. The downside of cardioids is less sensitivity for low frequencies, whereas an omni will capture those lows. Sony has a neat trick here: the omnis are set into the body of the recorder, shielded from each other, so each effectively sees its own half of the room (plus reflections of the other half). You get a nice stereo separation (though not the kind of imaging that lets you pinpoint sound sources). And you get the wide, flat frequency response of omni microphones. If anything, the bass can be a little boomy when you’re too close to a sound source — and the recorder has a low-frequency cutoff you can switch on if you want to lose some of that low-end rumble. They are nice-sounding mics.

Using your own mics:

If you want to use your own microphones, you will need a female XLR to mini stereo cable (Hosa 2′ Right Angle Mini Stereo Male to 2 XLR Female Breakout Y-Cable) to plug them into the recorder. The recorder is advertised as having plug-in-power (eg, phantom power) for external mics. But that’s the 2V variety of phantom power for little electret condensers, not the 48V you need for your nice condenser mics. You’ll have to power them separately, either using a phantom power box like Rolls PB223 Dual Mic Phantom Power 48 Volt Power Supply or an external pre-amp. The recorder will accept both line-level and mic-level inputs.

A case!

The recorder does not come with any sort of protective case. It’s an odd size, but I’ve found that a PSP Go Soft Carrying Case works beautifully, will also fit the official Sony windscreen, and has an extra pocket for the remote control.

Review by conductor for Sony PCM-M10/R Portable Linear PCM Recorder, 96 kHz/24-bit, 4GB Memory & USB High-Speed Port, Glossy Red
Rating:
I am a band director and use this for recording rehearsals. I can then listen while alone and select areas that need more work. I also record our concerts and create CD’s to give to the band members. That way they can hear just how we sound. This is an invaluable tool in my estimation.