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Re: What has the lowest Noise Floor for an all in one recorder?

Subject: Re: What has the lowest Noise Floor for an all in one recorder?
From: "John Crockett" naturalcontemplative
Date: Sun Oct 20, 2013 7:28 pm ((PDT))
Do you mean lowest noise using the built-in microphones?

I believe the Sony PCM-M10 wins on that score, but they are omnis so  
the stereo image is poor-to-nonexistent. noise is 17 dBSPL(A).

I believe the PCM-D50 comes in second, at 20dBSPL(A). These are the  
figures published by Sony.

I have compared my LS-11 built-ins to other mics I have, and my best  
estimate is that they come in at around 21 -22 dBSPL.

I don't know exactly where the LS-100 falls, but I wonder whether you  
are going to get much better than the LS-100 if you are looking for  
cardioid built-in mics.

A decent external mic improves things by leaps and bounds. It seems  
to me that is a much better investment than another all-in-one recorder.

The published noise data on the H6 preamps is -120 dBu, which is  
hardly "ultra" low noise.

Published specs don't trump field experience, but that's all I have  
to offer!

John

John Crockett
Westminster, VT

Let us live in harmony with the Earth
And all creatures
That our lives may be a blessing

On Oct 20, 2013, at 6:25 PM, <> wrote:

>
>
> Anyone know what all-in-one recorder has the lowest noise floor  
> which can be used for pro-audio?
>
> I am a one man team when comes to recording. I don't have the  
> luxury to spend a lot of time setting up my equipment and carrying  
> a lot of extra gear. A tripod, batteries, the recorder, and some  
> sort of wind screen is all I am usually able to bring. I record low  
> ambient sounds and noises in nature, cities, and anywhere else I am  
> lead too.
>
> I currently have been using an Olympus LS-100 with it's on-board  
> mics, I think the recordings mostly turn out well, but am hoping to  
> find something with even less noise for recording.
>
> I know most here are familiar with the reviews from  
> wingfieldaudio.com. The Sony PCM D50 currently is listed as the  
> lowest noise all-in-one recorder. Problem, this recorder is already  
> 5 years old and has already hit it's end of life support from Sony,  
> but if it's the best for this class then it will have to do.
>
> I know the Sony PCM D100 is out in other places then the US, but at  
> a $1000 or more, it's too much out of my price range at this time.
>
> I know Zoom isn't known for quite recordings, but anyone know  
> anything about the Zoom h6 with it's on board X/Y mics? Zoom claims  
> the H6 now has an "ultra" low noise preamp, but I have yet to see  
> any data to prove or dis-prove this. The Upside is the H6 is a new  
> model and has room for me to grow with XLR connectors in the future  
> if I ever go in that direction.
>
> I appreciate anyone's thought's or opinions to this.
>
> 






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