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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: "Philip Tyler" macmang4125
Date: Mon Oct 21, 2013 5:48 am ((PDT))
In 'fee air' I would agree the Sony PCM-M10's stereo is not great, but if y=
ou can sit it on something so the mics work as a boundary microphone I have=
 found the stereo to be somewhat better.

Phil



On Monday, 21 October 2013, 13:26, John Crockett <> wrote:

=C2=A0
Yes, the D-50 seems to be the best recorder (if you can still find one) for=
 use with built-ins, but I think that the improvement over the LS-100 is go=
ing to be minimal, and not good value for the dollar at all. I think you wi=
ll find it more similar to the LS-11 and LS-100 than the PCM-M10 in terms o=
f microphone noise. That's a lot to spend for a decibel, or two at most, of=
 noise improvement. I banged my head against this for a long time, thinking=
 that there must be a portable recorder with fantastic built-in microphones=
, if only I could find it, if only I could locate the right review or test =
of it. I wanted it to be so! I had myself convinced that the D-50 was going=
 to answer all my needs, and almost bought one. The reality is that there i=
s no recorder whose built-ins are as quiet as a good external microphone.

If having the best built-ins is very important to you then maybe you should=
 wait for the PCM-D100 to arrive. Sony reports that its built-in mics have =
a 1 dB improvement=C2=A0- 19 dBSPL (A) -=C2=A0over the PCM-D50.=C2=A0

But I prefer to use the Rode NT4, which runs on a 9v battery or P48. It's n=
ot the best mic on the planet, but it is compact and easy to use and quiete=
r than any recorder (rated at 16 dB SPL but I think it is quieter than that=
). I use it all the time because it is convenient.


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 21, 2013, at 12:06 AM, <> wrote:


>
>
>That is correct, I am looking to use a device with it's internal mics, thi=
s way it keeps setting up to a very bare minimum, easier to stealth, and li=
ghter to carry around. I know going with a multi-device recorder will sport=
 me a lower sound noise, but it's just not something I can always use when =
I am out recording in the field.
>
>
>
>I've tested the M10 and even have a video on Youtube comparing it to the L=
S-11 and as mentioned it's stereo field is poor.
>
>
>The LS-100 is okay, but I believe the D-50 would let me record even quiete=
r noises or so I think it will.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>---In  <>=
 wrote:
>
>
>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 s=
tereo image is poor-to-nonexistent. noise is 17 dBSPL(A).
>
>
>I believe the PCM-D50 comes in second, at 20dBSPL(A). These are the figure=
s published by Sony.
>
>
>I have compared my LS-11 built-ins to other mics I have, and my best estim=
ate 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 bu=
ilt-in mics.=C2=A0
>
>
>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 "u=
ltra" low noise.
>
>
>Published specs don't trump field experience, but that's all I have to off=
er!
>
>
>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 ca=
n 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 gea=
r. 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.=C2=A0
>>>
>>>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 recorde=
r. Problem, this recorder is already 5 years old and has already hit it's e=
nd of life support from Sony, but if it's the best for this class then it w=
ill have to do.
>>>
>>>I know the Sony PCM D100 is out in other places then the US, but at a $1=
000 or more, it's too much out of my price range at this time.=C2=A0
>>>
>>>I know Zoom isn't known for quite recordings, but anyone know anything a=
bout the Zoom h6 with it's on board X/Y mics? Zoom claims the H6 now has an=
 "ultra" low no! ise 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 gro=
w with XLR connectors in the future if I ever go in that direction.
>>>
>>>I appreciate anyone's thought's or opinions to this.=C2=A0
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>






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