New small digital recorders are coming onto the market all of the time. It is nearly impossible to keep up with all the new advances. Other than the quality of the sound, record time and battery life are of high importance in nature recording. This new recorder is very good on both of these aspects.

Field Recorders under $300.

A great new entry into the lower price range is the Sony PCM-M10‏.

The manufacturers websites:

Sony PCM-M10

The user’s manual can be found at:

Users Manual

Excellent reviews can be read at:

Brad Linder’s blog: Sony introduces PCM-M10 handheld pro audio recorder

Brad Linder’s blog: Sony PCM-M10 handheld audio recorder reviewed

Broadcast Engineering: In review: Sony’s PCM-M10 handheld digital recorder

Everything Audio Network: Home Recording Review! Sony PCM-M10

Sony PCM-M10:A palm-sized, professional recorder with full-sized performance.

Wingfield Audio: Sony PCM-M10 Review

Forums discussing this recorder are:

The Taperssection Forums

Sony PCM-M10 audio recorder

Sony PCM-M10 (Part 2)

There are several videos posted on YouTube:

Sony PCM-M10 – Summer NAMM ‘09

NAMM ‘10 – Sony PCM-M10 Recorder & Digital Wireless Rackmount Systems

Recording media:

4GB of internal flash memory.

An additional 16GB of memory can be added with a Memory Stick Micro™ (M2™) or microSDHC (FAT32) card.

Maximum recordable time – In any card not all of the stated capacity is available for data. Using the 32 gb card the record time in .wav at 44.1kHz 16bit CD quality mode should be nearly 25 hr.
20 min.

Batteries

Using two Sony LR6 (SG) (size AA) alkaline batteries up to 46 hours.

Recordings:

I hope to add field recordings to this review.

Conclusion – I think this is a very good recorder and gets researchers into a nice, reasonably priced unit that has great battery life and recording times. Early reviews state that it’s sound quality is excellent and the unit retains the best features of its bigger siblings the Sony PCM-D1 and PCM-D50 while adding the versatility of mp3.

Pros:

- built-in microphones
- easy to use
- great sound
- great battery life
- great recording time
- reasonable price

Cons:

- no xlr ports

Related posts:

1. Field Recorders – Pt 5 Last time we looked at a recorder that was listed...

Filed under: Recording Gear