Recorders

I've ranked my own personal recorder preferences below for multi hour, far off the road into the bush field recording. These are purely personal bias based on hundreds and hundreds of hours of field recordings. Listed with each ranking is a brief explanation of the pros and cons for each recorder.

These recorders discussed below are beginner professional recorders. However realize that anyone can be successful at field recording with even an Iphone or Android phone recorder! In fact, an inexpensive dictation-type recorder is better than no recorder at all.

I believe that the recorder helps with the making of a high quality field recording but is not the sole reason a field recording can be successful. A familiarity with nature, wildlife, environmental conditions, your microphones and the subject matter is just as important as the price of your recorder. Start with what is available and expand as your interest and participation in nature audio grows.

The instant playback quality of most handheld recorders is poor. I almost never listen to my recordings by playing them back over the built in speaker; rather I wait to listen to my captured audio until the digital files are downloaded on my home computer where I can play them over my studio speakers.

I have not had much experience with Zoom, such as the popular F3 so they are not discussed other than passing here. I have however heard some really good things about Zoom and also Roland products.

Since I am a Sony and Sound Devices admirer, I'll be discussing why I believe the below recorders make drop bag field recording a quality pleasure.

#1 TIE: Sony PCM M-10 and Sony PCM D100

The Sony PCM M10 and the Sony PCM D100 are tied for my first preference for a number of similar and different factors.

Sony PCM M10:

This small, ruggedly built from aluminum hand-held recorder is the workhorse of my field recording efforts. Though discontinued now, this decade old model recorder is an all time favorite of many field-recordists. It is intuitively easy to use and produces great audio.

When used with stereo plug-in-power microphones (PIPs) the M10's audio files can be of extremely high quality, have minimal noise and sound realistic.

Powered by two AA batteries, the M10 records well over 15 hours straight at it's highest quality audio settings of 96kHz/24-bit for me in the field. This means I can easily capture two wildlife choruses - one at sunset and the other at dawn (any everything in between) - with one field setup effort. I usually trek into the swamp about 5pm, set up equipment in a location I believe will provide good wildlife audio, leave for the evening & travel home then back to the swamp by sunrise to retrieve my equipment.

My Sony M10s are used in conjunction with 3.5mm PIP stereo microphones (see my reviews under Microphones) but the recorder does have its own high quality, moderately low noise built in omni-directional condenser microphones. I've always used the plug in stereo lavs for my field recording and am very pleased overall with the audio quality.

Though an excellent recorder all things considered, the unit does have it's downsides because of its design age. The USB mini-B connector and cable delivers slower file transfer speed from recorder to my Mac-Mini. I usually start a 15-20 hour recording transfer then walk away to do something else. The overnight recording transfer (typically 20GB) will typically take several hours. I don't mind however because the audio quality is pro-level.

The M10 is usually only available on Ebay or Reverb today. Because it has been discontinued I do not see it available from online electronic retailers. Most units I see on Ebay are selling in the $250-300 range.

For drop bag recording sessions - where I leave the recorder out overnight in a dry bag, the Sony PCM M10, in my opinion is the best unit from a ruggedness, quality, price and reliability perspective. If you are looking for an excellent recorder to begin field recording activities, the Sony PCM M10 is a great choice!

Sony PCM A10:

The Sony PCM A10 is becoming a go-to super compact field recorder by outdoor audiophiles today. The palm size unit downloads audio files much faster through its USB connection than do the M10 or D100 making it much more convenient when pressed for time.

The A10 has a built-in internal battery that is rechargeable through an USB cable, which also functions as a data transfer cable. I've found the internal battery lasts approximately 8-10 hours with PIP microphones attached. An external charge bank can be used to extend recording sessions to the slightly wobbly USB connector.

The A10's internal microphones do work well however field recording quality can be significantly improved with the use of lavalier PIP stereo microphones; the same approach as I use with the M10. I have heard ultra high quality audio recordings from professional field artists using the A10 when the A10 is paired with high end stereo PIP microphones.

Overall the A10 has its place for sure. I am just not as excited about using the A10 for drop bag recording sessions as I am with the M10. Perhaps the A10's ultralight weight and plastic construction don't impress me as much as the aluminum built M10, regardless though the A110 does produce very good sound recordings. Pricewise, the A10 and M10 run about the same. The A10 is occasionally available on many major electronic warehouse websites such as Adorama, but lately it seems they have been mostly out of stock.

#3: Sony PCM D10

Sony PCM D10:

The Sony PCM D10 is quite the large hand held recorder. This recorder is designed with two XLR connectors for upgraded microphones and has the capability to record over 40 straight hours in MP3 mode. Depending on the audio format, quality of the AA batteries and size of the memory card (I use 256 GB) I've been able to record close to forty hours of uninterrupted WAV field audio too.

The D10's long record capability provides the field recordist with all types of audio opportunities so long as there is room in the backpack and few raccoons about. It is also fairly well put together, much sturdier seeming than the little A10 yet definitely more 'plastic-feeling' than the M10 or D100.

However I am not rushing to replace my M10s with the uber large and heavy D10 just yet. Because my drop bag sessions are truly out in the wilderness they are subject to nightly investigation and rummage by big fat raccoons, deer, bear, coyotes and other wildlife creatures.

Unlike most other Sony PCM recorders, the D10 has raised switch buttons for a number of functions, such as Hold and Input type. Unfortunately the last several times I've used the D10 raccoons have managed to jostle the recorder enough to change input settings and essentially ruin a night's recording attempts.

The D10 is much too large to put in the protective cases I have for the other recorders, hence I don't use the D10 for overnight events. I could use the D10 for spot recording with XLR or PIP microphones of my choice but the D100 is half the size and weight and records such amazing quality that I can't justify using the D10 instead of the D100.

These are my unique perspectives from someone who collects nature audio with multiple recorder sets left out in the wilderness for a day or more at a time. The large D10 may be perfectly suitable for on the street interviews, it just does not fit my field recording niche.

I would only recommend the D10 for someone wanting to do field recording not too far off the beaten path (the unit is heavy to carry and a backpack space hog).

#4: Sound Devices MixPre3

Sound Devices MixPre3:

The Sound Devices MixPre3 is a step up for recording quality from the Sony hand held recorders, but due to it's size, weight and battery limitations is best used like the D100, for real time field recording. With the release of the MixPre3ii, the new release units have 32bit float capabilities, which means that many sharp, loud sounds that may have spiked before, causing 'crackles' in the audio file (like thunder claps or loud nearby bird calls) are now mitigated.

In addition to the 32bit float capabilities, the MixPre3ii, like the Sony PCM D10 has XLR connectors for higher end microphones.

I've ranked my preference for this recorder based on my habits of hiking or riding a bike far up trails into the forests and swamps. The MixPre3 is just not best suited for drop bag recording sessions. Though it would produce phenomenal audio clips it would also require significant external power supplies and weather protection that make it impractical to carry any significant distances when compared to smaller handhelds.

However, I find the MixPre3 is great for recording sessions where I am nearby, such as; waves lapping against the shore, flocks of birds calling around me, rainstorms, night choruses where I am present and other nature situations where the audio event is imminent or present, especially when using a Sennheiser 416 mic, blimp and windscreen.

#5: Tascam DR40

Tascam DR40:

The Tascam DR40 was the first recorder I bought off Ebay while living in South Florida where I'd record rainstorms, bird choruses in Corkscrew's Bird Rookery and also the children's train running through Lakes Park in Fort Myers.

I used the DR40's built in microphones and despite their higher level of self noise than the Sony D100, achieved some pretty good audio recordings.

I did find the DR40's console to be a bit complex and not as intuitive as the Sony M10, A10 or D100, but still the DR40 was a decent recorder to learn with. Though not that important for spot recording but certainly having an impact of overnight field recording excursions, the DR40's batteries lasted about half the time the M10's batteries lasted.

DR40's are also usually available at a reasonable price.

Knowing now what I know about recorders I'd have started not with the Tascam DR40 but rather with Sony PCM M10 or maybe the A10. I just find the Sony PCM platform to be more user friendly for my swamp excursions.

Zoom Recorders

Zoom recorders are some of the most popular entry and mid-level recorders on the market today with a big following among field recordists.

I've read quite a few positive reviews and listened to excellent audio field recorded with Zoom recorders. Newer models even have floating 32bit recording capabilities that will manage unexpected dB spikes.

Ultimately it comes down to the personal preferences of the field recordist and their intent.

I haven't used Zoom recorders enough, though my father had one in his electronics box, to make either positive or negative comments about the units. If you find a good deal on a Zoom then by all means go for it. If the recorder works well with acceptable levels of self noise then you have found yourself a deal.

Conclusion

Like I mentioned above, good audio quality is a result of much more than an expensive recorder. Good field audio is a product of many factors, the recorder comprising only a part.

I prefer the Sony PCM M10 and to a lesser degree the Sony PCM A10. I am concerned with Sony's use of a non-replaceable battery in the A10. I suppose the recorder will have to be trashed once the internal battery no longer charges and this concern does nag me with sustainability concerns.

The Sony PCM M10s reused from my father's engineering work, even though ten or more years old work as well as far more expensive recorders on the market today for my overnight multi-hour recording sessions. The M10s may be a little slow at downloading files however I don't find that to be a serious problem and I love the audio quality when paired with good PIP microphones. My choice for overnight field recording hands down is the M10.

For spot recording, or for a recorder to carry around everyday my recommendation would be the Sony PCM D100. The D100's internal microphones eliminate the need for tangled lavalier microphone cords and just make spot recording simpler and easier.

Finally, I'll say it one more time. The recorder may help but does not make the field recordist great. A good understanding of the vast array of factors involved with outdoor audio is the most important part of field recording. The best way to learn is to go outside and begin recording!

Best, Kevin Songer June 2022

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