Here are some suggestions for getting the best performance/user reliability from M10.
Use M10 ONLY set in 24 bit recording mode. Sample rate is your choice, but suggest using 44.1K sample rate if wanting best CD compatible editing options.
Use M10 MIC INPUT ONLY with sensitivity switch set in "LOW" taping over this switch to not be moved. FWIW 'HIGH' setting is 20 dB boosted gain mode with inferior quality audio.
Use M10 in full manual (not AUTO, Limiter) record level control mode setting also taping over this switch.
Wise tact is to always engage HOLD feature so touching buttons do not accidentally stop recording until you're ready to stop the session.
Do all editing in 24 bit mode, adjusting loudness and other changes desired. Then as last software edit step convert copy of file to 16 bit if later doing CD storing this copy of file for disc burning purposes.
NOTE: Sony M10 is one of the few stock decks able to directly power my own brand of stereo-surround baffled omni mic sets. This makes of an awesome audio quality and smallest possible 2-piece portable recording rig.
Hundreds of sample (mostly raw) recordings done with these mics heard at:
Ambient Stereo-Surround Composer, Nature Sounds, Musicology Recordings and
Ambient Stereo-Surround Session and Live Performance Recordings