This is a really fantastic product. I looked at a number of these devices before settling on the Olympus, but none had the size, quality (sound and construction) or ease of use of this. The Sony PCM-D50 is also a credible alternative (although quite a bit more expensive).

I’ve used it to record several tracks from my upright piano and the results are startling. Bundled software (Cubase) is easier to use than some other packages I’ve tried before (Sonar LE). Transfer to PC is a breeze.

Highly recommended.
Rating: 5 / 5

John Tree

at 12:08 pm

I very nearly didn’t buy this device. A friend had bought an Edirol and I was hypnotised by it…but on doing some digging I found a good number of people recommending the Olympus. What swayed it for me was the screw thread on the underside which will take a tripod bush…might seem a small detail, but it makes siting it a breeze…especially when used with a gorillapod.

Recordings are automatically numbered, and can be stored in any one of 5 folders, in a choice of resolutions, and in three widths of stereo settings. Setting levels for manual recordings is easy with with decent sized meters on the largeish mono LCD display. The built-in speakers are only really any use for checking the recording has taken place, but the mini jack headphone socket gives good quality for critical listening. The stereo out mini jack socket allows playback through a larger system.

BEST BITS

* Good sound quality with a useably low noise floor

* Intuitive in use, long battery life

* Drag and drop computer transfer with Mac (sorry, don’t know about PCs)

* Reasonably good stereo imaging,

* Perfect for field recordings, music, interviews.

Need to record? Hit the record button once, the red light round the button flashes and you can set the levels with a dial on the side. Hit the record button again and the light stays constant …you’re away!

No real gripes…

Windshield covers for mics come as standard, hi/lo mic sensitivity, soft case, useful Cubase LE software …although I have to admit to never having used it because I use Logic, all in all I am very pleased with this well thought out and well made product.
Rating: 5 / 5

I. Rawes

at 12:21 pm

The attractive-looking Olympus LS-10 offers a solid construction and well-thought-out ergonomics which are ahead of other similarly-priced compact recorders.

Battery life is outstanding. Having an internal 2Gb memory in addition to taking SD cards is also a welcome feature. The LCD screen provides more information at-a-glance than some of its likely competitors (eg the Marantz PMD 620) yet remains clearly readable. The button layout, and the inclusion of an ‘erase’ button, is well designed.

The internal mics and pre-amp provide a pretty good sound, with little audible hiss, although anyone seeking to use the LS-10 outdoors a lot may often find themselves often selecting the high sensitivity setting.

However, if you’re looking to make use of the Line-in jack, be warned. You’ll only get very low sound levels if you’re using an external mic and external pre-amp. Why Olympus set the sensitivity of the Line-in jack so low is something of a mystery.

The several strengths and one weakness of the LS-10 probably reflect Olympus’s established expertise in making voice recorders, and their lack of experience in the needs of musicians and dedicated sound recordists.
Rating: 3 / 5

bunzena

at 2:39 pm

Spent a lot of time researching the web for a Digital Recorder to use for work. Need a device that is simple to use, has a long battery life, is well made and compact. This Olympus certainly fits the bill for me. I use it primarily for recording conversations amongst groups of people – and it really excels.

With the 8GB SD card that comes as part of the bundle – there is masses of storage.

In contrast to the other reviewer (and this may depend on expectaions) – the sound quality is very good. I have used a Sony Pro Walkman up until now – and this easily exceeds anything I can get with that – even without using an external mike. Picks-up minimal background noise – and even on the lower quality audio settings – everything is crisp, clear and distinctive.

There are lots of menu options (all fairly intuitive and easy to understand) – that can be set-up in advance. Take a little time here and the results are very, very good. Microphone sensitivity is excellent.

It’s very light and made like a tank – fully expect it to stand-up to years of use and abuse.

I use mine primarily mounted on a small tripod to reduce reflections off hard surfaces.

One VERY minor gripe (not really) – is that battery life isn’t quite the 12 hours quoted.

Other than that – this has to be the best small digital recorder on the market.
Rating: 5 / 5

Notcot

Olympus LS-10 PCM Recorder

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