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The new , $399.99, Olympus LS-10 is perfect for the radio reporter or taper who needs a handheld-sized high definition recorder for news, features or music production in the field.

It is compact - about the size of a cell phone - and it looks quite similar to those handheld tape recorders we see print journalists carrying, but inside, there's an important difference—it is capable of producing pcm sound files in 44.1kHz, 48kHz or 96kHz at 16- or 24-bits. That's better than CD quality.

Because there aren't many settings, the LS-10 is easy to use. From the menu, recording level can be set to be automatically adjusted or set manually with an option to use the limiter. There's a low cut filter switch and a switch to select high or low sensitivity for the onboard stereo mics.

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Format for recording can be selected, and the recorder can also make mp3 and wma files.

A menu function sets the onboard microphone recording pattern for wide, standard, narrow, and zoom. There are also a couple of options for playback like reverb and something called EUPHONY.

Using the LS-10
Press the record button to adjust the recording levels. The record button blinks red when it is on standby.

When you're ready to record, press record again. The record button glows red. A rotary control can adjust input level if you are using manual record mode and there is a peak LED. (There is another rotary control adjusts headphone/output level.)

The screen is highly readable, under both bright and dim conditions. There is an erase button, and a programmable function button where any on the menu controls like file type, playback options, zoom features can be directly accessible instead of going through the tree-structure menu.

Plug-power is available, but it is not standard phantom power. If you use an external microphone that requires phantom power, this will have to supplied externally.

The LS-10 puts the recordings in one of five user-selectable folders each capable of handling 100 files. This is nice feature if you are on several different jobs in a day - just put the files in different folders. Files are numbered sequentially regardless of what folder they are in. Files are transferred via USB to either a PC or a MAC using "drag and drop."

Construction
The LS-10 case is metal and plastic.

To access to the battery compartment part of the back of the unit slides off, like a cell phone. The LS-10 uses 2 - AA cells, life according to manufacturer is about 14 hours.

I found I was able to use the LS-10 on assignments for about 30 days before the battery indicator signaled less than full charge. The unit use inexpensive SD cards, and the card slot is easily to access and seems durable.

There are stereo mini jacks for microphone input, line input, and headphone output. These jacks are surrounded by metal trim making them better able to resist angular forces on the jacks.

I recommend purchasing a right angle mini plug just to keep the stress off the jacks. The unit comes with a nylon zipper case, and windscreens for the stereo microphones.

There's 2GB of memory built into the LS-10, good for about 3 hours 10 minutes (44.1kHz/16bit), plus a slot for large 4GB (or larger) SD cards to increase recording time. The LS-10 always produces a stereo file, even when using a mono external microphone or mono line input. It seems to take any SD card, I have tried a few.

There is a plug for external power, but an external supply does not come with the unit. Olympus is planning to sell a wireless remote control unit (June availability) and there is a plug for that.

Conclusion
Its compact size, long battery life, and easy of use will make it my recorder of choice for a gun and run situation as well as for traveling, when bulkier equipment is more than I want to haul. It has good pre-amps that have little noise. I can use it with my relatively low output EV635 dynamic microphone.

I wish it hadXLR inputs and a Pprovision to mark tracks or rapidly begin a new track, however; you have to stop recording and then press the record button twice to start another track. Option to record mono, allowing more economy with the flash memory would be nice too.

I'd recommend this unit for anyone needing basic recording gear. Since there are no moving parts and of durable construction, it should last for a long time.

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Merchants: Where to buy Olympus LS-10 (2048 MB) Handheld Digital Voice Recorder Products
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	Write a store review	yes	0.00	$298.99
	Write a store review	yes	0.00	$399.00
	Write a store review	unknown	0.00	$318.88