OM Digital Solutions LS-P2 Linear PCM Recorder

Review of the Olympus LS-P2Comparing the 2016 Olympus LS-P2 to the Olympus WS 700M and the Zoom H2 Handy Recorder.This evaluation took me over 3 hours because of the complexity of having similar adjustments on all 3 devices.The Zoom H2 was the first recorder I purchased 5 years ago because of its great reviews for music recording. I purchased the Olympus WS 700M a couple of years later to use for voice and music recording because of its long battery life and small profile. The LS-P2 was just purchased.The comparison was done with all 3 recorders sitting on a table in the living room 9 feet from a Bose stereo system playing a vocal CD. The playback was through the same system where I could switch between CD and the auxiliary input from the recorders for comparisons.Of the three devices, the LS-P2 in my opinion, is the most complex and has the greatest amount of features with a longer learning curve.Playing the same song back on my Bose system with a substantial sub-woofer, the LS-P2 has overbearing base playback with all 3 microphones on and normal playback with only the 2 microphones on. On manual adjusting the equalizer in the music mode, I was able to get excellent clarity or voice and instrumental sounds with the mid-range turned up and the base and treble to neutral. This sound was similar to the midrange accentuated sound from the Olympus WS 700M but with more depth. The key to get the music sound you want is to transfer the recorded file to the music folder where you can manipulate the sound quality through the equalizer. When you have all 3 microphones on, the base is accentuated quite a bit which may be OK for a system without a subwoofer. In my opinion on playback, the base is stronger than the original recording with all 3 microphones on. The central microphone is dedicated to picking up the low frequencies. Listening to the original recording in my car I had to turn the base way down in my equalizer.The sound that I liked best recording a CD in my living room was using just the 2 outside microphones. This setting gives you clarity and a sound similar to the original recording being played.The Olympus WS700M is tiny, with a long battery life, excellent for voice recording of conferences and can be used for music recording. The playback emphasizes the mid-range sounds, so you have to use your equalizer for more base or treble.The Zoom H2 is an excellent music recording machine with a fairly accurate sound on playback to the original recording but slightly mellower. It is the same height as the Olympus LS-P2 but twice as thick making it harder to carry in your pocket. It uses up 2 batteries in about 6? hours. If you want to use it as a microphone or for long recordings, you need to keep it plugged in with the supplied cord. It has 4 channel recording options and microphone balance options from front to rear. You can do simple cuts with it and record your studio recordings or live performances… The microphones are very sensitive so it is best not to touch the recorder during recording sessions.The Olympus LS-P2 has many options for recording music or voice. It can easily be transported in your pocket for that on the spot recording of a concert event or lecture. I like the file divide feature and the equalizer options for getting the sound you want. You can use the Bluetooth feature for your portable speaker where the extra base sounds good. Like I said, it is a complicated machine that will take some time to get used to. The long 21 hour single battery life is another great feature. You can recharge the battery through the pop up USB connector to your laptop using the same rechargeable NMH battery over and over again. Overall, the Olympus LS-P2 is a very good tiny transportable unit to clearly record music events on the spot with a lot of handy features that you will like.

Nice device, speakers work well, records well, good tech support. The manual is poorly written, at best, but tech support makes up for it as long as you only use the device Monday to Friday 8-5. Of course you can't call when you are recording. The other thing I'd advise against is using the batteries that come with the device even through they are rechargeable. I missed recording the last half of my two-day lectures (12 hours). There are too many dual purpose buttons. The lectures transferred to my computer without a hitch, but I had to call tech support and will have to call them again the next time I use this device. I wish they would simplify the device just a bit. The only other odd and poorly thought out thing was the USB connect. I don't like having to plug straight into the computer or the recharger. It puts the device at an odd angle if you don't bring your computer. A traditional corded system would work much better--much better. When you own a variety of electronic devices you KNOW you have to carry cords with you and you pack accordingly.

This is an excellent recorder -- lots of recording options, very good mics, and the screen is fairly easy to read in use. The screen is somewhat harder to read when in the "Settings" menu. The recorder feels well made, but there can be some handling noise. Just be careful to hold it firmly and not move it around, or get a handle that screws into the tripod mount. The mics are very good -- better than I would expect for a handheld digital recorder. One might even do acceptable voice overs in the field on occasion with this unit instead of carrying a professional mic and recorder. The controls are straight forward, so you can get rolling with this recorder right away. But I suggest downloading the full manual because there are tons of features, and a few off them may be useful to you. The unit is a bit on the large size in comparison to some digital recorders. It comes without a case, but you may find something workable with a trip to the dollar store.

Very good quality recording. No white noise. A thing of beauty! The box looked like it had already been opened, but the recorder itself is in top-notch condition.

Great product, excellent for lectures and interviews. Sound quality unmatched for cost of product.