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Following the release of its LS Linear PCM audio recorders in 2014, Olympus has now developed its LS Pocket Series of Hi-res audio recorders.  I have been trying out the pocket sixed LS-P1 unit which is the base model in the series.

With dimensions of 108.9 x 39.1 x 14.1mm (H x W x D) and weighing 75g (including the battery) the LS-P1 is eminently portable whether carried in a pocket / bag or held in the hand for capturing sound bytes or whole audio performances when attending a concert.  Decked out in a metallic silver coating, the LS-P1 has two built-in microphones mounted on the top left and right side of the unit to produce stereo capture of the audio. 

Positioned just below these microphones is a 1.43-inch LCD screen delivering feedback regarding status and data issues.  Situated beneath the screen are three buttons.  The central menu button functionality is self-evident while the outside F1 and F2 buttons change their functionality depending upon the current mode as they act in a similar method to the soft keys found on a smartphone.  The lower half of the front face features various control options.  There are buttons for Stop, Record, Erase and List which are arranged around a compass wheel that has volume, track and OK options.

See also: Voice recorders

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Located on the right side of this recorder are jack sockets for headphones and an additional microphone.  A slider switch for Power / Hold is on the left side of the unit.  Just below this switch is a slider lever for extending and retracting a USB connection found on the base of the recorder.

As inferred earlier, this pocket sized audio recorder is battery powered.  The LS-P1 comes with an Olympus branded AAA Ni-MH rechargeable battery which resides in a concealed compartment on the left side on the rear of the recorder.  This battery can be recharged using the USB connection which also provides the means of transferring data between the LS-P1 and a computer.  The battery compartment doubles as the home for a micro SD card to supplement the unit’s built in 4GB of memory.

Wham you first power up the LS-P1 you have the option to select certain options.  You can choose the type of battery being used (Ni-MH or Alkaline) and set the current date and time with a choice of formats so there is no need to be stuck with the default American format.

The LS-P1 has a wide range of customisable features that are categorised as File, Record, Play, LCD / Sound and Device.  Each of these categories containing five different sub-sections dealing with topics such as Equaliser, Record Mode, Move / Copy, Language and Memory Select. 

The main LS-P1 Home menu, access from the button beneath the screen, gives you a choice of Music, Record or Calendar Search for when various tasks need to be carried out.  In music mode you can listen to pre-recorded tracks that have been transferred to the Olympus device.  These tracks can be transferred in MP3 format from a PC using the USB connection or tracks recorded by the LS-P1 and then transferred to the Music section via one of the device’s numerous features.

When recording content you have a choice of using either MP3 or better than CD Linear PCM format with a choice of user-selectable quality settings.  Adjustable recording levels are available with meters providing visual feedback along with a timer showing the progress.  Files can be stored in any of the default five folders.  Recordings can be played back immediately with an option to speed up any playbacks.

The Olympus LS-P1 is easy to use and provide good results with a range of features dealing with capture and playback.  The product has been released with a suggested price of £109.99 which has already been reduced to £105.50 by Amazon.co.uk.

https://www.olympus.co.uk/site/en/a/audio_systems/audio_recording/sound_music_recorders/ls_p1/