Radio Practice - Olympus LS-100

A proficiency test is required to check out this recorder. Schedule a proficiency at the front desk of Media Loan or by calling 360-867-6253. Read this operating guide and complete the written portion of the Olympus LS-100 Proficiency Test prior to your scheduled proficiency. Bring your answer sheet with you to the test, which should take approximately 30 - 45 minutes. (Please note: if you have a proficiency in the Zoom and Marantz recorders, you will still have to take the proficiency test for the Olympus LS-100.)

This operating guide is not a substitute for the complete manual, which you can download here: Olympus LS-100 Manual

About Media Loan's Olympus LS-100

96kHz/24 bit linear PCM recording
Supports linear PCM & MP3 audio formats
Internal 4GB built-in flash memory
Two 90° stereo condenser microphones
Left & right XLR / phone combo inputs
Multi-track recording & editing

DO NOT drop, submit to extreme temperatures, or get wet.

You are 100% financially responsible for all equipment checked out from Media Loan.

Name of Each Part

Identify Parts
Identify Parts
Identify Parts
Identify Parts
Identify Parts

Internal Memory

Internal Memory = 4Gb
PCM WAV 48.0 kHz/16 bit = 4 hours 45 min
PCM WAV 48.0 kHz/24 bit = 3 hours
PCM WAV 44.1 kHz/16 bit = 5 hours
PCM WAV 44.1 kHz/24 bit = 3 hours 15 min
MP3 320 kbps = 22 hours 30 min
Purchasing your own 8Gb card will give you 2X as much recording time.

A standard good sampling rate for high quality recording is: PCM WAV 48.0 kHz/24 bit = 3 hours

Inserting an SD Card

If you purchase your own SD card to use with the Olympus LS-100:

Slide the lock switch to OPEN when the recorder is stopped and open the SD card cover.
Insert the SD card with the terminal face facing up, as shown in the figure.
If the SD card is inserted in the wrong direction or at an angle, the contact face may be damaged or the SD card may get stuck.
Recording cannot start unless the SD card is inserted all the way in.
After closing the SD card cover, slide the lock switch to LOCK.
When the SD card is inserted, the recording media switching screen appears.
To record data in the SD card, select Yes by pressing the + or − button.
Press OK.
To remove, push card in all the way then pull out.

Insert SC Card
1- Left/Right, 2 - Up/Down, 3 - OK

Battery

Slide the lock switch to OPEN on the battery cover.
Insert the battery so that the direction of the arrow (label) on the recorder matches the direction of the arrow on the battery.
Close the battery cover and slide the lock switch to LOCK.

Unlock Battery Cover
Insert Battery

USB and Power Settings

The USB Connection setting needs to be changed to either connect the recorder to a computer or to power the recorder from AC while recording.
There are 3 options:

PC: allows the recorder to be connected to a computer. Can be used to charge the batteries.
AC Adapter: allows the recorder to be in record mode while connected to AC. Can be used to charge the batteries.
Optional: anytime the recorder is connected to a computer or the AC Adaptor it will display a menu to select PC or AC Adapter. Use this setting.

Press the MENU button
Forward through the tabs to the DEVICE MENU
Press the - button down to select USB Settings and press OK.
Select USB Connection and press OK.
Select Optional and press OK.

Formatting the Recorder/SD Card and Erasing All Data

Perform this function before every use to ensure maximum file space on the recorder/SD card and to erase all data before turning it back in to Media Loan.

Press the MENU button
Forward through the tabs to the DEVICE MENU
Press the - button down to select FORMAT and press OK.
Select Internal Memory or SD Card (You must provide your own card) and press OK.
Select Start, and press OK.

Connect Microphones

Select
Inputs

Connect to Computer

Connect to Computer
Connect to Unit

Playback

Playback the Recording

Press the List button.
Use the + and - buttons to select a file and press OK.
The file name will be displayed in the window.
Press the Play button.

Playback Speed

While playing an audio file the speed can be changed from 50% to 400%.
During playback the up and down arrow button on the front right of the recorder adjust the playback speed.
Leave it set to 100%.

The Menu System

Press the MENU button

Record Menu

Record Mode

Normal - each microphone that is being used to record produces it's respective track.
Overdub - The live microphone is mixed with the file that is being played back. The original file does not get erased.
Play Sync - This allows you to playback a file and while only the live microphone is recorded.
V-Sync Rec - a feature that automatically starts a recording when the recorder detects a sound louder than the voice sync level (detection level) setting; when the sound level decreases, recording stops automatically.

Mic Gain

Mic Gain this option let's you adjust the sensitivity of the selected mic

Built-in Mic - Hi (preferable), Mid, Lo
External Mic - Hi (preferable), Mid, Lo
XLR L - Hi or Lo
XLR R - Hi or Lo

Record Level

Manual - let's you adjust the recording manually. Preferred.
Auto - the recording level is adjusted automatically.

Press the REC button to enter the recording standby mode.
Adjust the REC LEVEL dial according to the sound source.

The REC LEVEL dial can separately adjust the level of the input source for the L/R channels.

Adjust Record Level
Adjust Record Level

Input Select

Built-in Mic - sound is input through the built-in stereo microphone.
External Mic - sound is input by connecting an external microphone to the MIC jack.
Line - sound is input by connecting an external unit to the MIC jack.
XLR/Phone - sound is input through a musical instrument or the microphone connected to the XLR/standard phone combo jack.

Mic Power

Phantom power - +48V or 24V This setting sets the voltage of the phantom power. Set to +48V.
Plug in power - ON/OFF This supplies power over the stereo-mini mic input to certain mics.

Rec Format

PCM WAV 48.0kHz/24bit - Ideal selection for high quality sound files.
MP3 - highly compressed and less desirable.

Low Cut Filter

This cuts low frequencies to reduce handling noise and unwanted bass-like sounds. Select the frequency you want the cut-off to start at.

100Hz
300Hz

Pre-Recording

This records 2 seconds prior to you pressing the record button

On/Off

Rec Monitor

On/Off - turns On or Off the EAR jack

PLAY MENU

Play Mode - one file or list
Skip Space - Forward skip, Reverse skip

Play Screen

FILE MENU

File Lock - On/Off
Move/Copy - Copies and moves the files within the memory
File Divide - Divides a file recorded on this device
Property - Displays information about a file or folder
MP3 Convert - converts a PCM WAV into an MP3 format file
CD Write - Directly writes a PCM WAV format file into a CD
Bounce - Saves all the tracks in a multi-track mode project to one file

File Screen

Metronome Menu

On/Off
Display - On/Off
Countdown
Tempo - lets you adjust using the + or - buttons
Sound - Metronome 1 (vibrato), Metronome 2 (moderato)
Pattern - 1/1, 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 6/4, 8/4, 6/8
Volume - use the - or + button to adjust volume

LCD/Sound Menu

Backlight - lighting time, dim light time, brightness
LED - On/Off
Beep - lets you adjust the beep volume that occurs when any buttons are pressed
Language - let's you change the language
Voice Guide - On/Off, Speed, Volume. The recorder will talk to you.
Intro Play - 10 sec, 5 sec, 3 sec, OFF

Device Menu

Fn. Setting - function key menu. Let's you assign the F1, F2, F3 keys as a shortcut to menu options that you can choose from.
Memory Select - allows you to choose from the 4Gb internal memory or to use the external memory slot in which you would provide your own SD card.
Power Save - turns the recorder Off after a selected amount of time (5min, 10min, 30min, 1hour, or OFF)
Time & Date - let's you adjust the time and date which can be helpful in file management
USB Setting - Let's you choose from PC, AC adapter, Optional
Reset Setting - Resets the settings to default
Format - Formats the selected memory and erases all files
Memory info - Displays the remaining memory and capacity
System info - Model/Version/Serial No.

Press the HOME button

Tuner

Calibration - the frequency of the reference tone A can be adjusted by 1Hz increments in the range of 435Hz to 445Hz.
Chromatic Tuner - adjust the mismatch between the one of the musical instrument you have entered and the reference tone to ensure a proper response to all the musical scales.
Guitar - tune to a guitar chords chart
Bass - tune to a bass chords chart

Metronome

Let's you adjust beats per minute. You must enter the MENU system for more parameters.

Recorder

Let's you access the Normal Record mode, choose your folder, and select your input source.

Multitrack

This mode allows you to separately record and playback different parts/sound sources.
You can manage up to 8 tracks per project. Recorded tracks can be edited separately to adjust the output level or balance.
You can record over an existing track unlike the recorder mode. Edited tracks can be mixed (bounced) into a single file.

Lissajous

You must plug in two microphones to use this feature.
This helps you obtain the optimal positioning of a microphone in order to reduce phase. Phase is the slight difference between two sound waves that is recorded by two different microphones which will produce a slight time difference between the two waveforms which could cancel out certain frequencies.

Lissajous