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This review is narrowly focused ONLY on deck operational features, ease of use, consistent .wav file recording ability/quality, and design fault issues related to stereo-surround field recordists with direct connected external mics/Preamp; issues not usually discussed in commercial magazine / Internet reviews.

In other words, how suitable is the OLYMPUS LS-10 as an 'all-in-one' 2-channel stereo deck solution for both amateur / professional field recordist? And if connected to a full featured external preamplifier, how well does it handle the LINE input levels?

Introduction:

After several decades of refining analog/digital dictation gear, this is the first time I know of OLYMPUS has produced a serious professional quality audio recorder.

From the look, feel, refinement in digital menu logistics, ergonomic ease of most functions, and audio quality performance it seems significant previous dictation (and camera) product experience culminated in a very well designed metal jacketed recording device most typical of portable decks produced by Sony. Most all other pocket-size digital decks recently appearing on the market still seem quite a bit behind the engineering refinement/audio performance learning curve demonstrated by Sony, just recently by Edirol/Roland and now Olympus.

One of the most compact devices available for amateur, professional, and musician recording purposes!

The very slim (definitely a bit too slippery) case seems very weighty for its size giving a sense of holding a finely made camera and not the typical very light weight plastic cases of most other flash decks in this price range.

I'm happy to report the backlit LCD display is easily visible in daylight not requiring a light-blocking viewing case like the Edirol R-09/HR and PMD-620 decks with OLED display.

A unique feature front panel "Fn" function button allows a single choice of instant menu selection setting including recording modes, internal/external memory, and other useful recording functions without resorting to drilling into the menu; found this very useful!

Summary: In my opinion, an excellent recorder valued priced with much to like, and no found fatal flaws.

One hitch is NO AUTO spanning of 2 GIG file size maximum when using larger 4+ GIG capacity external memory, so while the deck stops, saving the recorded file, the recordist must manually re-start the next file recording. Possibly this is fixable in a firmware update?

Quiet internal MIC preamplifier input has shortcoming lacking deep <100 cycle bass response. This has issues for acoustic and natural sound recordists to consider using LINE input with an external preamplifier, or requiring additional post edit work to recover the rolled-off lower two octaves. However, with that said, LS-10 mic input bass rolloff seems like 1-pole 6 dB/octave type benefiting those recording dialog/voice interview, and typical excessively bassy pop/rock type venues, and might be considered a deck feature when used solely for these purposes.

THE -35 dBu gain referenced input noise of the LS-10 is graphically shown at left with MIC PIP on/off, and with external LINE inputted PA-3SX preamplifier.

ONLY the MIC PIP mode verses LINE input showed any noise performance differences.

Using internal/external flash memory mode, LCD backlight on/off, or 24bit 44.1K verses 96K recording modes had NO effect on measured noise performance. So feel confident using these LS-10 deck features with no liability on noise performance whatsoever.

The (-dBu) number shown in parenthesis for each recorded mode is the total RMS power over entire measurement frequency.

The LS-10 mic input in LOW sensitivity with REC adjust knob set at #9 was used, while the LINE input was measured adjusted to #8 with external PA-3SX at highest #3 gain.

Up to 16 GIG external SDHC type memory card now LS-10 compatible with newest v1.04 firmware upgrade.

Although NO AUTO spanning between the two memories, internal 2 GIG/external memory is most quickly manually selected with the 'Fn' button assigned to internal/external memory function.

Photo of both newer Edirol/Roland R-09HR and reviewed Olympus LS-10 flash decks with the PA-3SX preamplifier.

The small size of the preamp is exactly same width/depth as the slim LS-10 attaching very nicely (with adhesive Velcro) to the back of either of these decks.

While the LS-10 internal preamplifier is adequate for many common recording requirements, using an external preamp has advantage for extended low bass response, much less low frequency noise, for powering my own DSM mics, and useful for some other PIP type electret or self-powered mics giving lowest possible distortion with improved 24bit depth audio detail.

SanDisk ULTRA II SDHC

Most everyone using this type for audio recording has good experiences.

Kingston Elite Pro SDHC

Most everyone using this type for audio recording has good experiences.

Kingston 8 GIG SDHC (type 6)

Used this type for R-09HR/LS-10 deck reviewing and bench testing so far with good experience.

Transcend SDHC

NOT everyone using this type for audio recording has good experiences.

ADVISORY: As with most memory products, most consistent performance is with purchasing name brand showing suitable specifications for your application, AND verified reports from satisfied users of same deck model/firmware who are ALSO recording at the exact same file rates you intend to use.

Also be aware that manufacturers of flash memory sometimes change internal controller IC that may not work as previously made same model cards.

This has most recently happened with Transcend made flash with many buyers disappointed using same model cards working flawlessly for most with same model deck/firmware, but using previous Transcend production runs of same model card.

Might be BEST TO NOT USE ACCELERATED super speed flash memory technology for audio recording purposes.

Advanced flash with acceleration write/read modes using data burst techniques might be speedier for writing/reading non-continuous written camera files. Non-continuous burst protocol modes sometimes disrupt reliable continuous mode audio recording on some decks/firmware versions, and certainly offer NO advantages for continuous written audio recording.

Memory with best chance of satisfaction for audio purposes have published continuous write speeds in excess of 2 Mbytes/sec. Best to avoid buying memory cards showing only (number)X BURST write/read ratings.

TIP: Freshly format the flash card INSIDE the deck after all needed recordings have been successfully transferred leaving no wanted files for best card performance with each new use. ALWAYS format new cards, format after deck firmware upgrades, and whenever cards are removed from the deck for purpose of transferring files with a separate card reader. NEVER computer format flash as deck adds specific required LS-10 file folders to the card.