Olympus LS-7 Operating and maintenance manual

Thank you for purchasing an Olympus Digital Voice Recorder. Please read these
instructions for information about using the product correctly and safely.
Keep the instructions handy for future reference. To ensure successful recordings,
we recommend that you test the record function and volume before use.
EN
LINEAR PCM RECORDER
LS-7
Linear PCM Recorder
DETAILED
INSTRUCTIONS
Register your product on www.olympus-consumer.com/register
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EN
Introduction
• The contents of this document may be changed in the future without advanced notice.
Contact our Customer Support Center for the latest information relating to product names
and model numbers.
• The illustration of the screen and the recorder shown in this manual may differ from the
actual product. The utmost care has been taken to ensure the integrity of this document
but if you find a questionable item, error or omission, please contact our Customer
Support Center.
• Any liability for passive damages or damage of any kind occurred due to data loss incurred
by a defect of the product, repair performed by the third party other than Olympus or an
Olympus authorized service station, or any other reason is excluded.
Trademarks and registered trademarks
• IBM and PC/AT are the trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business
Machines Corporation.
• Microsoft, Windows and Windows Media are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation.
• Macintosh and iTunes are the trademarks of Apple Inc.
• microSD and microSDHC are the trademarks of SD Card Association.
• MPEG Layer-3 audio coding technology licensed from Fraunhofer IIS and Thomson.
• EUPHONY MOBILE™ and DVM™ are the trademark of DiMAGIC Corporation.
• The product was developed based on noise-canceling technology under license from NEC
Corporation.
• Voice Activity Detection technology licensed from NTT Electronics Corporation.
Other product and brand names mentioned herein may be the trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective owners.

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1
2
3
4
5
6
Introduction
Safety precautions ............................................ 4
1 Getting started
Main features.................................................... 8
Checking the contents of the box......................10
Identification of parts......................................11
Display (LCD panel)..................................................12
Power supply....................................................15
Inserting batteries ..................................................15
Battery settings.......................................................16
Charging by connecting to a computer via USB......17
Connect to the USB connecting AC adapter
(optional) to charge ..........................................18
Turning on/off the power........................................20
HOLD ................................................................21
Setting time and date [Time & Date] .................22
Changing the time and date....................................23
Inserting and ejecting a microSD card...............24
Inserting a microSD card .........................................24
Ejecting a microSD card...........................................25
[Home] display operations................................26
Notes on the folders .........................................27
About the folders for voice recordings....................27
About the folder for music playback.......................28
Selecting the folders and files ..........................29
2 About recording
Recording.........................................................30
Changing the recording scene [Rec Scene].............33
Recommended settings by recording condition ....34
Recording from external microphone or other
devices...............................................................35
3 About playback
Playback ..........................................................37
Changing the playback speed .................................41
Setting an index mark or a temp mark ...................42
How to begin segment repeat playback .................43
Changing the playback scene [Play Scene].............44
Erasing.............................................................45
Erasing files .............................................................45
Erasing a folder........................................................45
Partially erasing a file .............................................46
4 Menu setting
Menu setting method...................................... 48
+File Menu............................................................50
,Rec Menu............................................................50
-Play Menu...........................................................57
.LCD/Sound Menu................................................60
/Device Menu.......................................................61
Rearranging files [Replace].....................................63
Moving/Copying files [File Move/Copy]..................64
Dividing files [File Divide].......................................66
Timer recording [Timer Rec] ...................................67
Alarm playback function [Alarm]............................69
Guidance [Voice Guide] ...........................................72
Changing the USB class [USB Settings]...................73
Formatting the recorder [Format] ..........................74
5 Using the recorder on your PC
Operating environment....................................77
Using Olympus Sonority....................................79
Functions available in the Olympus Sonority.........79
Installing software..................................................80
Uninstalling software .............................................82
Copying voice guide data ........................................83
Upgrade function ....................................................84
Using online help.....................................................86
Connecting to your PC.......................................87
Disconnecting from your PC....................................88
Transfer the voice files to your PC .....................89
Using as external memory of the PC..................90
6 Other information
Alarm message list ...........................................91
Troubleshooting...............................................93
Accessories (optional).......................................96
Specifications...................................................97
Technical assistance and support....................102
Table of contents

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Before using your new recorder, read this
manual carefully to ensure that you know
how to operate it safely and correctly.
Keep this manual in an easily accessible
location for future reference.
• The warning symbols indicate important
safety related information. To protect
yourself and others from personal injury
or damage to property, it is essential
that you always read the warnings and
information provided.
Safety precautions
fDanger
If the product is used without
observing the information given
under this symbol, serious injury
or death may result.
fWarning
If the product is used without
observing the information given
under this symbol, injury or
death may result.
fCaution
If the product is used without
observing the information
given under this symbol, minor
personal injury, damage to the
equipment, or loss of valuable
data may result.
Caution for usage environment
• To protect the high-precision
technology contained in this
product, never leave the recorder
in the places listed below, no
matter if in use or storage:
• Places where temperatures and/or
humidity are high or go through
extreme changes. Direct sunlight,
beaches, locked cars, or near other
heat sources (stove, radiator, etc.) or
humidifiers.
• In sandy or dusty environments.
• Near flammable items or explosives.
• In wet places, such as bathrooms or
in the rain. When using products with
weatherproof designs, read their
manuals as well.
• In places prone to strong vibrations.
• Never drop the recorder or subject
it to severe shocks or vibrations.
• The recorder may malfunction
if it is used in a location where
it is subject to a magnetic/
electromagnetic field, radio waves,
or high voltage, such as near a
TV set, microwave, video game,
loud speakers, large monitor unit,
TV/radio tower, or transmission
towers. In such cases, turn the
recorder off and on again before
further operation.
• Avoid recording or playing back
near cellular phones or other
wireless equipment, as they may
cause interference and noise.
If you experience noise, move
to another place, or move the
recorder further away from such
equipment.
• Do not use organic solvents such
as alcohol and lacquer thinner to
clean the unit.

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Safety precautions
• When attaching this recorder to a
tripod, be sure to rotate only the
screw of the tripod in the tripod
socket of this recorder. Never
rotate the recorder.
Warning regarding data loss:
• Recorded content in memory may
be destroyed or erased by operating
mistakes, unit malfunction, or during
repair work. It is recommended to back
up and save important content to other
media such as a computer hard disk.
• Any liability for passive damages or
damage of any kind occurred due to data
loss incurred by a defect of the product,
repair performed by the third party other
than Olympus or an Olympus authorized
service station, or any other reasons is
excluded from the Olympus’s liability.
Handling the recorder
fWarning:
• Do not use the recorder near
flammable or explosive gases.
• Keep young children and infants
away from the recorder.
Always use and store the recorder out of
the reach of young children and infants to
prevent the following dangerous situations
which could cause serious injury:
1Becoming entangled in the recorder
strap, causing strangulation.
2Accidentally swallowing the battery,
cards or other small parts.
3Accidentally being injured by the
moving parts of the recorder.
• Do not use or store the recorder
in dusty or humid places.
• Do not disassemble, repair or
modify the unit yourself.
• Use microSD/microSDHC memory
cards only. Never use other types
of cards.
If you accidently insert another type
of card into the recorder, contact an
authorized distributor or service center.
Do not try to remove the card by force.
• Do not operate the unit while
operating a vehicle (such as a
bicycle, motorcycle, or car).
fCaution:
• Stop using the recorder
immediately if you notice any
unusual odors, noise, or smoke
around it.
Never remove the batteries with bare
hands, which may cause a fire or burn
your hands.
• Be careful with the strap.
Be careful with the strap when you carry
the recorder. It could easily catch on stray
objects and cause serious damage.
• Do not leave the recorder in
places where it may be subject to
extremely high temperatures.
Doing so may cause parts to deteriorate
and, in some circumstances, cause the
recorder to catch fire. Do not use the
charger or AC adapter if it is covered
(such as a blanket). This could cause
overheating, resulting in fire.
• Handle the recorder with care to
avoid getting a low-temperature
burn.
• When the recorder contains metal
parts, overheating can result in a low-
temperature burn. Pay attention to the
following:
• When used for a long period, the
recorder will get hot. If you hold on
to the recorder in this state, a low-
temperature burn may be caused.

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Safety precautions
• In places subject to extremely cold
temperatures, the temperature of the
recorder’s body may be lower than
the environmental temperature. If
possible, wear gloves when handling
the recorder in cold temperatures.
Battery handling precautions
Follow these important guidelines
to prevent batteries from leaking,
overheating, burning, exploding, or
causing electrical shocks or burns.
fDanger:
• Do not attempt to recharge
alkaline, lithium or any other non-
rechargeable batteries.
• Batteries should never be exposed
to flame, heated, short-circuited or
disassembled.
• Never heat or incinerate batteries.
• Take precautions when carrying or
storing batteries to prevent them
from coming into contact with any
metal objects such as jewelry, pins,
fasteners, etc.
• Never store batteries where they
will be exposed to direct sunlight,
or subjected to high temperatures
in a hot vehicle, near a heat source,
etc.
• To prevent causing battery leaks
or damaging their terminals,
carefully follow all instructions
regarding the use of batteries.
Never attempt to disassemble a
battery or modify it in any way,
solder, etc.
• Do not connect the battery directly
to a power outlet or a cigarette
lighter of an automobile.
• If battery fluid gets into your eyes,
flush your eyes immediately with
clear, cold running water and seek
medical attention immediately.
fWarning:
• Keep batteries dry at all times.
• If rechargeable batteries have
not been recharged within the
specified time, stop charging them
and do not use them.
• Do not use a battery if it is cracked
or broken.
• Never subject batteries to strong
shocks or continuous vibration.
• If a battery leaks, becomes
discolored or deformed, or
becomes abnormal in any other
way during operation, stop using
the recorder.
• If a battery leaks fluid onto your
clothing or skin, remove the
clothing and flush the affected
area with clean, running cold water
immediately. If the fluid burns
your skin, seek medical attention
immediately.
• Keep battery out of the reach of
children.
• If you notice anything unusual
when using this product such as
abnormal noise, heat, smoke, or a
burning odor:
1remove the battery immediately while
being careful not to burn yourself, and;
2call your dealer or local Olympus
representative for service.

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Safety precautions
fCaution:
• Please recycle batteries to help
save our planet’s resources. When
you throw away dead batteries,
be sure to cover their terminals
and always observe local laws and
regulations.
• Always charge a rechargeable
battery when using it for the first
time, or if it has not been used for a
long period.
• Rechargeable battery have limited
lifetime. When the operating
time becomes shorter even if
the rechargeable battery is fully
charged under the specified
condition, replace it with a new
one.

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Main features
Main features
sBuilt-in 3-microphone system (high-
sensitivity stereo microphones and
center microphone).
With a combination of the high-
sensitivity stereo microphones and
center microphone, balanced, wideband
recordings from the high to low
frequencies are enabled.
sUtilizes a high sensitivity, low
noise stereo microphone capable
of faithfully capturing the original
sound.
Fixing the stereo microphones at a 90°
angle enables recording with a natural
and expansive stereo feel.
sSupports the linear PCM format,
which is capable of recording sound
quality equivalent to or surpassing
CD-level.
Capable of realistically recording various
different sound sources. High resolution
recording at a high sampling frequency
and bit count equivalent or superior to
that of a music CD (Sampling frequency
44.1 kHz, Bit count 16bit) is possible
(☞P. 51).
sSupports a wide range of recording
formats. Can handle the MP3 format
(MPEG-1/ MPEG-2 Audio Layer 3) and
the Windows Media Audio (WMA)
format.
This device can save files in a highly
compressed manner, thereby allowing for
extended recording times (☞P. 51).
In addition, when connected to an external
device, the recorder can encode incoming
analog audio signals without a PC (☞P. 35).
sYou can playback WAV, WMA, and
MP3 format files transferred from
a computer in addition to files
recorded by the device itself.
This allows you to use this recorder as a
music player.
sSupports high capacity recording
media. Besides the built-in memory,
you can also record into a microSD
card (☞P.24).
sEquipped with a pre-recording
function that enables the recorder
to start recording up to 2 seconds*
before the recording button is
pressed.
This function allows you, for example, to
start recording a bird’s singing up to 2
seconds*before its start even if you press
the recording button at the moment it
starts singing (☞P. 56) .
*Recording start time will vary
according to [Rec Mode] settings.
sEquipped with a variety of features
that support audio recording.
With this recorder you can customize a
variety of recording functions such as the
recording level and microphone sensitivity
to suit the recording conditions and
personal preferences (☞P. 50).
sIt has a built-in Variable Control Voice
Actuator (VCVA) function (☞P.53).
sThe Low Cut Filter minimizes air
conditioner noise and other similar
noises while recording (☞P.52).
sA Noise Cancel function (☞P. 57)
and a Voice Filter function (☞P. 57)
cut noise and enable clear audio
playback.
sHas recording scene setting and
playback scene setting functions to
register the best setting according to
different usages (☞P.33, P.44, P.55,
P.59).
sIt features various repeat functions
(☞P.43, P. 58).
Getting started

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Main features
Main features
sEUPHONY MOBILE has been included
to produce a natural, realistic
experience without degrading sound
quality (☞P.57).
sYou can move or copy files between
the built-in memory and microSD
card, and within the folders in the
memory (☞P. 64).
sYou can erase part of a PCM-format
file that has been recorded with this
recorder (☞P. 46).
sYou can divide a file (PCM, MP3) that
has been recorded with this recorder
into two files (☞P. 66).
sIndex mark and temp mark features
allow you to quickly find desired
locations (☞P.42).
sThe playback speed can be controlled
as preferred (☞P.41).
sThe guidance feature (in English
and other languages) gives audio
notification of operating conditions.
This allows you to easily operate various
functions with the support of voice
guidance (☞P. 72).
sYou may assign your own names to
folders (☞P. 61).
sTimer Recording (☞P.67) and Alarm
playback (☞P.69) enable automatic
recording and playback at a set time.
sA convenient intro play feature has
been included for when searching
for a file that you want to listen to
(☞P. 60).
sComes with “Olympus Sonority”
software for Windows and Macintosh
(☞P.77).
• If you transfer voice files recorded with
the recorder to a PC, you can easily
playback, organize, and edit the files.
• You can perform waveform editing,
file joining, and file splitting.
sThe “Olympus Sonority” can be
upgraded to a “Olympus Sonority
Plus”, which is equipped with a
enhanced functionality (Optional)
(☞P.84).
In addition to the “Olympus Sonority”
functions, editing of MP3 files and
creation of music CDs can be performed.
sThis recorder is compatible with USB
2.0, enabling fast data transfer to a
computer.
sIt has a USB charging function
(☞P.17).
sIt has a backlight full-dot display
(LCD panel).

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Checking the contents of the box
Checking the contents of the box
Voice Recorder USB cable Strap
• Ni-MH Rechargeable
batteries (2)
• Olympus Sonority CD-ROM
• INSTRUCTIONS
• Warranty card
The following items are included with the recorder.
If anything is missing or damaged, contact the dealer from whom you purchased the recorder.
Windscreen
•Contents may vary depending on purchase location.
•Warranty differs depending on purchase location. Warranty card may not be included.
Carrying case
4Attaching the windscreen:
•Start recording after attaching the
windscreen (included within) to the
microphone. The noise may occur even if
a windscreen is attached when a strong
wind blows against a microphone.
4Attaching the strap: