Olympus WS-331M User 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
DIGITAL VOICE
RECORDER
WS-331M
INSTRUCTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS

2
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.
WOW XT, SRS and symbol are trademarks of SRS Labs, Inc.
WOW XT technology is incorporated under license from SRS Labs, Inc.
MPEG Layer-3 audio coding technology licensed from Fraunhofer IIS and Thomson.
The product was developed based on noise-canceling technology under license from NEC
Corporation.
Other product and brand names mentioned herein may be the trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective owners.
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 utmost care has been taken to ensure the integrity of the contents of this document.
In the unlikely event that a questionable item, error, or omission is found, 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 reasons is excluded
from the Olympus’s liability.

3
1
2
6
3
5
7
4
INDEX
Table of Contents P.4
Safe and Proper Usage P.6
Getting Started P.8
When Using the Recorder as a Voice Recorder P.19
Using the Recorder onYour PC P.44
Using the Recorder as a Music Player P.48
P.72
Other Practical Use Methods P.94
Other Information P.95
Feature Common to the Voice Recorder
and Music Player

4
Introduction .............................................. 2
INDEX ...................................................... 3
Table of Contents .................................... 4
Safe and Proper Usage ........................... 6
General Precautions ................................ 6
1 Getting Started
Main Features .......................................... 8
Identification of Parts ............................. 10
Inserting Battery .................................... 12
Power Supply ........................................ 13
VOICE Mode and MUSIC Mode ........... 14
Setting Time/Date (Time & Date) .......... 17
2 When Using the Recorder as a
Voice Recorder
Recording .............................................. 19
Using the Variable Control
Voice Actuator (VCVA) .................... 22
Recording Modes (Rec Mode) .............. 24
Microphone Sensitivity (Mic Sense) ...... 25
Set the Low Cut Filter (Low Cut Filter) .... 26
Recording from External Microphone
or Other Devices ............................. 28
Playing ................................................... 30
Noise Cancel Function (Noise Cancel) ... 34
Set the Voice Filter (Voice Filter) .......... 36
Continuous Playback (All Play) ............. 38
Locking Files (Lock) .............................. 40
Menu List (VOICE Mode) ...................... 42
3 Using the Recorder onYour PC
Saving Files in Your PC ......................... 44
Operating Environment ......................... 45
Connecting to Your PC .......................... 46
4 Using the Recorder as a
Music Player
Using the Recorder as a Music Player .... 48
Using Windows Media Player ............... 48
Importing Content for Listening on the
Recorder .......................................... 49
Window Names ..................................... 50
Copying Music from CD ........................ 51
Table of Contents

5
Transferring Music File to the Recorder...... 52
Music Playback ...................................... 55
Select Play Mode (Play Mode) .............. 59
Random Playback (Random) ................ 61
Increasing the WOW Effect (WOW) ...... 63
Selecting Equalizer (EQ) ....................... 66
Moving the Tracks (Move) ..................... 68
Menu List (MUSIC Mode) ...................... 70
5 Feature Common to the Voice
Recorder and Music Player
Erasing ................................................... 72
Hold ........................................................ 75
Index Marks and Temp Marks ............... 76
How to Begin Segment Repeat Playback .. 78
Menu Setting Method ............................ 80
Auto Backspace Review (Back Space) ... 82
Changing the Playback Speed
(Play Speed) ................................... 84
System Sounds (Beep) ......................... 87
Backlight (Backlight) .............................. 88
LCD Contrast Adjustment (Contrast) .... 89
LED (LED) ............................................. 90
Formatting the Recorder (Format) ........ 91
Viewing System Information
(System Info.) .................................. 93
6 Other Practical Use Methods
Using as External Memory
of the Computer ............................. 94
7 Other Information
Alarm Message List ............................... 95
Troubleshooting ..................................... 96
Accessories (Optional) .......................... 97
Specifications ........................................ 98
Technical Assistance and Support ...... 100
Table of Contents

6
Safe and Proper
Usage
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.
General Precautions
●Do not leave the recorder in hot,
humid locations such as inside a
closed automobile under direct
sunlight or on the beach in the
summer.
●Do not store the recorder in places
exposed to excessive moisture or
dust.
●Do not use organic solvents such as
alcohol and lacquer thinner to clean
the unit.
●Do not place the recorder on top of
or near electric appliances such as
TVs or refrigerators.
●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.
●Avoid sand or dirt. These can cause
irreparable damage.
●Avoid strong vibrations or shocks.
●Do not disassemble, repair or modify
the unit yourself.

7
General Precautions
●Do not operate the unit while
operating a vehicle (such as a
bicycle, motorcycle, or go-cart).
●Keep the unit out of the reach of
children.
<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.
Batteries
Warning
• Batteries should never be exposed to
flame, heated, short-circuited or
disassembled.
• Do not attempt to recharge alkaline,
lithium or any other non-rechargeable
batteries.
•Never use any battery with a torn or
cracked outer cover.
•Keep batteries 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 batteries immediately
while being careful not to burn
yourself, and;
2call your dealer or local Olympus
representative for service.

8
1
Main Features
Getting Started
Main Features
This product can be used to record meetings or notes, for use in conferences and other
business settings, and for language studies. It can also be used as a digital music player.
This recorder features a two-part design. The battery compartment separates from the main
unit to expose a USB terminal, for direct connection to your PC.
Main Features of the Digital
Voice Recorder
●The recorder stores highly compressed
WMA (Windows Media Audio) format voice
messages in integrated flash memory. (☞
P. 19)
It can also play back WMA and MP3
(MPEG-1/MPEG-2 Audio Layer-3) format
files. (☞P. 30)
●It has a built-in Variable Control Voice
Actuator (VCVA) function. (☞P. 22)
●The Low Cut Filter minimizes air conditioner
noise and other similar noises while recording.
(☞P. 26)
●A Noise Cancel function (☞P. 34) and a Voice Filter
function (☞P. 36) cut noise and enable clear audio playback.
●You can choose one of three stereo or three monaural recording
modes. (☞P. 24)
Stereo
microphone
Noise-Cancellation
monaural microphone
Telephone
pickup
Tie clip microphone
External Microphone
(optional) ☞P. 97
Recording modes Recording time
ST XQ 35 hours 30 minutes
ST HQ 71 hours 00 minutes
ST SP 142 hours 05 minutes
HQ 142 hours 05 minutes
SP 279 hours 35 minutes
LP 555 hours 45 minutes
Available recording time may be
shorter if many short recordings are
made. (The displayed available
recording time and recorded time are
approximate indications.)

9
1
Main Features
●It has a backlight full-dot display (LCD
display screen). (☞P. 11)
●It features various repeat functions. (☞
P. 59, P. 78)
●Index mark and temp mark features
allow you to quickly find desired
locations. (☞P. 76)
●The playback speed can be controlled
as preferred. (☞P. 84)
●Connecting this recorder directly to the USB port
links up with your PC. The data can be transferred
or saved without USB cable or driver software. (☞
P. 46)
• This recorder is compatible with USB 2.0, enabling fast
data transfer to a computer.
●This USB storage class support recorder can be
utilized as external memory to read and save the
data. (☞P. 94)
• By connecting the computer with the USB, pictures, text
data, etc. can be saved, and utilized to carry data.
Main Features
Ni-MH
rechargeable
battery and charger
set (optional)
☞P. 97
Main Features of the Digital Music Player
●You can play back music files in WMA and MP3 format. (☞P. 55)
•This recorder can hold about 500 songs. (at 128 kbps, 4 minutes per
song)
●It has built-in WOW XT. (☞P. 63)
●You can change the playback equalizer settings. (☞P. 66)

10
1
1EAR (Earphone) jack
2MIC (Microphone) jack
3Built-in stereo microphone (R)
4REC (Record) button
5STOP button
6PLAY button
7Built-in speaker
8USB terminal
9VOL (+) button
09button
!VOL (–) button
@FOLDER/INDEX button
#ERASE button
$OK/MENU button
%0button
^Display (LCD panel)
&Record/Play indicator light
*Built-in stereo microphone (L)
(USB access indicator light
)Strap hole
-HOLD switch
=Mode (VOICE/MUSIC) switch
qRELEASE (Release) button
wBattery cover
Identification of Parts
4
3
9
0
!
@
#
^
w
&
*
$
%
5
6
7
8
1
2
(
=-
)
q
Main unit
Battery
compartment
Identification of Parts

11
1
Identification of Parts
Display (LCD Panel)
VOICE mode display MUSIC mode display
1Folder indicator
2VCVA (Variable Control Voice
Actuator) indicator
3Record mode indicator
4Character information display
5Microphone sensitivity indicator
6Erase lock indicator
7Low Cut Filter indicator
8Playback effect indicator
9Battery indicator
0Current file number
!Total number of recorded files
in the folder
@Memory remaining indicator (E/
F bar)
#Title and artist name indicator
$Play position bar indicator
0Music 1 /36
SONG A/Artist
S
A
$
4
9
#
8
0!1
120 120
HQ
E F
S
@
9
!
0
1
2
3
4
8
765
Identification of Parts

12
1
A
B
1
2
3
Inserting Battery
1
Lightly press down on the arrow and slide the
battery cover open.
2
Insert size-AAA alkaline battery, observing the
correct polarity.
3
Close the battery cover completely by pressing to
the direction A, then sliding to the direction B.
If the “hour” indicator flashes in the display, see “Setting Time/
Date (Time & Date)” (☞P. 17).
Replacing the Battery
The battery indicator on the display changes as the battery
loses power.
➜➜➜
When appears on the display, replace the battery as soon
as possible.
When the battery is too weak, “Battery Low” appears on
the display and the recorder shuts down. When changing
battery, AAA alkaline battery or Olympus Ni-MH battery is
recommended.
Optional Ni-MH rechargeable batteries from Olympus can be
used for the recorder. Use them with the BU-400 Olympus Ni-
MH Rechargeable Battery Charger (Europe only) (☞P. 97).
Ni-MH Rechargeable Battery
..................................................................................................................................................
Notes
• Manganese battery may not be used in this recorder.
•Be sure to stop the recorder before replacing the battery. Unloading the battery while the recorder
is in use may corrupt the file. If you are recording into a file and the battery runs out, you will lose your
currently recorded file because the file header will not be able to close. It is crucial to change the battery
once you see only one hash mark in the battery indicator.
• If it takes longer than 15 minutes to replace the dead battery or if you take the battery in and out
repeatedly at short intervals, you may have to reset the time when you have loaded a fresh battery.
•Remove the battery if you are not going to use the recorder for an extended period of time.
Inserting Battery

13
1
Turning On the Power
Slide the HOLD switch in the direction opposite
that indicated by the arrow.
The display will turn on and the power will be turned on.
The resume function will bring the recorder back to the stop
position in memory before power was turned off.
Turning Off the Power
Slide the HOLD switch in the
direction indicated by the
arrow while the recorder is not
in operation.
The display shuts off and the power
will be turned off.
The resume function remembers the
stop position before the power is
turned off.
Hold
Power Supply
If the recorder is stopped/not used for over 5 minutes
after it is turned on, it goes into standby (power-save)
mode, and the display shuts off. To exit standby mode
and turn on the display, press any button.
Standby Mode and Display Shut Off
When the recorder is not being used, turn the power off to reduce battery consumption to a
minimum. Even if the power is turned off, existing data, mode settings, and clock settings will
be maintained.
Power Supply

14
1
VOICE Mode and MUSIC Mode
This device can be used as a voice recorder or as a music player. For recording and playing
back voice recordings, set the mode switch to VOICE. For listening to music, set the mode
switch to MUSIC.
WS 330001. WMA
VOICE Mode
Slide the mode switch to the VOICE position.
The recorder provides five folders, named Athrough E, for
storing audio data. The files like recorded audio or language
files transferred from a PC, are stored in these folders as
individual files. Up to 200 files can be saved in each folder.
File names will be automatically created for files recorded by
this recorder.
Extension
File number:A serial number automatically assigned by
a Digital Voice Recorder.
User ID: The name that has been set on the Digital Voice
Recorder.
001 /12
01. WMA / 5 M 24D A
M
WS 330002. WMA
WS
330003. WMA
WS
330004. WMA
00
01 1
18M
M05
20
0 0
HQ
S
S
List display
Current folder and files recorded in this folder are
displayed.
File display
Information of the selected file is
displayed.
Current folder
Scroll bar (appears when
the whole contents cannot
be displayed.)
File being selected (The file name will be highlighted,
and the file name, and date and time the file was
recorded, will scroll across the screen once.)
Current
folder
File
length
VOICE Mode and MUSIC Mode

15
1
VOICE Mode and MUSIC Mode
MUSIC Mode
Slide the mode switch to the MUSIC position.
This recorder can save the music files (WMA, MP3 files)
transferred from the PC in the 2 music folders, the original “Root”
folder and its subsidiary “Music” folder.
Also, this recorder can create the folders in up to 2 layers within
the “Music” folder. It is convenient to manage the multiple albums
with the same artist name. Up to 200 files can be saved in each
folder.
Root
Music
Artist A
Artist A
Artist B
Artist B
Artist C
Artist C
Album 1
Album 1
Album 2
Album 2
001
002
200
A
Folder
File
Music File A
Music File B
Music File C Music File D
Music File E
Music File F
Music File G
First layer Second layer
Save up to 200
files.
..................................................................................................................................................
Notes
• Up to 128 folders including “Root” and “Music” folders can be operated on this recorder.
• When using Windows Media Player 10, click [Start Sync] instead of setting the synchronization options. All
the files will be transferred to the part Aabove (☞P. 52).
VOICE Mode and MUSIC Mode

16
1
M usic
SONG A.wma
SONG B.wma
SONG C.wma
R oot
M usic
SONG A.wma
SONG B.wma
SONG C.wma
R oot
Best
SONG K.wma
SONG
L .wma
SONG
M .wma
A rtist B
SONG N .wma
SONG O.wma
SONG
P .wma
SONG Q.wma
B est
A rtist A
A
rtist B
A
rtist C
SONG D.wma
M usic
Album1
Album2
SONG E.wma
SONG
F .wma
A rtist A
SONG G.wma
SONG H.wma
SONG I .wma
SONG J.wma
Album1 Album1
01 /11
SONG G / A rtist A
05 3200 00
A rtist A
A
rtist B
A
rtist C
SONG D.wma
M usic
B est 01 /16
SONG N / A rtist B
04 3500 00
M usic
SONG A.wma
SONG B.wma
SONG C.wma
R oot
R oot 01 /06
SONG B
03 4800 00
∗
∗
∗
Fld
Fld
Fld
∗Pressing the OK button will play the
selected file.
Meaning of Icons in this Manual
Set the mode switch to VOICE before operating the recorder.
Set the mode switch to MUSIC before operating the recorder.
Convenient features that can be used with both the Voice Recorder and
Music Player.
VOICE Mode and MUSIC Mode
How to Select a File
Current folder Folder being selected File being selected
Title (name of the file)/Artist
Current file number/Total number of recorded files in the folder
9or OK button: Opens the selected folder/file.
FOLDER button: Returns to the folder in the higher
level and shows the list display.
+or –button: Moves the cursor up and down.
VOICE Mode and MUSIC Mode

17
1
1
Press the 9or 0button to
select the item to set.
Select the item from “hour”, “minute”,
“year” “month” and “day” with a flashing
point.
2
Press the +or –button to set.
Follow the same steps by pressing the
9or 0button to select the next item,
and press the + or – button to set.
•You can choose between 12 and 24 hour display by pressing
the FOLDER button while setting the hour and minute.
Example: 10:38 P.M.
10:38 PM ←→ 22:38
(Initial setting)
•You can choose the order of the year, month, day by pressing
the FOLDER button while setting them.
Example: January 7, 2007
1
2
1 M 7 D 2007 Y
4
:
38 PM
Time & Date
1 M 7 D 2007 Y
:
38 PM
10
Time & Date
Setting Time/Date (Time & Date)
If you set the date and time beforehand, the information when the file is recorded is
automatically stored for each file. Setting the date and time beforehand enables easier file
management.
The hour indicator will flash automatically when you load a battery
before using the recorder for the first time, or after the recorder hasn’t
been used for a long time. Proceed from step 1.
et
T i m e & M
D a t e
S
Setting Time/Date (Time & Date)
1M7D2007Y
(Initial setting)
7D1M2007Y2007Y1M7D

18
1
1
While the recorder is stopped, press the MENU button
for 1 second or longer.
The “Menu” screen opens (☞P. 42).
2
Press the +or –button to choose
“Sub Menu”.
3
Press the OK or 9button.
4
Press the +or –button to choose
“Time & Date”.
5
Press the OK or 9button.
The hour indicator flashes, indicating the
start of the Time/Date setup process.
The following steps are the same as Step 1
through Step 4 of “Setting Time/Date (Time
& Date)” (☞P. 17).
4
3
3
1
2
5
4
Rec Menu
Play Menu
Beep & Display
Sub Menu
e n uM
u b M e n uS
Lock
Time & Date
Format
System
SettingTime/Date (Time & Date)
3
Press the OK button to complete the setup screen.
The clock will start from the set date and time. Press the OK button
according to the time signal.
4
Press the STOP button to close the menu.
.........................................................................................................
Note
• If you press the OK button during the setup operation, the recorder will save
the items that were set to that point.
Changing the Time/Date
Press and hold the STOP button while this recorder is in stop mode to display the “Time &
Date”. If the “Time & Date” is not correct, set it using the procedure below.
Setting Time/Date (Time & Date)

19
2
1
Press the FOLDER button to
choose a folder in which to make
a recording.
Every time the FOLDER button is pressed,
folders will switch.
aCurrent folder
2
Press the REC button to start
recording.
The record/play indicator light glows red.
Turn the built-in stereo microphone in the
direction to be recorded.
The display changes depending on the
recording mode (☞P. 24).
bCurrent recording mode
cRecording elapsed time
dMemory remaining indicator (E/F bar)
(the bar indicates remaining memory)
eLevel meter (varies according to the sound
volume being recorded)
Every time the OK button is pressed
while recording, “Recording elapsed
time” and “Remaining recording time”
cycles in the location indicated by c.
3
Press the STOP button to stop
recording.
120 120
R
L
E F
HQ
35
M
12
S
b
c
e
d
120 120
E F
HQ
35
M
12
S
b
c
e
d
1
3
2
901 /11
WS 330001. WMA / 5
WS 330002. WMA
WS
330003. WMA
WS
330004. WMA
a
Recording
Before starting recording, select a folder between Folder Ato Folder E.These five folders
can be selectively used to distinguish the kind of recording; for example, Folder Amight be
used to store private information, while Folder Bmight be dedicated to holding business
information.
Newly recorded audio will be saved as the last file in the selected folder.
When Using the Recorder as a Voice Recorder
Display in the monaural
recording mode
Display in the stereo
recording mode
Recording

20
2
Notes
•To ensure recording from the beginning, start speaking after you see the red record/play indicator light on.
•Abeep will sound when remaining recording time reaches 60 seconds, 30 seconds, and 10 seconds
while recording.
• When remaining recording time is less than 60 seconds, the record/play indicator light starts flashing in
red. When the recording time is decreasing to 30 or 10 seconds, the light flashes faster.
• “Memory Full” or “Folder Full” will be displayed when the memory or folder capacity is full. Delete any
unnecessary files before recording any further (☞P. 72).
• If the REC button is pressed while the mode switch is set to MUSIC, “Music Mode” will flash on the
screen. Set the mode switch to VOICE before recording (☞P. 14).
Pause
Press the REC button while recording.
➥“Rec Pause” will flash on the display.
• The recorder will time out after 1 hour when
left in “Rec Pause”.
Resume Recording
Press the REC button again.
➥Recording will resume at the point of
interruption.
120 120
E F
Rec Pause
35
M
12
S
HQ
120 120
R
L
E F
HQ
35
M
13
S
Recording
Recording