Olympus WS-500M Operating and maintenance manual

DETAILED
INSTRUCTIONS
DIGITAL VOICE
RECORDER
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

2
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 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.
• MPEG Layer-3 audio coding technology licensed from Fraunhofer IIS and Thomson.
• WOW XT, SRS and }symbol are trademarks of SRS Labs, Inc.
• WOW XT technology is incorporated under license from SRS Labs, Inc.
• 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.

3
Table of contents
1
2
3
4
5
6
Introduction
Safe and proper usage.............................. 4
1 Getting Started
Main features........................................... 6
Identification of parts.............................. 7
Display (LCD panel) ........................................ 8
Power supply ......................................... 10
Inserting batteries ........................................10
Charging by connecting to a computer via
USB..........................................................12
Turning on/off the power..............................13
HOLD...................................................... 14
Setting time and date [Time & Date] ....... 15
Changing the time and date..........................16
[VOICE] mode and [MUSIC] mode
..........................................................17
Notes on the folders ............................... 18
About the folders for voice recordings..........18
About the folder for music playback.............19
Selecting the folders and files ................ 20
2 About Recording
Recording .............................................. 21
Microphone sensitivity ................................ 23
Recommended settings by
recording condition .................................24
Recording from external microphone or
other devices........................................... 25
3 About Playback
Playback ................................................ 27
Setting an index mark or a temp mark .........31
How to begin segment repeat playback ...... 32
Erasing................................................... 34
4 Menu Setting
Menu setting method............................. 36
+File Menu ................................................. 38
,Rec Menu ................................................. 38
-Play Menu ................................................ 40
.LCD/Sound Menu ..................................... 43
/Device Menu ............................................ 44
Rearranging files [Replace].......................... 45
Formatting the recorder [Format] ............... 46
5 Using the Recorder on Your PC
Operating environment.......................... 48
Connecting to your PC............................. 50
Disconnecting from your PC......................... 51
Transfer the voice files to your PC............ 52
Using Windows Media Player .................. 53
Window names ............................................ 53
Copying music from CD ................................ 54
Transferring music file to the recorder......... 55
Copying voice file to the CD.......................... 58
Using iTunes........................................... 60
Window names ............................................ 60
Copying music from CD .................................61
Transferring music file to the recorder......... 62
Copying voice file to the CD.......................... 63
Using as external memory of the PC........ 64
6 Other Information
Alarm message list ................................. 65
Troubleshooting..................................... 66
Technical assistance and support............ 68
Accessories (optional)............................. 68
Specifications ........................................ 69

4
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.
• 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.
Batterries
fDanger:
• Batteries should never be
exposed to flame, heated, short-
circuited or disassembled.
• 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.
fWarning:
• Do not solder lead wires or
terminals directly onto a battery
or modify it.
• Do not connect the =and
-terminals together. This may
cause fire, overheating or electric
shock.
Safe and proper usage

5
Safe and proper usage
• When carrying or storing the
batteries, be sure to put it in
the provided case to protect its
terminals. Do not carry or store
the batteries with any metal
objects (such as key rings).
If this warning is not followed,
fire, overheating or electric shock
may occur.
• Do not connect the batteries
directly to a power outlet
or a cigarette lighter of an
automobile.
• Do not insert the batteries with
their =and -terminals reversed.
• If any liquid from a battery gets
into your eyes, promptly wash it
off with clean water and consult
your doctor at once.
• Do not attempt to recharge
alkaline, lithium or any other
non-rechargeable batteries.
• Never use any batteries 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.
• Do not expose the batteries to
water. Do not allow water to
contact the terminals.
• Do not remove or damage the
batteries insulating sheet.
• Do not use the batteries if you
find something wrong with them
such as leakage, color change or
deformity.
• Unplug the charger if the
charging is still incomplete after
the specified time it should take.
• Should any batteries liquid get on
skin or clothing, promptly wash it
off with clean water.
• Keep batteries away from fire.
fCaution:
• Do not subject batteries to strong
shocks.
• When using rechargeable
batteries that have not been used
for a while, be sure to recharge
them before use.
• Rechargeable batteries 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.

6
1
Main features
Main features
sDual function recorder as a
Digital Voice Recorder and a
Digital Music Player (☞P.17).
sThe recorder stores highly
compressed WMA (Windows
Media Audio) format voice
messages in integrated flash
memory (☞P. 21). It can also
play back MP3* (MPEG-1/MPEG-2
Audio Layer-3) and WAV* format
files (☞P. 27, P.53, P.60).
* For WS-500M only.
sIt has a built-in Variable Control
Voice Actuator (VCVA) function
(☞P. 36, P. 39).
sThe Low Cut Filter minimizes
air conditioner noise and other
similar noises while recording
(☞P. 36, P. 39).
sA Noise Cancel function (☞P. 36,
P. 40) and a Voice Filter function
(☞P. 36, P. 40) cut noise and
enable clear audio playback.
sYou can choose one of three
stereo or three monaural
recording modes (☞P. 36, P. 38).
sIt has a backlight full-dot display
(LCD panel) (☞P. 8).
sIt features various repeat
functions (☞P. 32, P. 36, P. 41).
sIndex mark and temp mark
features allow you to quickly find
desired locations (☞P. 31).
sThe playback speed can be
controlled as preferred (☞P. 36,
P. 42).
sIt has built-in WOW XT (☞P. 36,
P. 40).
sYou can change the playback
equalizer settings (☞P. 36, P. 41).
sConnecting 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. 50).
This recorder is compatible with USB 2.0,
enabling fast data transfer to a computer.
sThis USB storage class support
recorder can be utilized as
external memory to read and
save the data (☞P. 64).
By connecting the computer with the
USB, pictures, text data, etc. can be
saved, and utilized to carry data.
sIt has a USB charging function
(☞P.12).
Getting Started

7
1
1
*
^
%
9
8
2
5
6
7
0
!
@
#
$
&
(
)
=
-
q
4
3
Identification of parts
Identification of parts
1 EAR (Earphone) jack
2 MIC (Microphone) jack
3Built-in stereo microphone (L)
4Built-in stereo microphone (R)
5Recording indicator light
6
LIST button
7Strap hole
8Display (LCD panel)
9Built-in speaker
0
+ button
! REC s(Record) button
@0button
#
MENU button
$ – button
%
INDEX / ERASE button
^
OK `button
&9button
*
STOP 4button
(Battery cover
)
HOLD switch
-Mode (
VOICE / MUSIC ) switch*
MIC SENSE CONF / DICT switch**
=USB connector slide lever
qUSB connector
* For WS-500M only.
** For WS-400S only.

8
1
Identification of parts
3
4
3
4
1
2
1
2
When [ VOICE ] mode is selected:
When [ MUSIC ] mode is selected:
"For WS-500M:
"For WS-400S:
When [ VOICE ] mode is selected:
When [ MUSIC ] mode is selected:
"For WS-500M:
Identification of parts
1
2
Display (LCD panel)
1[ VOICE ] mode indicator
Record/ Playback status indicator
Battery indicator
2Folder name
Folder list display
1[ VOICE ] mode indicator
Record/ Playback status indicator
Battery indicator
2Folder name
3[
MUSIC ] mode indicator
Record/ Playback status indicator
Battery indicator
4Folder name
File list display

9
1
Identification of parts
1
2
1
2
4
3
5
6
9
7
8
0
!
#
$
%
^
&
@
1
2
4
3
5
6
9
7
8
"For WS-400S:
When [ VOICE ] mode is selected:
When [ MUSIC ] mode is selected:
"For WS-500M:
"For WS-400S:
Identification of parts
1Folder name
Record/ Playback status indicator
Battery indicator
2File name
3Folder name
Record/ Playback status indicator
Battery indicator
4File name
File display
1Folder name
Record/ Playback status indicator
Battery indicator
2File name
1File name
Record/ Playback status indicator
Battery indicator
2Folder indicator
Recording mode indicator
3 During recording mode:
Remaining memory bar indicator
During playback mode:
Playback position bar indicator
4Recording date and time
5[?] Microphone Sensitivity
indicator
[!] VCVA indicator
[%] Noise Cancel indicator
[$] Voice Filter indicator
[0] Low Cut Filter indicator
6Current file number/ Total
number of recorded files in the
folder

10
1
Identification of parts/Power supply
Identification of parts
Power supply
2Insert size-AAA alkaline battery,
observing the correct =and
-polarities.
Inserting batteries
This recorder can be used with either Ni-MH
Rechargeable Batteries or AAA Alkaline
Batteries.
1Lightly press down on the arrow
and slide the battery cover open.
7During recording mode:
Elapsed recording time
During playback mode:
Elapsed playback time
8During recording mode:
Remaining recording time
During playback or stop mode:
File length
9Playback mode indicator
0Title name
!Artist name
@Album name
#Elapsed playback time
$[#] WOW XT indicator
["] Equalizer indicator
%Current file number/ Total
number of recorded files in the
folder
^File length
&Playback mode indicator
"For WS-500M:
• When charging with the recorder,
be sure to use the supplied
specified Ni-MH rechargeable
(BR401) batteries.
• The supplied rechargeable
batteries are not fully charged.
Before using the unit or after
long periods of disuse, it
is recommended that you
continuously charge them until
full (☞P.12).