Thanks to Tapers Section forum member "Colin Liston," who pointed out
this new product.
Olympus just announced a new audio recorder called the LS-10. Nature
Recordists members have commented from time to time about the clever
and inexpensive Olympus pocket dictation recorders. Some people have
used them as casual field recorders, primarily to capture an unknown
vocalization for later identification.
The new LS-12 is a different machine entirely, designed from the
beginning as a tool to capture and play music rather than dictation.
Features include sampling rates up to 24/96, and recording in
uncompressed PCM (WAV file) as well as MP3 and WMA formats.
The LS-10 has 2 GB flash memory built in, as well as a slot for SDHC
flash cards. It also has a USB port to transfer tracks to a PC or Mac.
The new recorder has two built in microphones, plus 3.5mm (1/8-inch)
jacks for external mics and line level input. According to Olympus,
the LS-10 is powered for up to 12 hours by 2 AA cells.
The LS-12 looks remarkably similar to the new Sony PCM-D50 recorder,
but it's smaller in all dimensions. The Olympus is about the size and
weight of the Edirol R-09.
I had a problem using the PCM-D50. I found it to be too wide to grip
firmly in one hand and operate its controls like a cell phone, while
my other hand holds a mic or parabola. The LS-12 is much narrower, 48
mm vs the Sony's 72 mm, so I expect the Olympus machine to be easy to
use with one hand. Even though it has an aluminum case, the Olympus
is less than half the weight of the Sony.
Among the accessories Olympus has designed for this model is a
wireless infra-red remote control. There is no word about the range
of the remote, but it would be cool to be able to place the recorder
close to your subject, and control it from a distance (say, at a
manakin lek, or though the window by your bird feeder).
Details and photos of the LS-12 can be found here
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1350
This announcement moves Olympus squarely into consideration for your
next highly portable field recorder, along with products like the
Marantz PMD620, Edirol R-09, M-Audio Microtrack II, Sony PCM-D50 and
Nagra ARES-M.
Olympus says the MSRP of the new LS-12 is $399, with delivery to start
in January 2008. Olympus portable dictation equipment is discounted
about 25% by many dealers, so we may see the LS-12 priced around $300
after the initial demand is met. This would be in line with the price
of its competitors' offerings.
I'll look for the new LS-12 at the CES convention next week.
--oryoki
|