How to...

How to use the Olympus WS-300 Digital Recorder

Academic Technology checks out the WS-300 digital recorder for faculty members wishing to make audio recordings, including those who wish to create a regular podcast or simply make a short audio recording for the web.

The WS-300 is an excellent digital recorder that records in wma format.  It is also a USB device that will plug directly into any USB port for file transfer.

If you do not already have a digital voice recorder, or a means of digitally recording your audio content, check out an Olympus WS-300 digital voice recorder from Academic Technology.  The WS-300 is small, easy to use, and is also a USB device, making transfer of audio files to your computer simple.

Briefly, here are the specs on the WS-300:

• Will store up to 68 hours in LP mode, 17.5 hours in HQ mode (recommended);

• Has 256MB internal flash memory;

• PC interface is USB direct, 2.0 full speed;

• Records in wma format;

• Has a voice activated, built-in stereo microphone (but we recommend the use of the ME15 tie-clip microphone, which we will check out with each unit by request).  We also recommend disabling voice activation.

• Has an earphone jack as well as a mic jack.

• Comes with earbuds and lanyard;

• Powered by a single AAA battery (replacements will be provided by Academic Technology);

• Battery life approximately 13 hours;

• Weight 1.9 ounces;

• Stores data in up to 5 pre-named folders, 199 files per folder max.

For more details about the WS-300 at the Olympus web site.  Click here to read the Olympus WS-300 manual in PDF format.

• Click here to request checkout of a WS-300 digital voice recorder.

Common Procedures

Identification of Parts

• Set the time and date.  If you wish to have accurate time a date stamps on your audio files.
  • Hold down the OK button until you enter menu mode.
  • Choose Sub-menu.
  • Choose Time & Date.
  • Use the arrow keys to move field to field and the +/- keys to set values.  Move from AM to PM by advancing twelve hours.
  • When done, press OK.
  • Press Stop to return to recording mode.
     
• Changing folders.  You may wish to record different course files in different folders on the WS-300.  There are five folders, and each folder can hold up to 199 files.
  • Press the folder button located just to the lower right of the control wheel.  Watch the indicator at the top center of the LCD.  It will show A, B, C, D, or E to indicate the active folder.

    a: active folder; b: file number; c: total files in folder.

• How to Pause recording.
  • While recording, press the Rec button.  "Rec Pause" will flash on the LCD.  To begin recording again, press the Rec button again.
     
• How to set recording quality mode.  The default quality mode is Stereo High Quality.  We do not recommend recording in stereo, unless you have some special need to do so.  We recommend you use High Quality mono mode.  Remember, the lower the quality mode, the smaller the audio files.  Even high quality mode files are manageably small using the wma format, however.  To change quality settings:
  • Press and hold the OK button to enter menu mode;
  • Rec Mode will be highlighted on the menu.  Press OK.
  • Use the +/- keys to select among ST HQ, HQ, SP, LP.  Press OK with mode selected.
  • Press the Stop button to exit menu mode
     
• How to set microphone sensitivity.  When an external mic is connected, the built-in mic does not function.  We recommend using High Sensitivity.

  • Hold down the OK button to enter menu mode.
  • Select Mic Sense and press OK.
  • For high sensitivity, omnidirectional mode select "Conf"; for low-sensitivity unidirectional mode select "Dict".
  • Press the Stop button to exit menu mode.

• How to set slow play and fast play modes.
  • Locate the file you want to play by using the folder and forward or backward buttons.  Press play once to play at normal speed.  Press Play again to play at slow speed.  S. Play appears on the LCD.  Press Play again to play at fast speed.  F. Play appears.  Press Play again to return to normal speed.
     
• How to set an index mark in a file.  Up to 16 index marks can be set in any file.  They make it easy to jump forward or backward, using the forward or reverse buttons on the Olympus WS-300, during playback, and are meant to be a means of marking important sections in a recording.
  • Press the Index button (to the lower right of the OK wheel - it is marked "Folder/Index").  Press it each time you wish to insert an index mark while recording.
  • Clear index marks by locating them with the forward/reverse buttons on the OK wheel.  You will see "Index nn" where nn=a number from 01 to 16 on the LCD.  Hold down the Erase button for about 2 seconds.  You will see "Index nn Clear" on the LCD.  Repeat to clear each index marker in a file.
     
• How to lock a file to keep it from being accidentally erased.
  • Press the folder and forward/reverse buttons to choose the file you wish to lock.
  • Press and hold the OK button to enter menu mode.
  • Press the +/- buttons to find Submenu then "Lock" on the submenu.  Press OK.
  • Select On to lock, Off to later unlock.
  • Press OK to complete the selection.
  • Press Stop to exit menu mode.
     
• How to determine the amount of time/memory left for recording.
  • Press and hold down the Stop button.  The WS-300 will alternately display the amount of time/memory left at the current recording quality setting.
     
• Use your computer OS to transfer files to/from the computer.  Be sure to always use the "Safely remove hardware" option to disconnect USB devices.  Disconnecting the WS-300 while data is being transferred will render the data unreadable.  Further, do not delete the native files on the WS-300, either the folders of any of the management files they contain.  Delete only audio files you have created or placed on the device.

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