Olympus LS-P4 anyone using one of these?

[rob_lee]

I've been looking about for a hand held field recorder to capture the audio from my hardware when on the move i.e from the Digitakt. I know all bout the Zoom ones but I came across this one in the local shop the other day.



Does anyone else use one of these? They seem nice and small. Looks like only 1 input tho ?

Sound on Sound

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/olympus-lsp4

Any advice welcome

Rob

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

I've been looking about for a hand held field recorder to capture the audio from my hardware when on the move i.e from the Digitakt. I know all bout the Zoom ones but I came across this one in the local shop the other day.



Does anyone else use one of these? They seem nice and small. Looks like only 1 input tho ?

Sound on Sound

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/olympus-lsp4

Any advice welcome

Rob

I was looking into the LS-P2 last year, and it got good reviews etc. I've recently seen this newer model, but I still don't have the funds. I will hopefully be selling some stuff to be able to buy it

For me, I'm definitely sold on the size, weight etc. of the unit, and like the idea of having bass frequencies being captured by their own mic. Also, the fact that it can run off a normal battery (one x AAA) is important to me. Add in the really convenient built-in usb mechanism, and lossless recording, and it ticks all the boxes.

While I do like the idea of having a unit that can do the whole xlr thing, this is at odds with my desire to have a recorder small enough that I don't ever have to be without it. If you aren't planning on doing field recordings, then you might want something a bit more future-proof

[rob_lee]

Thanks mate I'm just looking at the connections on the side on the pictures, can only see the one mic and headphone connections or do these double as stereo inputs for gear? Haha confused a little. But yeah I'd like to do field recordings too in future but for now I'd like to record little jams on it with hardware connected.

Rob

[rob_lee]

Ah crap no line inputs according to Thomann

https://www.thomann.de/gb/olympus_ls_p4.htm

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

Thanks mate I'm just looking at the connections on the side on the pictures, can only see the one mic and headphone connections or do these double as stereo inputs for gear? Haha confused a little. But yeah I'd like to do field recordings too in future but for now I'd like to record little jams on it with hardware connected.

Rob

From the manual (pg.38), it seems that the external mic connection doubles as an external input connection. Though it doesn't specify, I'm assuming it will be stereo, as long as you have the correct cable (2 large Jacks into one mini jack, w/ ring/tip...or whatever it is that makes it stereo ).

http://www.olympusamerica.com/files/oim ... manual.pdf

[rob_lee]

Thanks mate I'm just looking at the connections on the side on the pictures, can only see the one mic and headphone connections or do these double as stereo inputs for gear? Haha confused a little. But yeah I'd like to do field recordings too in future but for now I'd like to record little jams on it with hardware connected.

Rob

From the manual (pg.38), it seems that the external mic connection doubles as an external input connection. Though it doesn't specify, I'm assuming it will be stereo, as long as you have the correct cable (2 large Jacks into one mini jack, w/ ring/tip...or whatever it is that makes it stereo ).

http://www.olympusamerica.com/files/oim ... manual.pdf

AH yeah I have one of those 2 large jacks in to 1 mini
I may get this one then it's got good reviews

Rob

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

AH yeah I have one of those 2 large jacks in to 1 mini
I may get this one then it's got good reviews

Rob

If you don't qualify for free shipping (needs to be over a certain amount), and you do intend to one day use the recorder outside, maybe order the Rycote mini to tip the price over the point to which they'll deliver it free. That'll probably be how I do it

[masterhiggins]

I used to own it before selling it for a Sony pcm-m10. The sound quality was fine. The only issue for me was the handling noise, which made it difficult to just walk around with it while recording. I'm not referring to the low end rumble, though. It picks up every single single finger movement. The stereo image is also somewhat exaggerated, which can be useful, so I'm not exactly considering that a problem.

However, all of those complaints are merely comparisons to the Sony. On the positive side, the low end response on the Olympus was more pronounced than the Sony and while the Sony was more neutral in its reproduction of the source, the Olympus was more flattering on instruments and voice due to the microphone's frequency response.

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

I used to own it before selling it for a Sony pcm-m10. The sound quality was fine. The only issue for me was the handling noise, which made it difficult to just walk around with it while recording. I'm not referring to the low end rumble, though. It picks up every single single finger movement. The stereo image is also somewhat exaggerated, which can be useful, so I'm not exactly considering that a problem.

However, all of those complaints are merely comparisons to the Sony. On the positive side, the low end response on the Olympus was more pronounced than the Sony and while the Sony was more neutral in its reproduction of the source, the Olympus was more flattering on instruments and voice due to the microphone's frequency response.

I'm guessing that most of the cheaper plastic units will suffer from this issue. My old Zoom H2N also had that issue, though once I'd settled on a comfortable holding position it seemed to settle down. Aside from the Sony, do you have any experience with other small units to be able to say if the Olympus was any worse?

I imagine most of what I do could be done using a mini-tripod, though it would be a shame not to be able to use it while moving.

[masterhiggins]

Sorry, the only other one I owned was a Nagra Lino, which was a dismal failure due to noisy preamps as well as handling noise. Strange as it was roughly twice as much as the Sony. The LS-P4 was significantly better in the sound quality department (at least in the units that I owned). Being plastic didn't bother me. It was small and light.

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

Sorry, the only other one I owned was a Nagra Lino, which was a dismal failure due to noisy preamps as well as handling noise. Strange as it was roughly twice as much as the Sony. The LS-P4 was significantly better in the sound quality department (at least in the units that I owned). Being plastic didn't bother me. It was small and light.

Being plastic doesn't bother me either, but I thought it might contribute to it not being well isolated from the external handling sounds. Either way, I'm sure I'll deal.

Very strange about the Nagra, though. The company always seems to be highly-regarded

Was there much detectable hiss with the LS internal mic's?

[masterhiggins]

It was noticeable but I didn't consider it excessive. It didn't seem out of the ordinary of what I've come to expect from sub $300 condenser/electret mics. It was mainly the handling noise that bothered me.

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

It was noticeable but I didn't consider it excessive. It didn't seem out of the ordinary of what I've come to expect from sub $300 condenser/electret mics. It was mainly the handling noise that bothered me.

Good stuff! Thanks

[lfm]

Ah crap no line inputs according to Thomann

https://www.thomann.de/gb/olympus_ls_p4.htm

I have the LS-P1 and used down to -10dBV at least, and used tape output from Mackie mixer.
Mine states from -60dBv as most sensitive.

Manually you can set level 0-30 and easy to adjust with visible meters and check levels. You can also in manual mode listen through unit to check.

Incredible what they put into single AAA battery unit, I think.

I think manual mode is having less handling noise, since automatic might increase sensitivity when levels go down to always have certain recording level.

Mine came with an adapter to fit a mic stand, and guess if you attach LP-Px unit with something for portable use that does not make unit touch surroundings - handling noise will be less too. Like a GoPro camera holder on head/shoulder and similar.

There is also electronic zoom ability - and narrow/widen stereo image intake. So if wanting more pointy directional you can do that too.

[rob_lee]

Think I'll get this one then, seems a good all rounder