Review for Olympus Linear PCM Recorder LS-12/LS-14

With so many devices having audio recorders it is nice that a company like Olympus still want to produce something that is dedicated to just that. With the LS-12 and LS-14 (I'll come to the differences between the two in a second) if you have a job that involves recording audio or just need a device for this purpose: podcasting, recording lectures etc. Then these two are just what you needed.

Both devices are simple audio recorders. Those expecting it to access Facebook, Tweet the audio messages or allow you to do anything else really need to go look elsewhere. This is a device for people who really want an audio recorder and not a Jack of all trades master of none.

I would be lying if I said there is a massive difference between the two, there isn't. With the only two major differences being that the LS-12 has a 2GB internal memory and is metallic grey and the LS-14 has a 4GB memory and is black. So really (apart from the price) the only thing you need to consider is how much recording time you need and what colour suits you best.

Now both devices work in the same way with a simple three button Record, Stop and Play set up. In fact if you put both boxes side by side the two devices are almost identical. The ability to quick record is wonderful if you are a reporter after that quick quote or if you are a writer with the genius idea for the screenplay that you need to get out there. There are clear menus that you can navigate easily with various settings around how the device functions and this is handy, especially when it comes to the ultra cool Tuner function. This is a function that will actually help you tune any instrument or indeed yourself. I never knew that I typed in G#? If you are a musician, this is a wonderful idea especially if you then want to use the recorder to record your latest song or show.

With 2GB you can record over 10 hours in the best quality mp3 (from 64kbps to 320kbps quality) and on the 4GB that increases to over 24 hours? There is also WAV quality (44.1kHz to 96.0 kHz 24bit) which depending on your opinion is a better sound. Obviously, if the length and not the quality is what you are after there is the potential to record in the lowest mp3 quality and clock up over 53 hours (2GB) or 122 hours (4GB). However, with the USB cable you can upload any audio you make and so size may never be an issue, there is also the option to increase this with an SD memory card.

One of the slight downsides to the devices is that are a bit bulky and heavy for what they are. This is not to say that the are not practical, but it is a shame that it couldn't be a little lighter. However,both certainly make up for it in performance and despite all the bells and whistles an IPhone or Galaxy S can try to boast, it would be hard to try and top the sound recording capability of these two.

The Olympus LS-12 and LS-14 are excellent products for anyone who takes sound recording seriously. Whether you are a podcaster and you want something quick and easy to record and upload. Whether you are a musician who wants to tune his guitar and then record their latest potential demo. Whether you are the reporter needing 120 hours of audio for that big story. This is the recording device to go for, and you can quote me on that.

For an example of how the sound on both devices is have a listen here

http://www.wrestlingaudio.com/ultrapw/images/stories/audio/2013_08_06DV.mp3