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WS-300M INSTRUCTIONS INSTRUCTIONS MODE D’EMPLOI INSTRUCCIONES 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...
Table of Contents Table of Contents ... 2 Safe and Proper Usage ... 4 General Precautions ... 4 1 Getting Started Main Features ... 6 Identification of Parts ... 8 Inserting Battery ... 10 Power Supply ... 11 Setting Time/Date (Time&Date) ... 12 Switching Between the Voice Recorder and Music Player ...
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Music Playback ... 53 Selecting Play Mode (Play Mode) ... 58 Repeat Playback (Repeat) ... 59 Random Playback (Random) ... 60 Increasing the WOW Effect (WOW) ... 61 Selecting Equalizer (EQ) ... 63 Moving the Tracks (Move) ... 66 Menu List (MUSIC mode) ... 68 5 Feature Common to the Voice Recorder and Music Player Erasing ...
Safe and Proper Usage 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.
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• If you notice anything unusual when using this product such as abnormal noise, heat, smoke, or a burning odor. 1 remove the battery immediately while being careful not to be injured. 2 call your dealer or local Olympus representative for service.
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13 hours 20minutes to 45hours 20 minutes WS-310M (512 MB): 6 hours 40minutes to 22hours 40 minutes WS-300M (256 MB): 3 hours 20minutes to 11hours 20 minutes Has built-in WOW. ( P.61) You can change the playback equalizer settings. ( P.63) *1 Available recording time may be shorter if many short recordings are made.
When the battery is too weak, the recorder shuts down and “Battery Low” appears on the display. AAA alkaline battery is recommended. Ni-MH Rechargeable Battery An optional Ni-MH rechargeable battery from Olympus can be used for the recorder ( P.84).
Power Supply When the recorder is not used, setting it to HOLD turns off the recorder, suppressing the consumption of the battery to a minimum. Even if the power is turned off, the existing data, settings of each mode, and clock setting will be maintained.
Setting Time/Date (Time&Date) If you set the date and time beforehand, the information when the file is recorded is automatically stored for each file. Setting the date and time beforehand enables easier file management. The hour indicator will flash automatically when you load a battery before using the recorder for the first time, or after the recorder hasn’t been used for a long time.
Note • If you press the OK button during the setup operation, the recorder will save the items that were set to that point.. Changing the Time/Date Follow the same steps starting at step 1 in “Setting Time/Date” ( P.12). •...
Switching Between the Voice Recorder and Music Player This device can be used as a voice recorder or as a music player. Set the mode switch to VOICE before operating the recorder. Set the mode switch to MUSIC before operating the recorder. Convenient features that can be used with both the Voice Recorder and Music Player.
When Using the Recorder as a Voice Recorder Recording The recorder provides five folders, A, B, C, D and E, and each message recorded in a folder is saved as a Windows Media Audio (WMA) file. These five folders can be selectively used to distinguish the kind of recording;...
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Recording Notes • To ensure recording from the beginning, start speaking after you see the red record/play indicator light on. • A beep will sound when remaining recording time reaches 60 seconds, 30 seconds, and 10 seconds while recording. • When remaining recording time is less than 60 seconds, the record/play indicator light starts flashing in red. When the recording time is decreasing to 30 or 10 seconds, the light flashes faster.
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Listening While Audio is Recorded (Recording Monitor) If you start recording after inserting the earphone into the EAR jack on the recorder, you can hear the sound being recorded. The sound To EAR (earphone) volume on the recording monitor can be adjusted by pressing the jack VOL (+) or VOL (–) button.
Using the Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) When the microphone senses that sounds have reached a preset threshold volume level, the built-in Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) starts recording automatically, and stops when the volume drops below the threshold level. The VCVA feature extends recording time and conserves memory by stopping recording during silent periods, which helps the playback to be more efficient.
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Adjust the Start/Stop Actuation Level Press the 9 or 0 button to adjust the pause sound level during recording. The VCVA level can be set to any of 15 different values. The higher the value, the more sensitive the recorder to sounds. At the highest value, even the faintest sound will activate recording.
Recording Modes (Rec Mode) The recording mode can be chosen from ST HQ (stereo high quality sound recording), HQ (high quality sound recording), SP (standard recording), and LP (long-term recording). Notes • When a meeting and lecture is to be recorded clearly, set other than LP mode to record. •...
Microphone Sensitivity (Mic Sense) Microphone sensitivity is adjustable to meet recording needs. Notes • When the speakers voice is to be recorded clearly, set to Dict (dictation) mode and move the built-in stereo microphone close to the speaker’s mouth (5 to 10 cm / 2 to 4 inches) and record. •...
Recording from External Microphone or Other Devices The external microphone and other devices can be connected and the sound can be recorded. Connect as follows by the device to be used. To MIC (microphone) jack Recording with External Microphone Connect the external microphone to the microphone jack of the recorder.
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To MIC (microphone) jack To audio output terminal of other devices To audio input terminal of other To EAR devices (earphone) jack Notes • The input level cannot be adjusted on this recorder. When you connect the recorder to an external device, execute a test recording and adjust the output level of the external device.
Playing Press the FOLDER button to choose a folder. Press the 9 or 0 button to choose the file that you want to play. If you keep pressing the 9 or 0 button in stop mode, the recorder continuously skips to the beginnings of files.
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Changing Playing Speed (Slow Playback/Fast Playback) Press the PLAY button once while playing a file. ➥ You can change the playing speed. Normal speed Slow Playback (-25%) • As in normal playback, operations such as playback stop, file cueing, and index mark ( P.32) insertion are possible in slow playback and fast playback.
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Playing Press and hold the 0 button while playing a file. • When the index mark is shown in the middle of a file, it will stop temporarily in • The recorder stops when it reaches the beginning of the file. Continue pressing Press the 9 button during playback, slow playback, or fast playback.
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When Playing Back or Fast Forwarding to the End of the Last File When it reaches to the end of the last file, “End” will flash for 5 seconds, and stops at the starting position of the last file. While “End” is flashing, the following operation can be executed.
Continuous Playback (All Play) This function allows you to listen to all your recordings of one folder in one go without any stop between the files. Note • After playback of last file in the folder, “End” appears on the screen and playback stops automatically. –...
Repeat Playback This function enables repeated playback of part of the file being played. Choose the file for Repeat Playback, and press the PLAY button. File playback begins. Press and hold the OK button for 1 second or longer. “ Start?”...
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Repeat Playback Press the OK button. Press the STOP button. Press the 9 button. Press the 0 button. Press the OK button briefly again at the position you want repeat playback to end. The recorder repeatedly plays back the section between the start and the end positions until you cancel repeat playback.
Auto Backspace Review (Back Space) To ease the reviewing of a voice file you can set an auto backspace for either 1 or 2 seconds, so you will listen to the last phrase repeatedly. Note • If “1 Sec” or “2 Sec” is set at the previous playback, and even though the 0 button is pressed, it does not reverse skip to the cue or the index mark position.
Index Marks Index marks can be placed in a file during recording or playback to provide a quick and easy way of keeping track of important sections in the file. Setting an Index Mark Press the INDEX button during recording or playback to set an index mark.
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• Index marks cannot be set or cleared in a locked file ( P.34). • The index marks can only be placed in WMA files recorded with OLYMPUS recorder . • If the 0 button is pressed in the set status of “1 Sec” or “2 Sec” in the previous playback, it will reverse...
Locking Files (Lock) Locking a file keeps important data from being accidentally erased. Locked files are not erased when you choose to erase all files from a folder ( P.71). Press the FOLDER button to choose a folder. Press the 9 or 0 button to choose the file you want to lock.
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Press the OK or 0 button to complete the setup screen. Press the STOP button to close the menu. a Erase lock indicator...
LCD Display Information You can select an option for the display of the recorder. This helps review and confirm different recorder settings and file information. While in Stop or Playback Mode Press the OK button. Each time the OK button is pressed, the recorder will display 1 to 3 repeatedly.
While in Record Mode Press the OK button. Each time the OK button is pressed, 1 and 2 will be alternately displayed. 1 Recording level meter (Count up indicator) Displays the audio input level with the meter at the bottom, remaining memory with the E / F bar and recording elapsed time with the...
Menu List (VOICE Mode) Menu Press and hold the OK button for 1 second or longer. Rec Mode P.20 ) Mic Sense P.21 ) VCVA P.18 ) Sub Menu P.75 ) : Press the : Press the OK or 9 button. : Press the OK or 0 button.
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Sub Menu Lock P.34 ) Back Space P.31 ) All Play P.28 ) Time & Date P.12 ) Format P.79 ) Contrast P.78 ) Backlight P.77 ) Beep P.76 ) Locking files setting. Selection between On (locked) and Off O ff (unlocked).
Player or the simplified playback software, DSS Player - Lite, which can be downloaded for free from the website of the Olympus. Using the DSS Player – Lite enables you to search the index marks that are marked on the voice files. Also, using the Windows Media Player, the stored WMA or MP3 files on your PC can be transferred and played back on this recorder.
G Data can be written or uploaded to the recorder even though the attribute of the recorder drive is shown as read only by the operating system of the PC. G As the noise may cause adverse effects on electronics devices nearby the recorder, unplug microphone and earphone when you...
Connecting to Your PC Connecting to Your PC Note • If you are using Windows 2000, Windows Media Player must be installed on the PC. Slide the HOLD switch to the hold side, turn the recorder off. The display will turn off. Detach the battery compartment pressing the RELEASE button of the rear side.
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Disconnecting to Your PC Click the on the task bar located at the lower-right corner of the screen. Click [Safely Remove Hardware]. It will read [Stop USB Disk-Drive] for Windows Me. The drive letter will differ depending on the computer being used.
Using the Recorder as a Music Player Using the Recorder as a Music Player The recorder supports music files in WMA and MP3 formats, which can be transferred from the PC to the corresponding music folder of the recorder. Using Windows Media Player By using Windows Media Player, music files from music CDs can be converted Music CD...
Copying Music from CD Insert CD into the CD-ROM drive and start Windows Media Player. From the Features taskbar, click the [Rip] menu. For Windows Media Player 9 From the Features taskbar, click the [Copy from CD] menu. Click the [View Album Info]. If Internet connectivity is available, CD information is searched.
Transferring Music File to the Recorder You can transfer the music files saved in your PC to this recorder. For how to copy the music files from the CD to your PC, see “Copying Music from CD” ( P.47). Windows Media Player 10 Connect the recorder to a PC and start Windows Media Player.
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Click the [Start Sync]. The file is transferred to the recorder. The music file transferred to the recorder is displayed in Item on Device. After transferring a language-learning file to the music folder, if you further transfer or copy the file to your desired voice folder (DSS_FLDA to DSS_FLDE) using a software like “Explorer”, you can use the functions such as partial repeat, fast playback, slow playback, and previous playback.
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Transferring Music File to the Recorder Select the destination folder. To transfer to “Root” folder The empty column part of the item on the device (Root of the drive) is selected. To transfer to “Music” folder Select the “Music” folder. Creating the “Artist name”...
About the Music Folders This recorder can save the music files (WMA, MP3 files) transferred from the PC in the 2 music folders, the original “Root” folder and its subsidiary “Music” folder. Also, this recorder can create the folders in up to 2 layers within the “Music” folder. It is convenient to manage the multiple albums with the same artist name.
About the Music Folders Selecting the Folders and Files List display The folders and files recorded in this recorder are displayed. Upper (selected) folder Folder File (appears when the whole contents Selecting “Music” folder Selecting “SONG A” file Selecting “SONG B”...
Music Playback This recorder supports WMA and MP3 formats. To playback the music files using the music player, you need to transfer (copy) the corresponding music files from the PC to this recorder’s folders for music ( P.48). To EAR (earphone) jack Set the Mode switch to MUSIC.
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Music Playback When the Playback Reaches to the End of the Last File When the playback reaches to the last file in the current folder, it returns to the starting position of the head file and stops. If you select “All” in “Play Mode”( P.58), all the files in this recorder can be played continuously.
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Forwarding and Rewinding Fast Forward Press and hold the 9 button while playing a file. ➥ When you release the 9 button, the recorder will resume normal playback. • The recorder stops when it reaches the end of the file. If you press and hold the 9 button, it continues fast forwarding within the playback range selected in the “Play Mode”( P.58).
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Music Playback Press the 9 button while playing a file. • It cues within the playback range selected in “Play Mode”( P.58). If “Random” Press the 0 button while playing a music file. Press the 0 button 2 times during playback. •...
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Menu Setting During Playback In music mode, the following functions relating playback are available. They can be set during playback. Press the OK button while playing a file. ➥ You can enter the menu setting while continuing playback, and set the following relating playback.
Selecting Play Mode (Play Mode) You can set 2 kinds of play modes. You can select either playing the tracks in a folder or playing all the tracks recorded in this recorder. Notes • If no operation is made for 3 minutes during the setting, it will return to the stop status. •...
Repeat Playback (Repeat) You can set the repeat playback of the music files within the range set in “Play Mode” ( P.58). Notes • If no operation is made for 3 minutes during the setting, it will return to the stop status. •...
Random Playback (Random) You can set the random playback of the music files within the range set in “Play Mode” ( P.58). Notes • If no operation is made for 3 minutes during the setting, it will return to the stop status. •...
Increasing the WOW Effect (WOW) The recorder has WOW, an audio processing technology that increases sound clarity and bass quality. The level of the surround effect (SRS 3D) and the bass effect (TruBass) may be individually adjusted through three levels of processing or turned off. Surround effect (SRS 3D): Increases the sound-expansion effect and sound clarity.
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Increasing the WOW Effect (WOW) Notes • If no operation is made for 3 minutes during the setting, it will return to the stop status. • Both the surround effect and bass effect are Off as the WOW default settings. •...
Selecting Equalizer (EQ) If you change the equalizer setting, you can enjoy the music with your favorite sound quality. Notes • If no operation is made for 3 minutes during the setting, it will return to the stop status. • The equalizer default setting is Flat. Press and hold the OK button for 1 second or longer.
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Selecting Equalizer (EQ) When Changing the User Equalizer You can customize your own equalizer by changing the User settings. Press and hold the OK button for 1 second or longer. The menu opens ( P.68, 74). – Press the button to choose “EQ”.
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Notes • If no operation is made for 3 minutes during the setting, it will return to the stop status. • Your equalizer settings will be retained in memory even when you change the battery. – Press the button to select the equalizer level.
Moving the Tracks (Move) You can change the playback order of music files on the recorder. Select the folder (file) of the tracks that you want to move beforehand. Press and hold the OK button for 1 second or longer. The menu opens ( P.68, 74).
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Note If no operation is made for 3 minutes during the setting, it will return to the stop status. • – Press the button to select the place to move. Press the OK or 0 button. If there are more files you want to move, repeat the procedures from step 4 to step 7.
Menu List (MUSIC mode) Menu Press and hold the OK button for 1 second or longer. Play Mode P.58 ) Repeat P.59 ) Random P.60 ) P.61 ) P.63 ) Move P.66 ) Sub Menu P.75 ) Folder Playback mode range setting. Selection between Folder and All.
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Sub Menu Beep P.76 ) Backlight P.77 ) Contrast P.78 ) Format P.79 ) Time & Date P.12 ) – : Press the button. : Press the OK or 9 button. : Press the 9 button. : Press the OK or 0 button. : Press the 0 button.
Features Common to the Voice Recorder and Music Player Erasing Erasing One File at a Time A selected file can be erased from a folder. Select the file you want to delete. In the stop status, display the file or place the cursor on the file in the list display.
Erase All Files from a Folder All files in a folder can be erased simultaneously. The locked files ( P.34) and the files set to read-only on the PC will not be erased. “Erase Done” is displayed when the files are erased.
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Erasing Notes • An erased file cannot be restored. • The locked files and the files that are set to read-only will not be erased ( P.34). • If the ERASE button or the OK button is not pressed within 8 seconds after the erase mode display flashes, the recorder will return to the stop status.
Hold Notes • If you switch to the Hold mode during stop status, the display will be turned off. Pressing any button during this status will make the clock display flash for 2 seconds, but will not operate the recorder. •...
Menu Setting Method Each item of the menu list ( P.38, 68) can be set by the following method. Menu Setting Press and hold the OK button for 1 second or longer. The menu opens ( P.38, 68). – Press the button to move to the item to be set.
Sub Menu Setting Press and hold the OK button for 1 second or longer. The menu opens ( P.38, 68, 74). – Press the button to choose “Sub Menu”. Press the OK or 9 button. The sub menu opens. – Press the button to move to the item to be set.
System Sounds (Beep) The recorder beeps to alert you to button operations or warn you of errors. System sounds may be turned off. – Press the button in the sub menu screen, and select the “Beep”. See P.38, 68, 75 regarding the sub menu. Press the OK or 9 button.
Backlight (Backlight) The recorder display backlight is On by default. The display will remain lit for about 10 seconds when a button on the recorder is pressed. – Press the button in the sub menu screen, and select the “Backlight”. See P.38, 68, 75 regarding the sub menu.
LCD Contrast Adjustment (Contrast) Display contrast can be adjusted in 12 levels. – Press the button in the sub menu screen, and select the “Contrast”. See P.38, 68, 75 regarding the sub menu. Press the OK or 9 button. The LCD display contrast setup process begins.
Formatting the Recorder (Format) If you format the recorder, all function settings will return to their defaults*. All files** stored in the recorder will be deleted. If you have important files that you want to save, connect the recorder to a computer and transfer those files from the recorder to the computer before formatting the device.
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Formatting the Recorder (Format) Notes • While formatting, do not remove the battery. It may take about 10 seconds or more for the erasing to end. • Never format the recorder from a PC. • After formatting, the first file name is 0001. •...
Other Practical Use Methods Using as External Memory of the Computer With the recorder connected to your PC, you can download data from the memory to your PC and upload data stored on your PC to the memory. Example: Copying Data from PC to Recorder using Explorer, etc. Start Windows.
(maximum of 199 files). Error in the internal memory. This is a malfunction, so go to the store where you purchased the recorder or an Olympus service station for repair ( P.87). The music files copied illegally. Delete the file ( P.70).
Troubleshooting Symptom Probable cause Nothing appears The battery is not loaded properly. on the display The battery is dead. The recorder is in HOLD mode. Won’t start The recorder is in HOLD mode. The battery is dead. Unable to record Low remaining internal flash memory.
Ni-MH rechargeable battery and charger set: BC400 (Europe only) BC400 comes with an Ni-MH rechargeable battery charger(BU-400) and 4 Ni-MH rechargeable batteries (BR401) as a pack. This charger can quick charge Olympus AA or AAA Ni-MH rechargeable batteries. Ni-MH rechargeable battery: BR401 High-efficiency rechargeable long life batteries.
(without protrusions) Weight 46 g (including alkaline battery) * Specifications and design are subject to change without notice. * Battery life is measured by Olympus. It varies greatly according to the type of batteries used and the conditions of use.
Technical Assistance And Support The following is contact information for technical support for Olympus recorders and software only. N Technical Hotline Number in the U.S. and Canada 1-888-553-4448 N User Support E-mail address in the U.S. and Canada distec@olympus.com N Technical Hotline Number in Europe...
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