OM SYSTEMOlympus LS-P5 PCM Recorder with tresmic 3-Microphone, Bluetooth, Composite USB Microphone Mode, High Resolution Sound, Low-Cut Filter, 16GB Built-in Memory.

I use a physical audio recorder primarily for class lectures. I'm a college student and from term to term room sizes change, you sit in different places, etc - and I like that this recorder has the ability to change settings to fine tune for these changing situations (a particularly useful feature is the zoom mic & also the ability to set the recording volume of the mic).After doing research for a better suited recorder than my pervious, I was narrowed down to this device (the OM LS-P5) and another Phillips device (the DVT 110 VoiceTracer). Ultimately, I was drawn to the multi way mics, adjustable settings, and mobile app control the 2 devices both offered. However, the reputation of Olympus/OM Systems when it comes to audio devices did motivate my leaning towards purchasing this device - but in the end, I have not regretted it.The LS-P5 can record in multiple formats, but for me I mostly just use the MP3 option. You can make tonss of folders to separate your recordings (natively on the device there are a few options to choose from for folder names like "Lecture", "To Do", etc etc - but if you connect it to a computer you can add unique names) & there is a built in calendar search feature. The device has bluetooth for connecting to the app, but also for live audio monitoring (while the device is recording, you can connect your bluetooth headphone and hear exactly how the recording is sounding). With the app, I am able to place the audio recorder at the front of my class near the professor lectern and control the device by making index marks, pausing/stopping/starting recordings - this has been super useful for my needs.

The media could not be loaded. This device is great and I’m enjoying using it. The only issue I have is that you can’t listen to the high quality audio through Bluetooth. You have to record in the lesser format for Bluetooth headphones. The features help out a lot especially the app that goes with the recorder. The recorder is extremely sensitive and picks up everything. My son was speaking in another area of my house and it was picking it up. I have another recorder which I use to record with before purchasing this one and it doesn’t pick up like this one. So basically this one is great and I wish I had bought this one from the beginning. I ended up buying a small case for it and I already had a strap I could use on it. I also really like that it’s small and has so many features especially the live listen while recording. I know a lot of recorders have that feature so it isn’t anything special but it’s one of the features that was a must have for me. Overall I really like this recorder.

This recorder is the latest version of the recorder. It is a very well built product that I can recommend.I use this for recording depositions with clients . Digital files are very easy to save and store.

Wow is all I have to say in a negative way! What happened to Olympus? It's no wonder people are paying double the original list price for older comparable Olympus models like the LS-10 on E-Bay or others when they can find one.I really wanted to believe this unit would work and meet my needs. There are not a lot of different models to choose from by different manufacturers serving people who need a device like this with bluetooth.This unit is worth about the sale price when it was bundled in Europe on Amazon with accessories like the windscreen, etc. for $50 at Christmas time, a couple of years ago. Yes, it works and is definitely worth $50 not over $200. If you check out reviews on You Tube, you'll find the packaging and accessories of this model were sold that way in a review that was done on this unit by someone from Europe. I never saw it sold with bundled accessories that cheap in my USA version of Amazon. Regardless, don't believe all the good reviews!What's positive? It works. It turns on. The performance of the 3-mic system is beyond inferior compared to a comparable Sony PCM-A10 with its 2-mic system and the mics are inferior to the mics on older Olympus units. Seems if it is branded like the new models with OM, then stay away. It is not Olympus. Maybe it is the same company, but, not the same quality.Can't help but compare with the Sony PCM-A10 which is priced identical and has similar features, but, outperforms this unit with a better user experience, across the board.The menu system is horrible. Not user friendly or intuitive. The LCD is too tiny. The buttons are not for an average USA adult. Better, perhaps, for the profile of a small 5'5" man with small fingers in a culture with small hands or a teenager or a female with smaller fingers. Can't help but compare with the Sony PCM-A10 which is priced identical and has similar features in a similar size footprint, yet bigger buttons and outperforms this unit with a better user experience with the functionality of the features, as well, across the board.Oh yes, in all fairness, OM created an app you can use on your phone through bluetooth with more comprehensive controls and a better menu system. So what? I don't need to use my phone nor do I want to use my phone to control the OM unit. I can control the Sony PCM-A10 without having to do that. I want the device to work independent of another device or phone.Moving on from menus, Olympus is so cheap, they send it in a package with rechargeable batteries that are not even sealed in a package or perhaps this was used and a return? The first unit they sent was definitely used. If I bought a package of Duracell or Everready batteries, they'd come sealed in a package I'd have to open. Not loose with no seal or even plastic wrap on them.Let's take the connector. The older model had a USB 2.0 like the Sony PCM-A10 that was retractable. So, Olympus considers this an upgrade or improvement to package it with a 2 or 3 inch long USB cable with an older USB mini on one side instead of a USB C. Is Olympus serious? They provide a 2 or 3-inch cable to go into the computer. 2 or 3 inches? And, in the instruction manual, it tells you that you have to use this cable to charge the batteries and not a universal cable that is longer. 2 or 3 inches? Really. If you lose this cable, it's around $30 or more, also, and you have to go through Olympus to get it, so, unlike ordering from Amazon prime, you might wait 2-weeks or more to get the replacement cable and you wouldn't be able to transfer your audio files into the computer without it for a few weeks. A 2 or 3 inch cable is not long enough. It is a major inconvenience depending on the computer you are attaching it to. This is unacceptable and a perfect example of CHEAP.How about the bluetooth? That sucks, too. It disconnects itself when you stop using the file you were listening to or if you turn it off. With the Bluetooth on the Sony PCM-A10, once it is paired, it connects automatically to my Bose speaker or to the speaker in my car when I'm driving. The bluetooth in the Olympus disconnects itself and you have to go through the steps to re-connect manually every time you stop and change files or turn it off. Nobody using bluetooth on a state of the art device has to re-pair the device from scratch every time they turn their unit ON or OFF.The limiter works. Arguably, there is nothing wrong with it, but, the levels when I connect an audio source through the aux input like a radio or some other sound source are still too damn low and compressed. The limiter in the Sony PCM-A10 when you connect to the aux input to record off another source is somehow more crisp with more dynamic range.The only advantage that the Olympus has over the Sony PCM-A10 is that you can replace the rechargeable batteries. The Sony PCM-A10 comes with a rechargeable battery that is internal and can't be replaced and if you were in the field recording for hours and hours (longer than a day) the internal rechargeable battery on the Sony is only good for about 12-hours and you couldn't just change out another set of rechargeable batteries like you can on the OM.Sony fixed that stupid design error in their upgraded D3 which also works with XLR mics at a higher price point. where you can change out the batteries. So, score this one area for the OM unit. But, how often does one go into the field for more than 12-hours? Most people will never run into a situation where they would run out of battery power using the Sony PCM-A10. Nobody records in a music studio or stays out in the field for more than 12-hours straight or at least few people.To sum up, I am extremely disappointed. One of the Olympus units came in a box that was partially torn and obviously opened and used and was probably somebody else's return re-packaged. The 2nd unit that seemed to be brand new was just disappointing. Even the packaging was disappointing.Over $200 and I get loose bulk rechargeable batteries that don't even come sealed in the box. Cheap. Not even in some sealed plastic wrap to at least assure me they are new batteries and never used. Even a box of straws for a drink come with a small plastic wrap on them.The performance sucks and this was not worth it. As one reviewer stated, it also seems like very dated technology that was recycled and repackaged as a new model that doesn't even meet the standards of Olympus units that are legacy and pre-Covid.There is a demand for a unit with this functionality that has bluetooth and can record with an auxillary mini-jack input, as well as with internal mics and is small and versatile enough to fit on a camera or in a studio or in business applications, but, this model is a loser which has me wondering what happened to Olympus??This is not worthy of the Olympus I remember and have purchased several models from in the past. I guess the new branding OM stands for reduced quality and innovation and cheap. Sad, very said.

Great soundIts bluetooth payback is wonderfulI don't get the bad reviewsThis digital recorder rocks

easy to use great product