Olympus DS-40 (512 MB) Handheld Digital Voice Recorder

I bought the DS-40 specifically because the software had a Mac version, and because in addition to the lecture recording capabilities, it can be used as an MP3 player.

Little did I imagine that the Mac software does not seem capable of uploading podcasts & music from Macs to the recorder as it will from Windowboxes. The Olympus website did not have this important information for Mac users: shame on Olympus!

Found a note from a user who suggested just dragging & dropping the music/podcast files you want from iTunes onto the recorder icon. Tried this. The recorder accepted the files, but they were not to be found on the device itself. Eventually found one of the files, a 1-hour podcast, and it played fine. May have simply reached the storage capacity of the recorder.

Anyway I wanted to let Mac users know: the DS-40's cool MP3 feature doesn't work natively on Macs. Otherwise a fine little recorder.

But...feel sucka'd by Olympus.

Great Product! Buy Olympus and not any other brand if you expect to record voice with a good quality!

The Olympus DS 40 digital voice recorder is an excellent recorder. It's sensitivity to the recorded voice gives an impression to a listener as if the speaker is actually speaking right on the recorder's mic. Whether the voice is recorded using Stereo or Mono, the produced sound quality is surprisingly good even though a lesser chosen quality is used to record sounds.

This digital recorder has the capability to slow down playback speed in order to listen to proper pronounciation of words from the speaker. The recorder can also do a fast playback, but I just don't see the point of this function.

This recorder has a digital flash memory of 512 MB, which allows to record sounds in extra high quality for 8 hours and so (see manual). The reason I bought the 512MB version of this recorder was that I wanted to record the speakers voice in extra high quality which would last at most 8 hours. Although it allows me to record for a longer period of time in extra high quality, one must be aware that in this quality the recorder would use more memory. In other words, for a recording period of 2 hours and 40 minutes, this recording occupies around 170 MB (megabytes). Therefore, lots of memory taken already from the recorder.

Also, the recorder has noice cancelling functions but it would distort a little bit of the speakers voice because the recorder is filtering some frequency components of the sound and thus it would take the frequency component belonging to the voice as well. Only a little distortion and you can still listen to the voice/sound well enough to understand a human speech.

In overall, the Olympus DS 40 digital voice recorder is surprisingly small, surprisingly sensitive to sounds, very good sound quality in XHQ (I haven't tried other lower recording modes), surprisingly good sound quality even at the HQ mono recording mode.

The price is expensive, but for this you get what you paid for.

Great recorder with lots of options. Easy to use and excellent quality. Works great for Lectures and on the job use.

prodct really works well in a conference or lecture environment. Picks up clearly as long as the room does not echo. Everyone comment can be heard clearly. Definitely a recommended product.

This little recorder is excellent. The built in speaker is adequate. The high quality output plays very clearly through an external device such as a radio. The DSS software works fine to transfer files to your computer and even allows configuration of the recorder itself. The output files play very well using your computer. There is an optional voice prompt built in to the recorder to assist the user. The recorder's menu screen is clear with logical easy to navigate instruction. The DS40 recorder will get you up and running right away with lots of capability to explore later. I like it. Forget about cassette tapes!

Great item, sound quality is superb.
The attatched microphone is very loose which deminishes the structural integrety of the device.

However, overall I highly recomend it for people recording lectures, conferences, or rap.

The Olympus DS-40 is a multiple use unit. You can record in mono or stereo with mics provided or you can use your own handheld or parabolic mic by way of a mini-plug. I use it for getting "man on the street" comments and "on the scene" reporting for my radio station as well as using it for ghost hunting with my homemade parabolic mic. Wonderful audio any way you use it and compares to TASCAM DR-07 and Zoom H-2 and costs less.

I bought a cell phone through e bay some time in November 2008.It was advertised as a Flip phone on e bay with pictures shown.The phone that arrived at my house was nothing close to a flip phone.I wrote them a letter telling them they had made a mistake and the AD on the internet was misleading.They apologized told me to return the phone, pay the the postage and they will send me the MOTOROLA FLIP PHONE and the postage for their mistake.I heard from them with more apologies,and then no more comunication.I lost USD $40 00,it was'nt the money so much,just the principle.Won't do business with that company any more.I had a similar problem with buying a Dreambox from England.The e mail address was from England,the merchandise came from China,wrong product,never heard from them either.Becoming weary ordering anything from E bay.
Thank you
Fred.

This is a great piece of equipment. Worth every penny i spent on it. I would recommend this item to anyone that needs a digital recorder.

Great price, great product, and good shipping..............................................................

This device is easy to use and does very well with voice dictation, lecture recording, and music. You can even download audible books to listen to. I used this model at work and wanted to have my very own. Its light weight, small enough for almost any pocket, and has ample storage. Batteries last a long time.

I like it very much. It help me a lot for the lecture.I like it very much.I like it very much.I like it very much.I like it very much.I like it very much.I like it very much.I like it very much.I like it very much.I like it very much.I like it very much.I like it very much.I like it very much.

I ordered this digital recorder and got it very quickly. It goes above my expectations. I got it to record my lectures which it does well and I can download onto my computer. I also can put music on to it and listen to it. This is great would recommend to others.

I use this recorder for Paranormal Investigations.
It is high quality, excellent sound reproduction. Wonderful features, and a perfect size.
I would have a dozen of these in my case if I could!

I purchased an Olympus DS-30 several months ago and have gotten much quality use from it. I have been recording our Sunday School leason on it and making cd's for those who want one. A friend saw it and wanted one, so I purchased the DS-40 for her, and she is very pleased with it also. These little recorders have very good quality.

The product reflects it's price and is excellent.
It is convienent to use, small enough to keep in the pocket.
The size of the memory is large enaough for daily use.
There are a lot of additional functions.
It has sensitive microphone.
Recomended .

Luv it everything.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. and that too.

very good recording even when in the pocket of a shirt. Long battery life. Light weight, easy to use.

I need constantly to record conversations and lectures. this product is just great for my needs. I used to have a sony recorder but this one rocks. The only thing I really didn't like is that I had to pay an extra $10 just to upgrade the software that came with the recorder. Manufacturers are not supposed to treat customers as if they are dumb. Either state everything in the description of the product or include whatever you see fit in the initial price.

Quality product, shipped right away. Quality product, shipped right away. Quality product, shipped right awayQuality product, shipped right awayQuality product, shipped right awayQuality product, shipped right awayQuality product, shipped right awayQuality product, shipped right awayQuality product, shipped right away

I bought this item to use in paranormal investigations. The recording quality is awesome, which I need to try and catch EVP's, but I chose this model because it is mostly made of metal, unlike many others of similar recording quality that are all plastic. I feel more confident using this in the area I will go which can take it's toll on equipment. Things do get dropped, you know! Downloading the recordings to my computer was almost too easy as well. I am one very satified customer!

A little expensive but I am satisfied with the product and shipping. It was great to deal with such a seller with the intellect and mind of the receiver