Olympus DS-40 Digital Voice Recorder

We are very pleased with this device. Bought it almost a year ago for my wife to record lectures in class. We were amazed at how well it picked up the voice of the instructor without hardly any background noise. This device has many features that are easy to use. Excellent folder system for saving individual lectures. Comes with software to enable computer interface for saving/playback of files. Has high quality playback from the recorder. I fully recommend this little unit for anyone desiring to record classroom lectures. It's just like being in the class. Also, plenty of room for hours of storage. This device is worth every penny.

I read many reviews and was surprised by many as I use this all the time to record meetings and sure it picks up other noises very well, however, position it correctly on a conference room table or even on a pad for extra shock protection when people bang or drop on the table.

I could easily hear all people speak in a large conference room with 20 people in it and know each voice distinctly. I even once had it in the pocket of my jacket and I got everything very clearly so I am not sure what others have had problems, strange to me. Everyone has different hearing as well as what they like, expect or want from a product.

No comment on the software as I do not download or save my recordings at all.

As for storage I have mine on the higher setting giving me 7.5-8hrs of record time but I listen and take what i need from them and erase it so I never run out of space. Again I don't download so I can't speak to that in any capacity.

I bought this unit for a client to record audio MP3 messages for his website. It is very easy to use and extremely high quality! I strongly recommend this unit as well as the lavalier microphone for live speech recording.
Ed Primeau
President/CEO
Primeau Productions/Troy Michigan

I use this recorder in my work. I started recording interviews, so that I can go over them again later - makes sure I don't miss anything. Scene descriptions, license plates, etc... very helpful. Of course, any recorder can do that. What makes this one special, is that it is all understandable. I have not yet lost any info due to shirt rustle or ambient noise. One interesting use is to place the recorder in the trunk and run the microphone into the back seat.... (yes, that's legal - no expectation of privacy in the back of a patrol car). It works great!!!

I have lent it to the kids for school - it works well on lectures, etc...

Still haven't tried the podcasts, but reading all of the other posts indicates that it works pretty well at that too!!

So, for now... this looks like the best product out there for the price. I highly recommend! I also have the phone mic (TP7) and Tie pin (ME15). They both work like a charm!

All the best,

Jay

Good product. Used in a classroom with about 25ft away from the speaker. Captured the details very well. There is a big difference between what you hear over its 'built-in' speakers and thru a headphone. The built-in speakers don't do any justice to the product. I recommend this product.