Topic: Olympus LS-10 - how to position during a rock concert

[chiman]

Hi,

My girlfriend bought me a second-hand Olympus LS-10 as a surprise.

Although I know it's much better to use external mic's to record a show, I want to give it a try with the internal ones this week.

I will go to a rock concert and wondering where to position my LS-10.
In my shirt pocket (breast level) or waist level?

[dallman]

I have recorded with an LS 10 using the internal mics. I was able to leave it on a ledge at the back of an amphitheater, and got pretty good sound. No matter what the higher you can place the deck the better. The less direct contact with chatter and individual conversations the better. I do think the mics like to be pointing forward instead of pointing up though, so your breast pocket could be problematic. If they are omni mics (and I cannot recall) then you are probably fine. Have fun with the deck!

[John Willett]

If they are omni mics (and I cannot recall)

They are not omni mics - they are cardioid - so in a pocket is a no-no.

[rjp]

Aside from the cardioid mics, also make sure your recording level setting is Manual/Limiter Off, and your sensitivity switch is set to LOW. Even at low sensitivity, the mics and internal preamp are a bit on the hot side. When I was recording classical (full symphony orchestra) using the internals, I had the level dial set to about 4. You might need to go lower for a loud rock show.

I normally use 24-bit/48 kHz for my recordings.

Externals are a much better bet. Note that line-in doesn't offer gain; with my Littlebox I turn the dial to 10 and adjust levels on the preamp.

The fitting on the back is a 1/4"-20 thread, as commonly used on camera tripods and (some) lighting stands. I had my Littlebox outfitted with a matching stud on top, on which I put a rubber O-ring, so I can easily attach the LS-10 to the preamp.

[John Willett]

Aside from the cardioid mics, also make sure your recording level setting is Manual/Limiter Off

Interesting - why "limiter Off"?

I would normally record manual with limiter ON, to take care of unexpected peaks.

[datbrad]

Limiters on most modern handheld file based recorders are not analog, they are digital. You can be tricked into thinking you have good levels when you are limiting   when you are actually overloading the analog signal path. Analog limiters actually will prevent peak distortion if used correctly, but are usually only found on outboard preamps.

[dallman]

Limiters on most modern handheld file based recorders are not analog, they are digital. You can be tricked into thinking you have good levels when you are limiting   when you are actually overloading the analog signal path. Analog limiters actually will prevent peak distortion if used correctly, but are usually only found on outboard preamps.

When I first got this deck, I experimented using the limiter, and I found exactly as stated above. Things looked good, but I was running too hot and got a terrible recording. It is much better to be a bit conservative and record at 24 bit with the limiter off. I use 24/48 and dither it back to 16/44.1 in soundforge if needed.

[chiman]

Thanks for all the great tips!

I will put the device in my shirt pocket.
Hopefully I will get some decent sound quality.

[John Willett]

I will put the device in my shirt pocket.
Hopefully I will get some decent sound quality.

I doubt it.

[TimeBandit]

Be sure the newest firmware is on it, that the device scan split files seamless on 2GB.

[DigiGal]

Thanks for all the great tips!

I will put the device in my shirt pocket.
Hopefully I will get some decent sound quality.