OM Digital Solutions WS-600S Digital Voice Recorder 142610 (Silver)

I needed a recorder for my Voice Lessons and Olympus WS-600S fits my needs pretty well! I was impressed by a quality of the stereo recordings, that are great in almost any environment. Recorder itself is very small and light, it feels a little fragile so you might want to pickup a case for it. Since I got it I now carry this gadget with me everywhere. It's great for recording in the conference room, taking personal notes and of course my voice lessons class. It works pretty well with external microphone too, and there are tons of settings. Transferring files to computer is a breeze, just extract USB connector, plug it in and in Windows you can just drag and drop files from it like from any flash drive.One con I can think of is that this recorder has bad built-in speaker, but I don't really care about the speaker, since I listen everything back from my computer.

This recorder has plenty of options so you can set it up depending on the context where the recording will take place.I am particularly impressed by the "Dictation" mode (or something to that effect), where the idea is you speak closely into the microphone in order to record something for you own future benefit (as opposed to recording someone else speaking from a distance in a large lecture hall, etc). The recording is so clear that the only thing you can hear is the voice of the speaker, without any background noise or "hissing" whatsoever (I've used at least four different means to make recordings in the past, including a similar recorder, a computer microphone,and a webcam, and this has the best quality and clearest recordings by far. Impressive is the first word that comes to mind).Another thing I am pretty impressed by, is the fact that this recorder is very economical when it comes to battery life. I think the description says it needs two AAA batteries, but it actually requires only one. I have made several recordings with the first battery (cheap one that came with it) and it still shows the battery as full, whereas the one I had before would probably be already halfway done with a Duracell.Finally, it is very convenient that you can simply push the USB plug out of the recorder itself, and connect it directly into your computer to upload your recordings, as opposed to having to keep track of a separate USB cable.In short, great recorder if you're okay with the price.

An iPhone recording is better than what this delivers. It has heavy auto-gain which is too reactive. It will bring out all the background noise. Easy to use and the slide out USB connection is handy. My LCD began bleeding in the middle of the screen. No visible cracks. This tells me that the item is much too delicate.

I purchased this recorder only because I could not buy another new WS-300. I had purchased a WS-300 several years before, and loved it. After a lot of use recording meetings, classes and conference calls so I could transcribe them later, and not miss information by trying to take notes in the meeting, class or call, the WS-300 started skipping. I looked for a reason for skipping, the only thing I could find was a software update. Mine had the latest update. I figured I'd get a second recorder. I think I only paid about $35 for the WS-300, so I wasn't looking to spend a lot of $$ on a second recorder.I have specifically purchased Olympus products, because I had always had good experience with their products before, but from day one the WS-600 had a buzz anytime I used it to record a phone meeting or conference call. The Buzz is so loud on the play back that It's hard to hear what was recorded.It must be picking up some electronic interference, I have not noticed it picking up the noise when recording conversations in person. But since I got this primarily to record meetings & conference calls, all which are via the phone, this recorder is almost unusable.This model is much harder to figure out, for someone that isn't familiar with Olympus recorders.My mother & my Aunt both purchased the same model recorders to take to the doctor, on vacation, etc. Had I not had the same model and was able to walk them thru how to use their recorders, they would not have been able to use them. Unlike the WS-300, which I believe is much simpler to use.The change to the design of the battery compartment is so hard to open on the units my Mom & Aunt have, they are unable to change the battery themselves, they both need to get someone with stronger hands to change the battery for them.After messing with the WS-300, I found that if I download most of my files more often, and delete them from the recorder the skipping stopped. The WS-300 is also much better at voice activation, so not to waste space with dead air.I am hesitant to purchase a newer model, I think they try to add too many new features, and it detracts from the quality of the recorder.I have considered Purchasing a used WS-300, but am hesitant buying a used unit. It looks like the used WS-300 units are selling for much more than I paid for mine in new condition.