According to the notice, the expectations were obviously very high. Sonically to the LS-100, at least in the League of counterparties such as the Zoom H4n, Roland R-26 Tascam DR-100 (MKII) or even play the DR-40.
After unpacking the disillusion was big. Certainly, the case is mostly made of metal, but also quite a lot of plastic has been installed. Not bad, but not outstanding, but the Happtik is quite be described as good, although some attachments something "survive" (such as the metal bracket that holds the two microphones). The flap that covers the battery and recording the SD card "snaps" not to, but must be closed by a slide (which is relatively "stiff" and thus not "just so" rises). That the (sliding) switches for phantom power without going through the menu can be reached is practical and useful. The USB interface is not covered, that would certainly be something "nice" have been solved and the buttons for "Home Screen", "List" and "menu" (left of the display) are pretty shaky. In any case, the case is rigid and not creaks, for the price it would have demanded but processing may technically be a bit better.
The two regulators to modulation sit on an axis and are quite tricky to use if you want to make the modulation separately - with big hands that can already be somewhat difficult.
The starting process - with inlaid 4GB SDHC chip card requires approximately 8 seconds, which is likely to be equipment usual (the Zoom H4n is in the same area). The color display makes already good thing here and is easy to read - it also sets itself but pleasant of the LCD displays the competitors from. A speaker is also built - one may be it does not promise too much sound and volume, for a brief inspection of recording reaches this but quite out. In addition - for example after power - informs the device via voice output via the battery level. Further information on the wanted mode, if you move within the menu - but all in English (for example: "Recording Mode Setting").
Before you can start with a receiver, expect the recorder that you assign a recording folder. I admit that my guide did not overly helpful - this is, moreover, held close - and I had to search a little (so that other interested parties not also a "search" to: Press OK button and select folder) as this entry is not present in this menu. The menu settings are self-explanatory and otherwise grouped logically. Mono recordings are by the way only with 44.1 kHz (respectively Mono (MP3): 50-8000 Hz) possible (the quantization is not specified, but I go from 16 bit off).
Unfortunately, for the guitarists among the potential buyers are not - such as the Zoom H4n - even effects incorporated (over 50 guitar and bass amp modeling). Well, man can not have everything always ...
There is a genuine line-in, which can also be operated without limiter - so you can (after a pre-amp) and digitize its records easily. For me, one of the criteria, which have made this device so interesting. That it might now be well in Tascam DR-100 MKII, but at some point you have to decide yes times ... The XLR connectors are fitted as combo jacks and take as well as 6.3mm plug on - one of them one has to usually at hand (the Tascam DR-100 MKII - even in my original choice - has "only" XLR jacks, otherwise Mini jacks).
Practically - and another criterion for selecting the LS-100 - is that can be performed with the overdubbing function to a song. So song loaded on the memory card, play the song and play along (or sing) and simultaneously record. So you can already practice quite well, if you just have no tape available or work the vocal abilities and wants to control.
When the power supply could have been a bit more professional finish as the upcoming Tascam Dr100MKII desired: 2 battery compartments for standard AA batteries and a lithium-ion battery. The AA cells are autauchbar, while the recording continues - ie endless long take.
For Equipment and Aufnahmemodis:
Recording formats: PCM / MP3
Broadcast Wave Format: Yes
PCM (WAV) format:
96 kHz / 24 bit
96 kHz / 16 bit
88.2 kHz / 24 bit
88.2 kHz / 16 bit
48 kHz / 24 bit
48 kHz / 16 bit
44.1 kHz / 24 bit
44.1 kHz / 16 bit
44.1 kHz mono
44.1 kHz / 16-bit with 64-GB SD card
Mp3
320 kbps
256kbps
128kbps
64 kbps (mono)
128 kbps with a 64 GB SD card
Playback Mode
Playback Format
WAV / MP3 (8kbps - 320kbps)
Frequency response
96 kHz (PCM): 20-44000 Hz
88.1 kHz (PCM): 20 - 40,000Hz
48 kHz (PCM): 20-23000 Hz
44.1 kHz (PCM): 20-21000 Hz
44.1kHz mono (PCM): 20-21000 Hz
320 kbps (MP3): 50 - 20,000 Hz
256 kbps (MP3): 50 - 20,000 Hz
128 kbps (MP3): 50-17000 Hz
Mono (MP3): 50 to 8000 Hz
Recording
Recording Monitor: Yes
Manual control the volume level: Yes (rotary switch)
Low-cut filter: Yes (2 stages)
Voice Sync: Yes
Automatic Gain Control (Auto): Yes
Compressor: Yes
Limiter: Yes
Pre REC: 2s
Recordings with a size of over 2 GB: Yes (gaps)
Multitrack Recording: Yes
Overdubbing: Yes
Playback Synchro Recording: Yes
Playback Function
AB repeat playback: Yes
Fast forward / - return: Yes
Playback Speed: Fast (max. 4x) / slow (min 0.5x.)
Key Shift: Yes
FF / REW: Yes
Silent Skip: Yes
Intro Play: Yes
Play the file: Yes
Play lists: Yes
Data Management
Files per folder:. Max 999
Language folders 5
Move files to other folders: Yes
Share file: Yes
Copy File (folder - folder): Yes
Time / date display: Yes
Data lock: Yes
File Replace: Yes
MP3 encoding: Yes
Multitrack Recording
Projects:. Max 999
Tracks per project: 8 tracks
Files per project: Max. 999
Volume: Yes
Mute: Yes
L / R Panorama: Yes
Bounce: Yes
Delete Project: Yes
More Functions
Spoken menus: Yes
Lissajous: Yes
Write CD: Yes, with optional CD burner
Tripod Mount: Yes
Metronome Countdown: Yes
Metronome Tempo: 40-208
Metronome Pattern: Yes (without accent, 1/4 - 8/4, 6/8)
Tuner calibration. 435-445 Hz
Chromatic Tuner: Yes
Guitar Tuner: Yes
Bass Tuner: Yes
Remote Control: Yes (optional)
(Written off aud the specifications)
Also convenient is a small but beautiful equipment detail: The device already has a built-in 4GB memory (not exchangeable and can only be reached via USB), thus may become equal to losgelegt without that one over a corresponding SD / SDHC / SDXC card having to think. SD cards are supported up to 2 GB, SDHC cards up to 32GB and SDXC Kartern to 64 GB. Thus, you can record without interruption 50 hours a 32GB SDHC card at 44.1kHz / 16bit. Noteworthy it is also - other devices support this to some extent - that there is no limit to the file size (some are in other units customized 2 GB files (also without interruption), but you then there are multiple files).
So now to the sound:
The power and the signal power is to ensure, through the separate compartments that we arrive at a real studio result. In my brief test with a Rode NT-1A large-diaphragm condenser microphone with gold sputtered and shock mounted 2.5 cm (1 inch) renal capsule achieved this auszgezeichnet and really no noise (vocals as well as percussion recordings), spatially as well as "airy". The recordings via records dubbing over an adequate pre-amp (for MC) systems were of great class and really fun - the difference with the Zoom H4n is there, but not sooooo big (as indeed already awarded).
Except for the most necessary (battery, charger, USB cable, pouch, manual) will be no "goodies": no memory card (4GB are already installed) and also software. That reminds me there is software sufficiently I do not need those things and leave this in assessing the outside before.
My wishes, this equipment so far most and why I stay here for the time being. Who knows what is still so everything comes, finally, the market really is now indeed in motion and shooting in this quality would have been unthinkable a few years ago. Other experiences I will, as usual, late filing as soon as there is something nachzureichen - Finally a review "live" and develop. And long-term experiences show the real quality of the test object.
Just a pity that the optional purchasable Infrared remote control offers (Olympus RS-30W Remote Control for LS-10 / LS-11 / LS-5 / DM-450 / -550) to functions only "Rec" and "Stop" - the price it fetched is, in addition to the lean-featured, already be described as borderline.
Until then, I forgive, despite the slight defects in workmanship and the relatively high price 4 stars (only 5 is inflationary and then it would have to be impeccable) and bins for the time being satisfied.
Addendum 14.02.2012:
Now, after several shots with built in microphone - as well as via external - shows that the noise performance is really top notch. Even when mixing together several tracks - which makes itself without guidance as children easily carried out - is a barely audible noise (we have a brief demo added (bass, drums, two guitars and vocals)).
The recordings sound very plastically with a realistic "belly" in the bass range, without getting woolly. Also Atmospheric recordings live by a very spatial impression (this tape samples were taken in total). Overall, the images are very well balanced, with no preference a certain area or to neglect.
Unfortunately missing effects such as reverb that for vocal recordings - would be useful - for a quick mix. Generally forgive the shooting abolut no mistake and are of excellent quality. Similarly, recordings via the line-in input behavior recorded directly from the mixer out.
Dubbings of old tapes and LPs succeed directly and clean and can - unless you like the dubbing still edit - ready for immediate use. I thus spare me the conversion of my record player, tape deck or my (much to the delight of my better half) ;-).
Addendum 22.02.2012:
Now I am finally got around to test the battery life in the pure microphone recording (internal only) or via line-in: With a fully charged battery (Wave format 44.1kHz / 16bit) a second run of about 4 hours and 20 minutes is achieved (a little more've rounded).
The refilling of the battery consumes about 2 hours and 45 minutes (which I already regard as quite long).
The runtime when using external microphones with phantom power will follow shortly.
Addendum 26.02.2012:
As an excellent tool to the Lessajous function has been established. Here you can - if you can not reach a central position for receiving, for example in a (legal) concert recording - making by means of the displayed phase shift a "fine tuning" to compensate for this phase shift.
The Aussattung proves to be as far as possible complete (missing Hall for "Quick & Dirty" vocal recordings and no effects for guitar heroes), even overdubbing is on board. The sound quality is really phänomänal (which does not mean that the equipment of Tascam, Maranz, Sony, Roland & Co. sound worse) and thus succeed even "rough demos" because of a song idea's play, with a sound quality for you in front of some years even thousands of Euros would have to spend.
So far it is not yet come to any malfunctions, hangers, crash or the like which the sake of completeness it should be mentioned. Truly a small music studio in pocket size.
