General Features
Recording Features
Edit and Playback Functions

General Features

Overview: The Olympus WS-852 is a compact, hand-held portable digital voice recorder. The device records onto the built-in 4 GB flash memory or optional microSD memory cards (up to 32 GB). The recorder has two built-in microphones, a 20mm diameter dynamic speaker, and jacks for an external microphone and headphones. The WS-852 operates on two "AAA" alkaline batteries (supplied).

LCD Display: The WS-852 features a 1-1/2" (diagonal) monochrome LCD display which indicates recording and playback information. The recorder will display the elapsed or remaining recording time in hours, minutes, and seconds. When not recording, the current time can be displayed. You can set the display contrast to one of 12 levels.

Date and Time: The recorder features a built-in clock. If you have set the time and date, information as to when a sound file was recorded is stored automatically with that file.

Built-in Stereo Microphone: The unit features two built-in microphones on the top of the recorder, angled at 90 degrees for a wide pickup pattern. You can set the recording level to Low, High, or Auto. In addition to the built-in microphones, the recorder also has a 3.5mm external microphone input. Microphones with plug-in power supplies can be used.

Headphone Jack: A 3.5mm headphone jack is provided on the top of the recorder to allow you to listen to recorded files, or monitor the audio during recording. No headphones are included with the recorder.

Recording Memory: The WS-852 features a 4 GB internal memory for recording and storing files. In addition, the recorder has a slot for microSD memory cards with capacities ranging from 2 to 32 GB.

USB Plug: The WS-852 has a retractable Type A USB plug at the top to let you plug the unit directly into your computer for transferring files. The unit is Hi-speed USB 2.0-compatible, and can work with the following Operating Systems: Windows 8/8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Mac OS X (v10.5-v10.10).

Stand: The recorder has a flip-down stand on the back panel that raises the recorder off the surface so the microphone doesn't pick up surface vibrations.

Power Requirements: The recorder is powered by two "AAA" alkaline batteries (included). Fully-charged batteries provide the following battery life:

Power Save: The Power Save function turns off the display and switches the unit to Standby after the recorder has been stopped for at least 5 minutes.

Recording Features

Recording Format: The WS-852 records audio files in MP3 format in three recording modes: 128 kbps, 64 kbps mono, and 8 kbps mono. The lower bit rates provide longer recording times while higher bit rates offer better quality recordings. The maximum size for a single file is limited to approximately 4 GB. Specifications per recording mode are as follows:

Low Cut Filter: The WS-852 has a Low Cut Filter to minimize low frequency sounds. This helps make voice recording clearer, especially in windy conditions.

Voice Filter: The Voice Filter function cuts the low and high frequencies and emphasizes the midrange to make voices more clear. You can turn the Voice Filter on or off during normal playback, or during fast/slow playback.

Recording Scenes: A recording setting can be set to one of seven templates to suit the recording scene or situation. Each Recording Scene designates specific settings to suit the scene, including Recording Level (Lo/Hi/Auto), Recording Mode (128 kbps only), Low Cut Filter (On/Off), VCVA (On/Off), and V-Sync Rec (On/Off). The available Recording Scenes include:

• Dictation: For recording your own voice and other sounds that are extremely close.
• Meeting: Suitable for recording a meeting held in a small space.
• Conference: Suitable for recording conferences in a large space
• Duplication (Auto Divide): For duplicating cassette tapes and CDs. The silent intervals between tracks are detected to automatically divide the tracks so each one is saved as a separate file during recording.
• Duplication (Timer): Records continuously to one file and stops when the set time is reached.
• Telephone Rec: Suitable for recording telephone conversations.
• DNS: Suitable for Speech Recognition software

VCVA Function: You can set the WS-852 to automatically start recording when it picks up sound and shut off when the sound stops. The Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) lets you adjust the volume level threshold for starting and stopping recording. The VCVA level can be set to different values. You can set a detection time of 1, 2, 3, or 5 seconds. The recorder enters standby mode when the sound goes below the preset level for the set number of seconds.

Speech Recognition: Optional Dragon NaturallySpeaking software can automatically convert speech into text, making it easier to transcribe your recordings. The WS-852 was awarded 6 Dragons--the highest recognition rating from Nuance Communications, the maker of the Dragon software.

Hold Function: The recorder has a sliding On/Off switch. While recording or playing back a file, moving the switch to the Off position puts the recorder in the Hold mode. The recording or playback continues, but no other operations can be performed. This prevents any accidental operations during recording or playback.

Edit and Playback Functions

Playback Volume: The Olympus WS-852 lets you adjust the playback volume between 00 and 30.

Playback Frequency Response: The best frequency response during playback is 30 Hz to 20 kHz. The playback frequency response may be narrower depending upon the recording format.

File Storage: The recorded files are separated into five folders--A, B, C, D, and E. Each folder can store up to 200 files. You can search within each folder to find the desired file to play back, or use the Calendar Search function to search for files by their recording date.

Playback Speed: You can adjust the playback speed as you desire; slowing it down to review spots you couldn't understand, or speeding it up to listen to meeting content at a faster speed. You can vary the playback speed by 0.1x increments from 0.5x (half speed) to 2.0x normal speed. When playing back at a different speed, the WS-852 automatically adjusts the pitch to make the audio sound close to normal. You cannot manually adjust the pitch of the playback audio.

A-B Repeat: The A-B Repeat function lets you repeat a portion of a file over and over. This is helpful if you're transcribing a recording and need to listen to a segment repeatedly.

Index Marks: Setting an index mark lets you quickly find a location you want to listen to while fast forwarding or fast rewinding. Up to 99 index marks can be placed on a single file.

File Divide: Large files, or files with long recording times, can be divided for easier management or editing.

Erase: You can erase your recorded messages one by one, or all messages in a folder at one time.

File Lock: To prevent a file from being accidentally erased or edited, you can lock it. When a file is locked, it is regarded as a read-only file. It can later be unlocked, if desired.