Product Support

• What are the specifications for the DM-10?
• What are the main features of the DM-10?
• Can the DM-10 be used on a Macintosh computer?
• How are CD music tracks imported into the DM-10 using a Macintosh computer?
• What is the DSS audio format?
• What music formats does the DM-10 accept?
• How are music files imported into the DM-10 using a Windows computer?
• I want to clear my recorder of all of the loaded files. How do I format the recorder?
• Can I rename my files when they are displayed in My Computer?
• How should the recorder be disconnected from a Windows computer?
• How should the recorder be disconnected from a Macintosh computer?
• How is the Flash memory shared by the voice and music folders?
• How much recording time is available in the DM-10?
• What does SRS WOW do in the MUSIC Mode?
• What does the USER EQ function do in the MUSIC Mode?
• I recorded a file and the battery ran out. Now I can't play or find the file. Why?
• How long do the batteries last?
• What is VCVA?
• How is recording volume controlled?
• How is playback volume controlled?
• Can the playback speed be controlled?
• What are Index Marks?
• How are dictation files erased?
• How is the recorder turned off?
• Will using an accessory microphone with an extended frequency range improve the quality of my recordings?
• I am trying to use a monaural accessory microphone with the DM-10, and it's not working. Why?
• What are the operating system requirements for the DM-10?
• Is there an AC adapter for the DM-10?

What are the specifications for the DM-10?

DM-10 Digital Voice Recorder
Olympus DM-10 Digital Voice Recorder
Product Number 141592
Shipping date: August 2003
Box Contents
DM-10 Digital Voice Recorder
USB Docking Station
Stereo Earphones
Stereo Microphone
Two AAA Alkaline Batteries
USB Cable
Strap
DSS Player Software CD
Instruction Manual
Warranty Card

What are the main features of the DM-10?

The DM-10 is a combination digital voice recorder/music player/mass storage device. With 64 MB of built-in Flash memory it is capable of 22 hours of recording time or up to an hour of CD quality music downloaded and played in the MUSIC Mode. It can also function as a mass storage device (“jump” drive) to transfer files from one computer to another. The kit contains a USB Docking Station and DSS Player software for downloading files to a computer and managing and archiving audio files. The combination microphone/earphone jack accommodate earphones and accessory microphones.

Can the DM-10 be used on a Macintosh computer?

The DM-10 is bundled with a DSS Player software CD that contains DSS Player for Mac software. DSS Player for Mac is compatible with Mac OS 9 or later versions. Downloadable software updates are available at http://www.olympusamerica.com/

How are CD music tracks imported into the DM-10 using a Macintosh computer?

To create music files that can be imported into a DM-10, the CD tracks must be ripped into the iTunes music library as mp3 files and dragged and dropped into the DM-10.

1. Open iTunes.
2. In the MENU bar, click on iTunes.
3. In the drop down box, click on Preferences.
4. In the dialog box that appears, click on the Advanced tab and then on the Importing button. The setting box shown below appears.
   
   
   
5. In the Import Using: field, select MP3 Encoder. The Setting: field can be used to create custom mp3 properties to improve sound quality or extend music capacity. Once the desired settings are selected, click OK.
6. With the iTunes window open, put a music CD in the CD-ROM drawer. Click on the check boxes beside the tracks that are to be added to the library.
   
   
   
7. Start ripping the music tracks by clicking on the Import CD button.
   
   
   
8. Connect the DM-10 to the computer's USB port. The recorder will appear on the desktop as an [Untitled] drive. Drag and drop the music tracks into the untitled drive. The mp3 files will be transferred to the music folder in the DM-10.
   
   
   
9. Disconnect the DM-10 from the computer by dragging the [Untitled] drive icon to the trash.

What is the DSS audio format?

Digital Speech Standard (DSS) is a proprietary audio compression format jointly developed by Olympus, Philips, and Grundig. DSS compresses audio files approximately twelve times, so it is an ideal format for transferring files by email. The DSS compression format also extends the length of recording time on the DM-10s' Flash memory due to the smaller file sizes.

What music formats does the DM-10 accept?

<p>The DM-10 will accept Windows Media Audio (WMA) and mp3 format audio files.</p>

How are music files imported into the DM-10 using a Windows computer?

Note: The following instructions pertain to Windows Media Player version 11, which is available as a free upgrade from Microsoft. This version will also be included standard with the Windows Vista operating system.

1. Save music tracks from CDs or Internet downloads to the Library in Windows Media Player.
2. Connect the DM-10 to the computer's USB port.
3. Click [Sync] on the Windows Media Player toolbar. The [Sync List] window opens to the right of the Library.
4. Select the tracks from the Library that are to be synchronised and drag them into the Sync List.
   
   
   
5. Click on the Start Sync button.
   
   

Windows Media Player will transfer the music tracks into the DM-10. When the sync is completed, a display will show how much free memory remains in the recorder.

I want to clear my recorder of all of the loaded files. How do I format the recorder?

The recorder should be formatted only by using the internal Format function found in the recorder's Menu. Formatting using the computer may corrupt system files needed to run the recorder, so computer formatting is not recommended. Individual files can be deleted using the computer with no negative effects.

Can I rename my files when they are displayed in My Computer?

Files in the DM-10 should not be renamed when displayed in My Computer because the recorder's file-management software may not be able to find the renamed file. If a file is to be renamed, it should be done in a folder prior to being added to the Windows Media Player Library or in Windows Media Player prior to syncing the music to the DM-10.

How should the recorder be disconnected from a Windows computer?

Any USB device should be disconnected from a Windows computer using the [Safely Remove Hardware] button located in the taskbar in the lower right corner of the Desktop screen. The button's icon features a green arrow pointing to the lower left over a device.

Any open files should be closed before starting the disconnect process. Simply removing the device from the USB port without using the recommended disconnect procedure can result in corrupted files or firmware.

Double-clicking on the [Safely Remove Hardware] icon opens a dialog box to shut down the USB connection so the device can be safely disconnected.

Clicking on the [Stop] button launches another dialog box to confirm the devices that are to be stopped. Clicking the [OK] button closes the USB connection.

The Desktop screen will display a message balloon above the taskbar indicating that it is safe to disconnect the hardware.

How should the recorder be disconnected from a Macintosh computer?

Any USB device should be disconnected from a Macintosh computer by dragging the [Untitled] drive icon that represents the device into the trash. Simply removing the device from the USB port without using the recommended disconnect procedure can result in corrupted files or firmware.

How is the Flash memory shared by the voice and music folders?

The DM-10 has 64 MB of Flash memory. The dictation folders and music folders share the 64 MB of available memory. If the music folder is using 50 MB of memory, 14 MB are left for other purposes. The recorder can also be used as a mass storage device ("jump" drive) to transfer files from one computer to another. It is seen in My Computer as a Removable Disk drive.

How much recording time is available in the DM-10?

The length of the potential recording time available in the DM-10 is governed by the quality mode that is selected. When a quality mode is selected, a number of audio file properties are put into place that determine the level of detail of the saved file data. A higher-quality data file saves more detailed information and creates a larger data file that uses more memory space. A lower-quality recording makes a less-detailed data file, so the memory goes a lot farther. The table below shows the maximum recording times possible (assuming there are no other files saved on the recorder).

The different quality modes save the digital record of the recording with different levels of faithfulness to the original sound. The Stereo HQ Mode is recommended for music, drama, or interviews that may be made for broadcast. Stereo HQ (High Quality) Mode makes a very detailed digital record of the sound and uses a very wide frequency range that uses up the available Flash memory very rapidly. Lower-quality modes, such as SP (Standard play) and LP (Long Play), make a less detailed digital record of the sound and use a narrower frequency range and use up the available Flash memory much more slowly. These modes would be used for audio note-taking or recording college lectures or seminars in which large content is more important than high audio quality.

What does SRS WOW do in the MUSIC Mode?

SRS WOW is audio technology that uses the scientific principles of psychoacoustics to create a psychological impression of the music players' sound space.

SRS 3D (Sound Retrieval System) enhances the surround sound effects. TruBass gives the impression of bass "punch" in earbuds without using a subwoofer. Both effects have HIGH, MEDIUM, LOW and OFF settings.

What does the USER EQ function do in the MUSIC Mode?

The USER EQ (User Equalizer) function is a graphic equalizer to further customize the recorders' sound space. USER EQ allows the user to select from several audio environments that create variations in the emphasis of different frequency ranges. USER EQ allows the user to select a frequency band using the [REW] and [FF] buttons. The band options in USER EQ are 60 Hz, 250 Hz, 1 kHz, 4 kHz, and 12 kHz.

I recorded a file and the battery ran out. Now I can't play or find the file. Why?

When a recording session begins, a file is created to contain the incoming audio content. This file remains open throughout the session until the recording is manually stopped. If the recorder lasts longer than five minutes, the recorder will save the audio content at five-minute intervals.

If the battery runs out during a recording session, only the portion of the recording that has been saved will be available for retrieval. For example, if a recording session is interrupted by power loss at the 37th minute, the audio file of the recording will contain only the first 35 minutes worth of content. The remaining two minutes worth of content is not available because it was never saved to the file. In the case of recordings that are shorter than five minutes, the entire recording will be lost because the file is not able to close due to the lack of power. 

It is crucial to change the battery once the battery indicator shows only one hash mark of power remaining. Removing the battery while the recorder is in use may also corrupt a file.

How long do the batteries last?

Two AAA alkaline batteries will run a DM-10 in the recording mode for approximately 15 hours and in the playback mode for approximately 9 hours.

What is VCVA?

Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) is a function that sets up the recorder to record only when sound is detected at a preset level. This extends recording time by not recording "dead air" or background noise that can use up memory.

The function is activated from the recorder's menu. When it is activated, "VCVA" appears on the LCD screen.The threshold loudness level is set during recording by pressing the [REW] button to lower the level or the [FF] button to raise the level. There are 15 VCVA levels.

When the ambient sound drops below the threshold level, the recorder will not detect it.One second after the recorder fails to detect any sound, it will stop recording and display "STANDBY" on the LCD screen.

When sound is detected, the LCD screen shows the recording level graph.

How is recording volume controlled?

The DM-10 always records at 100% volume level to prevent accidentally recording with the volume set too low

The recorder has two microphone sensitivity levels:

• Dictation is a low-sensitivity level used for up-close recording
• Conference is a high-sensitivity level used in conference or lecture situations.

Microphone sensitivity is set via the [MIC SENSE] function in the recorder Menu.

How is playback volume controlled?

The playback volume is controlled during playback using the [+] (plus) and [-] (minus) buttons on the Volume rocker switch on the right side of the recorder. [+] increases the playback volume. [-] reduces the playback volume.

Can the playback speed be controlled?

Pressing the [PLAY] button once during playback increases the playback speed by 50%. Pressing the [PLAY] button a second time decreases the speed by 25%. Pressing [PLAY] during low-speed playback returns playback to the normal speed.

What are Index Marks?

Index Marks are tags that can be inserted while recording or during playback. They are used to skip forward or backward in recordings to pre-selected points. Up to 16 Index Marks can be added to a single file.

How are dictation files erased?

To erase a selected file, press the [ERASE] button. "FILE ERASE?" flashes on the display for approximately 8 seconds. While "FILE ERASE?" is still flashing, press the [ERASE] button again. "ERASE DONE" is displayed when the file is erased. File numbers will be reassigned automatically. Locked files cannot be erased.

To erase all files in a folder, select the folder and press the [ERASE] button for 3 seconds or longer. "ALL ERASE?" flashes on the display for approximately 8 seconds. While "ALL ERASE?" is still flashing, press the [ERASE] button again. "ERASE DONE" is displayed when the files are erased. Locked files are reassigned file numbers in ascending order.

How is the recorder turned off?

The [HOLD] switch is the recorders' ON/OFF switch.

Will using an accessory microphone with an extended frequency range improve the quality of my recordings?

Using an accessory microphone with an extended frequency range may not improve the quality of the recordings in a DM-10. The recorder has an overall frequency response of 300 Hz to 8,000 Hz, but the different quality modes modify the detail of the saved file data by saving some frequencies and discarding others. This is how the recorder varies the potential recording time and uses the built-in Flash memory more efficiently.

The table below shows the overall frequency response in the different quality modes:

The different quality modes save the digital record of the recordings with different levels of faithfulness to the original sound. The Stereo HQ mode is recommended for music, drama, or interviews that may be made for broadcast. Stereo HQ (High Quality) Mode makes a very detailed record of the sound and uses a wide frequency range that uses up the available Flash memory very rapidly. Lower quality modes, such as SP (Standard Play) and LP (Long Play), make a less detailed digital record of the sound and use a narrower frequency range and use up the available Flash memory much more slowly. These modes would be used for audio note taking or recording college lectures or seminars in which large content is more important than high audio quality.

I am trying to use a monaural accessory microphone with the DM-10, and it's not working. Why?

If an accessory monaural microphone is plugged into the DM-10 without setting the recorder to Monaural External input, the accessory microphone will not work and the built-in recorder microphone will remain enabled.

To set a DM-10 for use with a monaural accessory microphone, use the following procedure:

1. Insert the accessory microphone plug into the recorder EAR/MIC jack.
2. Open the recorder MENU and use the [REW} or [FF] buttons to scroll to [EXT. INPUT].
3. Press [PLAY].
4. In the [EXT. INPUT] list, use the [REW] button to scroll down to [MONAURAL INPUT].
5. Press [PLAY] and then [STOP] to close the MENU.

This setting must be entered every time a monaural microphone is connected or the recorder is powered up.Disconnecting the monaural microphone discards the setting. [MONAURAL INPUT] status cannot be saved as a default setting.

What are the operating system requirements for the DM-10?

The DM-10 is supported by Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000 Professional/XP Professional and XP Home Edition. The DM-10 is not compatible with Windows XP 64 bit.

The DM-10 is supported on Macintosh computers by Mac OS 9.0 or later. It is not supported on Intel Macs.

Is there an AC adapter for the DM-10?

The DM-10 uses the AC Adapter A321 in countries with 120 VAC current and the AC Adapter A322 in countries with 220 VAC current.