Olympus WS-823 Voice Recorders with 8 GB Built-In-Memory

Excellent recorderThe main reason I bought this recorder was for personal recording. Many times when I’m out and about there’s things that I think about that I want to enter into the computer. As I’ve gotten older, by the time I get back to the computer I’ve forgotten them. This device has worked wonderfully in that respect. It’s so nice to record these thoughts before they’re gone forever.I would say this recorder is not the most intuitive device I’ve ever used. I think this is to be expected. For as small as it is and as many features as it has, it’s hard to cram it all in on the few buttons it has and the small LCD screen it has. But I think if you’re experienced at using smart phones and other handheld devices you won’t have any trouble figuring it out. The instruction pamphlet that came with it leaves a lot to be desired but that doesn’t keep me from giving it 5 stars.I had no problem connecting the device to a computer. Just plug it in and it recognized it. Transferring files back and forth was no problem.The device can be used for listening to music. I don’t use it much for that but I did try it out. Obviously the speakers that are built in don’t do much for listening to music. But with the earbuds that came with it I think it was great for listening to music.This recorder is supposed to be able to be used in a conference room setting. I did not have an opportunity to use it that way. I see no reason why it shouldn’t work well though. I think it really is an excellent device. Well worth the money I paid for it. That’s why I give it 5 stars.

I used this recorder extensively for my dissertation as I used it to record participant interviews.Pros: Super easy to download transcribed interviews, works well with MacBook Air computerCons: 1) There are too many modes and I found the instructions to be confusing2) FYI there is no physical paper manual that comes with the recorder just a flimsy piece of paper for basic operation, when you attach the voice recorder via the USB connection a folder will open on the desktop of your computer and you can then access the manual and search through it to get to the different settings3)I bought this for interviews and because I wanted to use the "transcription mode" so that all of the pauses etc. during a transcribed interview wouldn't be recorded. As one pays by the minute for transcription services I thought it would save me a few dollars. I tried to set it up based on the instructions but it never worked for me.Bottom line: This recorder works well, it is easy to transfer files, upload them etc. I'm just not sure I needed such a fancy voice recorder, maybe I would've bought a lesser model without all of the bells and whistles and saved some money

There are a lot of bells and whistles on this device. It left me disappointed though. I was looking for a device that was good for recording lectures and dictation. It is nearly impossible to have a running commentary with this device. I had planned to verbally outline chapters and study guides that I could go back and listen to. Every time you start recording again it starts a new file. I tried to dictate chapter outlines but the number of files got way out of hand. You can pause a recording but once you stop it starts a completely new file.The flexibility of file formats is a plus though. I was really easy to put mp3 recordings on to my iTunes. You can then rename the file so it is not just some series of numbers. I was then able to put files back onto the device with the files renamed. It picked up my lectures ok. I know this device is on the lower end but as advertised it promised the moon.It feels really cheap. I mean really cheap. It is constructed of thin plastic. It picks up any movement your hand has on the device or turning of notebook paper. It was surprisingly loud how any movement of the device is. Kind of a letdown.I ultimately returned the device and bought a recorder just geared for dictation. The device should get you by in lectures though and the different file formats you can utilize are a major plus. Sticking a lecture on iTunes you can then listen to on your phone or iPod is pretty cool. Just wish I could have done it with my outlines. Not being able to pick back up in a recording was a deal breaker for me. I contacted Olympus just to make sure and it is not possible with this device.

I am a 3rd semester nursing student, and bought this recorder so that I can read my notes into it and constantly review those notes by listening to my mp3 player--regardless of where I am. I don't consider myself to be a very tech-savvy consumer, but I found this voice recorder to be incredibly easy to use. The sound quality is exceptional, and I am easily able to transfer recordings, re-format, and label recordings using Roxio Music Lab. The quick-start guide was useful to get me started, but really, this voice recorder is quite self-explanatory. After playing around with it for about a half-hour, I was able to figure out how to use the majority of its functions. The battery charge lasts quite a while, and I find the built-in USB plug to be very useful!Again, I found the sound quality to be exceptional, even on the poorest quality option offered on this recorder, and it does a good job of eliminating background noise for the most part (most of my recordings have been made with 2 children playing in the next room over with the door open...most of their noises didn't make it onto my recordings!).I would recommend this voice recorder...I am happy with my purchase!

Works great for interviewing. I have been using it in fieldwork for a research project.

For me this recorder by itself is a ten for clarity,to make it a perfect ten plusadd 145045 me microphone.

Quality on this thing is amazing.

great unit