DIGITAL VOICE RECORDER DS-660 INSTRUCTIONS Thank you for purchasing an Olympus Digital Voice Recorder. Please read these instructions for information about using the product correctly and safely. Keep the instructions handy for future reference. To ensure successful recordings, we recommend that you test the record function and volume before use.
Safe and Proper Usage Before using your new recorder, read this manual carefully to ensure that you know how to operate it safely and correctly. Keep this manual in an easily accessible location for future reference. • The warning symbols indicate important safety related information. To protect yourself and others from personal injury or damage to property, it is essential that you always read the warnings and information provided.
Recorded content in memory may be destroyed or erased by operating mistakes, unit malfunction, or during repair work. It is recommended to back up and save important content to other media such as a computer hard disk. Batteries Warning • Batteries should never be exposed to flame, heated, short-circuited or disassembled. • Do not attempt to recharge alkaline, lithium or any other non-rechargeable batteries. • Never use any battery with a torn or cracked outer cover.
Main Features ● The recorder stores highly compressed DSS format voice messages in 32 MB integrated flash memory. ● The recorder supports two recording modes, SP (Standard Playback) mode or LP (Long Playback) mode (☞ P.18). • Continuous recording time is approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes in SP mode and approximately 11 hours in LP mode.*1 ● The five folders can hold 199 files each, for the maximum of 995 recordings (☞ P.12). ● You may assign your own names to folders (☞ P.31).
Table of Contents Getting Started Identification of Parts ................................. 6 Inserting Batteries ...................................... 8 Using the AC Adapter ................................ 9 Hold ........................................................... 9 Setting Time/Date (TIME&DATE) ............. 10 Basic operations Recording ................................................ 12 Using the Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) ...................... 16 Recording Modes (REC MODE) ....
Identification of Parts 1 2 3 Identification of Parts 4 - & ) 5 $ 6 7 8 9 # 0 ^ % ( = q * e ! r @ 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 ! @ # $ Built-in microphone Record/Play indicator lamp Microphone jack VOLUME control NEW button REC (Record) /SET button INDEX button REW (Rewind) /– button FF (Fast Forward) /+ button FOLDER/MENU button HOLD switch Built-in speaker STOP button ERASE button w % ^ & * ( ) = q w e PLAY button DISPLAY button Display (LCD screen) PC (USB) terminal Cradle connection termina
Display (LCD Screen) How to Use the Clip Identification of Parts 5 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 1 Battery indicator 2 Alarm indicator 3 VCVA (Variable Control Voice Actuator) indicator 4 Record mode indicator 5 Folder 6 Current file number 7 Erase lock indicator 8 Character Information display • Press the area that the arrow points to. • Do not force the clip wider, as it may break.
Inserting Batteries Inserting Batteries 1 2 1 2 3 Lightly press down on the arrow and slide the battery cover open. Insert two AAA alkaline batteries, observing the correct polarity. Close the battery cover completely. Replacing batteries The battery indicator on the display changes as the batteries lose power. → 3 → → When appears on the display, replace the batteries as soon as possible. When the batteries are too weak, the recorder shuts down and “BATTERY LOW” appears on the display.
Using the AC Adapter Hold HOLD Using the AC Adapter/Hold Plug the optional AC adapter (Olympus Model A321 or A322) into household power outlet and connect the power plug to the recorder’s power connector (DC 3 V) as shown in the illustration. Always stop recording before connection. Otherwise it may not be possible to play back the voice data being recorded. Warning • Always stop recording before connection or disconnection.
Setting Time/Date (TIME&DATE) If you have set the time and date, information as to when an audio file is recorded is stored automatically with that file. The time and date should be set to ease file management tasks. The time and date setting is also needed to perform the alarm playback function (☞ P.29). Setting Time/Date (TIME&DATE) The hour indicator will flash automatically when you load batteries before using the recorder for the first time, or after the recorder hasn't been used for a long time.
Example: July 14, 2003 4 Set the date. 6 Press the STOP button to close the menu. 1 Press the FF/+ button or REW/– button to set the date. 2 Press the REC/SET button to accept the date. .......................................................................... Set the month. 1 Press the FF/+ button or REW/– button to set the month. 2 Press the REC/SET button to accept the month.
Recording The recorder provides five folders, A, B, C, D and E, and each message recorded in a folder is saved as a Digital Speech Standard (DSS) file. These five folders can be selectively used to distinguish the kind of recording; for example, Folder A might be used to store private information, while Folder B might be dedicated to holding business information. Up to 199 messages can be recorded per folder. Four recording modes are available: new, append, overwrite, and insert.
Notes Pause Recording Pause Press the REC/SET button while recording. ➥ “REC PAUSE” will flash on the display. Resume Recording Press the REC/SET button again. ➥ Recording will resume at the point of interruption. To instantly review a recording (Quick review) Press the REW/– button while recording, and release it when you want to start playing a file. The recorder plays up to the quick review point, then stops. You can append additional recordings in the same file from that point.
Recording Overwrite Recording You can overwrite a previously recorded file from any point within the file. Note that the overwritten recordings will be erased. 1 Choose and play the file you want to overwrite. FOLDER A Recording TOTAL 134 1 2,4 3 2 Press the STOP button where you want to start overwriting. 3 4 Press the REC/SET button to start overwriting.
Insert Recording Additional recordings can be inserted into previously recorded files. 1 Choose and play the file you want to insert. FOLDER A 1 4 3 2 2 While playing a file, press the FOLDER/MENU button if you want to insert additional recording. “INSERT REC?” appears on the display. 3 F00M51S INSERT REC? Recording TOTAL 134 Press the REC/SET button to start inserting additional recording. As insert recording progresses, remaining a [( R E M A5 I8 NM )]1 8 S memory grows smaller.
Using the Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) When the microphone senses that sounds have reached a preset volume level, the built-in Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) starts recording automatically, and stops when the volume drops below the threshold level. The VCVA feature help extend recording time and conserve memory by turning off recording during silent periods. This helps make the playback, with no lulls or dead space, more efficient and convenient.
7 High When the sound volume is lower than the preset threshold sound level, recording automatically stops after 1 second approximately, and “STANDBY” flashes on the display. The record/play indicator lamp glows when recording starts and flashes when recording pauses. 00M51S STANDBY Adjust the start/stop actuation level Using the VOLUME control, adjust the start/stop actuation level. 00M58S VCVA LEVEL The VCVA level can be set to any of 15 a 06 different values.
Recording Modes (REC MODE) You can choose between two recording modes: SP (Standard Playback) mode and LP (Long Playback) mode. Once you choose a mode, files are recorded in the selected mode as long as you do not change the mode. The included 32MB integrated flash memory holds approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes in SP mode and approximately 11 hours in LP mode. Available recording time for one continuous file. Recording time may be shorter if many short recordings are made.
Microphone Sensitivity Microphone sensitivity is adjustable to meet recording needs. MICSENS Microphone Sensitivity CONF DICT Using the MICSENS switch, choose between the CONF and DICT positions. CONF: High-sensitivity mode that records sounds in all directions. DICT: Low-sensitivity mode suited for dictation. ..........................................................................
Playing You can start playing a file at any point. 4 Playing 3 5 2 1 1 2 3 Press the FF/+ or REW/– button to choose the file that you want to play. Press the PLAY button to start playback. 00M15S The record/play indicator lamp glows a ([ L E N G T H ]) green. b 1H58M18S a Current playback time b Total recording time of the file being played 4 5 20 Press the FOLDER/MENU button to choose folder. Adjust the VOLUME control to your liking.
Operation Fast Playback (F.PLAY) Slow Playback (S.PLAY) Fast Forward (FF) Press the PLAY button once while playing a file. ➥ The recorder plays back at approximately 50% faster than normal rate. Press the PLAY button once while fast playing back. ➥ The recorder plays back at approximately 25% slower than normal rate. Press the FF/+ button once while stopped. ➥ If the FF/+ button is pressed at the end of a file, the recorder stops at the beginning of the next file.
Erasing Erasing One File at a Time A selected file can be erased from a folder. Erasing 3,4 1 Press the FOLDER/MENU button to choose a folder. 2 23 Press the FF/+ or REW/– button to choose the file you want to erase. 1 The folder name is displayed for approximately 2 seconds. TOTAL 134 Press the ERASE button. “FILE ERASE?” flashes on the display for a approximately 8 seconds. a File to be erased 4 FOLDER A FILE ERASE? Press the ERASE button once more when “FILE ERASE?” is flashing.
Erase All Files from a Folder All files in a folder can be erased simultaneously, except for locked files (☞ P.27). 1 Press the FOLDER/MENU button to choose the folder you want to erase all files. FOLDER A TOTAL 134 Erasing The folder name is displayed for approximately 2 seconds. a a Folder from which to erase files 2,3 1 2 Press the ERASE button for 3 seconds or longer. 3 Press the ERASE button once more when “ALL ERASE?” is flashing.
Erasing To Partially Erase a File You can erase a selected part of a file. Erasing 3 4 2 1 1 Press the FOLDER/MENU button to choose a folder. 2 3 4 Press the FF/+ or REW/– button to choose the file you want to erase a part. The folder name is displayed for approximately 2 seconds. Press the PLAY button to play the file. Press the ERASE button where you want to start erasing. “PARTIAL ERASE” and the total time of the file are displayed alternately while playing.
5 Press the ERASE button once more where you want to stop erasing. The erase starting point (time) set in step 4 and the ending point (time) set in this step appear on the display for 8 seconds alternately. 00M51S START ERASE 5,6 6 Erasing 01M05S END ERASE Press the ERASE button once more. The display changes to “PARTIAL ERASE!” and erasing will start. 00M51S PARTIAL ERASE! { When “ERASE DONE” appears, partial erasing is completed. 00M51S ERASE DONE ................................................
Noise Cancel Function If recorded audio is difficult to understand because of noise, adjust the Noise Cancel setting level. Noise will be reduced in the file when its played back for better sound quality. 1 Press and hold the PLAY button for 1 second or longer while the file is playing. Displays currently set Noise Cancel level. Noise Cancel Function 1,2 2 Press the PLAY button again to choose a noise cancel level. The levels switch in the following rotation, “OFF” “LOW” “HI”.
Locking Files (LOCK) Locking a file keeps important data from being accidentally erased. Locked files are not erased when you choose to erase all files from a folder (☞ P.23). 1 2 5,7 3 8 5 6 Press the FF/+ or REW/– button to choose the file you want to lock. Press and hold the FOLDER/ MENU button for 1 second or longer. The menu opens (☞ P.37). Press the FF/+ or REW/– button until “LOCK” flashes on the display. LOCK ALARM ALL PLAY Press the REC/SET button. The file locking setup process begins.
Index Marks Index marks can be placed in a file during recording or playback to provide and quick and easy way of keeping track of important sections in the file. Setting an Index Mark 1 Press the INDEX button during recording or playback to set an index mark. An index number appears on the display. 1 4 2 00M51S INDEX 10 Locating an Index Mark 2 Hold the FF/+ or REW/– button while playing a file. Index Marks The recorder stops for 1 second when it reaches the index mark.
Alarm Playback Function (ALARM) The alarm playback function can be set to play a selected file at a pre-set time. Press the FOLDER/MENU button to choose a folder. Press the FF/+ or REW/– button to choose the file to be played when the alarm sounds. Press and hold the FOLDER/MENU button for 1 second or longer. The menu opens (☞ P.37). Press the FF/+ or REW/– button until “ALARM” flashes on the display. ALARM ALL PLAY CONTRAST Press the REC/SET button. The alarm playback setup process begins.
Alarm Playback Function (ALARM) 9 Press the REC/SET button to accept the hour. 9,11 10 10 11 Press the FF/+ or REW/– button to set the minute. 12 12 The minute indicator flashes. ALARM AM12:58 Press the REC/SET button to accept the minute. Press the STOP button to close the menu. Alarm Playback Function (ALARM) An alarm tone will sound at the scheduled time. Press any button while the alarm sounds to play the file you associated with the alarm.
Assigning Folder Names (FolderName) The 5 folders on the recorder (Folder A to Folder E) can be easily renamed. The folder name is limited to 8 characters each. Frequentlly used names such as “dictation (DICT.)”, “meeting (MEETING)” and “schedule (SCHEDULE)” are pre-set in a template. 5 6 Press and hold the FOLDER/MENU button for 1 second or longer. The menu opens (☞ P.37). Press the FF/+ or REW/– button until “FolderName” flashes on the display. FolderName COMMENT FORMAT Press the REC/SET button.
Assigning Folder Names (FolderName) Recorder buttons that are used to input characters Button REC/SET FF/+ REW/– NEW ERASE INDEX DISPLAY Assigning Folder Names (FolderName) 32 Push Action Press once Press and hold Press once Press and hold Press once Press and hold ------------------- To input the selected character and advance the input position. Confirms folder name or file comment. Forward to next character in the character list. Scroll forward through the character list.
Available characters Type of Characters Action Folder name input Template File comment input DICT. = MEETING = MEMO = NOTE = IDEA = TO DO = REMINDER = LECTURE = SCHEDULE = ARCHIVE TOP PRIORITY = PRIORITY = IMPORTANT = CONFIDENTIAL = PRIVATE = DON’T FORGET =THINGS TO DO = MESSAGE = CONVERSATION = REPORT A =B =C=D=E=F=G=H =I =J =K =L=M=N=O=P = Q= R= S =T=U = V= W =X =Y = Z a=b=c=d=e =f =g=h=i=j =k =l =m=n=o=p=q =r=s =t=u =v =w =x=y=z Large caps Small caps Numerics Symbols 1=2=3=4=5=6=7=8=9 =0 ,=.
Assigning File Comments (COMMENT) Comments of up to 100 characters can be added to each recorded file. Comments and other file information such as date and time can help identify recordings without having to playback. 7 Assigning File Comments (COMMENT) 1 4,6 2 1,3 3 2 4 5 Press the FF/+ or REW/– button to choose the file you want to comment setup. 6 When you have finished setting the file comments, press and hold the REC/SET button for 1 second or longer.
LCD Display Information The LCD screen on the recorder can display 4 different format of information by pressing the DISPLAY button. This help review and confirm different recorder settings and file information. 1 Press the DISPLAY button. The LCD display views will switch every time the DISPLAY button is pressed. While in stop or playback mode When pressing DISPLAY, the recorder will cycle through 1 to 4. 1 1 File length Shows how long a file is.
Formatting the Recorder (FORMAT) If you format the recorder, all function settings will return to their defaults*. All files stored in the recorder will be deleted. If you have important files that you want to save, connect the recorder to a computer and transfer those files from the recorder to the computer before formatting the device. * Date and time settings will not be cleared, so you won’t need to set them again. 5 The menu opens (☞ P.37).
Menu List Press and hold the FOLDER/MENU button for 1 second or longer. Selection between SP and LP modes (☞P.18). VCVA VCVA setting (☞P.16). Switch between ON (enabled) and OFF (disabled). LOCK Locking files setting (☞P.27). Selection between ON (locked) and OFF (unlocked). ALARM Alarm playback setting (☞P.29). Selection between ON (enabled) and OFF (disabled). ALL PLAY Continuous playback setting. Selection between ON (enabled) and OFF (disabled). CONTRAST LCD contrast adjustment.
Using DSS Player Software By connecting the recorder to your PC, you will be able to use DSS Player in the following ways: • Play and archive voice files from your PC. • Send voice files with e-mail easily.* • Make backup files of the voice files on the recorder to your PC, and can later transfer files on your PC to the recorder, as necessary.
Macintosh PC: iMac/ iBook/ Power Mac G3,G4/ PowerBook G3,G4 (The computer must support a standard USB port.) Operating System: Mac OS 9.0-9.2.2/10.1-10.
Installing Software Before you connect the USB cable to the recorder and your PC, you must first install the software. Be sure to confirm the following before installation: • Exit all running applications. • Eject the floppy disk if you are using one. • If you are running Windows2000/XP (Professional only) or Mac OS X on the network, you need to log on as an Administrator. Windows Installing Software 40 1 Insert Olympus DSS Player into the CD-ROM drive.
9 Authorizing the start of file copying. Confirm all “Current Settings”. To accept them, click [Next]. Note To change the program menu folder or installation folder, click [Back]. 11 12 Select the recorder you use. 13 14 Set up Acrobat Reader. When the Acrobat Reader Setup dialogbox opens, select [Install “Adobe Acrobat Reader”.] and click [Next]. However, if the Acrobat Reader has already been installed, the checkbox will not be displayed.
Installing Software Macintosh Installing Software 42 1 2 3 Insert DSS Player for Mac into the CD-ROM drive. 4 5 Click [Continue] when the DSS Player for Mac opening screen appears. 6 Select where to install DSS Player for Mac. Double-click CD icon. Double-click the desired language to select it. Double-click the following icon. (OS 9.x) DSS Player for Mac Installer (OS X) DSS Player (for Mac) Installer OS X Confirm your acceptance of the terms of the Licensing Agreement.
Using Online Help To open Online Help, you have the following options. (Windows) • Click the [Start] button, select [All Programs], then [Olympus DSS Player Pro], then click [Dictation Help]. • While DSS Player is running, choose [Contents] from the [Help] menu. • While DSS Player is running, press [F1] on the keyboard. (Macintosh) • While DSS Player is running, choose [DSS Player for Mac Help] from the [Help] menu. Search by Contents Once the Online Help screen appears, click the Contents tab.
Connecting to Your PC Be sure to finish installing DSS Player before connecting the recorder. If “Add New Hardware Wizard” appears, cancel the wizard by pressing the [Cancel] button and then install DSS Player. Connecting to your PC using the USB cable Connecting to Your PC 1 2 3 Release the HOLD switch. Insert end A of the USB cable to your PC's USB port or USB hub. Confirm that the recorder is not in use before attaching end b of the USB cable to the terminal port of the recorder.
Connecting to your PC using the cradle 2 Place the recorder on the cradle 1 2 3 1 Connect the end b of the USB cable to the cradle. Make sure that the recorder is off, and place it in the cradle. When you place the recorder on the cradle, 1 insert the recorder so its bottom slot meets the hook on the front of the cradle (at the low end). 2 Hold the top of the recorder and push it against the cradle until it clicks. “REMOTE” is displayed on recorder if the USB cable is connected.
Running DSS Player Windows By connecting the recorder to your PC, you can automatically start the application. Disabling automatic start 1 2 Right click the icon in the System Tray in the lower right-hand corner of the screen, then click Select startup application. Select and click [DSS Player Pro]. The check mark on [DSS Player Pro] disappears. For automatic start, select and click DSS Player to reinstate again. Manual start Running DSS Player 1 2 3 Start Windows.
Macintosh Start your Macintosh. Connect the recorder to your PC. For cable connection instructions, see “Connecting to Your PC” (☞ P.44). Double-click the DSS Player for Mac folder. 3 The DSS Player for Mac folder opens. Double-click DSS Player. DSS Player for Mac launches.
Window Names * Main screen displayed when DSS Player is started 1 4 2 1 3 (Windows) Window Names 2 4 3 (Macintosh) 1 Play Control Bar Control buttons to play and stop voice files. 2 Dictation Folder Window Will display the directory structure of the DSS, WAVE (Windows only) and AIFF (Macintosh only)-format files stored on your PC's hard disk. 48 3 Device Manager Window Will display the directory structure of the folders in the recorder.
Download Voice Files from the Recorder The following is an explanation of “Download Selected Files”. For explanations of “Download Folders” and “Download All”, refer to Online Help. Download Selected Files 1 Select the folder. 2 Select the voice file. From the Device Manager window, select the folder that contains the voice file you would like to download. The illustration shows that FOLDER A has been selected.
Download Voice Files from the Recorder 3 Download the voice file. (Windows) From the [Download] menu, click [Download Selected Files]. (Macintosh) From the [Tools] menu, click [Download Selected Files]. Download Voice Files from the Recorder 3 4 Download complete. Do not disconnect the USB cable while the record/play indicator LED on the recorder is flashing. Disconnecting the USB cable when the recorder LED is flashing will result in data loss or corruption. .........................................
Play a Voice File 1 2 3 Select the folder. Select the folder that contains the voice file you would like to play. 1 3 2 Select the voice file. Select the voice file to play from the Voice File List Box. Play the voice file. Click the (play) button of the Play Control Bar. Other playback control such as Rewind, Fast Forward, Stop, Speed Control, Volume Control, Time Axis and Index Skip are available from the Play Control Bar. File name DS66 0001.dss Extension File number ......
Alarm Message List Message Meaning Explanation Action BATTERY LOW Battery power is getting low. LOCK ON INDEX FULL Low battery power Erase-locked Index full FOLDER FULL Folder full Replace with new batteries (☞ P.8). Unlock the file (☞ P.27). Erase index marks that are no longer required (☞ P.28). Erase unnecessary files (☞ P.22).
Troubleshooting Symptom Probable cause Action Nothing appears on the display The batteries are not loaded properly. The batteries are dead. If none of these suggestions works. The recorder is in HOLD mode. Won’t start The recorder is in HOLD mode. Verify polarity is correct. Replace with new batteries (☞ P.8). Reset the recorder (☞ P.36). Release the recorder from HOLD (☞ P.9). Release the recorder from HOLD (☞ P.9). Replace with new batteries (☞ P.8). Erase unnecessary files (☞ P.22).
Troubleshooting Symptom Probable cause Action Cannot use Fast Playback or Slow Playback Noise Cancel function doesn't work Noise Cancel function is set to “LOW” or “HI”. Turn “OFF” the Noise Cancel function (☞ P.26). A file is being played back in Fast Playback or Slow Playback mode. Cannot connect to PC Cannot connect to a PC using a cradle Some PCs and USB hubs may not provide sufficient power. Sometimes a connection cannot be made with some PCs running Windows XP.
Specifications The following are contact information for technical support for Olympus recorders and software only. ◆ Technical Hotline Number in the U.S. and Canada 1-888-553-4448 ◆ User Support E-mail address in the U.S. and Canada distec@olympus.
San-Ei Building, 22-2, Nishi Shinjuku 1-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan. Tel. 03-3340-2211 Two Corporate Center Drive, Melville, NY 11747-3157, U.S.A. Tel. 1-800-622-6372 (Premises/Goods delivery) Wendenstrasse 14-18, 20097 Hamburg, Germany. Tel. 040-237730 (Letters) Postfach 10 49 08. 20034 Hamburg. Germany. 2-8 Honduras Street, London EC1Y 0TX, United Kingdom Tel. 020-7253-2772 http://www.olympus.