OM System LS-P5 PCM Triple Mic Audio Recorder Review

OM System LS-P5 PCM Triple Mic Audio Recorder Review

Discover the Power of High-Resolution Audio with the OM System LS-P5 Digital Audio Recorder

In the world of digital audio recording, the OM System LS-P5 stands out as a versatile, high-performance device designed for both professional and personal use. Whether you are a journalist, musician, student, or business professional, this compact yet powerful recorder offers a range of features to meet your audio capturing needs. In this blog post, we will delve into the specifications, features, and use cases of the OM System LS-P5, highlighting why it is an excellent choice for anyone seeking superior audio quality.

OM System LS-P5 Digital Audio Recorder

Unmatched Audio Quality

The OM System LS-P5 is renowned for its high-resolution audio recording capabilities. It captures sound in stunning 96kHz/24-bit quality, ensuring every nuance and detail is preserved. This level of audio fidelity is ideal for professionals who require crystal-clear recordings, such as musicians capturing studio sessions or journalists conducting interviews.

Innovative TRESMIC System

Close up view of the OM System LS-P5 TRESMIC microphones

One of the standout features of the LS-P5 is its TRESMIC system, which incorporates three microphones to achieve a wide frequency range. This system combines two stereo microphones with a centre omnidirectional microphone, allowing for natural, high-quality stereo sound with an extended frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz. The result is a more accurate and immersive audio recording.

Versatile Recording Formats

The OM System LS-P5 offers flexibility in recording formats, supporting both Linear PCM (WAV) and MP3.

The Linear PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) Audio Recording Format

Linear PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) is an uncompressed audio format that records sound waves in a digital format without any loss of information. This format captures audio at the highest quality by sampling sound waves at a high rate (in this case, 96kHz) and with a high bit depth (24-bit), which results in a more accurate and detailed reproduction of the original sound.

Why Use Linear PCM for High-Quality Audio?

  • Superior Sound Quality: Linear PCM recording captures audio in its purest form, without any compression artifacts. This is essential for professionals who need the highest fidelity, such as musicians, sound engineers, and nature recordists.
  • Detailed and Accurate Recordings: With a higher sampling rate and bit depth, Linear PCM captures every detail and nuance of the audio, making it ideal for critical listening environments.
  • Flexibility in Post-Production: Uncompressed audio provides greater flexibility for editing, mixing, and mastering, as there is no loss of quality when processing the audio files.
  • Archival Quality: Linear PCM is often used for archival purposes because it preserves the original quality of the audio, ensuring that recordings remain pristine over time.

Advanced Features for Clear Recordings

The LS-P5 is equipped with several advanced features to enhance audio clarity. The Voice Balancer function ensures that both loud and quiet voices are balanced, making playback clearer and more comfortable to listen to. Additionally, the Noise Cancellation feature reduces unwanted background noise, allowing for more focused and intelligible recordings.

Ample Storage and Expandability

With 8GB of internal memory, the OM System LS-P5 can store up to 12 hours of high-resolution audio or thousands of MP3 files. If more storage is needed, the device includes a microSD card slot that supports cards up to 32GB, giving you plenty of space for extensive recording sessions.

User-Friendly Design

The LS-P5 is designed with convenience in mind. Its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to carry, whether you’re slipping it into your pocket or carrying it in a bag. The intuitive interface and controls ensure that you can start recording quickly and easily, without having to navigate through complicated menus.

Built-In USB Connection

Transferring files from the LS-P5 to your computer is a breeze, thanks to its built-in USB connection. Simply plug the recorder into a USB port, and you can easily transfer your recordings for editing, sharing, or archiving. Additionally, the USB connection allows the LS-P5 to function as a USB microphone, providing even more versatility.

Additional Features for Musicians

OM System LS-P5 recording live music

For musicians, the LS-P5 includes a built-in tuner and metronome. The tuner helps ensure your instruments are perfectly in tune, while the metronome keeps you on beat during practice sessions. These features make the LS-P5 an invaluable tool for both practice and performance.

Essential Accessories for Videographers

OM System LS-P5 used for videography with a WJ2 windjammer and SM5 shock mount

For videographers, achieving high-quality audio is just as important as capturing stunning visuals. The OM System LS-P5 is an excellent choice for on-location recording, but to truly optimise your audio experience, consider using the following accessories:

  • OM System WJ2 Windjammer: When recording outdoors, wind noise can be a significant challenge. The OM System WJ2 Windjammer is a high-quality windscreen that fits over the LS-P5’s microphones, dramatically reducing wind noise and ensuring clear, uninterrupted audio. This accessory is essential for videographers who often shoot in outdoor environments.
OM System WJ2 Windjammer for LS-P5
  • OM System SM2 Shock Mount: The OM System SM2 Shock Mount isolates the LS-P5 from vibrations and handling noise. This is particularly useful when the recorder is mounted on a camera or boom pole, as it minimises the transfer of vibrations and ensures a clean audio recording. By using the SM2 Shock Mount, videographers can achieve professional-grade audio quality, free from unwanted noise and interference.
OM System SM2 Shock Mount for LS-P5

  • OM System KA-335 Curly Audio Cable: The KA335 audio cable neatly connects the mounted LS-P5 audio recorder with your digital video camera. 
KA335 OM System KA-335 curly audio cable

All three LS-P5 accessories above are available in the OM System LS-P5 Accessory Bundle

Sample Use Cases

Audio Recording For Journalists and Reporters

The OM System LS-P5 is an excellent tool for journalists and reporters who need to capture interviews and press conferences with exceptional clarity. The high-resolution recording ensures that every word is captured accurately, while the noise cancellation feature helps eliminate background noise in busy environments.

Audio Recording For Musicians

Musicians will appreciate the LS-P5’s high-fidelity recording and built-in tuner and metronome. Whether you’re recording rehearsals, live performances, or song ideas, the LS-P5 captures every detail with stunning clarity, making it a valuable addition to any musician’s toolkit.

Audio Recording For Students

Students can use the LS-P5 to record lectures and study sessions, ensuring they don’t miss any important information. The Voice Balancer and Noise Cancellation features make playback clearer, allowing for easier review and study.

Audio Recording For Business Professionals

Business professionals can rely on the LS-P5 to record meetings, presentations, and dictations. The high-quality audio and convenient file transfer make it easy to share recordings with colleagues or transcribe them for documentation.

Audio Recording For Videographers

Videographers will find the OM System LS-P5 invaluable for capturing high-quality audio in various shooting environments. With the addition of the WJ2 Windjammer and SM2 Shock Mount, outdoor and on-the-go recordings become effortless. The windjammer ensures clear audio even in windy conditions, while the shock mount eliminates handling noise, allowing videographers to focus on creating visually and audibly stunning content.

Audio Recording For Nature Lovers and Bird Enthusiasts

The OM System LS-P5 is an ideal companion for nature lovers and bird enthusiasts who want to capture the beauty of bird calls and other natural sounds. The high-resolution Linear PCM audio recording is essential for capturing the intricate details and nuances of bird calls. This uncompressed format ensures that every chirp, tweet, and rustle of leaves is recorded with the highest fidelity, allowing you to experience the natural sounds as if you were there. Additionally, the TRESMIC system's wide frequency range ensures that even the most subtle sounds are captured with clarity. Using the WJ2 Windjammer can further enhance your recordings by reducing wind noise, making it perfect for outdoor nature recordings.

Summary

The OM System LS-P5 Digital Audio Recorder is a versatile and powerful tool that excels in a variety of recording scenarios. Its high-resolution audio capabilities, innovative TRESMIC system, and user-friendly design make it an excellent choice for anyone who needs to capture high-quality audio. Whether you’re a journalist, musician, student, business professional, videographer, or nature lover, the LS-P5 offers the features and performance you need to achieve the best possible recordings.

Discover the OM System LS-P5 Digital Audio Recorder today and elevate your audio recording experience to new heights!

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