Olympus LS12 file name question

[Marco Leavitt]

Does anyone know of a way to change the file naming scheme of this handheld recorder? Each file name gets the date, which I like, and then a number that eternally counts up. It would be nice if this second number would default back to zero for each day's shooting. Instead it just keeps counting up, continuing on from the previous day's number. Very, very annoying.

[Rick Reineke]

Very, very annoying.
> I hear ya Marco,
I don't have the Olympus, but it sounds similar to Tascam's. In which, some do have a 'Date' or 'Name' option, depending on the model. IOn Tascams', to reset the file numbers back to '000', I must go to the software 'System' menu and execute 'Initialize", which unfortunately resets ALL the parameters back to factory default. A real PITA for sure. However (at least in my case), it only needs to be done once a day, by scene or film roll.
On your Olympus, I would look for a similar 'Initialize' or 'Reset' software menu item.. and would assume it's like the Tascam, so re-check/re-set your record and other parameters.

[Marco Leavitt]

Tried a reset and it reset everything BUT the file name. Grrr. Such a nice a little recorder too.

[Marco Leavitt]

So I took out the batteries and let it sit a spell and when I finally put them back in again it had forgotten the date and time, which all had to be reset, but STILL continued with the file sequence numbering from the previous take. This is a really stubborn problem.

[Greg Miller]

I don't have an LS12, but from your last description, I wonder whether it's reading the files that are already on the card, and then starting with the next sequential number.

What if you remove the batteries, remove the card, format the card in a PC, reinsert the card in the Olympus, and then put in the batteries? Would it then start at zero?

--

As another alternative, there are utilities that will allow you to batch rename files. I frequently use BRU (Bulk Rename Utility) which might work for you in two simple steps.

After you select all the files from the date in question, the first step would be to have BRU sequentially number the files starting with zero (or one, or whatever you wanted as a starting number). You can have it append the new number to the end of the file name. e.g. if the file is now "abcd456.wav" the new name would be "abcd456001.wav" etc. You can use an many digits as you want for the new number, and you can also insert some punctuation, e.g. "abcd456-0001.wav" or whatever.

The final step would be to strip out the original sequential numbers that you don't want, so you'd end up with "abcd-0001.wav" or whatever you want. And of course the numbering would be sequential so you'd end up with "abcd-0002.wav" etc.

According to the accompanying .pdf documentation, the author is Jim Willsher, and the website is http://www.bulkrenameutility.co.uk . Apparently there are Win32 and Win64 versions bundled in the .zip archive. My files are all dated 2008, but the website is still there as of 1:00 PM EDT today.

[Rick Reineke]

"I wonder whether it's reading the files that are already on the card, and then starting with the next sequential number"
I think Greg may be onto something.
Try going to a new or empty folder, then reset the machine. If that's possible on the LS12.

[Marco Leavitt]

I really thought that Greg's solution was going to do it, but no luck. I do notice that the reset function I've been doing is only a settings reset. Can't find an option to do a system reset. Very aggravating.

[Greg Miller]

I did not find a decent manual online, only a basic "quick-start" kind of guide... lots of pictures but very little useful text. (IMHO any company guilty of foisting these on the public should be ashamed.)

It contains the following comment: "The recorder uses some of its memory capacity to maintain a management file." (Italics mine) So perhaps the file numbers are being stored in this "management file" and you can't change them easily.

I note that Olympus has a US office in Pennsylvania, and a toll-free number. With luck, someone might be able to explain how to reset the counter in question, or do a full system reset.

Otherwise, try BRU, it's quite powerful and surprisingly quick and easy to use... probably quicker than doing a full reset and then manually restoring all of your custom settings! And it's essentially a "portable" program; you don't even install it, you just unzip the executable and run it whenever you want it... just like the good old days. Besides, it's entirely free, so what can you lose?

[Marco Leavitt]

Thanks Greg!

[Rick Reineke]

Here is a link to the LS12 manual, I have not had a chance to peruse.
http://www.olympusamerica.com/files/...UAL_EN_U01.pdf

[Marco Leavitt]

I've scoured it. Nothing about a system reset sadly.

[Rick Reineke]

From what I see, menu setting info starts on page 64.
it further states on page 73:
Device Menu Reset Settings
This function returns all other functions to their initial settings (factory default).
[ Start ]: Returns the settings to their initial values.
[ Cancel ]: Takes you back to [ Device Menu ].

> however it continues to state:
• After the settings have been returned to their initial values, the time settings and file numbers are preserved, without being returned to their initial settings.

???????????????
Without having the machine to fork with.. I'm stumped.
A secret command or the machine evaporates after file 999.
Maybe a fresh (re)formatted card returns the file count to _000, bizarre as that would be.

[Marco Leavitt]

Tried the reformatted card. I've also tried a reformatted card with a fresh file numbered with the date and zeros (created by putting the card in my Mac) and it still continues from the old number. They seem to be really serious about their number scheme. I can't fathom why that is so important to them. I'm starting to think it just makes more sense to print up a bunch audio reports with Olympus' numbers already printed out and then I can just add the appropriate scene and take numbers to the sheet.