How to Transfer Audio Files from Olympus VN-7200 to Your Computer

How to Transfer Audio Files from Olympus VN-7200 to Your Computer

I have just completed my fieldwork and I’m looking for interview transcription services. I recorded the interviews using the Olympus VN-7200 digital voice recorder. How do I get them to you? Thanks – Maggie.

A recent email from a researcher. And it’s not the first one.

If you have recorded your research interviews using the Olympus DP-201, Olympus VN-7200, or the Sony ICDB600 digital recorders, transferring your audio files to your computer is not as easy as copy and paste. Because these digital audio recorders don’t have a USB interface (here are some voice recorders we recommend for recording research interviews), you have to record the files to your computer. And that’s a time consuming and tedious process. 

Luckily for you, if you’ve already bought this recorder, this post will walk you through the process of transferring the audio files to your computer. I’m going to share with you 2 ways you can transfer audio files from the Olympus VN-7200 to your computer. The first method is easier and if you’re not tech savvy, this is the method I recommend you use. The second method is for those of you that know your way around computers and consider themselves tech savvy. In any case, if you try the second method and it does not work, try the first method.

NB: This is a time consuming process. You’ll need time to transfer the files. If you have 10 hours of audio interviews on your Olympus VN-7200 digital voice recorder that you need to transfer to your computer, you’ll need at least 10 hours to transfer the files. Here’s a great tip, if you have a lot of audio interviews, set the continuous playback option on the Olympus VN-7200 to ON (Press and hold the Display/Menu Button. Press the + or – to move to menu item 7. Use the fast forward or fast rewind button to select the ON setting. Press the OK button set the continuous playback setting to ON). With that setting set to ON, the Olympus VN-7200 will play all the files in the folder until the last file and then stop.

How to Transfer Audio Files from Olympus VN-7200 to Your Computer

Method 1: Transfer to a Voice Recorder with USB

Olympus Vn-7200 Cord

First this is what you’ll need.

  1. 3.5mm male to male audio cord, also known as 1/8 inch male to male audio cable. You can get one from your local electronic store or order this one from Amazon.com
  2. You’ll need another digital voice recorder, I recommend you get the Sony ICD-UX570, the best voice recorder I own (here’s my review of the UX570). But you can get any other digital recorder, just make sure it has a built-in USB interface.

The Steps.

Step 1: Connect the Cable

Sony ICD-UX560 to VN-7200
VN-7200-to-computer

Connect the 3.5mm male-to-male audio cable to both recorders. It is important that you insert one end of the cable into the ear (aka stereo/headphone) jack of the Olympus VN-7200 digital recorder and the other end into the mic jack (colored red) of the Sony ICD-UX570. Both ends of the male to male cable are identical, so it doesn’t matter which end goes where.

Step 2: Record the Audio

Hit the rec button on the Sony ICD-UX570 and then press Play on the Olympus VN-7200. It’s important that you first press the rec button on the Sony ICD-UX570  before pressing the Play button on the Olympus VN-7200 or you’re likely to lose some of the recording.

Step 3: Stop the Recording

Once the recording has played to the end on the Olympus VN-7200, hit stop on both audio recorders. The Sony ICD-UX570 will automatically save the file.

Step 4: Transfer to Computer

Connect the Sony ICD-UX570 to your computer via the built in USB and copy and paste the files to your computer.  That’s it.

The advantage of this first method is it’s easier than method 2. The cons are you’ll need to get the Sony ICD-UX570, but that’s actually a good thing! You do need to replace the Olympus VN-7200 with a recorder with a built-in USB. That’s the long-term solution.

Method 2: Transfer Directly to your Computer

For those of you who are more tech savvy, you can record the audio directly to your computer…

First this is what you’ll need.

  1. 3.5mm male to male audio cord, also known as 1/8 inch male to male audio cable. You can get one from your local electronic store or order this one from Amazon.com. Newer laptops don’t come with a separate mic and headset 3.5mm jack: you might need an adapter. More on that below.
  2. You’ll need an audio recording/editing software. I recommend Audacity. It’s a free, easy to use software. It’s has Windows and Mac versions.

The Steps.

Step 1. Connect the Cable

Connect the 3.5mm audio cable to both the recorder and the computer. The transfer from your Olympus VN-7200 to your computer is only going to work if the connection is right. You need to insert the cable into the ear (aka stereo/headphone) jack of the Olympus VN-7200 digital recorder.

Then insert the other end into the mic jack of your computer or laptop. Both ends of the male to male 3.5mm cord are identical. So it doesn’t matter which end you use, provided you plug in the cable into the ear or headset jack on the recorder and the mic jack on the computer. The headset jacks are either green or black on most computers/laptops and mic jacks are either red or pink.

Newer laptops don’t come with a separate mic and headset 3.5mm jack. They only have one input that serves as a mic and headset jack. Depending on the make of your laptop, plugging the male to male cable into the jack might work, mostly on PCs. If it doesn’t, you will need an adapter, (if you’re using a PC- get this one from Amazon, if you’re using a Mac – I couldn’t find a splitter to recommend. I suggest you hop in to your nearest Apple store and explain to them what you need. Apple use a different standard for their 3.5mm jack, so most generic adapters won’t work…and new Apple laptops no longer have a 3.5mm audio jack! If you are Mac user and find a cable that works, please let us know in the comment section).  

Once you have the right adapter, insert the adapter into the laptop and then insert the male to male cable into mic jack of the adapter.

Step 2. Launch Audacity

As I mentioned earlier, I recommend Audacity as the recording software of choice. This is because it will also enable you to edit the recording once you are done. If you have a minute or so at the start that you recorded as you set up, no worries, you can use Audacity to chop that off.

Once Audacity is open, you need to select the appropriate microphone to record from. Again the choices you have depend on the hardware and audio drivers that are installed on your computer or laptop. On my machine, see image below,

 How to Transfer Audio Files from Olympus Vn-7200 digital voice recorder to Your Computer
Audacity Mic Input

I have 4 options and the Microsoft Sound Mapper-Input works for me. Try the different mic input options on your computer/laptop until you get one that works for you. Also, you can increase or decrease the mic input level

 How to Transfer Audio Files from Olympus Vn-7200 digital voice recorder to Your Computer
Audacity Mic Input Slider

using the mic input slider.

Once you have selected the microphone input and level, click on the record button. Audacity starts to record but since there is no input (yet) from the Olympus VN-7200 recorder, you’ll only see a straight waveform…

 How to Transfer Audio Files from Olympus Vn-7200 digital voice recorder to Your Computer
Audacity Record Button

Step 3. Record the Audio

Once you’ve started a new recording on Audacity, hit the play button on the recorder. Remember Audacity enables you to easily cut out any dead spaces in the beginning and at the end of the recording so you shouldn’t worry about synching the recording process. You should now see a variable waveform on Audacity at it records the input from the recorder. If you don’t see a variable waveform, stop both the recorder and Audacity and try a different microphone input or increase the mic input level – see step 2.

Step 4. Stop Recording, Save

Once the recording has played to the end on the Olympus VN-7200, hit stop on the audio recorder and Audacity (or any other recording software you are using). First save the file and then make edits to it. For instance, cut off the dead space at the beginning and end. The best format to use to save the file is the mp3 format.

A few tips when using this method. Make sure to do a few trial runs to make sure that everything is working fine. Record a minute or 2 and then stop the recording, save and listen to it on your computer before you record all of the interviews. If it does not work, 90% of the time will be you have the wrong mic input, you have not correctly connected the cable, or the input level is very low. Go back to step 1 and 2. If all else fails, try the first method.

Transferring audio from VN-7200 to your computer is not an easy process. I hope this post helps you and if you have any questions, post them in the comment section below and I’ll be sure to get back to you!

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nomerodin1
nomerodin1
8 years ago

thanks … I just bought the Olympus VN-7200 and sought the method of transferring files

Dan
Dan
8 years ago

how about to mac?

Tara
Tara
Reply to  Dan
4 years ago

I have a 2015 macbook pro, and this usb splitter worked with the audacity option

Richard mccluskey
Richard mccluskey
8 years ago

Is there any way to hook the 7200 up to my laptop to recover very important deleted files if anyone has information on this would be much appreciated it is life or death…

kim
kim
Reply to  Richard mccluskey
7 years ago

Richard, did you find a way to recover the deleted files from your olympus 7200? I am looking to do the same.

Mary
Mary
Reply to  Richard mccluskey
2 years ago

I am having same issue and that deleted file is my life. I am desperate to recover. Any tip can help my type of non tec person.

Payne
Payne
7 years ago

Hello I have a MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) and i don’t think it has a mic input. I have the headphone jack but I’m pretty sure that it does;t serve as a headphone/microphone port, but just a headphone port. Is there another way to put it on my mac?

Timothy
Timothy
7 years ago

Thanks for taking the time to explain the process, it’s people like you who make the digital world and its wonders a joy to live in.

Lynette Hart
Lynette Hart
7 years ago

Thank you so much.. you are a lifesaver. I installed the software in less than 15 minutes. Ran a quick test and I am ready to go.
Aj

Kristina Hughes
Kristina Hughes
7 years ago

I have followed your instructions and I am not recording anything but the sounds when I move the cord around. My headphone jack serves as both mic and headphone. Do I need an adapter?

There is no link to an adapter in the instructions, so if you think I do need one, can you link me to one that will work so I know what to look for?

Thank you!

Kristina Hughes
Kristina Hughes
Reply to  Isaac
7 years ago

Thanks! I will check back to let you know if this worked

Kristina
Kristina
Reply to  Isaac
7 years ago

This worked! Thank you

Mich
7 years ago

Phew! I got a last minute request to take minutes and this was the recorder they provided. I would have had to wade through 2++ hours of audio in a short space of time. Now that I have transferred it to Audacity, I can do so more leisurely.

Now I just have to figure out how to chop out the bits which are not supposed to be kept……

Sylvia
Sylvia
7 years ago

I locked the recorded files on my VN 7200 to prevent them from being erased. Do I need to unlock them before the transfer process? Thank you for this great information.

Mandy
Mandy
7 years ago

Hi, When I transfer the files from the 7200 to Audacity on my PC, they are SUPER noisy. Like, on the 7200 they sound like conversations with a bit of noise in the back, but played back from audacity they’re really abrasive and nearly unintelligible. Any idea how to fix this?
Thanks,

Mandy
Mandy
Reply to  Isaac
7 years ago

hey, thanks. I tried a different aux cord and that didn’t seem to do anything, so I’ll try it on a computer at work tomorrow to see if that makes a difference. thanks for the guidance!

Barbara
Barbara
7 years ago

Is it possible to mistakenly record over a recording? I never deleted the message (never went through the “do you want to delete” questions), but possibly just hit record over something that I did not wish to erase.
Is it possible to retrieve these recordings…?

Barbara
Barbara
Reply to  Barbara
7 years ago

…note, I have also checked my other folder’s and there is nothing there. If anyone can help, I would appreciate it. Thanks

Barbara
Barbara
Reply to  Isaac
7 years ago

Unfortunately, the reboot method did not work. The recorder is new, so maybe it is faulty…unfortunately, that doesn’t help me now with my lost file.

Kerri
Kerri
6 years ago

If you transfer your files to the sony recorder are they still on the olympus also. I just need to copy them I don’t want to loose them off of the olympus?

Althea Blackstock
Althea Blackstock
6 years ago

Hey…..I need some help…..I’m not able to hear the recordings on my olympus digital recorder VN-7200/VN7100, in the normal mode/way when I play the recordings. The recordings are played very fast which is not helpful as I have my school notes recorded on it, and I have exams coming up on 8th May 2017

mary
mary
6 years ago

hello,, I was wanting to know how to save my recording as a mp3 file? when I save the file its saves as a data file, and if I try to open it and play in my windows media player it will not play. so what can I do?

Paul
Paul
6 years ago

I used the Olympus VN-7200 and when plugged in via the method recommended above, Audacity only gave me two options for input mics on my Mac running 10.12.5, built-in and iPhone. Help!

David
David
6 years ago

How do I save a recording to my computer after transferring the audio from my VN7200 by means of Audacity? I have transferred the audio twice, exporting to my music file. Each time the computer only saves the first 3 minutes of a 90 minute tape. Thank you.

Louis Gutierrez
Louis Gutierrez
6 years ago

On the Olympus VN-7200 how do you fast forward on a file without going to the end? Currently, every time I hit the double arrows it takes me to the end of the file. I’m looking for some information on the file, however I don’t want to listen to the entire file. I just want to be able to jump ahead.
Thx
Louis

Louis Gutierrez
Louis Gutierrez
Reply to  Isaac
6 years ago

Thank you Isaac!

T.M.
T.M.
6 years ago

Will the voice recorder play the recording out loud as Audacity records it?

gail sheldon
gail sheldon
6 years ago

I have tried from recorder to recorder I am taking the recordings from the VN7200 to the Olympus vn5200pc recorder. the recording was kinda high pitched?? then I went from the 7200 right to audacity and got the same high pitched recording. what am I doing wrong?

Keith Blackwell
Keith Blackwell
6 years ago

I need to hear a conversation that was recorded but it had music playing and I couldn’t hear everything that was said because of the music how can I delete the music and only hear the conversation

Kathie Garcia
Kathie Garcia
6 years ago

I need help with my OLYMPUS VN722 PC; usually works like a charm, but my latest files while ok in playback will not transfer to MAC. Help!

Andrea
Andrea
6 years ago

Audacity isn’t letting me transfer files that have already been recorded. Is there some way to do this?

Aaron
Aaron
5 years ago

My windows computer is not recognizing the device. It is the basic cable that came with the device. How do I download the files onto my desktop

Olympus – VN 7200

Julianne
5 years ago

Isaac; Thank you for posting this thorough information. My husband died recently. He was an over-the-road driver, and among his belongings was a VN 7200 he used to record mileages crossing state lines. I wanted to save those recordings as MP3s, but of course I came up against the lack of USB interface. It took me some fussing to acquire Audacity, figure out the appropriate settings, identify microphone and headset jacks, and search down my cords and things, but your excellent instructions enabled me to save these final recordings of my husband’s voice without even having to buy any new hardware. You’re a prince.

Laurie
Laurie
5 years ago

Thank you so much! I type dictation regularly for my job but for whatever reason, the USB connection on the Olympus digital recorder would not sync with the computer so that I could use my transcribing software to transcribe the dictation.
I followed your instructions and it worked!!
This was a huge help and so appreciated!!

BERNADETTE VAUGHN
BERNADETTE VAUGHN
4 years ago

Hi Isaac, I don’t consider myself tech savvy, because my definition of that is I can fix a computer internally, but I am computer savvy but from the USER SIDE and I consider your post excellent! There is really nothing I have a question about right now. I will be purchasing the Sony recorder you mentioned and when I purchased the Vn7200, I wondered why it was on clearance, now I see, it probably was considered out-of-date because of no USB capability.

David Daurelle
David Daurelle
4 years ago

Thanks for the tutorial. I figured there was some way to do this, but wasn’t going to try to figure it out myself.

I don’t think I’ll be moving things off of my vm 7000, but I was interested to know if it was possible.

I’ve only used it a few times for some specific projects, which it worked quite well for. At this point, I think I’ll be using my cell phone to do recordings that need to be maintained.

Angela Whittaker
Angela Whittaker
4 years ago

Hi I was wondering if the Olympus KA 333 compaticord will help me bypass all this so that i can actually get the files from my VN 7200 transferred to my computer?? or is this process that you are recommending basically the same thing??