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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: TheJez on September 11, 2025, 06:32:12 AM
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I received an email from Deity earlier this week, sort-of-announcing their 'worst kept secret': The PR-4 recorder.
Well, I couldn't find much details, apart from some weird short video on Instagram from a guy called whoismatt, and a mention on reddit based on this video:
https://www.reddit.com/r/fieldrecording/comments/1nde23l/specs_on_the_deity_pr4_have_been_leaked_whats/ (https://www.reddit.com/r/fieldrecording/comments/1nde23l/specs_on_the_deity_pr4_have_been_leaked_whats/)
Does anybody here knows more about this? I mean, if it's really their worst kept secret...
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until someone has received one in retail packaging, I wouldn't put any faith in any information. The PR2 turned out to be a lot less impressive when it came out than when it was announced.
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Is it a 32-bit 4 track version of the PR-2 … that reverts to 24-bit when recording more than one track?
(Yes I’m still angry)
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until someone has received one in retail packaging, I wouldn't put any faith in any information. The PR2 turned out to be a lot less impressive when it came out than when it was announced.
Concur
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Appears to be a F3 / FR-AV2 copy that's overly late to market
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Appears to be a F3 / FR-AV2 copy that's overly late to market
That is my impression too, although I wonder if they'll be able to put in some unique and relevant selling point. Who knows they'll throw in analog gain control ;D.
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That is my impression too, although I wonder if they'll be able to put in some unique and relevant selling point. Who knows they'll throw in analog gain control ;D.
Looks like it has that from the pictures.
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Came across this IG-reel today: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMiivstR87W/ (https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMiivstR87W/)
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that makes me a lot less interested, unless somehow they do something better than the tascam
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Came across this IG-reel today: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMiivstR87W/ (https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMiivstR87W/)
Yeah, that was the weird video I meant in my first post. If that is how they want to announce this thing to the world, it isn’t a good sign…
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Sony NPF batteries rather than AAs - is that a plus for anyone? I suppose it's not made for the likes of this group.
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Those are great for some devices. But a 2 channel recorder? That’s insanity
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There is also a “PR-6” on the way. Conventional design like MixPre 6/Zoom F8.
Both PR-4 and 6 are on the Deity website
https://deitymic.com/recorders/
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2× XLR (Mic, +48V, Line, AES3, AES42)
Stereo 3.5 mm TRS
there's the killer feature. AES3 input. I'm probably in.
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There is also a “PR-6” on the way. Conventional design like MixPre 6/Zoom F8.
Both PR-4 and 6 are on the Deity website
https://deitymic.com/recorders/
I love their app
I like the pr-2 for 007
if the meters where better it would be killer. If the meters suck on the others I wouldn't even consider them as I did the pr-2 for 007 as the primary feature but the others are bigger and have others brands the same size with good meters
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There is also a “PR-6” on the way. Conventional design like MixPre 6/Zoom F8.
Both PR-4 and 6 are on the Deity website
https://deitymic.com/recorders/
AES inputs and redundant recording on the PR-6.
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192khz sample rate and physical gain controls are appealing as are its screen orientation and powering. If its price is closer to an FR-AV2 than a MixPre3 I'll take a chance on it.
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Is it a 32-bit 4 track version of the PR-2 … that reverts to 24-bit when recording more than one track?
(Yes I’m still angry)
This.
It looks pretty fugly to boot and with the various ports might be a bigger pain to walk in. And the NPF550 battery will lend some weight and bulk to it. Definitely late to the party and wondering if it's doing general loudness vs peak loudness as well. That's one of the things I'll never understand about Deity.
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The PR-6 looks interesting!
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Post regarding the PR-4 from someone who saw it at a tradeshow in Amsterdam:
https://old.reddit.com/r/LocationSound/comments/1nfxl0u/details_on_the_deity_pr4_and_pr6_from_the_ibc2025/
And another thread: https://old.reddit.com/r/LocationSound/comments/1nfaoes/new_audio_recorders_from_deity/
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Newsshooter have an interview.
https://www.newsshooter.com/2025/09/13/deity-introduces-the-pr-4-and-prototype-pr-6-recorders/
10 hours on internal NP-F550.
64GB internal storage / 512GB SD card
Automix!
Price: Impressively affordable price” they will not let us down, Deity says.
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How do the Deity preamps compare to their competition?
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How do the Deity preamps compare to their competition?
That's the million (billion?) dollar question. Until we have these measurements as well as real world testing/usage, it's all moot.
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The PR-6 looks interesting!
what would the 9/10 tracks be?
1-6 individual
7/8 stereo mix of individual
9/10 ?
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The PR-6 looks interesting!
what would the 9/10 tracks be?
1-6 individual
7/8 stereo mix of individual
9/10 ?
7/8 24-bit mixdown?
9/10 32-bit mixdown?
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How do the Deity preamps compare to their competition?
Look at the PR-2 thread - that is the only current reference.
My takeaway was that they are fine, but noisy at quiet sound levels.
Deity probably need to up their preamp game if they hope to compete with Tascam, Zoom F or Sound Devices in the prosumer location-sound segment.
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I'm guessing mix track and digital tracks!
The PR-6 looks interesting!
what would the 9/10 tracks be?
1-6 individual
7/8 stereo mix of individual
9/10 ?
7/8 24-bit mixdown?
9/10 32-bit mixdown?
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At this point, I don't trust any of their "before production" specs or marketing. The PR2 was a greatly diminished device by the time it came to market.
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At this point, I don't trust any of their "before production" specs or marketing. The PR2 was a greatly diminished device by the time it came to market.
The 32-bit stereo issue with the PR2 was either an implementation or (more likely) a patent issue; notice how none of Zoom/Tascam/etc offer 32 bit stereo on their pocket-sized, XLR-less recorders (which, quite frankly, is where I need it). I wouldn't expect an issue on a larger recorder, again, given everyone else already does have it (though, that's not saying anything of the AES, of course).
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I guess we’ll see. I held off buying other things for a long time waiting for the pr2. This time, I’m waiting to see the product before it becomes an option in my mind.
I would love a good aes recorder option.
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I guess we’ll see. I held off buying other things for a long time waiting for the pr2. This time, I’m waiting to see the product before it becomes an option in my mind.
I would love a good aes recorder option.
100% agree with the sentiment of disappointment when it came to the release of the PR-2 and will take any of their new product specs with a few grains of salt until it appears.
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The 32-bit stereo issue with the PR2 was either an implementation or (more likely) a patent issue; notice how none of Zoom/Tascam/etc offer 32 bit stereo on their pocket-sized, XLR-less recorders (which, quite frankly, is where I need it).
This is most likely a board space issue on the smaller recorders, but could also be a budget thing. You need two times the amount of ADCs for 32 bit float when compared to 24 bits. Plus the supporting components like capacitors and resistors. The PR2 board is already pretty crammed.
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The 32-bit stereo issue with the PR2 was either an implementation or (more likely) a patent issue; notice how none of Zoom/Tascam/etc offer 32 bit stereo on their pocket-sized, XLR-less recorders (which, quite frankly, is where I need it).
This is most likely a board space issue on the smaller recorders, but could also be a budget thing. You need two times the amount of ADCs for 32 bit float when compared to 24 bits. Plus the supporting components like capacitors and resistors. The PR2 board is already pretty crammed.
Power consumption & heat could also be a challenge in such small devices.
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At this point, I don't trust any of their "before production" specs or marketing. The PR2 was a greatly diminished device by the time it came to market.
The 32-bit stereo issue with the PR2 was either an implementation or (more likely) a patent issue; notice how none of Zoom/Tascam/etc offer 32 bit stereo on their pocket-sized, XLR-less recorders (which, quite frankly, is where I need it). I wouldn't expect an issue on a larger recorder, again, given everyone else already does have it (though, that's not saying anything of the AES, of course).
Sorry to be the "actually" guy, but all of Zoom's recent pocket-sized recorders without XLRs (as well as those that do) offer 32-bit float recording:
https://zoomcorp.com/en/us/news/handy-recorder-comparison/
As do the new Tascam DR-05X and DR-07XP:
https://tascam.com/us/tag/90273
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I may be in the minority here, but I find Sony NP-F / L-mount battery powering a very attractive feature. My Zoom F6 runs 6 condenser mics for a very long time with a 6800 mAh battery, and is one of the best things about that unit.
As others have stated, the big unknown about the PR-4 and PR-6 is preamp quality.
Zoom's F-series preamps and Tascam's higher-end units offer performance plenty good enough for the prosumer market. If you need higher quality in a field recorder, you go to Sound Devices or the other serious pro brands.
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I notice discussions and arguments in the Location sound community (Deity's primary customer group) and elsewhere that quiet preamps are considerably less relevant than they used to be.
Traditionally, the location sound deliverables to the post processing crew have gone through quite a bit of cleanup & balancing, and any small improvements in the location sound end would generate large benefits the post process.
With new AI assisted tools it is apparently much easier and faster to process sounds/dialogue, and variations in noise levels is now of little importance. This can also be applied to fieldrecordists sound libraries etc.
It is possible that the preamp quality may not be the deciding factor for the success of the new Deity products.
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I notice discussions and arguments in the Location sound community (Deity's primary customer group) and elsewhere that quiet preamps are considerably less relevant than they used to be.
Traditionally, the location sound deliverables to the post processing crew have gone through quite a bit of cleanup & balancing, and any small improvements in the location sound end would generate large benefits the post process.
With new AI assisted tools it is apparently much easier and faster to process sounds/dialogue, and variations in noise levels is now of little importance. This can also be applied to fieldrecordists sound libraries etc.
It is possible that the preamp quality may not be the deciding factor for the success of the new Deity products.
That's not surprising to hear, if a little disappointing because "good enough" becomes the goal in this case. For what I do, preamp quality is top priority.
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I notice discussions and arguments in the Location sound community (Deity's primary customer group) and elsewhere that quiet preamps are considerably less relevant than they used to be.
Traditionally, the location sound deliverables to the post processing crew have gone through quite a bit of cleanup & balancing, and any small improvements in the location sound end would generate large benefits the post process.
With new AI assisted tools it is apparently much easier and faster to process sounds/dialogue, and variations in noise levels is now of little importance. This can also be applied to fieldrecordists sound libraries etc.
It is possible that the preamp quality may not be the deciding factor for the success of the new Deity products.
Can someone decipher this for a simple lay person like myself? At face value it sounds highly dubious, but what do I know?
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At this point, I don't trust any of their "before production" specs or marketing. The PR2 was a greatly diminished device by the time it came to market.
The 32-bit stereo issue with the PR2 was either an implementation or (more likely) a patent issue; notice how none of Zoom/Tascam/etc offer 32 bit stereo on their pocket-sized, XLR-less recorders (which, quite frankly, is where I need it). I wouldn't expect an issue on a larger recorder, again, given everyone else already does have it (though, that's not saying anything of the AES, of course).
Sorry to be the "actually" guy, but all of Zoom's recent pocket-sized recorders without XLRs (as well as those that do) offer 32-bit float recording:
https://zoomcorp.com/en/us/news/handy-recorder-comparison/
As do the new Tascam DR-05X and DR-07XP:
https://tascam.com/us/tag/90273
Let me requalify that:
Similarly sized stealth type micro recorders such as the Zoom F2, Tascam DR-10L, and Tentacle Track E, which offer 32 bit, but only record in mono.
Older recorders, of course; but, I would think that if there weren't an issue implementing 32 bit stereo in recorders of that size, we'd have a 2.0 version of at least one of them by now.
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I notice discussions and arguments in the Location sound community (Deity's primary customer group) and elsewhere that quiet preamps are considerably less relevant than they used to be.
Traditionally, the location sound deliverables to the post processing crew have gone through quite a bit of cleanup & balancing, and any small improvements in the location sound end would generate large benefits the post process.
With new AI assisted tools it is apparently much easier and faster to process sounds/dialogue, and variations in noise levels is now of little importance. This can also be applied to fieldrecordists sound libraries etc.
It is possible that the preamp quality may not be the deciding factor for the success of the new Deity products.
Can someone decipher this for a simple lay person like myself? At face value it sounds highly dubious, but what do I know?
My interpretation was, AI has made post production easier so even if the Deity has preamps with a higher noise level it might not deter people from purchasing it because it could be corrected/improved in post production.
To me this sounds more like the Location sound community (Deity's primary customer group) trying to rationalize the product having a lower quality preamp compared to the competition.
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Thanks Papabliss, I concur.
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Well, just checked out the Diety website. The PR-4 looks cool. Seems to have several upgraded features from comperable zoom and tascam models. Time will tell if it all comes to fruition.
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I notice discussions and arguments in the Location sound community (Deity's primary customer group) and elsewhere that quiet preamps are considerably less relevant than they used to be.
Traditionally, the location sound deliverables to the post processing crew have gone through quite a bit of cleanup & balancing, and any small improvements in the location sound end would generate large benefits the post process.
With new AI assisted tools it is apparently much easier and faster to process sounds/dialogue, and variations in noise levels is now of little importance. This can also be applied to fieldrecordists sound libraries etc.
It is possible that the preamp quality may not be the deciding factor for the success of the new Deity products.
Can someone decipher this for a simple lay person like myself? At face value it sounds highly dubious, but what do I know?
My interpretation was, AI has made post production easier so even if the Deity has preamps with a higher noise level it might not deter people from purchasing it because it could be corrected/improved in post production.
To me this sounds more like the Location sound community (Deity's primary customer group) trying to rationalize the product having a lower quality preamp compared to the competition.
for me, the price point would need to be low enough.
I have got a Tascam Dr-60d that people said had pre that could be better but the price point was so much less it was worth the trade off for my needs.
If the price is similar to a device with better ores then I would just get the better one without question
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"First Look" posted a little over a week ago. He mentions at 1:40 that both XLRs can be used as digital (AES) inputs for 2 stereo inputs. I initially thought only one would be available for AES.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u9gMaO3gTY
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The product page currently has a countdown timer at ~16 days.
https://deitymic.com/pr-4/
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About 11 hours now...
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There are some strange AI "advertisements" showing up on youtube.
(https://i.imgur.com/RmjYs8p.png)
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lmao, so many fingers
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Officaially Available. $449
https://www.adorama.com/deity-pr-4-32-bit-float-audio-recorder/p/dytdp505048r
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I preordered the PR2. Because of that, I'll wait for reports on the PR4...
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Isn't is supposed to have a digital input or was that just the PR8?
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Says it has 2xaes
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The adorma add has not mention of digital inputs!
Says it has 2xaes
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https://deitymic.com/pr-4/
Input
2× XLR (Mic, +48V, Line, AES3, AES42)
Stereo 3.5 mm TRS
Adorama's specs also don't mention the 2 xlr inputs, so I think maybe it was rushed to go live first.
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Okay, I was wondering if the digital input got left out!
https://deitymic.com/pr-4/
Input
2× XLR (Mic, +48V, Line, AES3, AES42)
Stereo 3.5 mm TRS
Adorama's specs also don't mention the 2 xlr inputs, so I think maybe it was rushed to go live first.
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I commented in a YT video asking if both XLRs could be used as AES inputs and they said yes. Still hoping that's the case.
https://youtu.be/7u9gMaO3gTY?t=101
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This is the marketing claim on the preamps:
"The PR-4 features the brand new ReGain Preamps™, ultra-quiet microphone preamps that deliver up to 60 dB of gain, providing enough amplification to drive even demanding dynamic microphones without the need for external inline boosters.
"Achieving an Equivalent Input Noise of -127 dBV (-125 dBu) represents a significant engineering accomplishment for the PR-4’s preamp design. Measured under A-weighted conditions at 60 dB gain with a 150 ohm source, this level of performance places the PR-4 firmly in professional territory, delivering an exceptionally low noise floor that preserves detail and clarity even with low-output microphones."
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when in AES mode only digital is supported so no mixing analong inputs and digi. thats a bummer for me wanting to use the sonosax on aes and take a board feed on 3/4 but its got a ton of features
I was checking out the manual earlier.
https://deitymic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PR-4-User-Manual.pdf
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I love my dr100mkIII, but the fact that this has AES is a big possibility to move away from the tascam
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A digital input isn't that big of a deal to me (nice extra)! The Sax is the only preamp with digi out in production anymore. I really like the size for running 4 channels though, if the preamps sound nice. To be honest it's annoying that the release date is for preorder and nonrefundable. Talk about stalling.
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A digital input isn't that big of a deal to me (nice extra)! There Sax is the only preamp with digi out in production anymore. I really like the size for running 4 channels though, if the preamps sound nice.
I still have the ol' trusty vertical, so for me, yeah, aes is a game changer (and no one with do a digi-in anymore it seems). I'm the odd one out still using a minime, whatevs! :cheers:
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A digital input isn't that big of a deal to me (nice extra)! There Sax is the only preamp with digi out in production anymore. I really like the size for running 4 channels though, if the preamps sound nice.
Yeah, the math doesn't math if you need 2 sonosaxes to get good preamps. My concern with channels 3/4 is they're not xlr, so that removes some of the benefit of the size. I'd love a recorder I can plug my DMS rig into or the ambeo, but this doesn't seem to be it.
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A digital input isn't that big of a deal to me (nice extra)! There Sax is the only preamp with digi out in production anymore. I really like the size for running 4 channels though, if the preamps sound nice. In
Yeah, the math doesn't math if you need 2 sonosaxes to get good preamps. My concern with channels 3/4 is they're not xlr, so that removes some of the benefit of the size. I'd love a recorder I can plug my DMS rig into or the ambeo, but this doesn't seem to be it.
I was thinking I could run my Schoeps> Riotbox into channel 3/4 to use all the channels! I'm going to hold off until it is vetted and proven worthy.
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That's a great option for 2 pairs of mics. I want the same preamps on all inputs from either the ambeo or schoeps DMS. I know they're not obligated to my use case, and I may replace my tascam fr-av2 with this if it turns out to be comparable.
Honestly tho, I want the PR2 they described while it was vaporware :)
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A digital input isn't that big of a deal to me (nice extra)! There Sax is the only preamp with digi out in production anymore. I really like the size for running 4 channels though, if the preamps sound nice.
I still have the ol' trusty vertical, so for me, yeah, aes is a game changer (and no one with do a digi-in anymore it seems). I'm the odd one out still using a minime, whatevs! :cheers:
That's a huge preamp for a recorder that small. Good luck keeping that apogee alive.
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Honestly tho, I want the PR2 they described while it was vaporware :)
;) I want the PR2 to be exactly that, and the PR4 to be a four channel version of that PR2 providing four channels via two locking minijack inputs. But have been waiting for that since the DR2d.
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This is the marketing claim on the preamps:
"The PR-4 features the brand new ReGain Preamps™, ultra-quiet microphone preamps that deliver up to 60 dB of gain, providing enough amplification to drive even demanding dynamic microphones without the need for external inline boosters.
"Achieving an Equivalent Input Noise of -127 dBV (-125 dBu) represents a significant engineering accomplishment for the PR-4’s preamp design. Measured under A-weighted conditions at 60 dB gain with a 150 ohm source, this level of performance places the PR-4 firmly in professional territory, delivering an exceptionally low noise floor that preserves detail and clarity even with low-output microphones."
Mixpreii
-128dBu
76 dB gain range
Thats a rather BIG gain difference!!
s/n ratio likely MUCH better in the MPii.
This PR4 pres hovers right there between Zoom H Series and F Series in quality. With the F a single stage pre and the Deity a dual to get that quality.
Don't know why the big hype of this? It was basically designed for field use for capturing spoken word ...like interviews..and not designed for quality live music capture. End of the day ya spend more $$ on pres cables battieries adding more things that can go wrong or, buy a quality self contained unit that has great specs and quality pres. In the production field the former is adding way to many dynamics and problems to the mix.
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A digital input isn't that big of a deal to me (nice extra)! There Sax is the only preamp with digi out in production anymore. I really like the size for running 4 channels though, if the preamps sound nice.
I still have the ol' trusty vertical, so for me, yeah, aes is a game changer (and no one with do a digi-in anymore it seems). I'm the odd one out still using a minime, whatevs! :cheers:
That's a huge preamp for a recorder that small. Good luck keeping that apogee alive.
The Zoom H6 is right at 55/6, I can def. hear an audible difference between the Zoom and Mix..Night and day...I bet most could with this Deity too.
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I don't remember the last time I used more than 20db of gain on a live concert recording. Now, ribbon mics recording acoustic guitar and vocal at 6 ft, sure.
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I don't remember the last time I used more than 20db of gain on a live concert recording. Now, ribbon mics recording acoustic guitar and vocal at 6 ft, sure.
Using a lower gain setting provides cleaner audio with less distortion and noise, increased dynamic range, and better control over volume. If my recordings require 25-30% less gain on a quality recorder, that is substantial and def audible.
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The PR4 isn't in direct competition with the Mixpre 6! That would be the PR8.
This is the marketing claim on the preamps:
"The PR-4 features the brand new ReGain Preamps™, ultra-quiet microphone preamps that deliver up to 60 dB of gain, providing enough amplification to drive even demanding dynamic microphones without the need for external inline boosters.
"Achieving an Equivalent Input Noise of -127 dBV (-125 dBu) represents a significant engineering accomplishment for the PR-4’s preamp design. Measured under A-weighted conditions at 60 dB gain with a 150 ohm source, this level of performance places the PR-4 firmly in professional territory, delivering an exceptionally low noise floor that preserves detail and clarity even with low-output microphones."
Mixpreii
-128dBu
76 dB gain range
Thats a rather BIG gain difference!!
s/n ratio likely MUCH better in the MPii.
This PR4 pres hovers right there between Zoom H Series and F Series in quality. With the F a single stage pre and the Deity a dual to get that quality.
Don't know why the big hype of this? It was basically designed for field use for capturing spoken word ...like interviews..and not designed for quality live music capture. End of the day ya spend more $$ on pres cables battieries adding more things that can go wrong or, buy a quality self contained unit that has great specs and quality pres. In the production field the former is adding way to many dynamics and problems to the mix.
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I don't remember the last time I used more than 20db of gain on a live concert recording. Now, ribbon mics recording acoustic guitar and vocal at 6 ft, sure.
Using a lower gain setting provides cleaner audio with less distortion and noise, increased dynamic range, and better control over volume. If my recordings require 25-30% less gain on a quality recorder, that is substantial and def audible.
Advantageous to get the signal level up to where it needs to be early in the signal chain, and earliest is the mic itself. Condenser mics with sufficient sensitivity require minimal if any additional gain. Input stage still important but becomes less of a factor that way, signal to noise improves, etc.
But, a problem with the PR2 proved to be its inability to handle high sensitivity mic inputs.
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I preordered the PR2. Because of that, I'll wait for reports on the PR4...
Exactly this. Not interested in seeing that it’s noisy AF based on the PR-2. Don’t care about specs; more interested in real world data and experience.
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After seeing (over the Internet) the PR-4 as shown at the NAB convention last week, I wrote to the company thusly:
Hello. I'm trying to understand the degree of support built in to the PR-4 for recording stereo with two AES42 digital microphones simultaneously. I've read the manual and didn't find answers to these questions.
[1] Do the XLR inputs, when switched to AES42, supply digital phantom powering (10 VDC)? If not, how do you suggest that users power their AES42 microphones?
[2] Are the AES42 connections Mode 1 (= microphones are self-clocking) or Mode 2 (= microphone clocks are controlled by the interface)? If it's Mode 1, how does the recorder resolve the inevitable, real-world differences between the clock rates of the two inputs (e.g. does it have built-in sample rate conversion for one input)? (I think this would equally be an issue for AES3 inputs, by the way.)
[3] In the most frequent use case, an AES42 microphone provides just one channel's worth of audio data, even though the interface is inherently two-channel; the second data channel coming from the microphone is normally identical to the first. With two AES42 microphones connected for stereo, is there a way to select just one channel from each microphone's output stream, and to record two rather than four channels of data, so as not to waste storage in the recorder?
Best regards,
Today I received the following reply:
Thank you for your questions. Please find our responses below:
1. The voltage is 10V.
2. The device operates in Mode 1. Both inputs perform SRC (Sample Rate Conversion), and they share the same clock source, consistent with AES3.
3. Yes, this can be achieved. When using an AES42 microphone, the 3.5mm TRS input will be disabled. In the ARMSET settings, CH1/2 correspond to Microphone 1, and CH3/4 correspond to Microphone 2, which can be assigned flexibly as needed.
Please feel free to let us know if you have any further questions.
Best wishes
-- Looking on their Web site, I note that there isn't a separate U.S. version of this model with monitoring-while-recording disabled. Maybe the more complex routing arrangement gets them around the (IIRC) Lectrosonics Zaxcom patent (thanks for the correction, Grawk).
-- Digital phantom powering can draw up to 250 mA (long-term) per microphone. I probably should have asked about expected battery life when two AES42 mikes are connected and powered on; it will definitely be lower than with other types of sources.
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*zaxcom patent
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I really want the PR4 to work as advertised. If the preamps are good it will work great for my recording situations.
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Is the Zaxcom patent still in effect? I assumed it had sunset. AFAIK, It covered simultaneous local recording and wireless transmission in a wireless body pack transmitter. Work around was simply doing either/or. Its applicability to PR-2 and the work around by Deity of disabling analog pass-through to the headphone/line-out always seemed dubious to me, since PR-2 is a recorder not a transmitter, and recorders naturally feature monitor/line outs. Technically PR2 can wirelessly transmit to the phone app, but only for monitoring, not reliably and only in lossy quality. Nobody is recording that signal, so its not really functioning like a wireless transmitter.
In comparison Instamic (now owned by Zoom) more clearly infringes, assuming I'm correct about its scope, and yet they are selling Instamics without a patent challenge.
Just did a search and found this discussion on the patent- https://www.reddit.com/r/LocationSound/comments/1ednhdp/is_zaxcom_actually_holding_back_the_industry_in/
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To the best of my recollection, the Zaxcom patent applied to a dual ADC system. Basically exactly what the 32-bit float deal does, but in 24-bit. I think the patent may still be in effect, but I am not sure. I guess that SD got around it by implementing a novel, patented, approach to dealing with the two ADC outputs.
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That may be a different patent. The one which presumably lead to the revised US version of the PR-2 with disabled signal pass-through to the headphone jack is the one concerning simultaneous recording and wireless transmission. It's discussed in the link I posted above.
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I think the relevant patent may be the one attached here, from the USPTO's Web site. Its "adjusted expiration" date is listed on Google's patent site as June 10, 2028 and no, Google's copy of the patent document is no better than the USPTO's. It was filed in 2005 and granted in 2010.
Boy am I not a patent attorney, nor do I have time to study this unwieldy thing right now. And from what I've read on line, one or more lawsuits may have resulted in some of the claims being nullified.
-- In their suit against Røde they listed the following patents, with their dates of publication shown:
US 7,711,443 B1; // 2010
US 7,929,902 B1; // 2011
US 8,385,814 B2; // 2011
US 9,336,307 B2; // 2016
US 10,276,207 B1; // 2019
US 11,610,605 B1 // 2023
[edited later to add:] jbell, I think you're exactly right to be concerned about the preamps, specifically their dynamic range. You can use the most advanced A/D converters in the world but if the mike preamps clip, or their noise floor is exposed, you'll have nothing but a pure, pristine recording of a clipped or noisy signal. Deity claims to have a new generation mike preamp circuit that's about 10 dB quieter than the previous generation, and they say that those preamps are in the PR-4.
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[edited later to add:] jbell, I think you're exactly right to be concerned about the preamps, specifically their dynamic range. You can use the most advanced A/D converters in the world but if the mike preamps clip, or their noise floor is exposed, you'll have nothing but a pure, pristine recording of a clipped or noisy signal. Deity claims to have a new generation mike preamp circuit that's about 10 dB quieter than the previous generation, and they say that those preamps are in the PR-4.
@jbell said it best. That's my main concern as well -- the PR-2 was noisy AF so I don't need that kind of noise being introduced.
Hopefully some tests will take place in the real world once people start receiving them. As jbell said, this works perfectly fine for my purposes and could replace my F6 easily especially since I have a RiotBox for the mics.
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fwiw Deity has also announced a second-generation PR-2 with these new, allegedly quieter preamps in it.
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Is anyone preordering a PR4??
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Is anyone preordering a PR4??
not many here but several on the FB XLR group
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Is anyone preordering a PR4??
not many here but several on the FB XLR group
I really want one, but nervous after the PR2 let down.
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Is anyone preordering a PR4??
not many here but several on the FB XLR group
I really want one, but nervous after the PR2 let down.
after updating to the latest firmware, the PR-2 is much better
the metering is reliable now and at least running Line In you can raise it over -10dB
the battery indicator is still crap, but I use rechargeables and flip them every time
anyway... I will report on the PR-4 after they come out
I plan on using it as a bit bucket as well as Mic In so I can see how the mic pres truly are
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Is anyone preordering a PR4??
not many here but several on the FB XLR group
I really want one, but nervous after the PR2 let down.
after updating to the latest firmware, the PR-2 is much better
the metering is reliable now and at least running Line In you can raise it over -10dB
the battery indicator is still crap, but I use rechargeables and flip them every time
anyway... I will report on the PR-4 after they come out
I plan on using it as a bit bucket as well as Mic In so I can see how the mic pres truly are
I might become a test subject as well!!
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@darby and @jbell - Keep us posted.
I, too, was burned by the PR-2. I found the pres not as good as the A10 so I ended up going back to the A10. With metering including peak hold now, that's the way it should've been from day one.
Hoping the PR-2ii is better but I guess we'll know soon enough.
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Well, at the vary least this thing could replace my SD 702t in my bag. That would save space and weight, while eliminating the need for compact flash card. And given the price point, how can you really complain?!
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If you want to use the preamps and they suck, that would be a problem!
Well, at the vary least this thing could replace my SD 702t in my bag. That would save space and weight, while eliminating the need for compact flash card. And given the price point, how can you really complain?!
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If you want to use the preamps and they suck, that would be a problem!
Well, at the vary least this thing could replace my SD 702t in my bag. That would save space and weight, while eliminating the need for compact flash card. And given the price point, how can you really complain?!
That is certainly one of my main concerns.
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That's actually most of our concerns. Guess we'll find out soon enough.
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If I didn't have some new bills pop up I would totally be the guinea pig for this recorder. I have no doubts they're able to improve the "performance" of their preamps (ie they'll be measurably quieter) but I am curious if the intended use of being a dialogue recorder results in a not-very-musical sound. I think the Sound Devices MixPre recorders (subtly) suffer the same fate. Great noise performance but the mids are just "off" to my ears. Time will tell, anyone here bite the bullet? Pr-4 results could be indicative of the new PR-2 ii performance as well....
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Anyone get a shipment notification?
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Couple of hours I got an email that todays shipping is pushed back and that theres a new „estimated“ shipping date as of May 31st, 2026…
Ím in Europe and ordered in Austria to benefit from the pre-order free bag offer…,
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Anyone get a shipment notification?
no... and B&H no longer says expected May 15
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Anyone get a shipment notification?
no... and B&H no longer says expected May 15
Deity, the longest product launches I have ever seen. This is why I didn't preorder.
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Couple of hours I got an email that todays shipping is pushed back and that theres a new „estimated“ shipping date as of May 31st, 202627…
Fixed that for you...
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Couple of hours I got an email that todays shipping is pushed back and that theres a new „estimated“ shipping date as of May 31st, 2026…
Ím in Europe and ordered in Austria to benefit from the pre-order free bag offer…,
Deity website now has:
Units will ship in late June
I think I've seen this movie already. Let us know if you get the free bag.
Jeff
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^ Exactly why I didn't preorder! I wish they wouldn't announce products until they are ready ship. Deity has done a terrible job with release dates. Preorders will probably ship in July at this rate.
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I'm shocked ;)
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(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRuYq9w3PrBWkJYry3AFZtOnt0_U5EsaJV7GQ&s)
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So my May 2027 date still has a chance…
Frustrating but also partly why I didn’t preorder.
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So my May 2027 date still has a chance…
Frustrating but also partly why I didn’t preorder.
I'm not sure I'd bet on under.
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Deity has done a terrible job with release dates. Preorders will probably ship in July at this rate.
I might be mistaken, but didn't Deity also kinda mislead on the prerelease of the PR-2 in that it only can do 32-bit float on one channel? I'll update/delete if this incorrect.
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Deity has done a terrible job with release dates. Preorders will probably ship in July at this rate.
I might be mistaken, but didn't Deity also kinda mislead on the prerelease of the PR-2 in that it only can do 32-bit float on one channel? I'll update/delete if this incorrect.
Well, that major change of spec became clear before the pre-sale started (although they didn't exactly shouted it out from the rooftops). But also with the PR2, the shipping was delayed a couple of times after start of the pre-sale...
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A recent review, Deity is active in the comments :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4SaUqYi0c8