Topic: Deity PR-2 Pocket Recorder

[Gutbucket]

Thanks for the recommendation. I saw a rec for -12 so it sounds like that range is in the zone.

I have mine set at -18 and have clipped it a few times for s split second here and there with it typically peaking around -6 to -10

Fast peaks will not register on the meters as they are VU / RMS rather than peak (PPM).  How much extra headroom you need to leave will strongly depend on the crest factor (peakiness) of the music you are recording.  Used on stage near drums (high crest factor / more extreme peaks) you'll need to shoot for a lower level on the meters than you would when recording from a more distant position out in the room where peaks will be less extreme, as long as the PA is louder than nearby applause.  Nearby applause is pretty peaky.

What gain setting you need to use to achieve that will depend on the sensitivity of the mics you are using, or the output level of an external preamp if used.

[Edit- I'll be pleased if firmware updates provide the ability to switch metering to PPM to better catch the actual peaks.]

[Gutbucket]

Do you guys go Mic-in or Line-in?

PIP (5V) is only available via mic-in.  Most tapers are using PR-2's mic-in to eliminate the need for a battery box / external pre and achieve one of the smallest rigs possible.

Line-in can accept a hotter input of course but with no mic-power provided.  Really wish PIP could be turned on for line-in though, since the mics I wish to use work to full spec with 5V powering but are too sensitive for use into the PR2's mic-in, overloading its input stage.

[willndmb]

+t gutbucket

Dan, I too go mic in for the PIP of at853 with 4.7 mod

[cleantone]

funny that the website still shows v1.9 as the latest firmware. I only just noticed the update for v2.1 and installed it now. I'm either going to use this or my R-07 tonight.

[dyneq]

Did the same. This time I took a screenshot of the change log.
They also added a "Stereo Dual Gain" option, which you can find under Menu -> Mode -> Track. Turning it off makes the gain adjustment one slider. I don't see any wheel UI for adjusting gain, it's still a slider for me.

Thanks for pointing out the Mode > Track option. One less thing to worry about in the field.  Did that appear in this latest firmware update or was it there before?

The wheel is accessed by tapping the gain value number itself. I consider it a safer than the slider because you must tap Confirm vs possibly overdoing the slider in the middle of a recording.

[FOB_Taper]

reading this thread makes me want one of these for stealth.

Is anyone running DPAs 4061s > PR-2? I would like to know how it sounds, and what gain setting you are using.

[Pieteker]

reading this thread makes me want one of these for stealth.

Is anyone running DPAs 4061s > PR-2? I would like to know how it sounds, and what gain setting you are using.

This setup works very well. Just set gain to 0.

[shadowfax1007]

How do people find the real world battery performance of the PR2 when using it to power DPA4061's?
I've seen online the unit gets "30 hours of battery life" but wondering how true that is when putting out 5V PIP.

I've put about 4 hours of recording into my unit so far and the battery icon is showing full. Just curious if I actually need to change batteries before a gig tomorrow night or if I've got tons of juice.

[Gutbucket]

Good question.  A long time. But I'd like to know more precisely and still don't fully trust the meter yet.  I've not done a proper run down time test. 

I've been using disposable lithium AAs, rotating in a fresh pair in for more important stuff, or when heading out of town with it just to cover whatever I may be interested in, then putting a used pair in for non-recording car/headphone playback stuff.  Can say  that a fresh pair easily handled a festival a day of 4-6 separate sets for me.

[mccordo]

I've not done a proper test with the 4061 > PR-2 rig running 5V pip like Gutbucket referred to, but I can say anecdotally that I did mess around with the unit when I first got it for a couple of hours figuring out the settings, and then taped 6 shows that were all at least 2.5 hours each and got halfway into a 7th show before the Deity AA batteries that came with it died. I don't have an exact amount of time used, but I'd say 20 hours is a good estimate.

[Gutbucket]

^ That feels about right to me.  I think the Deity batteries which were initially provided with the unit are simply another branded standard disposable lithium, essentially an alternate to the ubiquitous silver Eveready lithiums (which is what I've been using).  Use time seems similar to that initial Deity set.  But I'm still wondering why in that case there is a dedicated menu setting for the Deity batteries in addition to standard lithium, NiMH, and alkaline.  Are they actually different?  Is the menu setting just a ploy to encourage folks to purchase Deity branded replacement batteries [shrug]?