Topic: Deity PR-2 Pocket Recorder

[Saltshaker]

Of all recorders currently available (other than using a phone to record along via a recording app), PR-2 is is least likely of any to set off a metal detector.

That said, metal detection will depend on how the sensitivity of the detector is set.  I've seen some cranked up so high they detect as single small coin, even a small washer in a pocket. And others turned down so far they barely detect much of anything.

I just hold it above my head along with my phone and keys as they wand everything else down. No prob.  If a walk-through you are paranoid about and don't trust, probably just put it under the phone, keys, wallet and any other stuff that goes in the basket.  Its small and square and even with entry-level Jedi skills should be easy to pass off as a phone battery, pager, or remote of some kind if even noticed at all.

I agree with you there. I've gone through many walk throughs with my Edirol-R9 and I did not set it off. But youre right, they all have different sensitivities. So yeah most times you can hold it in your hand now with all your other stuff and no one bothers to look. The mics are a bigger deal to me, that has set off detectors in the past so I use a belt clip mounted glasses case that has a hidden pocket that fits the wires, putting everything into the basket now is not a problem and with the PR-2, that can go into my new wallet. Battery box is now a car key FOB so I just walk through as they pass everything to me.

[Saltshaker]

I just picked up PR-2 and everything so far is working.....HOWEVER...I have 2 concerns.

I've updated it to the latest firmware but it will not connect to my PC via USB to transfer files...changed USB/System setting to Reader, tried different cables, computers, etc, but not even seen at all. Anyone seen this issue??

Also, Ive tested recording with my SP-CMC-8's, with and without the battery box and the levels seem pretty low. I have not actually tested in the wild but has anyone have very low levels on their mics where you have to turn the gain up real high ??


Thanks in advance.

[Pieteker]

I just picked up PR-2 and everything so far is working.....HOWEVER...I have 2 concerns.

I've updated it to the latest firmware but it will not connect to my PC via USB to transfer files...changed USB/System setting to Reader, tried different cables, computers, etc, but not even seen at all. Anyone seen this issue??

Also, Ive tested recording with my SP-CMC-8's, with and without the battery box and the levels seem pretty low. I have not actually tested in the wild but has anyone have very low levels on their mics where you have to turn the gain up real high ??


Thanks in advance.

It’s pretty common with the SP-CMC-8s and similar AT mics with the Low Sensitivity Mod that you’ll need to boost the gain a bit higher than usual—around 18 to 24 dB is normal with the PR-2. This helps prevent clipping and keeps your recordings clean. The good news is you can always bring the levels up further in post-production if needed. Hope that helps!

Also, remember that -10 db on the recorder actually corresponds to 0 dB in real life, so try not to raise it too high!

[detroit lightning]

Also, remember that -10 db on the recorder actually corresponds to 0 dB in real life, so try not to raise it too high!

For avoidance of doubt, can you explain/elaborate?

[Pieteker]

Also, remember that -10 db on the recorder actually corresponds to 0 dB in real life, so try not to raise it too high!

For avoidance of doubt, can you explain/elaborate?

Just ensure the peaks stay below -10dB, as they will effectively peak higher during playback or processing.

[grawk]

It's a pseudo vu meter, instead of a peak meter.  So if you're hitting -10db regularly, you're going to have spikes that will go much higher.

[Gutbucket]

Was typing while grawk answered..

Also, remember that -10 db on the recorder actually corresponds to 0 dB in real life, so try not to raise it too high!

For avoidance of doubt, can you explain/elaborate?

The metering is in VU (Voltage Units) and not PPM (Peak Program Meter).  VU is averaged over a short-time window, emulating mechanical "needle" meters and human "as heard" levels, but its slower reaction time will not indicate the full extent of fast transient peaks.  PPM indicates the actual peak values, and usually includes a slower peak hold indication in order better see them.

I really wish Diety would include an option to switch the metering to PPM, as avoiding overs is one of the most important goals in a recorder, and all other modern recorders that I know of use PPM (or include the option to choose).

[detroit lightning]

ah, thanks all for the explanation. That's pretty unintuitive, but not so bad as long as it's understood I guess.

[Saltshaker]

It’s pretty common with the SP-CMC-8s and similar AT mics with the Low Sensitivity Mod that you’ll need to boost the gain a bit higher than usual—around 18 to 24 dB is normal with the PR-2. This helps prevent clipping and keeps your recordings clean. The good news is you can always bring the levels up further in post-production if needed. Hope that helps!

Also, remember that -10 db on the recorder actually corresponds to 0 dB in real life, so try not to raise it too high!

Ahh right, that makes sense. Thanks for the reply. I've had these mics for nearly 10 years now and "I think" I had that mod done so that could be why. I guess my concern then is based on what people are saying that increasing the gain too much on the PR-2 is causing inherent hiss/noise to the recording??

I guess I will need to go to a concert this weekend and test all this out to see if that is an issue.

[grawk]

the problem is the pr2 analog stage is somewhat noisy, so quieter sources will have more noise on a pr2 than other devices because the gain is happening digitally after the noise is in the signal path. 

[Saltshaker]

the problem is the pr2 analog stage is somewhat noisy, so quieter sources will have more noise on a pr2 than other devices because the gain is happening digitally after the noise is in the signal path.

Hmmm, thanks. Well I think I'll just have to see how it goes...I dont record that much these days but anything I tape is generally loud. Plus I had some work gift cards so I was technically able to get the Pr-2 for free.

[willndmb]

Of all recorders currently available (other than using a phone to record along via a recording app), PR-2 is is least likely of any to set off a metal detector.

That said, metal detection will depend on how the sensitivity of the detector is set.  I've seen some cranked up so high they detect as single small coin, even a small washer in a pocket. And others turned down so far they barely detect much of anything.

I just hold it above my head along with my phone and keys as they wand everything else down. No prob.  If a walk-through you are paranoid about and don't trust, probably just put it under the phone, keys, wallet and any other stuff that goes in the basket.  Its small and square and even with entry-level Jedi skills should be easy to pass off as a phone battery, pager, or remote of some kind if even noticed at all.

I agree with you there. I've gone through many walk throughs with my Edirol-R9 and I did not set it off. But youre right, they all have different sensitivities. So yeah most times you can hold it in your hand now with all your other stuff and no one bothers to look. The mics are a bigger deal to me, that has set off detectors in the past so I use a belt clip mounted glasses case that has a hidden pocket that fits the wires, putting everything into the basket now is not a problem and with the PR-2, that can go into my new wallet. Battery box is now a car key FOB so I just walk through as they pass everything to me.

pm coming

[hedfro]

It’s pretty common with the SP-CMC-8s and similar AT mics with the Low Sensitivity Mod that you’ll need to boost the gain a bit higher than usual—around 18 to 24 dB is normal with the PR-2. This helps prevent clipping and keeps your recordings clean. The good news is you can always bring the levels up further in post-production if needed. Hope that helps!

Also, remember that -10 db on the recorder actually corresponds to 0 dB in real life, so try not to raise it too high!

Thanks, ‘cause i fucked up my first recording with PR-2. I was between -12 db and -6 db…

[Saltshaker]

It’s pretty common with the SP-CMC-8s and similar AT mics with the Low Sensitivity Mod that you’ll need to boost the gain a bit higher than usual—around 18 to 24 dB is normal with the PR-2. This helps prevent clipping and keeps your recordings clean. The good news is you can always bring the levels up further in post-production if needed. Hope that helps!

Also, remember that -10 db on the recorder actually corresponds to 0 dB in real life, so try not to raise it too high!

Thanks, ‘cause i fucked up my first recording with PR-2. I was between -12 db and -6 db…

Another good point which I dont quite get but OK. All my prior recorders do not reflect that so basically keep it below -10 is the best route.

[Gutbucket]

It’s pretty common with the SP-CMC-8s and similar AT mics with the Low Sensitivity Mod that you’ll need to boost the gain a bit higher than usual—around 18 to 24 dB is normal with the PR-2. This helps prevent clipping and keeps your recordings clean. The good news is you can always bring the levels up further in post-production if needed. Hope that helps!

Also, remember that -10 db on the recorder actually corresponds to 0 dB in real life, so try not to raise it too high!

Thanks, ‘cause i fucked up my first recording with PR-2. I was between -12 db and -6 db…

Another good point which I dont quite get but OK. All my prior recorders do not reflect that so basically keep it below -10 is the best route.

Keep in mind that the suggestion to shoot for -10dB on the meters is only a very general guideline.  -10dB on a VU meter doesn't necessarily correspond to a 0dB peak value.

The appropriate target value on the meters for "peaking sufficiently close to 0dBFS without going over" is going to vary with content and recording position, sometimes dramatically.  That's because the crest factor (the ratio of fast transient peaks to steady-state slow-varying sound levels) of the music or other recorded content can vary significantly.  A droning synth pad generally has a low crest-factor (the resulting VU and Peak meter levels will be similar), while a percussion hit will produce a high crest factor (Peak meter level will be high but VU meter level low).  In terms of general concert taping, recording a PA amplified concert from the soundboard enclosure will mean a significantly lower crest factor (translating to somewhat higher values on the VU meters being OK) than when recording with mics placed on stage near the sound sources, particularly if close to the drum kit where there will be much higher transient peaks that will require targeting a significantly lower point on the VU meter to avoid peak overs.