Topic: Deity PR-2 Pocket Recorder

[cj.flac]

Firmware 2.2 released today through Sidus Audio app.

1. Enable APP to support manual formatting of the device's SD card.
2. Fix Rare Bug regarding recordings interruption

[Gutbucket]

^Anyone load yet?  Find anything changed?

[Gutbucket]

A heads up-  Check the retaining ring that secures the PR2's input jack for tightness.  If loose, tighten it before problems arise.  It's the part that transfers mechanical load from the cable and miniplug through the locking input jack to the recorder's housing, relieving stress on the jack to PCB solder joints.

The problem-  I had signal intermittency problems with one of two PR-2s on the last two outings.  Suspected either the Y adapter I was using (2x microdot > locking mini-plug) or a failure of the input jack solder joints to the PCB.  Upon a more thorough check last night, the Y-adapter checked out fine, but the input jack on the PR-2 seemed slightly loose.  No problem recording while the unit sits still, but bumping or handling the plug caused intermittency.  Took the small back cover just above the battery door off, and was about to begin disassembly to check the the jack's electrical connections to the PCB, when I more closely inspected the two jacks with an eye toward disassembly and noticed they both have retaining rings which secure them to the housing of the recorder.  It was clear I'd need to remove both in order to remove the PCB, so I grabbed a safety pin and manipulated the slotted retaining rings.  Sure enough, the one securing the input jack was loose. The other, and both on the second PR-2 were tight.  So I first tightened down the retaining ring and checked for intermittency (visually using the meters) and found none, even when manipulating the locked in plug.  So I made sure the retaining ring was as tight as I could manage using the safety pin, and just left it like that for now.

Is the tightened retaining ring simply holding a broken solder joint in firm electrical contact?  Dunno.  Rather than disassemble prior to an upcoming show and risk nullifying the warranty, I decided I'll do a few listening checks and if all seems good I'll run it this way for the upcoming show.  After that I'll contact Deity about repair or replacement under warranty.

Check that ring before your's develops problems.

[dallman]

Firmware 2.2 released today through Sidus Audio app.

^Anyone load yet?  Find anything changed?

I cannt find this firmware version. The Deity Website still shows 2.1

[thebigredone]

Firmware 2.2 released today through Sidus Audio app.

^Anyone load yet?  Find anything changed?

I cannt find this firmware version. The Deity Website still shows 2.1

It's via the Sidus app. In the recording screen, tap on the three dots at the top right which will take you to General Settings. You should now see Firmware upgrade 2.2.

I can now format the SD card without struggling to get it out!

[dabbler]

Gutbucket: could those retaining rings have been loosened by unscrewing locking plugs?
These rings are the ones visible from the top of the unit and don't require prying the cover off, right?
I suspect the friction of locking plugs could be enough that it could be enough to loosen the rings when unscrewing.
Perhaps a lubricating washer would help.
In any case, I'm using gaffer tape and am staying away from locking plugs for reasons I've mentioned elsewhere.

[Gutbucket]

Yes the rings are visible from the top without removing anything. Look for a shallow slot across their face used to tighten or remove.  The rings use the same threads as the locking jack, but I don't think the locking plug aspect of it has anything to do with it loosening, since the threaded ferrule on the locking plug doesn't screw down far enough to contact the ring.  I suspect it would have loosened from mechanical movement using any other plug over the same timeframe. The recorder is so small that once inserted the plug and wiring basically become a handle, and must handle some significant jostle/loading through the jack when the recorder is carried in pocket. And because of that the locking input jack is one of the best features of the PR2 as far as I'm concerned!  I much prefer locking jacks over having to gaffer tape plugs in.  But I would like to convert from straight to right-angle locking plugs.

Its just something PR-2 users should check regularly for tightness before it becomes a problem.  And if it loosens regularly or easily, might put a dot of light-duty locking compound on the threads.

[darby]

Yes the rings are visible from the top without removing anything. Look for a shallow slot across their face used to tighten or remove.  The rings use the same threads as the locking jack, but I don't think the locking plug aspect of it has anything to do with it loosening, since the threaded ferrule on the locking plug doesn't screw down far enough to contact the ring.  I suspect it would have loosened from mechanical movement using any other plug over the same timeframe. The recorder is so small that once inserted the plug and wiring basically become a handle, and must handle some significant jostle/loading through the jack when the recorder is carried in pocket. And because of that the locking input jack is one of the best features of the PR2 as far as I'm concerned!  I much prefer locking jacks over having to gaffer tape plugs in.  But I would like to convert from straight to right-angle locking plugs.

Its just something PR-2 users should check regularly for tightness before it becomes a problem.  And if it loosens regularly or easily, might put a dot of light-duty locking compound on the threads.

Lee, I grabbed a couple of these:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1785749-REG/deity_microphones_dts0158d64_c12_locking_3_5mm_trs.html

[Gutbucket]

^ Thanks. That Deity locking RA plug would seem the correct part! I could cut the connector off a couple of those and use then to make a couple new microdot adapter Y's. But ideally I'd like something more low profile, more like this:
 

I think I recall someone reporting that a non-Deity branded locking RA they tried didn't work because it interfered with the housing or something causing the plug to not doesn't seat completely. That would complicate things. I'll have to look back through the thread and see if I can find that.

Of course any of the pre-molded ones will require a cable splice at the Y junction instead of a direct cable connection inside a modular solderable connector.  I can handle that if necessary but would rather avoid it.  I may need to go that route though as I suspect re-terminating a pre-molded one might be the only way to achieve a significantly lower profile. The only modular solderable version I've seen is the Cable Techniques version:  https://www.cabletechniques.com/product-page/low-profile-right-angle-3-5mm-trs-locking



But it doesn't look like that would be any lower profile than the pre-molded Deity one.  Will continue to look for a low profile modular/solderable RA locking plug.

I'd think Switchcraft and Neutrik would have locking versions of their non-locking low profile RA mini TRS modular connectors that have been around for decades, but seems no.

[dabbler]

I ordered and returned
https://www.cabletechniques.com/product-page/low-profile-right-angle-3-5mm-trs-locking
since they were too tall for comfort with the plastic cap.
They're almost as tall as straight plugs, so I saw no point in them being right angle.

It MIGHT work better cutting a slot in the metal to feed the cable through (ignoring the plastic cap) and using potting compound to secure the cable instead of the plastic cap, but I didn't want to deal with that.

I also tried:
https://www.cabletechniques.com/product-page/mini-3-5mm-trs-lopro-locking-connector-moulded-assembly-39
but they're not compatible with regular jacks.

I also don't think splicing DPA mic cables will hold up, at least not with solder.
Solder can't flex, so you end up putting too much strain on the skinny cable part which does flex;
and I don't want a rigid strain relief in my pants pocket.
A solderless Western Union splice may work, but is tricky with skinny DPA cables.

I've settled on plain Switchcraft right angle plugs but omitting the bulky metal shield in favor of aluminum foil + heatshink.
I had to cut the mic Braille nub on my M10 to make the plug fit straight, but PR-2 and A10 cause no problems.

[Gutbucket]

Thanks for that.  The two photos I posted above are the Cable Techniques plugs you mention. The first is the one you found to be incompatible, too bad since that's what I had my eye on.  The sleeve section looks a little short in that photo, was that the problem? (not inserting fully enough to achieve good contact)

If I solder up my own I'll probably order a short cable from CD International pre-terminated with female microdots on both ends, cut it in half and solder the two pig-tails directly to a modular plug or make a Y splice to a molded one.  The RG174 flexible cable they use is easy to work with and its center connector easy to solder.   I've made up a number of of extensions and fan-outs using them with no failures.

https://www.cdint.com/catalog/category/Cables/RG174+flexible

Edit- Hmmm, CD Int pricing has gone up significantly since I last ordered cables from them.  Still, I'll likely go that route given the quality, workability, and proven longevity.