Topic: Deity PR-4 Recorder

[adrianf74]

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.

[Sebastian]

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.

[TheJez]

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.

[voltronic]

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

[voltronic]

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.

[Niels]

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.

[voltronic]

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.

[unidentified]

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?

[BonoBeats]

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.

[papabliss]

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. 

[unidentified]

Thanks Papabliss, I concur.

[HealthCov Chris]

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.

[willndmb]

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