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| Deity PR-2ii pocket recorder |
For videographers and content creators, bad audio can ruin even the most stunning footage. Deity Microphones understands this pain point all too well, and their solution—the PR-2ii pocket recorder—has just landed in the US and Japan, bringing professional-grade audio capture to a device that weighs just 55 grams.
The second-generation recorder introduces a significant upgrade under the hood: a new dual-ADC preamp architecture that Deity claims reduces self-noise by 5.4 dB compared to its predecessor. This means cleaner dialogue capture and more detail in quiet scenes, which should be music to the ears of documentary filmmakers and videographers working in challenging environments.
32-Bit Float: Your Safety Net Against Audio Disasters
The PR-2ii supports 32-bit float mono recording, a feature that provides substantial headroom for unpredictable volume changes. For those unfamiliar with the technology, this means you can capture both whispers and shouts in the same take without worrying about clipping or distortion—a godsend for run-and-gun productions where levels can shift dramatically.
The recorder also offers conventional 24-bit stereo recording for those who prefer a more traditional workflow.
Perhaps more importantly, Deity has added PSRAM-backed buffering, a feature designed to preserve usable audio even if recording is interrupted or a file becomes corrupted. Anyone who has experienced the heartbreak of discovering a damaged recording after wrapping up a shoot will understand just how valuable this addition could be.
Built for the Real World
Deity hasn't just focused on audio quality—the PR-2ii is designed to survive actual production environments. The recorder now features IP54 dust and splash resistance, improved drop resistance, and a redesigned battery door for enhanced durability.
A new integrated belt clip eliminates the need for separate accessories, making it faster to mount on talent or plant in hard-to-reach locations. The brighter 600-nit color display ensures operators can read information clearly even in challenging lighting conditions, while built-in headphone monitoring allows for real-time audio verification.
Remote Control and Workflow Integration
The PR-2ii supports wired and wireless timecode synchronization, keeping audio perfectly aligned with video footage. For remote operation, users can control the device through the Sidus Audio app, available on both iOS and Android.
The app enables wireless connection to audio devices via Bluetooth without requiring additional network infrastructure, supporting up to 20 devices with Sidus Link's proprietary Bit Connectify™ technology. Users can save parameter presets to the cloud, manage devices in groups, and monitor recordings across different workstations—features that should prove valuable for multi-camera productions.
Battery Life and Storage
The PR-2ii delivers more than 20 hours of recording from just two AA batteries, according to Deity. While this is less than the original PR-2's advertised 30 hours, the brighter display and upgraded electronics likely account for the difference. The recorder supports microSD cards up to 1TB, providing ample storage for extended shoots.
Pricing and Availability
The PR-2ii package includes the recorder, an Avora lavalier microphone, foam windscreen, lapel clip, and two AA batteries—everything needed to start capturing audio straight out of the box. The kit is available now at Deity's official shop for $259 in the US, or ¥45,100 in Japan through retailers like System5.
For more information about Deity's full lineup of audio products, visit deitymic.com.
The Verdict
Whether the cleaner preamp and recording protection deliver under real-world conditions remains to be tested. But for a device whose main job is to go unnoticed while capturing broadcast-quality audio, the PR-2ii's combination of 32-bit float recording, corruption protection, and rugged build could save productions from expensive reshoots—and that's an achievement worth noting.
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| The Deity PR-2ii being used with a lavalier microphone during a wedding shoot |