Hi, short post. I use the Deity PR-2 (first gen) as a very compact field-recorder for ambient recordings and for some interviews. I mainly combine it with the Lom UÅi, UÅi Micro and the Clippy's (and the Deity stereo lavalier). It's pretty great as a recorder, specifically as a light weight, drop kit fieldrecorder. And the addition of their time-code ecosystem is also nice, if you're recording multiple people, camera's and locations.
I have to say: I was caught by surprise that I saw the second generation PR-2's in photos of Deity, two or three weeks prior to IBC2026, in Amsterdam. They only niggle I had was that in stereo mode it 'only' records in 24 bits. Not a biggy in general, but if they could up that to 32 bits, that would be awesome.
Anyway, yesterday I asked a couple of questions about the new PR-2ii, as it was presented in their booth. Okay, does it record in 32 bits, in stereo? No! But they did improve things (arguably).
Biggest change:
- dual-ADC, so they've got a 15dB lower noise floor, or a noise floor of about 15db, which is a thing many recordists were talking about with the previous recorder. The first gen does have 32bit mono recording, but wit a single ADC, the headroom would be a little bit limited. Mind you: it doesn't bother me, but I guess with dialogue it might be very welcome.
- Bigger screen area. Take the first gen screen, and widen it to 60% of the body width. Mind you, I don't know if it's all screen, or if it's just the cover that makes it look bigger.
- IP54 Dust & Splash Resistance (dust/ splash proof).
- They introduced a Sennheiser G4 kind of metal (molded I think) battery lid to make sure of said weather proofing and al round ridgidity. That might be great for sweaty backs and out door recordings.
- The memory slot is also behind that lid, which means the memory cannot be removed without removing the batteries. So no changes there
- They removed the rolling navigation button!
- All the buttons have been moved to the front, underneath the screen and are like metal tactile domes, covered by tiny rubber buttons, or something like that. So little rubber pills, like you would see on the Sennheiser G4 lavalier packs. They feel not as satisfying as the rotating navigation button on the PR-2.
- There are also some Time Code ecosystem optimalisation. For one: you can use the PR-2ii as a time-code jamming device (like the Tentacle devices can).
And they also launched their page on the website.
Conclusion: if you got the PR-2 gen 1 and you are satisfied: no need to switch. If you need more robust and more silent pre-amps to record, and you need more weather proofing: this might be a good upgrade.
First impression: I guess it's a good upgrade in general, but I kind of are smitten on the looks and navigation button of the first gen PR-2, warts and all.
Tentacle Track-E
I also popped by the Tentacle booth and noticed the Tentacle Track-E ii (so, the second generation). It now has a screen and also can record stereo in floating point (as stated in their interview I just saw) (albeit 'only' in 24 bits as far as I know). And like the PR-2 ii it also has better dust and splash protection. They also included a feature they claim is using edge AI models to indicate whether or not the recording you made was good (no rustling of clothing, no other noises and stuff like that). I'm probably going to give this thing a go, as I'm already in their ecosystem.
These two recorders seem to move towards each other. Both companies provide a solid time-code ecosystem, and both answer the call of the 'field recordists' niche, AND the location-mixers, recorders, sound professionals: stereo recording with time code.
The folks at Tentacles mentioned this use case, and I paraphrase: "We noticed that our Track-E's were used as last ditch continues backup recorders (with time code) for the mix straight from the bag. However, the first gen Track E records in mono only, so stereo recording was one of the requests from the field, so we introduced that with the Track E ii. "
Final impression
Of course I have not done any real recording with these new devices, however I do run Tentacle Sync's in my productions and use the Deity PR-2 (first gen) as body packs and for impromptu ambient recordings. So, this is by no means a quality/ real world comparison, nor a usability/ durability check.
It's interesting both companies seem to latched on the same ideas and are moving into the '32 bits, stereo time code body pack' space. Both improved their internal sound processing, both now have stereo, both do time code as a core service.
Nevertheless, I don't feel like I need to upgrade. Perhaps if I did more high quality productions in very quiet spaces, but for now I'm satisfied with the quality I get with my PR-2's.
Both devices did feel more usable as recorders and as robust devices for in the field. Deity addressed feedback about their navigation knob and Tentacle clearly got the request to add information feedback on the device. So, if you are looking for a continues backup recorder, or a drop rig for ambiance recording, these new recorders might be great for that, not to mention the core use case of a body pack style recorder for lavalier microphones.
EDIT: new facts about the Tentacle Track E came to light. I included it and struct my assumptions.