In my recent Field Recorders in 2026 article I summarised the state of the art. The newest addition was a device from Deity, a company known for their video-centric products such as lav microphones. Though not yet released, I added the Deity PR-4 to my list since it has a unique combination of features at a compelling price point. In this article I will provide a summary of these, prior to actual field tests.
This article will be useful to those readers who prefer a text summary to watching endless YouTube videos.
Introduction
The Deity PR-4 is the second audio recorder from this company but the first suitable for field recording applications, as opposed to video work. As is the norm with most companies in the 21st century, this product has been teased for some time. Apparently the actual manufacturing has been portioned out into batches, this reflecting the perilous state of electronics in the current era. At the time of writing the sales website claims that the third batch is in production. In any case, delivery to retailers has been inconsistent at best.
Nonetheless, I plan on purchasing the PR-4 as soon as possible. That will be a refreshing change for my blog since it's been a long time since I was in a position to review an actual recorder. Instead the value I've been providing is that of researcher: summarising available facts.
For context, I am currently using a Sony M-10. This is an old pocket-sized recorder which has excellent results when used with external mics. Unfortunately the card reader failed arbitrarily, even with limited use, which seems to be a common issue. This means that I must use the internal memory and grab data using the non-standard USB cable at tediously slow transfer rates. The battery life is also frustrating. I have had recordings terminate when supposedly there was sufficient power.
My second main recorder is a Zoom F-8 (original, not Pro) which is excellent... but overkill most of the time. I have written about that unit extensively in the past, but have not used it nearly as much as I had hoped. By the way, you should use my Field Recording Gear launch page to access past articles.
There are quite a few compelling features that motivated my decision to purchase the Deity PR-4.
1. Storage
While many small devices have turned to microSD cards, the PR-4 uses my preferred full-sized SD storage (up to 1 TB capacity). I already own many SD cards in high speeds and high quality for use in digital cameras. Better yet, the internal 64 GB SSD drive acts as redundancy. It is difficult for me to trust any device (audio recorder, camera, etc.) that has only one method of data storage. But this feature is unheard of at this price point.
2. Power sources
The unit uses Sony style NP-F550 batteries instead of AAs. These have the advantage of being a readily-available standard and higher capacity. Deity’s own battery is inexpensive and has a high 3320 mAh capacity. These are rated to record for 9.5 hours though it's not clear if that includes phantom power. (The spec sheet says only "depending on settings".)
The battery can easily be recharged in the unit over USB or Hirose connectors. In a pinch the USB-C connector can be used with a power bank or similar source. Furthermore the recorder will seamlessly switch between these options without interruption.
This is far more convenient and flexible than my current devices. I have long wondered why a recorder of sufficient size didn't have internal power options besides AAs. Deity have finally done the obvious.
3. Inputs
Much of the time I am happy to use a pair of electret mics powered from 5V PIP. The Deity has this option unlike the Zoom F3. Additionally a pair of XLR inputs are on hand as alternative or additional sources. Any inputs can be routed to any outputs or storage devices freely. A total of six tracks can be recorded (4 inputs plus a mix). This is plenty for my use case.
4. Recording formats
I do not believe that 32-bit recording is our saviour since I know how to gain stage. With care I made perfectly decent recordings when 16-bit dynamic range was standard. Nonetheless, it will be handy to finally own a device with 32-bit float. I am unsure if the dual preamps are disabled in 24-bit mode but that is something that can be tested if necessary. The PR-4 also includes an amplitude limiter that will be worth a trial.
5. Form factor
I dislike the cheap build, ugly looks, and prickly form factors of many of the compact recorders on the market today. Though it is plastic, the Deity PR-4 is a simple box with logical port and control positionings. With a mass of 220g (without battery) and volume of 320 cubic cm (98 x 80 x 41 mm) it has the smallest possible size for the features. This matters because I want to fit this into my camera bag.
6. Interface
Although the touch-screen is used for certain functions, I understand that it is not essential for stereo recording once the unit is configured. The minimal controls seem well thought out. The presence of a tried-and-true remote applications (Sidus Audio) means that every feature can be run from a mobile phone. So long as the Bluetooth connection is solid, this will be super convenient. The recorder can stay safe in its bag while recordings are made.
7. Preamps
Deity claim an EIN of -125 dBu and preamps with 60 dB gain. This is about 2 dB worse than many units on the market but that difference is not decisive. Of course these specs must be confirmed, though I am not the best person for such tests.
8. Operation
Deity claims an operating temperature of -20 to 50 degrees Centigrade which I might well test in upcoming trips to Lapland and other remote locations.
Additional features
The PR-4 has videocentric features that do not concern me, chief among them timecode generation, noise reduction, AES3/42 support, and auto-mixing. I will not be buying accessories such as the custom bag and cage. The metadata support and automated sound report generation are intriguing but far from essential.
Pricing
The abilities of the recorder must be considered in the context of the purchase price. Please note that batteries need to be purchased separately, though the fact that none are included in the recorder package is not obvious from the product info.
On Deity's sales site the PR-4 is US$450 plus $40 per battery. European retailers have it at €500 plus €50 per battery.
The value proposition depends on your use case. This is a significant investment if field recording is only a hobby. This unit is not going to convince folk who are looking to buy a low-end Zoom recorder. But for a device with these features the price is reasonable to a trained audio professional such as myself. For video folk the timecode features alone make this a bargain, I am sure.
Alternatives
The only similar recorder on the market is the Tascam FR-AV2. The toy-like build and odd interface decisions have been documented in Roland Harris's review. This recorder uses a micro SD card and has extremely slow USB transfer speeds. The use of AA batteries means that we lose the convenience of recharging in the unit. The optional Bluetooth adapter gives remote monitoring but not, I believe, the full suite of controls present in the Sidus Audio app. There is no redundant SSD storage and any of the other video features are lacking, though the unit supports timecode.
It should be clear that the Deity PR-4 is a distinctive unit with a unique combination of features. I look forward to trying it soon.
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