NAB 2026: Deity Microphones [LIVE REUPLOAD]

Main focus: Deity NAB coverage (LIVE reupload) and microphones/recorders workflow

• Gotham Sound interviews Andrew (Deity) about new NAB products, with emphasis on the Deity PR4 and related models such as PR2 Mark II (plus questions about PR8/PR6, D4 RX, V-Mic D4 Mini, etc.).
• The PR4 is positioned as a video-centric 32-bit float audio recorder for ENG/camera rigs—not as a repurposed “compact recorder for video.”

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Deity PR4: key technological features & product design

Video-centric hardware/ergonomics

• Designed to “sit in a sound bag” with a classic ENG-style layout.
• Port placement mimics camera interfaces:
  • Outputs on the left
  • Inputs on the right
• This layout supports typical rig routing patterns, including audio + timecode chaining.

New preamps (PR4 + PR2 Mark II)

• PR4 includes brand-new preamps designed specifically for this recorder.
• Claims discussed:
  • Lower self-noise than previously
  • More gain than any Deity preamp
  • Up to ~60 dB gain
  • Very low noise floor mentioned in the sub-(-107 / -127 dBV) range
• Practical benefit described:
  • Can drive dynamic podcast mics with less hiss
  • May reduce the need for “lifters”
  • Works well in portable setups

32-bit float recording

• Supports 32-bit float, reducing dependence on getting gain perfect at capture time.
• Demonstrated as useful for common dynamic/field scenarios and compact bag workflows.
• Limiter behavior:
  • A limiter is used within the 32-bit float workflow.
  • Based on the description, limiter placement becomes most apparent when converting/blending to a 24-bit mix, while isolated tracks remain conceptually tied to the 32-bit float approach.
  • The exact behavior was characterized as bit complex.

Power / charging approach

• Powered via MPF battery:
  • “a little over 9 hours” runtime claimed
• Can charge in the unit via USB-C (no removing AA cells/batteries).
• Charging approach likened to charging a phone.

I/O and formats (XLR + 3.5mm)

• Two XLR inputs/outputs
  • Described as mic/line with mode-dependent 48V mic power / phantom style options.
• 3.5mm jack
  • Supports combinations such as line/mic
  • Includes 5V bias for passive mic setups (example: “passive microphones or labs” mentioned).
• AES mode
  • Supports AES3 / AES42 (explicitly mentioned)
  • In AES mode, enables four channels of AES on the XLR connectors
  • Intended interoperability with wireless digital ecosystems
    • Examples referenced: Wisycom, Lectro, Quads, Zax
  • Auto-mix concept:
    • Can create a reference track for post
    • While still delivering isolated tracks

Outputs & routing flexibility

• Includes two balanced outputs (left/right balanced), configurable for:
  • Sending to different cameras
  • Left/right mix routing
  • Headphone setups (including mention of multiple headphones via cascading)
• Output configuration supports use cases ranging from single-channel routing to mixed use.

Controls, UI, and navigation

• Features a touchscreen.
• Uses bank/track navigation:
  • tapping/pushing into track menus
• Gesture-based navigation described:
  • Swipe down: next take + metadata/file/folder setup
  • Swipe up: view/adjust last take metadata
  • Swipe right: jump into timecode menu
• Knobs are context-sensitive, changing behavior depending on the current bank.
• Includes basic vs advanced mode, with an option to operate controls like faders.

Storage & backup recording

• Supports:
  • SD up to 1 TB
  • internal 64 GB SSD
• Can record a separate mix on internal storage while capturing tracks to SD.
  • Framed as flexibility for left/right and a “polyphonic/all-tracks backup” style approach.

Sync/trigger and timecode notes

• Timecode is in/out.
• External trigger (GPI/GPIO) discussion:
  • No GPI/GPIO currently
  • Firmware expansion was considered possible, but not available at launch
• Emphasis: can integrate with rigs using timecode, while external record trigger support was not confirmed for release hardware.

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PR4 feature questions answered during the stream

• USB interface: Works as a USB stereo pair out, but the full USB audio feature set is not enabled yet; a roadmap was mentioned.
• Compressor/remote control:
  • No “compressor”
  • A limiter exists in the 32-bit float workflow/mix blending approach
• Bluetooth headphone monitoring:
  • Works via the Sidus app
  • Not direct Bluetooth monitoring (latency concerns); app-based monitoring supported
• Android tablet support:
  • Not yet planned immediately
  • Android tablet fragmentation makes a comparable experience harder to deliver
• Wireless mic ecosystem compatibility:
  • AES mode designed for AES-capable digital mic / wireless receivers
  • Example testing with Schoeps digital mic mentioned

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Related models discussed

PR2 Mark II (announced today)

• Includes the same preamps as PR4 (same upgraded noise/gain philosophy).
• Not 32-bit float stereo:
  • remains 24-bit stereo
• Positioned as a pocket recorder with strong mono focus:
  • supports “mono love” (dual ADC approach in mono mode)
  • stereo behavior described as using separation while mono mode folds back
• Discussion clarified:
  • PR2 stereo is fundamentally treated as 24-bit, while 32-bit float behavior is framed as a PR concept; PR2 remains 24-bit stereo per the answers given.

PR8 / PR6 / D4 RX

• PR6 described as effectively replaced:
  • PR6 was said to be “dead” because additional AES channels moved into PR8
• PR8 not shown immediately due to complexity:
  • four-channel AES in a slim form factor
• D4 RX complexity:
  • four channels in a slim package requires more development time due to PCB/space constraints

V-Mic line

• V-Mic D4 discontinued shortly after 2022.
• Replacement: V-Mic D4 Mini
  • includes an input designed to loop through setups
  • intended for compact lav systems under cameras
  • routes outputs into different channels (example described: sending to left/right channels for dual-channel camera capture without a full buildout)

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Auto-mix algorithm (PR4)

• PR4 includes voice-aware auto mix:
  • detects who’s speaking based on incoming signals
  • adjusts faders to prevent open mics from piling up and building the background when multiple mics are active

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Review/tutorial/workflow themes (what viewers cared about)

• Viewers repeatedly asked about workflow integration, including:
  • ENG bag camera rig chaining
  • Rec’n’Roll / USB audio workflow questions
  • whether USB audio is asynchronous vs synchronous (noted as a rare/deep topic)
  • fitting PR4 into multi-recorder setups
• Community feedback was encouraged via:
  • YouTube comments
  • Facebook user groups
  • Instagram DMs/posts

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Main speakers / sources

• Andrew (Deity) — primary product presenter/interviewee
• Gotham Sound (host/interviewer) — NAB coverage host running the live Q&A and asking questions