Deity Microphones – Wireless Audio and Timecode Ecosystem for Professional Productions

Deity Microphones has become a reference point for location sound, television, streaming and documentary work by focusing on reliable RF transmission, frame-accurate timecode and practical tools for demanding crews. Launched publicly at NAB in 2018, the brand grew out of the experience of a TV location sound mixer and quickly moved from a small Hollywood basement to a dedicated facility in Glendale, California, supplying audio gear to productions in more than 40 countries worldwide. Its portfolio now covers wireless systems, timecode generators, on-camera mics, lavaliers, boom accessories and power solutions, forming a coherent ecosystem for modern sets.

A key element of this ecosystem is the THEOS Digital Wireless system and the Deity TC-1 Wireless Timecode Generator. Together they offer wideband UHF transmission, backup recording, long-range remote control and accurate SMPTE timecode, enabling crews to keep multiple cameras and recorders locked while maintaining robust wireless links. For production companies, broadcasters and streaming facilities looking for repeatable workflows rather than experimental gadgets, this combination delivers predictable behaviour with professional-grade technical performance.

The Deity approach to professional audio

From the beginning, Deity Microphones positioned itself as a specialist in production sound rather than a general electronics brand. Milestones such as Product of the Year awards at industry events and the licensing of Zaxcom’s “Transmit and Record” patent for on-board recording show a strong focus on location audio workflows rather than consumer features. The company also invests heavily in documentation, frequency charts, timecode guides, and the Sidus software platform, which links wireless, timecode and control tools into one environment for crew chiefs and sound mixers.

The Wireless Systems range is built around UHF transmission and accessories such as lithium battery packs, antenna distribution (SRD-Mini), active directional antennas (SF1), butterfly antennas (BF1) and mounting bars. This infrastructure allows sound departments to build small bag rigs or full-scale RF carts around Deity THEOS, with the same ecosystem also supporting IFB monitoring and future expansions of RF capacity without replacing core hardware.

Deity THEOS Digital Wireless – wideband UHF with 32-bit float backup

Deity THEOS Digital Wireless operates in a wideband UHF spectrum rather than the crowded 2.4 GHz range used by many entry-level systems. Depending on regional regulations, the Global OneBand concept covers roughly 550–960 MHz, with shipping models in some territories operating in the 550–663 MHz window for compliance. This wide tuning range, combined with 100 kHz frequency steps and 700 kHz RF spacing, enables frequency coordination across complex sets such as reality TV, multi-camera studio shows or large corporate events where dozens of channels must coexist without intermodulation conflicts.

Each THEOS kit typically pairs two DBTX bodypack transmitters with a dual-channel camera-mount receiver. The receiver offers two analog outputs and headphone monitoring with a dynamic range around 103 dB and distortion figures under 0.5%. The DBTX transmitters use proprietary digital RF modulation with selectable RF power levels in the 10–100 mW range (100 mW only in territories where this is allowed), giving crews the freedom to prioritise battery life or range as needed. Frequency response spans 20 Hz to 20 kHz, with a 24-bit / 48 kHz conversion stage and a switchable low-cut filter (typically 75 Hz, 100 Hz or 150 Hz) to keep rumble and handling noise under control.

A major strength of Deity THEOS is the integrated 32-bit float backup recorder in each DBTX transmitter. Audio is stored on a microSD card (up to 128 GB), with the option to record in 24-bit or 32-bit float format. In practice this means that even if RF links are disturbed or gain staging at the mixer is conservative, the local file can retain full detail without clipping, reducing the risk of lost takes during volatile shoots such as documentaries, reality shows or ENG work. The recorders also support timecode-stamped files when synced to a Deity TC-1, providing frame-accurate backup audio for conform and post-production.

Physically, both transmitter and receiver use CNC-milled aluminium housings with SMA antenna connectors for easy replacement and transport. The DBTX weighs roughly 100 g and is compact enough to conceal on talent with a belt clip or pouch. Full-colour LCD screens and a logical menu structure allow on-body setup when necessary, but the usual control surface is the Sidus Audio mobile app, which communicates with the system over 2.4 GHz.

Sidus Audio app – centralised control for THEOS systems

The Sidus Audio app turns a smartphone or tablet into a control panel for multiple Deity THEOS receivers and transmitters. From the app, sound mixers can perform RF scans, assign frequencies, adjust input gain, set low-cut filters, arm or stop backup recording and push settings to all linked devices. This approach avoids digging through individual bodypacks on talent and shortens turnaround times between setups. It also allows system health to be monitored from one screen, which is particularly useful on large sets where 20–30 wireless channels are active simultaneously.

Because Deity THEOS forms part of the broader Sidus ecosystem, the same infrastructure can be shared with timecode hardware. When used with the TC-1 Wireless Timecode Generator and the TC-SL1 smart slate, mixers gain a single app for RF channels, timecode devices and sync verification, reducing complexity for crews and lowering the chance of configuration errors that might only surface in post.

Deity TC-1 Wireless Timecode Generator – compact SMPTE LTC box

The Deity TC-1 is a compact SMPTE LTC timecode generator box that can be mounted to cameras, audio recorders or accessories via hook-and-loop pads or a cold-shoe adapter. A locking 3.5 mm TRS timecode port handles both input and output, allowing the unit to jam from another source or feed timecode into recorders, monitors or external interfaces. All standard frame rates required on set are available, including 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 29.97 DF and 30 fps.

Internally, the TC-1 uses a TCXO rated for approximately ±0.5 ppm, producing a drift of less than one frame over a 72-hour period when correctly jammed. For long shooting days or multi-day reality blocks, this level of stability ensures that camera and audio files remain tightly aligned without constant re-jamming. A bright 1-inch OLED display and status LEDs clearly show lock status, battery level and wireless connectivity, even in daylight, which simplifies quick checks by camera assistants and sound department staff.

Wireless control of the Deity TC-1 relies on two separate radio paths. Bluetooth 5.0 provides long-range communication with the Sidus Audio app at up to roughly 250 ft (about 76 m) line-of-sight, while a dedicated 2.4 GHz radio with eight channels handles TC-to-TC communication over shorter distances of up to around 30 ft (about 9 m). In a typical deployment, one unit acts as the master clock and propagates timecode wirelessly to up to 48 linked devices using Deity’s Bit Connectify™ technology. This allows a single operator to keep a fleet of cameras, recorders and a TC-SL1 slate synchronised from a phone or tablet, without needing physical access to every device.

Power is supplied by an internal Li-ion battery (approximately 950 mAh), charged via USB-C. Depending on wireless usage patterns and backlight settings, the TC-1 can run for roughly 24–28 hours on a full charge, which comfortably covers most production days. Charging typically takes between two and three hours, making overnight top-ups straightforward. A built-in omnidirectional microphone allows an audio track to be recorded alongside timecode on some devices, which can be useful as a scratch reference during offline editing.

Workflow advantages with THEOS and TC-1

When Deity THEOS and Deity TC-1 are combined, they form a coherent RF and timecode environment for professional sets. THEOS transmitters can receive timecode from TC-1 units, ensuring that 32-bit float backup recordings share the same time reference as camera and main audio tracks. For complex productions with multiple cameras and recorders, this simplifies conform, proxy generation and final mix sessions, since all sources carry consistent timecode metadata.

In a typical configuration, a production might deploy several THEOS kits for talent and plant mics, a pool of TC-1 boxes for each camera and recorder, and a TC-SL1 smart slate at the head of each scene. The Sidus Audio app acts as the monitoring and control layer, showing RF status, battery levels, timecode, and sync state. This approach suits broadcast studios, live streaming control rooms, narrative sets and branded content teams that need a predictable audio infrastructure over many shooting days.

For buyers in charge of specifying equipment for production houses, Deity Microphones offers a focused combination of digital UHF wireless, high-precision timecode and remote management in a single ecosystem. The THEOS Digital Wireless system supplies stable RF links and on-board 32-bit float recording, while the TC-1 Wireless Timecode Generator keeps cameras and recorders locked with minimal drift. When paired with Deity’s accessories and software tools, this platform gives film, television, live streaming and corporate production teams a repeatable, technically robust foundation for daily work, without resorting to improvised combinations of unrelated products.