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Microphone manufacturer Rode has announced a new acquisition. It’s the American pro audio company Mackie. Mackie’s acquisition adds a lot of new products to the catalogue of Freedman Electronics – the company that owns Rode.
Mackie does make a handful of microphones, but they’re primarily known for their live audio and mixing gear. Could we see some Mackie hardware and designs in upcoming Rode products?
Rode has announced a new microphone. It’s the Rode NT1 Signature Series (buy here), and from what I can tell, it’s largely the same as the recently released Rode NT1 5th generation (buy here). But, it has one significant difference.
There’s no USB-C port on this one, just XLR. So, you’re not going to be able to plug it into your computer. You need to go into a mixer, field recorder or audio interface. It’s also available in six different colours, and it’s $100 cheaper.
About two months ago, rode released their $400 Rode Wireless Pro, a set of wireless microphones that catches up with the wireless lavalier industry and then some. We took the set for a test drive, and unsurprisingly, this is the best wireless lav that RODE released to date.
As the name implies, this set is an upgrade to the $300 RODE wireless GO II, which, in itself, is an upgrade to the (now discontinued) RODE Wireless GO, which was the first microphone in this Dual Wireless Lav category. Obviously, we were very curious to see how this kit performs. Click on to find out.
Rode has announced the new Rode Wireless Pro (buy here), an upgraded wireless microphone system offering advantages over their previous flagship Rode Wireless GO II (buy here).
Well, it certainly offers at least one advantage. It features 32-Bit float recording in each of the two transmitters. This makes them pretty much unclippable, capable of handling pretty much any super loud or super quiet subject you put them on.
Having a good audio recorder in the field is invaluable for any filmmaker. (a.k.a. a field recorder or a portable recorder). Audio makes up half of the audio-visual experience. If it’s not as good as possible, people will tune out of the whole thing. Sometimes, we need to record our own sounds. Often, it’s dialogue, and sometimes, it’s background noise and sound effects. But whatever we need to record, a field recorder is often the best way to do it.
Here, we look at some of our favorites from companies like Tascam, Zoom, Sony, and Sound Devices. These are field recorders that we’ve checked out or even owned in recent years and suggest you take a look at, too. We’ve split this up into three sections. With a couple of high-tier, a few medium-tier, and some entry-level options.
Despite being referred to as on-camera microphones, the array of such microphones from companies like Rode, Deity, Sennheiser and others are just as capable when used as an off-camera microphone, too. However, the one problem with using them off-camera is that the cables supplied with them are extremely short. After all, they’re only designed to go from your hotshoe to your microphone socket.
Even if you do pick up a long third-party cable, these microphones aren’t designed for long cable runs. The best option is to use them wirelessly. That, too, can be tricky on the end of a boom pole. However, Caleb Pike at DSLR Video Shooter has created a great-looking solution, called the MicBack, to solve this problem with several small on-camera shotgun microphones.
It looks like Rode has started a new design trend in some of their microphone releases. At least, they have with microphones potentially destined for life next to a computer. It began with the 5th Generation Rode NT1 (buy here), and now they’re implementing it again with the new Rode PodMic USB. Yup, the newly announced PodMic USB (buy here) offers both USB and XLR connectivity.
As the successor to the original Rode PodMic, the new PodMic USB offers the same great sound you’re used to from the original, but with extra versatility. As a USB microphone, it features Rode’s Revolution Preamps and includes all of the usual APHEX audio processing features we’ve started seeing in Rode’s other digital USB-capable microphones, such as the Rode Wireless GO II (buy here) and Rode NT-USB+ (buy here).
Rode has announced a lot of stuff during NAB 2023 so far. There’s been the Rode Streamer X (buy here) video and audio capture device for podcasting, streaming and content creation, as well as the RodeCaster Duo (buy here), a slightly cut-down RodeCaster Pro II (buy here) for those who require fewer inputs and a lower budget. Now, it’s the turn of the Rode Wireless GO II (buy here), which sees a big update addressing two of the biggest complaints about the Rode Wireless GO II.
The first is the release of a new, official Rode Wireless GO II charging case. No longer do you need to resort to third-party cases, or tying up multiple USB sockets on your charger with a bunch of cables. The second is a new firmware update coming to the Wireless GO II that lets you record and access wav files directly from the transmitters rather than having to run it through the Rode Central conversion process.
It’s a big week for Rode, with many new announcements. This time, it’s the new RodeCaster Duo (buy here), a 2-channel version of the 4-channel RodeCaster Pro II (RCP2). The RodeCaster Duo includes many of the features of the RCP2 but in a smaller footprint. Rode has yet to release pricing for the new RodeCaster Duo, but it will obviously cost less than the RCP2, presenting a more affordable option for creators that need fewer inputs.
Rode has also announced a new firmware update for the RodeCaster Pro II (buy here), bringing a big and often-requested feature to the unit. You can now connect Rode Wireless GO II (buy here) and Rode Wireless ME (buy here) transmitters directly to the RCP2 without plugging receivers in. This bypasses the need for receivers and extra cables (and extra points of failure) sitting on your desk.
Rode has expanded from audio into video with their first-ever video capture device. It’s called the Streamer X (buy here), and comes from Rode’s streaming and gaming subbrand, Rode X. It offers up to 4K 30fps or 2K 60fps streaming with up to 4K 60fps and 2K 120fps passthrough and is designed to cover a wide range of uses, including streaming and gaming, podcasting, content creation, and even business presentations.
It features three USB-C connections (one is just for power), with four Smart Pads for custom on-the-fly triggering of sound, voice FX or other actions. It’s also compatible with Rode’s software, including Unify, Rode Central and Rode Connect. We sat down with Rode Product Director Ryan Burke at NAB 2023 to learn more.
Udi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.
Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe
Dave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.
John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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