Rode Rodecaster Pro 2 Review
Rode is introducing a brand new model of its portable audio mixer console, the Rodecaster Pro, with upgraded hardware, new preamps, a load of recent software options, and a subtly sleeker design. The Rodecaster Pro 2 is supposed to pack the key elements of an audio management room for live streams, podcasts, and different audio productions in a desktop console for amateurs and professionals alike.
At first look, the Rodecaster Pro 2 seems like a barely more compact model than its predecessor, with six physical faders as a substitute for eight, slimming it down from 14 inches wide to 12 inches wide. However, the console comes with some a lot bigger updates on the inside.
The console is now powered through USB-C and has the power to hook up with two computers or mobile devices without delay for dual operations. There’s additionally an even bigger, better-looking touchscreen, and the system comes with much more choices to customize processing and automation in the onboard software.
About the Unit
Seven audio inputs can be utilized simultaneously: 4 mono mic channels, a stereo USB input, a TRRS input for smartphones, and a stereo Bluetooth input. The USB, TRRS, and Bluetooth channels cater for two-way communication, so you possibly can fully combine guests through a smartphone or computer.
Every source has a long-throw stage fader and brightly lit solo (green) and mute (red) buttons. The faders have a clean motion, and a ‘skirt’ within the fader slot to stop dust from finding its means inside. Energy comes from an exterior 1A, 12-15V DC supply that screws securely in place. Should exterior PSUs trouble you (they do not trouble us), there’s space beneath the unit to safe (as an example with a Velcro strip) the supply, which terminates in an IEC inlet.
Like most digital mixers, the RodeCaster Pro boasts varied DSP processors and effects. In step with the easy-to-use design philosophy, these are accessed within the default mode as presets. You select a mic preset, there are generic dynamic and condenser mic presets in addition to some for particular Rode models and the Electro-Voice RE-20, and then a ‘voice strength’ preset.
Between them, these set a broadly applicable preamp gain and phantom-power status and interact with certain effects to get you in the precise ballpark. In the current official firmware, you have got, in signal stream order for every channel, preamp gain, a high-pass filter, a de-esser, a gate, a compressor and separate Aphex Aural Exciter and Big Bottom processors. Mic channel 1 additionally has a ducking function, whereby when a signal is detected all the opposite channels are attenuated, doubtlessly helpful for the show’s host.
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Recordings, at 24-bit 48kHz, are made both to a MicroSD card (not provided) or to a computer linked through the USB Type C port (a Type C to Type-A cable is provided). For stand-alone recording, there are two broad choices: a stereo recording of the master bus signal, or a multitrack recording.
The latter creates a 14-channel polyWAV, capturing every input supply (together with the Sound Pads) and the stereo mix to completely different channels, and in case your DAW cannot deal with polyWAVs, the Companion app can split them out to common WAVs for you.
You may independently manage the settings of every mic that’s plugged in. Every input has its personal gain slider, ‘mute’ button, and ‘solo’ button. There are a couple of processing choices you possibly can toggle on and off too.
- Compressor – to assist level out the general volume
- High-Pass Filter – to reduce the effects of low rumbling noises or mic pops
- De-Esser – to create a much less sibilant recording
- Noise Gate – to cut back undesirable background noise
- Ducking – to mechanically lower the amount of music beneath speech
- Aural Exciter & Big Bottom – EQ presets that change the tonality of your voice
Personally, these are issues we favor doing in post-production. However, they’re a pleasant function for those who don’t know much about audio production or favor spending as little time as possible doing it.
Headphones and Monitors
One other massive plus for the Rodecaster is the choices for monitoring your recordings. There are 4 headphone jacks on the back of the unit, and you may manage their volumes independently.
This means even when one particular person was notably hard of hearing, they may have their headphone volume turned up high without it affecting anybody else. With different devices, you’d want a further piece of equipment like a headphone amp or splitter for this, which in turn, takes up extra room and adds extra cables and wires to your setup.
Sound Pads and Settings
There are eight giant sound pad buttons on the Rodecaster. You can use these to play effects or different audio clips. This could possibly be something from transitions and stringers, to total pre-recorded interviews.
You may have the potential to pause clips, and also you’ll additionally see the remaining time of the sound that’s going to finish soonest. That is excellent for speaking over outro music and understanding how long you’ve got left.
You may customize and configure your sound library from the system itself, or through the use of Rode’s companion app. You may store up to eight banks of sounds, which is good for those who run a number of podcasts or share your Rodecaster with one other podcaster.
- Fully integrated audio production studio for streamers, podcasters, musicians and content creators
- Ultra-low-noise, high-gain Revolution Preamps
- Four high-quality Neutrik combo inputs for connecting microphones
- Nine individually assignable channels with six broadcast-quality physical faders
- High-performance quad-core audio engine
- Eight fully programmable SMART pads with bank switching
- Multitrack or stereo recording to a microSD card
- Four high-power headphone outputs and balanced 1/4-inch line outputs
- New features and enhancements via regular firmware updates
- Designed and made in Rode facilities in Sydney, Australia
Why You Need The Rode Rodecaster Pro 2
The Rodecaster has a number of different abilities. For one, it provides you the potential to record phone calls. Whether or not this can be a selling level will rely fully on your area of interest. In case your audience and guests will not be overly technical, and unlikely to own mics of their very own, then chatting to them over the cellphone could be essentially the most practical choice.
Though you don’t need a pc to run the Rodecaster, you may simply connect to at least one in order to record remote online interviews too. It’s also possible to use the computer connected to record into your favorite DAW, versus the device’s personal memory card.
It provides you the capability to add in your individual jingles and sound effects so you’ve access to them while recording at the touch of a button. It is a good feature in the event you’re working a live show, or wish to record “as live.”
Conclusion
General, there’s rather a lot new right here. The brand-new audio internals and connectivity ought to make this an extra viable possibility for all sorts of creators, and the methods to connect, configure and process the audio will likely make this far more versatile.
Details important to streamers reminiscent of OBS control, dual PC connectivity, and the flexibility to sync/delay the audio to match video suggest it’s a real attempt at being extra successful fairly than just a few buzzy advertising and marketing terms.
