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Rode has introduced loads of stuff throughout NAB 2023 to this point. There’s been the Rode Streamer X (purchase right here) video and audio seize machine for podcasting, streaming and content material creation, in addition to the RodeCaster Duo (purchase right here), a barely cut-down RodeCaster Professional II (purchase right here) for individuals who require fewer inputs and a decrease funds. Now, it’s the flip of the Rode Wi-fi GO II (purchase right here), which sees a giant replace addressing two of the most important complaints concerning the Rode Wi-fi GO II.
The primary is the discharge of a brand new, official Rode Wi-fi GO II charging case. Now not do it is advisable resort to third-party circumstances, or tying up a number of USB sockets in your charger with a bunch of cables. The second is a brand new firmware replace coming to the Wi-fi GO II that permits you to document and entry wav information straight from the transmitters relatively than having to run it via the Rode Central conversion course of.
Rode Wi-fi GO II Charging Case – Lastly!
There’s been one grievance that’s caught with Rode ever because the launch of the unique Rode Wi-fi GO. It’s an issue that Rode’s rivals noticed and jumped on fairly shortly. That’s the dearth of a charging case. Whereas Rode isn’t the one firm that doesn’t present a charging case with their small wi-fi mics, it at all times appeared like one thing of an oversight from an organization like Rode. We’ve seen and featured a variety of third-party circumstances for the Rode Wi-fi GO II, together with some DIY 3D printed choices. however so far, an official charging case from Rode themselves has been notably lacking. Till now.
A tricky however tiny microphone case
It’s a fairly rugged-looking case with a tough outer shell and a zip-up lid. Rode says it’s superb for safeguarding the Rode Wi-fi GO II when travelling or simply to maintain the mud off in storage. The one downside I see with it, although, is that there’s nowhere to retailer any of the cables or different equipment that associate with the Wi-fi GO II. I exploit a third-party non-charging case for my Wi-fi GO II equipment, and I be sure that to maintain the wind muffs and the TRS to TRS cable within the pocket within the lid to make sure they’re at all times collectively.
With Rode’s new case, nonetheless, it doesn’t look like that’s potential. It’s a fairly small case and there’s no pocket within the lid, suggesting that the Wi-fi GO II transmitters and receivers stick up an excessive amount of out of the underside to have the ability to match anything in above. So, you’ll want to concentrate to the place you retailer your Wi-fi GO II equipment.
Microphone compatibility
Rode says that the brand new Wi-fi GO II Charging Case is designed particularly for the Wi-fi GO II and accommodates each the receiver in addition to each transmitters, permitting all three to cost concurrently. Rode hasn’t talked about some other microphone compatibility within the press launch, reminiscent of with the unique Wi-fi GO or the just lately launched Wi-fi ME. I count on that you just is perhaps pleased with both of the opposite two choices, provided that all of them just about share the identical type issue, however we’ve reached out to Rode to verify and can replace this put up if and once they get again to us.
Replace: We’ve heard again from Rode and the brand new Wi-fi GO II Charging Case is just for the Rode Wi-fi GO II. Whereas all three are of comparable dimensions, the unique Rode Wi-fi GO and the brand new Rode Wi-fi ME are barely totally different in design from the Wi-fi GO II. Totally different sufficient that they don’t match on this case. So, if these are the microphones you may have, this case isn’t for you. That is only for the Wi-fi GO II.
Wi-fi GO II Lastly will get WAV information
Rode’s NAB bulletins listing additionally features a new firmware replace on the way in which for the Rode Wi-fi GO II – it’s not been launched but, simply introduced. It’s a firmware replace that gives a fairly main characteristic. Nicely, in equity, it’s a minor characteristic that’s a significant headache. It’s a characteristic that lots of Rode’s rivals, such because the Comica BoomX-D Professional and Saramonic BlinkMe have managed to resolve, and that’s the power to document wav information straight within the transmitters.
One of many large promoting factors of the Rode Wi-fi GO II was that it allowed backup recording in every of the transmitters. It wasn’t purported to be the primary audio, however only a backup in case transmission was briefly misplaced or different was radio interference close by. Since then, a firmware replace was launched that primarily turned your Wi-fi GO II transmitters into mini discipline recorders.
The large downside, nonetheless, is that to get recordings off the transmitter, it is advisable hearth up Rode Central and convert them to WAV from the format Rode selected to have the units document in. This provides additional steps and loads of time to the workflow, having to transcode information earlier than you may even work with them.
Direct WAV file switch with out conversion
The brand new firmware replace now lastly provides the power for the transmitters to document WAV information. Not solely does it document WAV information however if you plug the transmitters into your pc, the machine reveals up in Home windows Explorer identical to some other USB storage machine. So far as the pc’s involved, it’s simply one other USB stick or reminiscence card. Then, you’ll be able to drag these wav information straight off the transmitter and onto your exhausting drive or SSD with none conversion.
It additionally means which you can plug them into just about any pc (or smartphone or pill) with out having to fret about whether or not or not sure software program is put in or if all the things’s updated. As any person who works with a number of computer systems, tablets and smartphones, remembering to maintain all the things up to date on a regular basis on all of them isn’t at all times straightforward. There have been a couple of instances I’ve been out with the Wi-fi GO II, and needed to begin modifying on the way in which residence however haven’t been in a position. Both the software program wasn’t put in, or it was too previous for the machine’s firmware or it needed to drive an replace to the machine’s firmware earlier than it will let me do something with it.
This new firmware replace ought to resolve points reminiscent of this and convey the Wi-fi GO II in step with the competitors for a neater workflow.
Begin/Cease Recording with the ability button
One other replace within the new Rode Wi-fi GO II firmware is the power to have the ability to begin and cease recording on every of the transmitters through using the ability button. Which means you don’t need to depend on having your receiver turned on, nor do you must document actually all the things from the second every of the transmitters is powered up, whether or not or not it was one thing you really needed to document.
The flexibility to have the transmitters at all times document with out the receiver even being turned on, not to mention related to a digicam is a big characteristic. I used it this weekend on a video the place I wanted to document three individuals talking in entrance of the digicam concurrently. I used a Rode Wi-fi ME on one particular person, with the receiver going into the digicam, and the 2 Wi-fi GO II transmitters solely recording internally. The 2 Wi-fi GO II transmitters had been left on your complete time – even when the cameras weren’t on.
Having the ability to simply begin and cease the recordings for every take with out having to fully flip off and activate the transmitters to drive a brand new file would’ve been a useful characteristic. The brand new firmware replace now permits this to occur.
New Digital camera Presets
The brand new replace can even add a variety of new digicam presets to the Wi-fi GO II system. Digital camera presets had been added to the Rode Wi-fi GO II in a firmware replace in January. They assist you to inform the Rode Wi-fi GO II precisely what digicam you’ve received them plugged into and it routinely adjusts its settings to supply the very best high quality output sign to your digicam. It signifies that clipping resulting from too excessive acquire, or noisy digicam preamps, resulting from too low acquire, must be a factor of the previous.
Rode hasn’t stated precisely which cameras have been added to the presets listing, however we’ve reached out to Rode to see if they’ve an entire listing of supported fashions and we’ll replace this put up if and once they get again to us. For now, if you wish to see how the Digital camera Presets and different current options of the Rode Wi-fi GO II work with Rode Join, have a learn of this.
Pricing and availability
The Rode Wi-fi GO II Charging Case is obtainable to pre-order now for $79 and is anticipated to start delivery in Might. The Wi-fi GO II firmware has been launched as a beta firmware replace. You shouldn’t improve to the beta firmware for those who’re utilizing your Wi-fi GO II models for vital initiatives or paid work. You’ll find out extra concerning the replace right here and obtain the firmware in your Rode Wi-fi GO II through the use of the Rode Central app.
DIYP’s protection of NAB 2023 is sponsored by Sennheiser, Zhiyun, B&H, and SmallRig.
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