Rode has introduced loads of stuff throughout NAB 2023 thus far. There’s been the Rode Streamer X (buy here) video and audio seize machine for podcasting, streaming and content material creation, in addition to the RodeCaster Duo (buy here), a barely cut-down RodeCaster Professional II (buy here) for many who require fewer inputs and a decrease funds. Now, it’s the flip of the Rode Wi-fi GO II (buy here), which sees an enormous replace addressing two of the most important complaints in regards to the Rode Wi-fi GO II.
The primary is the discharge of a brand new, official Rode Wi-fi GO II charging case. Not do you want to resort to third-party instances, 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 allows you to report and entry wav information instantly from the transmitters relatively than having to run it by way of the Rode Central conversion course of.
Rode Wi-fi GO II Charging Case – Lastly!
There’s been one criticism 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 shortage 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 all the time appeared like one thing of an oversight from an organization like Rode. We’ve seen and featured various third-party instances for the Rode Wi-fi GO II, together with some DIY 3D printed choices. however up to now, an official charging case from Rode themselves has been notably lacking. Till now.
A troublesome 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 supreme for safeguarding the Rode Wi-fi GO II when travelling or simply to maintain the mud off in storage. The one drawback 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 take advantage of a third-party non-charging case for my Wi-fi GO II equipment, and I make sure that to maintain the wind muffs and the TRS to TRS cable within the pocket within the lid to make sure they’re all the time collectively.
With Rode’s new case, nonetheless, it doesn’t appear to be that’s doable. 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 the rest 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 every other microphone compatibility within the press launch, equivalent to with the unique Wi-fi GO or the just lately launched Wi-fi ME. I anticipate that you just would possibly be comfortable with both of the opposite two choices, on condition that all of them just about share the identical type issue, however we’ve reached out to Rode to substantiate 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 solely 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 completely different in design from the Wi-fi GO II. Completely different sufficient that they don’t match on this case. So, if these are the microphones you have got, this case is just not for you. That is only for the Wi-fi GO II.
Wi-fi GO II Lastly will get WAV information
Rode’s NAB bulletins checklist 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. Properly, in equity, it’s a minor characteristic that’s a significant headache. It’s a characteristic that a lot of Rode’s rivals, such because the Comica BoomX-D Professional and Saramonic BlinkMe have managed to resolve, and that’s the power to report wav information instantly within the transmitters.
One of many massive promoting factors of the Rode Wi-fi GO II was that it allowed backup recording in every of the transmitters. It wasn’t speculated to be the principle 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 basically turned your Wi-fi GO II transmitters into mini discipline recorders.
The large drawback, nonetheless, is that to get recordings off the transmitter, you want to hearth up Rode Central and convert them to WAV from the format Rode selected to have the gadgets report 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 report WAV information. Not solely does it report WAV information however while you plug the transmitters into your pc, the machine exhibits up in Home windows Explorer similar to every 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 that you may 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 all the time simple. There have been a number of instances I’ve been out with the Wi-fi GO II, and needed to start out enhancing on the way in which residence however haven’t been ready. Both the software program wasn’t put in, or it was too outdated for the machine’s firmware or it needed to power an replace to the machine’s firmware earlier than it could let me do something with it.
This new firmware replace ought to clear up points equivalent to this and produce the Wi-fi GO II consistent with the competitors for a better 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 the usage of the ability button. Which means that you don’t should depend on having your receiver turned on, nor do it’s a must to report 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 report.
The power to have the transmitters all the time report 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 report three folks 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 power a brand new file would’ve been a useful characteristic. The brand new firmware replace now permits this to occur.
New Digicam Presets
The brand new replace will even add various new digicam presets to the Wi-fi GO II system. Digicam presets had been added to the Rode Wi-fi GO II in a firmware update in January. They will let you inform the Rode Wi-fi GO II precisely what digicam you’ve obtained them plugged into and it routinely adjusts its settings to supply the absolute best high quality output sign to your digicam. It signifies that clipping on account of too excessive achieve, or noisy digicam preamps, on account of too low achieve, ought to be a factor of the previous.
Rode hasn’t stated precisely which cameras have been added to the presets checklist, however we’ve reached out to Rode to see if they’ve an entire checklist 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 Digicam Presets and different current options of the Rode Wi-fi GO II work with Rode Join, have a read of this.
Pricing and availability
The Rode Wi-fi GO II Charging Case is on the market to pre-order now for $79 and is anticipated to start transport in Could. The Wi-fi GO II firmware has been launched as a beta firmware replace. You shouldn’t improve to the beta firmware should you’re utilizing your Wi-fi GO II items for vital tasks or paid work. You may find out more about the update here and obtain the firmware in your Rode Wi-fi GO II by utilizing the Rode Central app.
DIYP’s protection of NAB 2023 is sponsored by Sennheiser, Zhiyun, B&H, and SmallRig.