With feature updates and new accessories, the RODECaster Pro is a podcaster’s dream come true – TechCrunch

You may have considered or have already started a new hobby this year, especially one you can do at home. Podcasting seems to be a popular option, and RODE is a company that has done more for this audience than any other audio company out there. The RODECaster Pro The all-in-one podcast production studio ($ 599) released in 2018 is a fantastic tool for anyone looking to maximize their podcast potential. With astounding new firmware updates released this year and a host of great new accessories, it is gradually expanding to the top.

The basics

The RODECaster Pro is a powerful production studio, but not overwhelming for people who are not audio engineers by profession. The deck balances offer many physical controls that are kept relatively simple. For example, they offer volume controls and large pad-style buttons for top-level controls, and then add advanced features and optimizations behind menu levels that are accessible through the large, tall controls. Touchscreen with resolution for users who want a more precise manipulation.

RODECaster Pro includes four XLR inputs, each of which can provide (individually selectable) phantom power for condenser microphones, as well as four 1/4 “headphone outputs for monitoring. This is great because if you have guests who are interested in recording podcasts and are used to high quality audio, you can listen to your own input or you can choose to have only one producer keep an eye on everything. There is also a left and right 1/4 “audio output for a studio monitor speaker or other output as well as one USB-C port for connecting to a computer and a 3.5 mm input for connecting a smartphone or other external audio source. Smartphones can also be connected via Bluetooth. This is very convenient to include a call-in guest over WiFi.

Credit: Darrell Etherington

The main surface of the RODECaster Pro contains volume controls for each available input and preset sound effects. Volume control for each headphone and speaker output; Buttons to activate and deactivate inputs; large buttons to play preset audio files and a large record button. There’s also a touchscreen that gives you access to menus and settings, and also acts as a visual layer editor during recording.

RODECaster Pro is designed so that you can use it completely independently of any computer or smartphone. It has a microSD slot for recording. You can then upload these files by either connecting the deck directly via USB or connecting the card to a microSD card reader and transferring your files. You can also use multitrack-to-USB or stereo USB output modes on the RODECaster Pro to effectively turn the studio hardware into a USB audio interface for your Mac or PC and record it with any digital audio production software you want, including streaming Software.

design

The design of the RODECaster Pro is a perfect mix of hardware control in studio quality and simplicity, which makes the device accessible to both amateurs and professionals. I was up and running in a matter of minutes with the ready-to-use deck and had great sounding recordings with the RODE PodMic, a $ 99 microphone that was optimized by RODE for immediate work with the RODECaster Pro, without any adjustments to the sound profile or settings.

Credit: Darrell Etherington

All controls are easy and intuitive to manage, and you shouldn’t need to read any manuals or instructions to get started. The eight-button sound effect grid is probably the most complicated part of the entire physical user interface, but even the standard sounds that RODE contains can be useful, and you can make your own using the RODECaster companion app for Mac and PC, as well as in In this field you will find instructions with which you can overlay and label the buttons to keep track of which is which.

The sliders are fluid and easy to use, so that even simple manual fades in and out for intro and outro or recorded sound bites are possible without any problems. With the illuminated buttons for active / inactive inputs, the mute status and the large record button, you can see at a glance what is currently active on the track and what is not.

RODE has included a lockable power supply so that you cannot accidentally pull out the cable during a recording. Each of the XLR inputs also includes a quick lock for secure connections. And while the RODECaster Pro definitely takes up a lot of space with about the footprint of a 13-inch MacBook Pro, it’s light enough to be perfectly portable in a backpack for on-site recording.

Credit: Darrell Etherington

The touchscreen display is another design highlight because it is high-resolution, has a matt cover that makes it visible in a wide range of light, and a very responsive touch input. It’s a great way to add software to the deck’s functionality, but it still ensures that nothing feels fiddly or difficult to navigate. This can be the case, for example, with hardware jog controllers, such as those found with a zoom recorder.

properties

The balance between simplicity and performance is the real reason why RODECaster Pro works so well. If you’re just getting started, you can just use it right away without changing anything about how it works. This is especially true if you are using one of the RODE microphones, each of which contains integrated profiles with which you can optimize the sound settings immediately.

I mentioned above that the RODE PodMic is optimized for use with the RODECaster Pro in this way and the results are fantastic. If the price tag on the RODECaster Pro is daunting, keep in mind that the PodMic is a fantastically affordable dynamic podcasting microphone that, when combined with the deck, produces a sound that is well above its class. Therefore, the total cost of a RODE podcasting setup that uses both would be relatively reasonable compared to other solutions.

Credit: Darrell Etherington

When you’re ready to immerse and customize the sound, you can toggle features like the built-in compressor, de-esser, and other audio effects. You can also manually adjust each of these effects since firmware 2.1 was released earlier this month. This allows you to customize the processing of each sound effect it contains using the RODECaster Pro Companion App to get a fully custom, unique end tone.

The ability to pre-load and call up sound effects and other audio tracks on the RODECaster Pro is another killer feature. It is true that you can achieve a lot of this by editing the post-recording, but having everything on hand to use in live recording scenarios just feels better and also enables real interactions with your guests who otherwise would not would be possible. This 2.1 firmware update also made it possible to loop clips indefinitely. This can be helpful if you want to place a subtle background track during your recording.

One final feature that I will highlight because it’s fantastic, especially in a world where it could be difficult to get guests into the studio consistently, is smartphone connectivity. You can either plug in a cable or connect using Bluetooth with low latency for excellent interactivity when calling. To do this, use the desired software on your smartphone.

equipment

RODE has done a great job building an ecosystem of accessories to further expand the functionality of the RODECaster Pro and improve the overall user experience. Recent releases include the Rode PodMic mentioned above as well colored cable clamps that match each backlight color entered to easily track which hardware is which, 1/4 “to 3.5 mm stereo jack adapter for using standard headphones as monitors, a TRRS to TRRS 3.5mm audio aux cable for smartphone connections and a USB power cable to replace the adapter for easier power supply on the go.

Credit: Darrell Etherington

The small plastic sleeves for your XLR cables are simple but smart ways to keep track of equipment, especially when everyone is using the same microphone (as it should probably be for sound consistency) – and it helps the look To improve your entire setup. also. The USB power cable in particular is a great addition to any RODECaster Pro kit you plan to use outside of your own recording studio / home, as you can use it with any USB charger you have on hand – as long as it can hold 5V / 2.5A output.

But the real must for the RODECaster Pro is that RODE PodMic. It is an uncomplicated, well-built and durable microphone that is easy to transport and flexible with a variety of mounting options and settings, including open air and in the studio. Yes, you can get better sound with more expensive microphones, but with the PodMic you can afford a set of 4 to complement the RODECaster Pro for the same price you would pay for a high-end microphone, and that Most people will not notice the difference in audio quality for their podcasting needs.

Credit: Darrell Etherington

Bottom line

The RODECaster Pro is a fantastic way to update your podcasting game at home – and a perfect way to get the show on the road as soon as you are able to. The high quality hardware controls combined with intelligent, sophisticated software, which has been enhanced through consistent RODE firmware updates to take into account user feedback over time, is a successful combination for amateurs, professionals and everyone in between.