GEAR
MINI TESTS
RODE WIRELESS PRO £399/$399 rode.com Wireless audio is a competitive field that has moved on at such a pace in the past couple of years, with lots of companies launching compact and more affordable systems to rival the Rode Wireless Go system. Rode responded by adding a second transmitter unit in a bid to solve the problem of recording two subjects into a DSLR or mirrorless camera via a single wireless receiver, plus internal recording and extending the wireless range in a redesigned Wireless Go II. That kit has two transmitters and a receiver, a 3.5mm lead for connecting to your camera or recorder, USB-C cables for charging the units, two furry windshields and a neoprene slip case. As rivals released their versions, often including a charging case and lav mics, Rode offered them as optional extras. Now Rode is aiming to see off everyone else with the Wireless Pro kit, which includes two larger Wireless Pro transmitters and a single receiver in a charging case, a 3.5mm camera lead, a USB-C cable for charging, a USB-C to Lighting cable, TRS to TRS cable, two furry windshields, a neoprene slip case, two high-quality lav mics with furry covers and tie clips, two magnetic Magclips and a separate accessory case. If you added all that onto a pair of Go II models it would cost way more than the price of the Wireless Pro. What money can’t add is an even larger range, but crucially, the first wireless kit to offer the holy grail of audio: the incredible 32-bit float technology. This is the technology that gives incredible dynamic range to your audio, so you don’t really need to set a gain level; 32-bit tech records it all and you can tweak in post. However,
the recording tech might be able to record a massive range of sound levels, but mics can’t. So set a level and then tweak from there. This 32-bit float is only in the audio recorded in the transmitters’ own internal flash memory, not on the signal sent to the wireless receiver and recorded in camera. To set it and access the files, you need to use Rode’s free Central software, which also gives access to firmware updates. As each transmitter can record seven hours of uncompressed audio, this data takes up lots more memory than in the old Wireless Go II system, so it has had an upgrade from 4GB to 32GB. In use, this 32-bit float audio is incredible – it’s amazing to tone down loud noises and increase low volumes without any noticeable hiss. The Pro units feature locking ports for the cables, and each transmitter can have its own audio level applied separately. There’s also a clever auto gain that uses Rode’s Intelligent Gainassist technology. Pro units now generate timecode. This isn’t a full timecode system that can be locked to an external timecode generator, but it does mean the units can be locked to the audio recorded in the camera to make it easier when using the sound recorded internally in the units. There is also a headphone port for real-time monitoring. Rode now also includes a pair of its Lavalier II mics that you can use instead of the built-in omnidirectional mics. These improve the audio quality, too. Built-in mics are good, although lav mics are better. With a massive range, a charging case that can be used to top up the units for an extra 14 hours of runtime, all the accessories and 32-bit float
FLOAT ON A couple of transmitters
SPECIFICATIONS Audio functions: Mono, stereo, safety track, mute Range: 260m/853ft Frequency: 2.4GHz Receiver response: 20Hz-20kHz Interfaces: TX 3.5mm audio input port; RX 3.5mm TRS output, 3.5mm headphone jack Built-in mics: Omnidirectional mono, 50Hz-20kHz Lavalier mic: 2x omnidirectional, 20Hz-20kHz Encryption: 128-bit SNR: 72dB Maximum SPL: 106dB Battery life: 7 hours
and a receiver are the heart of the system that now delivers 32-bit float
Charge time: 2.5 hours Built-in recorder: 32-bit
Compatibility: Android, iOS, MacOS 10.15, Windows 10.1803 or later Charge case: 2.5-hour recharge time, 14-hour extra runtime Transmitter and receiver dimensions (wxhxd): 46.5x44x20mm/1.8x1.7x0.8in Transmitter weight: 36g/0.08lb Receiver weight: 35g/0.08lb
JOB LOT Rode’s thrown everything at the Wireless Pro kit, with lots of helpful accessories included
technology, Rode has set a new standard for compact wireless audio.
PRO MOVIEMAKER RATING: 10/10 Incredible spec that nothing else on the market gets near Pros: The small solution for two mics plus 32-bit float Cons: Nothing obvious
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