GEAR
AUDIO LATEST
RODE WIRELESS GO GEN 3
automatically detects plug-in power to turn the unit off along with the camera, but also on again when the camera starts to ensure you’re always ready to shoot. The system can be configured on a computer or smartphone via the Rode Central app, but crucial adjustments can be set on the LCD display and control buttons. Although you can plug in lav mics, the latest Wireless Go has its own built-in microphones with an omnidirectional pickup pattern and the same improved design and upgraded preamp as found in the Wireless Pro system. The new Go outputs its signal via USB-C for digital audio or 3.5mm TRRS analogue, so it works for cameras, phones or computers. The transmitters can pair directly to other Series IV compatible units, such as the Rodecaster Pro II and Duo – and the Rodecaster Video, which we test in this issue. The Wireless Go has an integrated clip for easy attachment to clothing or coldshoe mounts, and comes with a soft pouch and two furry windshields. There’s also a plastic adapter with three USB-C outputs that Rode calls a charging hub. It makes sense to buy Rode’s £89/ $89 charging and travel case, the Charge Case+. This is a compact holder for the new Wireless Go with an integrated battery that delivers two full recharges for up to 21 hours of use and allows simultaneous data access to the complete system for transferring recordings, adjusting settings and updating firmware. rode.com
The evolution of Rode’s Wireless Go saw it transform from a single but compact and affordable wireless system to the Wireless Go II with a second transmitter and internal recording. Now, the new Go version three is here, borrowing lots of tech from the flagship Wireless Pro but at a more accessible price. It features the holy grail of audio – built-in 32-bit float recording – plus intelligent Gain Assist tech to ensure you don’t clip your highs. And it not only comes in black and white, but also a range of limited- edition colours such as red, orange, green, purple, pink, blue, cobalt, clay, lilac, stone, rose and moss. The £279/ $299 Wireless Go has dropped the III label so make sure you are not buying the original model. But it remains a dual- channel, compact wireless mic system and now uses Rode’s Series IV 2.4GHz digital transmission with 128-bit encryption for stable audio at up to 260m with line of sight. There are more than 40 hours of 32-bit float on-board recording, but of course the signal sent directly to the camera is not 32-bit. That’s where Gain Assist works; the output gain can be adjusted to compensate for loud or quiet audio – and you can set a safety channel at a lower gain in case of sudden loud noises. Gain Assist has two modes, auto and dynamic, or it can be turned off to allow manual adjustment of 30dB of gain control. Pro features include locking lavalier connectors and headphone monitoring with on-board level control. To extend the battery, the Wireless Go III
SENNHEISER PROFILE WIRELESS Sennheiser’s £259/$299 Profile Wireless kit is not just a typical compact dual-channel wireless audio system with two small mics and a separate, small on-camera receiver in a charging case. That’s because the charging case is more than just where the units are stored and juiced up. By adding a foam rubber windshield, it transforms into a handheld-style reporter mic using one or both of the mic units. It’s not as pretty as a conventional reporter mic, but looks decent on camera and makes the kit that much more useful. This charging bar houses the two transmitter units and receiver unit, as well as three adapters to fit to the receiver: USB-C and Lightning for iPhones and a shoe to fix the unit to the top of a camera. It also comes with a coiled TRS cable to plug into a 3.5mm port. Take the units out of the case and they pair instantly. The RX displays how much recording space is available on the TX units’ internal recorders to a maximum of 30 hours. A small touchscreen lets you change settings like gain, low-cut filter and mute, as well as dimming the LEDs. Access the RX menu and there are settings for headphone levels, screen rotation, brightness, backup recording, stereo, mono or a safety track. The TX units each have a built-in omnidirectional condenser mic, but also feature a 3.5mm input jack with a locking thread around it to accept a separate lav mic. A clip on the back allows you to fasten them to a shirt, with a separate magnetic fastener held on the side of the case. The units also have a 1/4in thread so they can be mounted on a rig or boom. There is no 32-bit float technology, with the internal in 24-bit/48kHz. Backup recording can be set using a dedicated red button on each TX unit, or via the touchscreen on the RX unit. To access the backups, plug each TX unit into a computer via USB-C and the WAV files are there. Simple – and no app needed. sennheiser.com
48
PRO MOVIEMAKER
Powered by FlippingBook