Pro Moviemaker Autumn 2019

MINI TESTS

RODE WIRELESS GO £179/$199 rode.com

SPECIFICATIONS Transmission type: 2.4GHz Digital Frequency Agile System

Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional Frequency Range: 50Hz-20kHz External mic input: 20Hz-20kHz MaximumOutput Level: +3dBu Power: Built-in li-po battery, up to 7hrs Connectivity: 3.5mmTRS and USB (power/firmware) Size: TX: 44x45.3x18.5mm/ 1.73x1.78x0.73in RX: 44x46.4x18.5mm/ 1.73x1.83x0.73in Weight: 31g/1.09oz each

and -24dB output settings. Nothing else is required, so even without a lav mic you’re off and running in seconds. The LCD display is clear even in sunlight. It displays levels, which turn fromgreen to red as they peak, as well as battery for the two units and link status. On the TX unit, two blue LEDs show power and connection. Sound quality from themic was very good – rich and clear with solid low and high-end tones – in fact, it soundedmuch the same as the Rode lavalier mic on test this issue. Therefore youmay only need to add an external mic if you need something less

Many filmmakers use wireless systems, particularly when the subject is fitted with a lavmic as it gives great freedomof movement and shooting range. Normally though, you need to plug your mic into a separate transmitter. Not so with the Rode Wireless Go, which has an integrated mic, as well a 3.5mm line-in. TheWireless Go kit consists of a transmitter (TX) and a receiver (RX) unit, and comes with a 3.5-3.5mm lead for connecting to your camera or recorder, two USB-C cables for charging, two furry windshields and a neoprene case. At well under £200 it’s already looking like good value, and far cheaper than something like the Sennheiser EW 112P G4. Another favourable comparison to regular transmitters is how small the units are. Put them together and they’re still smaller than a pack of 20 cigarettes. And at 31g each, they weigh next to nothing. Both units have a broad integrated clip for mounting, which on the receiver doubles as a coldshoemount. Operation is simple. The units come sync’d, but if you do need to re-sync them, it’s just a case of pressing the sync button on the RX unit for three seconds, and tapping the on button on the TX for the same time to tie themup. The only other button is ‘dB’ which cycles through 0db, -12dB

conspicuous – the TX unit is small, but it’s not invisible. As an omnidirectional mic it’s difficult to lose tone, even as you turn your head. The windgags that come with the Wireless Go are a welcome addition but they’re fiddly to fit, and don’t lock on well. They won’t fall off by themselves, but it only takes an accidental knock to spill them. They did a good job of removing wind rumble though and a rubber band fixes the mounting issue. TheWireless Go’s range is 70m/ 230ft with line of sight. We reached that and the signal cut out soon after. We also noticed some patchiness when briskly walking, though this disappeared when stopping or moving slowly. With clutter we got to about 30m, which is more thanmost need. One drawback is that you can only pair one TX unit to one receiver, so it’s not possible to havemultiple inputs unless you use separate pairs through amixer. Up to eight pairs can be used in a location. The units charge using a USB-C connection and have a battery life of seven hours, though it’s not clear whether this is working at range; presumablymore power is required for that. KS. PROMOVIEMAKER RATING: 9/10 Small, light, easy to use and affordable, a superb route into wireless recording for filmmakers. It has good range, great audio and works straight out of the box - what more do you need? Pros: Size and weight, features and price Cons: One-to-one connection only, windgags don’t mount well

LEFT & BELOW Both the transmitter and receiver of the Wireless Go system are very small, so the former is easy to clip to a subject, while the latter sits in your camera’s hotshoe

“Normally, you need to plug yourmic into a separate transmitter. Not sowith the RodeWireless Go”

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AUTUMN 2019 PRO MOVIEMAKER

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