You will probably love the RØDE Broadcaster esthetics and tally light capability. This is a pro-grade feature if ever there was one since you’ll need a studio console to use it. When I did, though, I was surprised by just how quiet it was. To tell, the user just needs to select the microphone marked as ‘sold and fulfilled by Amazon’. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. The final audios are 48 kHz 16-bit mono WAV. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. When I did, though, I was surprised by just how quiet it was. Do you need a particular color? The RØDE Broadcaster proves to be an exception. What’s clear is that Rode has invested heavily in making the Broadcaster a competitive choice for environments where it will be competing with heavy-hitter dynamics like the Shure SM7B. It really does last a long time, so those wanting to commit to a mic will want to take a look at this option. And of course, it fulfills its promise of reducing the room and background noise to the very minimum, inaudible levels. In addition, it allows better high-frequency coverage than most dynamic mics, and has a much higher output level, so you won’t need such a demanding preamplifier or pre-preamp like a CloudLifter or FetHead. For something as portable and on the move as this microphone aims to be, it needs to be durable. There’s no shortage of “broadcast” aimed microphones today (so says the marketing), but the Broadcaster isn’t among the ranks of dime a dozen streaming mics. Beyond podcasting and interviewing, the Rode Podcaster can also connect to iPads to work with recording or camera equipment. It’s a condenser, which means it’s going to offer a more natural sound to whatever it’s recording — presumably spoken word — due to its wider frequency response range. The first thing I noticed when recording with it for the first time was how bass rich it is. A smartphone can do everything decently, but it can’t match the video stabilization of a DJI Osmo Pocket or the audio recording of something like Shure’s MV88+ kit. In many cases, Amazon repeats the descriptions furnished by the manufacturer. The Rode Broadcaster is a professional grade microphone designed for, you guessed it, broadcast. Copyright © 2001-2020 Cyber Creations Inc. Its mic setup is simple and boils down to a single cable and USB — perfect for users who are constantly on the go or need the space saved by having a small microphone. So far, none of the manufacturers listed above is/are sponsors of the TecnoTur programs, although they are welcome to do so, and some are, may be (or may have been) sponsors of ProVideo Coalition magazine. Rode Broadcaster Review Time to Go Pro. Rode still provides a large card with tips and guidance, in any case. It has a very smooth and manageable response, which makes it ideal for recording. The lows are hyped a bit too much due to proximity and the fact that you have to be right on top of it at a close range in order for it to work, and initially may come out as muddy and unattractive. If you invest time into silencing your recording space, it rewards that effort in spades. This is a microphone made to follow you, whether that be on Twitch or talk radio, for years into the future. In other cases, they write their own. Aside from a bassy low-end, it has a smooth uniform response with a good transparency and, it offers a very good background rejection, just as you would expect from a broadcast microphone. Though it’s marketed to catch the eye of podcasters, the Rodecaster Pro feels like overkill for that task. That also means it’s going to be a good fit if you record more than just your voice, which is why it’s a popular choice in professional radio and podcast studios. Also, give some consideration to the type of climate in which your Rode Broadcaster will be stored. I did not test that automatic feature, since I didn’t have such a mixer with tally capability. This makes it ideal for interviewing or podcasting. The Rodecaster Pro is one of those pieces of equipment that will make a few people’s lives infinitely easier while making little sense to the rest of us. Due to the Rode Podcaster's focus on spoken audio, it is designed to pick up sound from the front and both sides while rejecting sound from the rear. The qualities of this mic are ideal for recording and radio use, and to give a fair example there is a popular radio called Wish FM. If this mic offers what you need now and in 6 years; it is worth the commitment. A microSD card slot on the back lets you do an entire stereo recording without the need for a computer. Understanding 24-bit vs 16-bit audio production & distribution, https://www.provideocoalition.com/wp-content/uploads/Rode-Broadcaster_leveled.wav, https://www.provideocoalition.com/wp-content/uploads/AT875R-versus-Rode-Broadcaster-leveled.wav, Sign up to my free mailing list by clicking here, Production During a Pandemic: Working as a COVID 19 Compliance Officer for a Film Production, Insights and Advice from a COVID-19 Compliance Officer for Pre-production and Production, ART OF THE CUT with “Hillbilly Elegy” editor, James D. Wilcox, ACE, Review: Zoom ZDM-1 dynamic studio microphone or kit, After Effects Classic Course: Refine Edge Tool, Reviewing The New Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro 12K, Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro ISO Review. This is certainly true of all three of these mics, but to my ear, it’s clear that Rode has tuned the Broadcaster for the human voice and designed the mic for exactly that purpose. It still needs quite a bit of gain, though this should not be a problem with a decent equipment. , and Electro-Voice RE20 — but that’s also what makes the Broadcaster stand out. It also acts as windscreen and yet the sound is still very much transparent, not one bit inferior to any other dynamic broadcast mic. The result is a more full-bodied and realistic sound. However, in that situation, the tally light does illuminate continually when the mic receives phantom power from a standard 3-pin XLR. Even if you EQ something like the Elgato Wave 3, it takes some serious tweaks to get it to the Broadcaster’s range out of the box. Like these microphones, it’s what’s known as a “large diaphragm condenser,” which means the actual capsule is much larger than found on common streaming mics — a full one inch, in fact. At the same time, the mic rejects a lot of room noise and minimizes such effects as popping. It’s a condenser, which means it’s going to offer a more natural sound to whatever it’s recording — presumably spoken word — due to its wider frequency response range. It is very simple and straightforward, which some users may appreciate, but others may find it lacks the creative pathways they want. Blocks out plosives, pop, breath and wind noise. The Rode Rodecaster Pro is a pretty unique piece of audio gear, because it’s designed entirely with podcasting in mind. However, after applying a basic low cut filter, this nuance is taken care of and the mic truly starts to shine. This mic also does a great job at eliminating unnecessary background noise like shifting, rustling papers, or moving around the room — so feel free to wiggle as much as you want while you record. It has a fast and simple setup that is great for new users and those just starting in the podcasting industry. For the most part, the Rode podcaster does its job and is a solid portable option. Allan Tépper’s opinions are his own. The demand for a particular Rode Broadcaster is a good indication of its ability to perform the functions for which it was designed. All you need to do is plug in and go — a simple stand will work, and the Rode Podcaster is fully functional and at its best in seconds. What tool is best going to suit your recording environment? Comica VM20 - budget DSLR & phone, mini-shotgun review. Consider where and how you will be using your Rode Broadcaster to determine if one material would be better than another. If you invest time into silencing your recording space, it rewards that effort in spades. To help you decide what the best option for you is, we are diving in with a Rode Podcaster review and comparison. By entering your email, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. It has a reputation as the Swiss Army Knife of microphones as it offers the portability of a USB mic while also giving the user different audio modes to work with, like 360-degree audio or front and back audio. All Rights Reserved. You may also like to read what others are saying about the product in the review section. The indicator light is controlled by a special five-pin header most of us won’t have, but will turn red when the engineer sends you live to the airwaves. However, if you have a budget for more than one mic, or need to use more than one mic in a studio environment, you might want one of each. Though this is specifically a Rode Podcaster review, the Rode Podcaster may not be the best fit for what you need. You can also read the customer reviews on Amazon to see what others are saying about the size of the unit they purchased. This is another USB microphone built for podcasting. Learn why. Professional Wind Shield - Fits your Rode Procaster perfectly and does a great job! It screws onto the bottom of the microphone providing an easy and convenient attachment system for your large diaphragm condenser microphones.