By now you will probably have had the early 2019 softward update, so you can pre-record up to 8 'shows' onto your touchpads. And you can record multi-track too.
Great review, EFTMOnline! One contention: Without multitrack, it's almost unusable - unless you're recording solo all the time. Every multi-mic situation will inevitably lead to an editing nightmare. One person to breathe heavily, sneeze, etc. and the single file output is making for a bad day. Otherwise, absolutely fantastic proposition. IF Rode brings a multitrack software patch, I'll buy one in a heartbeat.
We feel the same way about the Rodecaster Pro. If they add real multitrack recording (optionally switchable to record to either or both, the micro SD and DAW via USB, we‘ll order at least one in a heartbeat :)
The L-12 would still be the best alternative for multi channel recording. And it already has an integrated headphone amp/splitter for 5 headphones. But it's not a designated podcast production board like the RodeCaster Pro and I really like the De-Esser and Noise-Gate options in the Rode. I currently move around with a rack-trolley and 3 DBX 286s + Focusrite Scarlett 18i20, 4 channel headphone amp/splitter, Zoom H6, and MacBook Pro, for my on the go recordings. Add multichannel and some level of compressor, De-Esser, and APEX amount control via future FW upgrades, and I can travel with a fairly light backpack and the RodeCaster Pro to do my recordings.
Garbage. Almost Unusable. I've made over 800 podcasts, Multi-track recording on the Zoom only made my work harder, so no, I disagree. However, if you want Multitrack - sure, its not for you - yet.
Just starting up a new hockey podcast myself, this really helps a novice like me get into this line of production without all the complicated work. Simple, effective, and awesome. Keep killin it Rode! Also very good review EFTM!
People are pissed about the multitrack not being an option. You guys have to understand, this product is not for you. It's for people who want to start a podcast, and don't know how to connect their Skype calls, phones, etc to a mixer. Plus I'm sure with a firmware update or some accessory Rode will include it down the line or something.
tom kent I agree. I want to send a DJ mix from my DJ mixer into a channel for a true music podcast. Seems like you can’t use the line in for phone and get good quality that way.
I would like better multi track software included with separate tracks to multi layer edit in post. Possible access to effects to clean up sound per track. I hope the version that comes out later includes this.
Great review Trevor! I will say this is a nightmare for producers that edit in post. Most podcast hosts are not skilled in live broadcast production but this is going to make all of them want to give it a try. Looks like my future is going to be automating volume/effects to a stereo track. I was really starting to like producing podcasts too :(
I'm waiting to see the discount price of this from an online dealer. It looks fantastic. List is $599. It combines a recorder, mixer, pre-amp with microphone processor, usb interface, etc. Totally worth the price. If only it could run off USB-C so it can be powered by a USB-C Battery for portable use.
Andrew M. Sheppard I agree that’s a concern, but I feel like that’s a software thing and not a hardware thing. A future update down the road could fix that
And if it has solid preamps and on board processors(as it claims to have) then they can combine to minimize distortion and to eliminate the need for full multitrack recording. I will save judgement until I either get to test it, or see more real world reviews. If you haven’t tested it or seen someone test it fully....than a comment of a poor product is naive. Advancements in audio and video production have come along way over even just the past 5-10 years....if you truly understand audio, then you should know that advancements in audio processing have picked up over the past 5 years due to the increased interest in podcasting and all companies(not just RØDE) are looking to advance the processing capabilities of their products to minimize hassle for podcasters as well as provide all in one solutions to a podcasters needs.
Andrew M. Sheppard those recommendations we actually currently use....and while they work they can have occasional issues. I get you feel it’s a waste of money. But if you don’t think it’s worth it then you don’t have to buy it not sure why you feel the need to tear the product down when you haven’t even used it. Have a good evening sir.
I agree, this is a great unit. One thing I don’t understand is the lack of mute on the sound pads, yet it has solo. What’s the point with that if you can’t solo the pads to verify what is recorded to them? Or am I missing something obvious here?
I think this is great for podcasters but I hope that the follow-up version will have one improvement and that is a sample rate up to 192 kHz instead of the 48 kHz it now offers. I am saying this because then this great item would also be more interesting for voiceover artist who uses still USB interfaces for their recordings when connected to a PC. Like what you said at the beginning, "I bought a lot of gear" and that is what we all like to avoid.
@Andrew M. Sheppard AND THERE IT IS - the written, rolled gold reason why no Podcaster should ever consider taking your advice on this product. Mate, have you EVER seen a podcast being recorded? How many podcast studios have you been to let alone home or office podcast setups. I think you've mis-interpreted the word Podcast for studio sound recordings. That's the whole point. 99.9% of podcasters have never had the benefits of pre-amps, compression, let alone Aphex and just having direct control over audio levels. You need to know your market. This isn't it.
@Andrew M. Sheppard I'm pretty confident you've never recorded a podcast, heard one, or been present when one is recorded.. so - yeah... good luck getting people to take your advice :)
@Andrew M. Sheppard You cut a very lonely figure through the internet mate... you're essentially the worst type of troll, like a dog with a bone, but a bone that no-one else would touch, and a dog that needs a home... poor thing...
Great video, mate. Thanks for making it. This desk is on my purchase list. Just wondering if you've had a chance to use the new Rode Podmics yet? I notice you've got two Procasters in the video, interested to know how they compare. Cheers.
Nice! I’m in The Netherlands and have just got it. Can’t wait to record my first multi-person Podcast on it. It’s a shame it records in one channel. Multi (per mic) would be super awesome. Just like my ZOOM H6 does. Everything else: love it! Question: at some point I heard you say: if you are using “whoosh gore” or something like that... what is that? I’ve never heard about that. Thanx!
I'd love to know if this would work in Twitter Spaces? Every RU-vid clip I've come across so far, the person is using an iPhone and not an Android phone to join the Twitter Space.
Without multitrack recording it becomes nearly impossible to edit levels and resolve issues in post... especially when using with a phone conversation on the line... too risky to have everything flattened on a track... would never buy and think that Rogue Amoeba's Audio Hijack with Loopback and Farrago are SOOOO MUCH better... especially at this price...
Is it possible to use this with 4 people in the studio and hook a computer up via Bluetooth or computer so that I could do a google meet or a zoom meeting and everyone could hear each other, whether in the studio or remotely?
Great review, thanks. I was ready to buy; I've gone from a Soundcraft 12 channel multitrack mixer to a Focusrite Scarlette 18i20 for our podcast (all of the sliders, effects, etc. had no effect on the USB output of the Soundcraft, only the gain.) However, even with a stereo output only from a mixer to a Xoom digital recorder I always pan one host to one track (say the right track) of the stereo recording and the other host to the other side of the stereo track. It's the only way to be able to edit one host's vocals (coughs, sniffs, talking over the other, etc.) without effecting the other host's vocals at the same point. Is there no way to put one mic on one half of the stereo track and another mic on the other half of the track to enable independent editing? If there was: instant purchase.
I'm starting a video podcast. There will be a host and 2-3 guests. I need a way to capture the audio and also video from 3-4 different cameras. I'm not sure what that setup would look like. Any thoughts? Thanks.
"A podcast gamechanger" What new does it bring to the table exactly? I'm not saying it's bad, it's just that I would consider it a "game changer" if it brought something new to the table.
It’s a game changer in the sense of bringing nearly everything you could ever possibly want for a multiple person podcast into one nominally sized control deck. It doesn’t have to bring completely new elements to the board in order to be “game changing”, it just has to eloquently refine and cherry pick the best of the best, putting it all in one simple to use beautiful piece of kit. For $500 this thing is a steal in my book.
Thank you for your review. I have just one short question: Can I connect the device with my garageband software on my macbook? Thank you for a helpful answer. Best wishes from Berlin, Germany.
Hello, I have the same equipment, but everytime I turn it and off, it releases a loud sound throughout headphones and monitor outputs. Yours does the same?, because Rode support tells me it is normal. I would appreciate your kind response. Regards
Can I ask which stand you are using with the rode procaster mic? Is it the rode ds1 stand? I am struggling to get my hands on podmics but don't like the way the procaster mic is set up with the boom stand. Thanks!
Is the audio on the video raw from the Rodecaster or was there post production work to remove any noise or hiss? Wondering how good the preamps are with the Procaster? Great review.
@Andrew M. Sheppard hmm, I'm synical too, as you say, 55db won't be enough for an SM7B and the Procaster works best with a similar about of gain. Perhaps there is some Aphex processing helping out, but to have an "all in one" that you've then got to process with software afterwards because the gain is insufficient, I don't think that will cut it. Rather pay more and have sound devices quality quiet/decent headroom preamps. The rest of the features are cool, but could you end up in a situation where certain elements stop working, effecting the rest of the device? when I see multifunction machines I always think of my sister's old VHS TV combo that became a very big VHS player when the TV part stopped working. Technology has improved somewhat since then though.
Thanks for the review. Looking forward to try this one out. I was really happy to have pre ordered the Rodecaster Pro until i heared it doen't support multitrack recordings. Now it seems to be a dealbreaker for me. What are your thoughts on that?
Andrew M. Sheppard yes. Do you understand that literally nobody on this thread gives a shit about your ‘professional’ opinion, snarky and unasked for as it is?
Yeah I have that mic too... So I'd have to buy an xlr mic to be able to use the Rodecaster but I can't even afford that so I'll stick around with my nt-usb for now I think :)
So an easy solution to the quality of buttons to trigger samples would be to create multiple "Banks" with could be change in software with an update. For example see Akai MPC software 2.0. Twitter: joenorero
BigWillieStyle you might find the sound quality is better by recording to the micro SD card and then transfer the Wave file to your computer. The processor in the podcaster is better than your computer, I believe.
GUESS WHAT FOLKS.. THEY KNEW WHAT YOU WANTED.. MULTITRACK IS COMING Updated: the Rodecaster Pro from @rodemics will get a firmware update next month featuring.. Wait for it.. MULTITRACK RECORDING... all the details now @EFTM eftm.com/2019/01/rode-adds-multitrack-recording-to-rodecaster-pro-56549
@Andrew M. Sheppard So far. In this review, he's using the Procaster which needs significant gain so as long as no post production was used on this audio, I'm impressed with the preamps. Latency doesn't factor in cause I don't monitor via software, ever, always at the source and since this records to SD card, I don't know why you'd monitor any other way. I'll know more once I have my hands on it but there is always "it depends' factor and in this case if your workflow is to record to a mix that includes SFX and possible a remote caller, then this device, so far, seems to do all of that well. Personally I prefer multitrack so for me it's a less likely device but again, it depends;)
@Andrew M. Sheppard Surprisingly I find that my Scarlett 2i4 is capable of pushing the SM7B to the level I need and it does so cleanly and it certainly has less gain to offer than the Rodecaster. So it really always is a test before you guess scenario;) With everything else, again I think it just matters what you're doing. If you need easy mix-minus and maybe even two channels (the bluetooth and TRRS might provide 2) then this is a very easy way to get that. One key is just the simple setup and some people need/want that. Potentially one cable gets you everything you need/want. But of course it's just a wait and see deal. I haven't made a decision one way or the other until I get my hands on one...if;)
@Andrew M. Sheppard Well, I appreciate the lying accusation, all I can tell you is that I'm able to get to a recording level I'm happy with at ~-18db on average with a noise floor that I'm happy with, less than -60DB with the gain at ~95% which only requires light cleanup in post which is more normal workflow. What surprised me most was the noise floor improves almost none when I bring down the 2i4 gain and insert a Fethead into the chain which tells me the Focusrite preamps are quite good especially for the price. As per your other comments, I have no idea what you mean. I write like I talk. I think you think I have way more skin in the game than I actually do. I just enjoy gear and I look at it the way I use it but also consider how other "normal" people use it. There are other channels that go much deeper than I do. If I plug it in and it sounds good and meets my personal expectations, I'm happy and I share what I find out. That's about as deep as I go. The beauty of RU-vid is you can usually find all the tests and answers you need cause all perspectives and tech levels are usually covered. I have some audio samples that I recorded with the SM7B and the 2i4 that demonstrate what I'm referring to above and I'll try to put those online asap. I'm currently uploading a travel vlog which is as much for my family as it is for me channel but less about the gear although it shows the beauty of the a6500 through actual use as opposed to just looking at and talking about specs;)
