Great review, Curtis! I can always count on you to do a really in-depth review of products like this. One thing i found about the Streamer X is that if your camera has HDMI delay (panasonic cameras, specifically) your audio/video won't sync up. I've reached out to Rode about this and suggested adding a delay in Rode Central or Unify. Hopefully they do it. Otherwise, a solution i found was using something like Loopback or Ground Control where you can apply delay in frames, which is a great workaround
Thanks Curtis, great video. When I started live streaming during COVID, there was hardly any great just for podcasters. Now, there is so much. I am very happy with my set-up but if I was starting out today, it would be with this unit. Very simple, yet more than enough for a start-up. 🎉
I have the streamer x for work meetings, my work PC is pretty locked down so I can’t run the rode software. What I can do though is set it up including all effects on my private PC and then use it driverless on my work PC. Pretty cool. Everything works including using my mirrorless camera as webcam with good sound, all fully in sync. I have no real complaints - but as usual with Rode, the product will get better over time with firmware and software updates. Not ideal but good to know. By the way, you don’t need to use unify to set u0 the device, you can do a lot with rode central. Some of the mixer and sub mixer functions though are not available then but pretty much everything else.
I don't need one, but I enjoyed watching the excellent review, and learning that such devices are available if the need arises. I use a Tascam 102i and a separate capture card for Zoom calls now, no RU-vid live streams or OBS sessions...yet.
9:20 Is the delay system wide or just the microphone monitoring i.e. there is delay on the real-time monitoring of the microphone, but not on other audio sources such as the PC? Confused since you said headphone amplifier and not the monitoring, so wondering if it is all audio or just the mic monitoring
Great review. Thanks. It's strange that reviewers don't compare it to Yamaha ZG01, a similar but better and cheaper streaming audio/video mixer. Everybody act as if Rode made the first device of its kind while Yamaha sells it for some time already.
Just watched again (3X now) as my capture card took a break from working...I am thinking this could be what I replace the capture card with and maybe remove something else from my desk. Thank you!
🎙 Always exciting when they release new toys 😉 I moved away from Rode products after having problems with three RØDECASTER PRO units! I ended up using a ZOOM PodTrak P8 which I do love. However, I have been thinking I would like to try the RØDECASTER PRO II. The main problem I was having with RØDECASTER PRO was recording something for 30 minutes, and the unit would scramble all the recordings. I could never identify a pattern. They replaced the unit and let me keep the faulty unit, which was pretty amazing. However, the next unit I received was buckled and wouldn't sit flat on my desk. So, I returned that one and got another buckled unit that also wouldn't sit flat on my desk. I ended up selling both of them. 🎧
Hi Curtis! I’m thinking of getting the Streamer X to upgrade my Zoom Podtrak P4, for my interview show on radio/Facebook. Can I also input audio from my phone to the Streamer X for phone interviews?
I have returned mine as the Steamer X is in BETA status, if not Alpha. Especially the Software is unusable. I recommend the Review of David Foster how has a very different take on the Streamer X and made the same bad experience as I did.
The headphone amp should NOT be noticeably noisy on any device over $100. That is a solved problem, and there is no excuse on a $400 device. I hope Rode does a hardware revision to fix it. Excellent work as always by C.JUDD!
Great review Curtis thanks 🙏🏼 I can’t find the answer, is it possible to do 4K monitoring with QuickTime on Mac OS. It would be awesome on latest MacBook Pro
Hey mate! Do you know if the unit can send the mic signal to pc1 and pc2 simultaneously? So you can use one mic between 2 pc’s (streaming Pc and gaming pc)
excellent video. I have a quick question - if we have the Schiit Audio Amp & DAC combo, can we still use the StreamerX to route the mic through so that I can livestream with the sound coming through the amp/dac but mic connected to the StreamerX instead of the Schiit Audio gear? How would that work?
Very good! BTW "Mute Botton". - what a concept. A Tricaster + control surface for $$$$$$$ = no mute button, you need to setup a macro for that. Because hey if you're an "actual" professional you dont need a mute button. LOL eye roll.
@@curtisjuddYou mentioned during the headphone section that the streamer x has a hiss when used with low impedance headphones and later that the real-time monitoring had a sub 10 ms latency that you’ve found in the Duo or Pro 2 too. I’m wondering since they have the same latency if they use the same headphone amplifier and hence also have a hiss when using low impedance headphones? Though thinking about it more the latency probably has more to do with the audio processing. You mentioned that there was a sub 10 ms latency around 9:20 when talking about the real-time monitoring, but said headphone amplifier which made me question as to the scope of the delay. Is the delay only present to the mic monitoring or is all audio playback from the headphone jack delayed i.e. PC sounds too?
@@chradon. I would expect the same amount of self-noise from the Streamer X as the RCP2, yes. Also, I only tested input to output latency on the headphone and output jacks, not computer sound so I'm not sure on that.
Please compare this unit to the Roland Bridgecaster. I want to see which is a better value. $400 for this and the Roland Bridgecater coming soon at $500.00. Im very interested.
Curtis, I need your stellar advice as usual. I have an RE20 and I need an interface/mixer to drive it with clean pre amps, but I’d also like some of the features you find on these podcast mixers as small podcasts and livestreams may be in my future. I really wanted the Rodecaster Duo, but the headphone monitoring latency has really put me off. Are you able to provide any recommendations for my use case? I’m looking for under $700. Thank you.
I think I've seen this before at some Fisher-Price store 😁🤣 ... Having knobs and/or buttons rather than a mouse with screen, it's very handy. IMO, a 3 or 4 modules 500 series could be the ideal for a mic, but I've seen people using tablets in addition to the computer to control the audio; DAW plugins are a really great thing.
Curtis, I noticed when you were doing your self noise test the video shows one issue I’m having with the Steamer X. It constantly switches to the headset position. You were adjusting volume all the way up but not on the XLR setting. Please check this.
@@curtisjudd Thanks, Curtis. I'm using a Mac which means I'm on the beta software (Unify) and it will switch to the headset option (even though I have nothing plugged into that port) when I start/stop Zoom, etc. I constantly have to watch it. I guess my question was did that happen when you did your self-noise test? In other words, your video shows turning up the gain for the headset, not the xlr but this might have just been b-roll. Wanted to help you see that / confirm your testing was accurate.
Speaking of headphones. What's the best over ear headphone that should be used for pros outside in the field? Im trying to get a way to get the Apple version through Bluetooth connection. Im waiting for the version 2 before I jump on a $700 set of blutooth headphones. I don't need wireless, Im just thinking wireless would be nice for the sound bag.
I don’t know of any pros who use Bluetooth headphones for location or production sound - too much latency. Also there isn’t a “best” but the most common in my experience are a variety of Sennheiser, Sony (MDR7506), and I use Beyerdynamic DT770.
Another question, best all around radio/podcasting microphones. What would you recommend as for quality. Im not looking for the cheapest. Something that's going to give me the best range so I have more control in post for later Im thinking.
Good afternoon Curtis from a very sunny island of Tenerife, I wonder if you could let me know if it would be possible to connect two RØDE wireless go TX units to the StreamerX or is there a hardware limitation? I just need them in merged mode.
I'm interesting in getting one myself. Do you know if the Streamer X audio input receives a stereo input? Like, if I record from a stereo mic (let's say for example an asmr mic) and patch it in to the streamer X, will the left and right channels show up as individual levers on the same audio track, or will the streamer x auto mix the stereo L and R to be a mono master on both L and R?
Damn, what a shame. But I still think other than that specific luxury, it still seems pretty worth it. Thank you so much for the concise answer, that's all I was looking for.@@curtisjudd
Hello, can someone please tell me if I could use all 3 microphones simultaneously (and be able to manage the gain on each separately) if the streamers x is connected just to an external power bank and not a laptop? I will be very happy if someone answers?
Your Videos are very informative and educative. Thank you! I am looking for a 2 channel Mic input preamp with Compressor and Limiter for my Home Studio, of course, just to improve Voice Quality before recording in Audacity. Can you kindly help me with your suggestions. Thanks
@@curtisjudd Thank you for your suggestion. Since I was badly looking for the right interface in a hurry, I just bought Rodecaster Duo a couple of days back. Of course, I have seen your video on Rodecaster (Pro2?) wherein you have brought features well and thus, I decided for Rodecaster Duo. It is doing very well and am happy whereas Universal Audio 276 would have saved some money for me!
I purchased a Streamer X online from Sweetwater a few days ago, I received the shipment before Thanksgiving, and the shipment was fast. But looks like I was sent a defective item, I am in the process of returning it or getting a replacement. Out of the box it is not working, I have an M1 Mac Mini and when I use it with Rode Central or Unify, I receive a synchronization error. It also asks me to update the firmware and when I attempt to update Streamer X firmware it keeps giving me an error it says, "Could Not Update" and a yellow "RETRY" button appears. I have attempted this several times still no progress, I even attempted to do a factory reset and it would not. I connected everything directly to my M1 Mac Mini using the brick and the cable from Rode. At this point I do not know what else to troubleshoot, it shouldn't be like this. Did anyone have similar issues that they were able to get it to resolve?
how do you know how much gain reduction that compressor gives you.. that is a weird graph or what not that shows you what ist doing, never used a compressor plugin what that type of GUI. Great video, its a cool little gadget
@@curtisjuddthanks, hopefully they get enough feedback on this, it's hard to really dial-in what you want when it's not showing you exactly what you're getting, thanks for the reply
Does this work for using audio and video into a corporate laptop where software is restricted? E.g., If the RODE software can't be installed due to corporate policy?
Not yet, but they just added that feature to the RODECaster Pro and Duo, so maybe the Streamer X is next? Not sure. Here's the info on the RODECaster and USB mics: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-aWvTbfSryOU.html
Why only 48k sample rate on all these podcast and streaming devices? Almost all other audio interfaces support all the common ones and automatically switch between them to match the incoming digital audio.
@@curtisjudd Not just higher, what about 44.1 ? Does it have to translate that on the fly? That can’t be good. Some with the Tascam, Boss, Rode, you name it all these devices only support one sample rate at a hardware clock level.
Either I am crazy or the Ethos has ALWAYS been harsh sounding in the highs, not the same as the 10k boost like most mics. I think that is also the reason they slash the price by so much.
@9:56 Nope, you can not use a wireless go. us first time buyers were screwed, no firmware updates, no additional features, NOTHING. they should have trade in, cause i feel ripped off, and there still selling it.
@@curtisjudd Ever since Firmware version 1.1.7 released it got a lot better. The noise is still there on low impedance headphones but its a way more quiet now. The device is also not freezing nearly as often now.
I have an issue with my audio recording - I always have an echo in my audio and am not able to remove this. Any tips&tricks on how to do so are appreciated.
I got a Streamer X out of curiosity and tested it with a number of mostly RØDE mics: NT1A, Podcaster USB, NTG5 and NTG3, M5, NT5, M2. For streaming I found little advantage for using 4k video and found that my best audio was a Sound Devices MixPre 6 Mkii with Noise Assist. For video I prefer Insta360 LINK and just use a RØDE Podmic USB. Simple setup, but effective. I understand that the Streamer X adds sound pads and dual USB C connections, but I found that I was trying to create a use case to justify using the device. So now it just sits in the cupboard. If anyone in Australia would like to buy it, just let me know. :) ps: The Wireless Go2 sounded very subpar to my ears.
