The Rodecaster sequence of podcast mixers have turn into a mainstay amongst audio creatives. Final 12 months, the corporate expanded the road with its first multimedia mannequin — the Rodecaster Video. It was a extra area of interest proposition, aimed toward streamers, video podcasters and reside producers, and, at $1,200, individuals with deeper pockets. Right now, Rode returns with the Rodecaster Video S (RCV-S), a streamlined model that gives a lot of the identical performance for lower than half the price of the unique ($499).
In the event you at present use Ecamm Dwell, OBS, a Stream Deck, a Rodecaster Professional/Duo, a video seize card or Blackmagic Atem sort switcher, then there’s a great probability the RCV-S does one thing, or many issues, helpful to you. Possibly it may possibly substitute all these merchandise, a few of them or improve your workflow. It’s just a little sophisticated, however inside that complication is loads of versatility.
Rode/Engadget
Rode’s second video-focused Rodecaster affords complete manufacturing instruments that nearly rival the older, dearer unique Rodecaster Video in a smaller package deal. The dearth of 4K will frustrate some, however the versatility and have set will make it a compelling package deal for creators of every kind.
- First rate connectivity
- Standalone manufacturing capabilities
- Wi-fi digital camera suitable
- Onboard storage for media
- No 4K
- Bodily audio controls are missing
With three HDMI inputs, one USB webcam/mic enter and as much as 4 NDI/wi-fi digital camera inputs, video is clearly the main target right here. However there are additionally two XLR/Combo ports for studio microphones and devices and the choice to attach as much as two of Rode’s wi-fi lav mics (such because the Wi-fi Go) straight with out the necessity for a receiver. The RCV-S, like Blackmagic’s widespread Atem Mini, outputs over HDMI at 1080p/60 (no 4K) or can be utilized over USB as a digital digital camera identical to you’d discover in Zoom or Groups.
Not like the Rodecaster Professional or Duo, there aren’t any faders; as an alternative, there are two rows of pads for switching between video sources and scenes. There’s 20GB of onboard storage for media — corresponding to overlays, graphics and audio/video clips — and you may report exhibits straight onto USB hard-drives or stream natively to Twitch, YouTube and different platforms by way of RTMP/S. There’s quite a bit occurring, and the way you wish to use all of it is essentially as much as you. Whereas the RCV-S leans extra towards “reside” productions corresponding to streaming or podcasts, you should use it for standard YouTube-style video manufacturing, relying in your workflow or video preferences.
Rodecaster Video versus Rodecaster Video S
The massive value distinction between the unique Rodecaster Video and the brand new S mannequin may lead you to count on some critical characteristic trimming this time round, however Rode’s backyard shears have been pretty type. Most notably, the variety of sources you may join has been lowered from six to 4. In the meantime, the variety of “scenes” you may create is now 5, down from seven. As talked about above, there are three HDMI inputs, not 4, and just one USB webcam/mic enter, down from two on the unique. There are nonetheless 9 channels of audio with two headphone outputs, however the line outputs on the unique are now not right here. The SD card slot for media has additionally been eliminated in favor of inside storage. In brief, there’s just a little bit much less connectivity, however not sufficient for it to really feel hobbled, particularly for the extra informal customers that is clearly aimed toward.
In-use
At its most elementary, the RCV-S is an all-in-one video switcher. You don’t want to attach it to a PC, simply plug in your video and audio sources and you may leap between them in actual time with a selection of transitions. For a extra polished manufacturing you may create “scenes” by way of the menu with a collection of layouts for a number of cameras, picture-in-picture and so forth. That may very well be two speaking heads for a podcast, overlaying your net digital camera on high of your gameplay or a top-down digital camera combined with a special perspective for cooking tutorials or shows.
You’ll be able to create scenes straight on the gadget prematurely or reside by way of templates, however issues get quite a bit simpler and extra artistic once you use Rode’s companion Rodecaster app. Right here, you’ll discover a “scene creator” instrument that’s each visible and intuitive, plus it has the choice to make customized layouts the place you may freely resize and place all of your totally different media wherever you need, add borders or rounded corners and so forth.
Whereas the principle pads are primarily for switching between sources and scenes, they will additionally set off media — pre-made video clips, overlays and graphics, for instance. You’ll be able to assign media to them with out lowering the variety of sources/scenes which can be accessible to change between, simply faucet the Media/Overlay button to briefly change the performance of the pads. You too can arrange chromakey/inexperienced screening straight on the gadget or by way of the Rodecaster App, too.
After you have the whole lot arrange, you may straight report output onto a USB SSD, once more, with out the necessity for a PC. There’s even the choice to report solely the principle output (“program”) or a multi-track model which is able to export a recording of each enter as a separate file that you may edit as you see match. That is useful if you happen to’re utilizing apps like Adobe Premier or Davinci Resolve. In the event you shoot multi-camera dance tutorials, for instance, you may leap between your important and huge digital camera after which to an in depth up with out having to hunt-down the appropriate half from every file you recorded on totally different reminiscence playing cards.
Rode not too long ago up to date the Rodecaster Video firmware so as to add help for as much as 4 “NDI” wi-fi cameras as further sources. Usually these are distant or security-style cameras, however Rode’s Seize cell app additionally helps NDI streaming, that means you should use your cellphone wirelessly as one other digital camera that you may swap to, which is especially helpful. Although do word, the Rodecaster Video will must be hard-wired to your router on the identical community as your cellphone for this to work.
Audio
The Rodecaster Video S handles audio and video with ease. (James Trew for Engadget)
Whereas the RCV-S affords 9 audio tracks, it’s truthful to say it isn’t actually designed for reside audio mixing within the pure sense since there aren’t any faders. As an alternative, you need to entry totally different channels by way of the menu on a small show and a dial — It’s loads of searching and pecking. In the event you’re linked to a PC, the Rodecaster app does supply a software program mixer with faders although, which makes adjusting ranges on the fly a lot simpler.
The excellent news is that some voice enhancement instruments, corresponding to Depth, Sparkle and Punch have been carried over from the Rodecaster Professional/Duo, providing you with just a little extra fine-grained management over the way you or your visitors sound.
There’s a slight downside when utilizing the RCV-S as a standalone unit, in that it is advisable bodily push the buttons to vary the scene, which could not be very best if you happen to’re attempting to make a refined recording or can’t at all times be close to the console. Fortunately, Rode has an answer in “auto switching.” I’m mentioning it right here, within the audio part, because the RCV-S can swap cameras based mostly on which one has the strongest audio or based mostly on user-defined precedence. Usually, that may be whoever is speaking in a podcast, but it surely is also in-game sound or once you swap to taking part in a musical instrument.
Auto switching works effectively, but it surely’s not fairly reliable sufficient to depend on for full autonomy in knowledgeable setting — say whereas recording a panel at a convention — but it surely solves an issue if you happen to’re by yourself, and it might at the least save a while in an informal podcast state of affairs.
Issues to contemplate
The Rodecaster Video S (high) vs. The Rodecaster Video (backside) (James Trew for Engadget)
It’s clear that the RCV-S, regardless of having fewer inputs than the unique Rodecaster Video, continues to be fairly a posh, open-ended instrument. If you have already got a streaming setup you want and the software program and interfaces you want, then the enchantment of the RCV-S can be down as to if it may possibly do what you want extra effectively. For reside video manufacturing, it’s a better promote, as there aren’t many all-in-one units to compete with it that can be utilized standalone.
For instance, Blackmagic’s Atem sequence is extremely widespread, and till now, had the benefit on value with the Mini Professional costing simply $330. Even the Mini Professional ISO ($550) that exports multi-track video was half the worth of the unique Rodecaster Video. The RCV-S now affords comparable connectivity, onboard recording, extra expansive audio options and multi-track export for $50 much less.
For normal content material creators it’s just a little trickier. As somebody that makes YouTube movies, the enchantment to me is the possibility to consolidate a couple of units into one and take away some friction in my recordings. Proper now, I’ve a Rodecaster Duo dealing with my audio, a seize card for my important digital camera and I swap out that digital camera for a smaller one if I’m taking pictures top-down footage or want a second angle. Which means I’ve a number of totally different units on my desk, and I’m consistently doing a dance of unplugging issues and juggling media or totally different recordings earlier than I get the whole lot able to edit.
The Rodecaster Video S has a tiny show for menus and settings. (James Trew for Engadget)
With the RCV-S I can ditch my standalone seize card and completely depart a number of cameras linked to the Rodecaster in order that they’re able to go at any time. I may even take away the Rodecaster Duo and produce it again out once more on the events I would like extra speedy management over a number of sources of audio (which is typically, however not typically). The enchantment in my case is fewer units on my desk, and the flexibility to report multi-camera video with out having to arrange each shot, each single time, which saves important time that I can then use to truly get extra work performed.
There are, in fact, some limitations. Not least of all is the shortage of 4K. I’m nonetheless inclined to report on digital camera for my main shot to make sure I nonetheless have a 4K copy for YouTube after which use the Rodecaster Video S for the whole lot else, however as a small creator, comfort and adaptability may be very interesting. For streamers and reside video manufacturing, the Rodecaster Video S is a really succesful instrument that gives a variety of performance for an accessible value that may little question turn into the central hub for a lot of creators.
The true kicker right here is the worth. Let’s be clear, $500 continues to be important cash. However at lower than half the worth of the unique Rodecaster with respectable connectivity and principally the identical performance, it is a simple advice to those that have been holding off based mostly on value alone. Likewise, if you happen to’re simply beginning out with content material creation and want one thing with stable video credentials and audio chops, Rode makes a great case for itself with the Rodecaster Video S.