RØDE’s new wireless microphone is a perfect pocket microphone for content creators

Last month, we saw the launch of Sennheiser’s new wireless microphone profile system for content creators. This month, it’s his turn RODE which announced a tiny and easy-to-use wireless microphone that’s perfect for creating TikTok movies or Instagram Reels.

The RØDE Wireless Micro uses the same 2.4GHz technology as the Australian brand’s innovative Wireless GO system that revolutionized the consumer wireless microphone market and spawned countless copycats from the likes of Boya, JDI, Saramonic and Anker, now used by creatives social media around the world. the world.

The new RØDE Wireless Micro is tiny and has a clip-and-go design while offering professional sound quality. The system consists of two pocket-sized wireless microphone transmitters and is available in black and white, with specific versions for USB-C or Lightning smartphones.

The kit also includes a thin receiver that attaches directly to a smartphone interface without the need for cables. The whole system is no bigger than the charging case for a pair of true wireless headphones. You can put the RØDE Wireless Micro in your pocket and be ready to make great sounding videos in an instant.

The two ultra-compact transmitter units have built-in clips and magnetic fittings that make them easy to attach to a presenter’s clothing, but are still small enough that you won’t notice them on screen at all, unlike the larger RØDE wireless microphones they already use many content creators.

The built-in microphones on each of the two transmitters are housed in acoustic chambers using a patent-pending design that captures ultra-clear audio and reduces wind noise when shooting outdoors. If the wind howls, there are also fluffy windshields to tame the storms.

With the intelligent GainAssist technology, RØDE wireless microphones enjoy the recording level without having to make special settings. The microphones weigh just 12 grams and are waterproof, meaning they can handle a little rain or humidity. When you’re not shooting, the entire system is contained in a pocket-sized charging case, where everything is safe and fully charged.

The compact charging case for storing the microphones and receiver has enough built-in power for two full recharges of the microphones, for a total of 21 hours with the battery in the microphones and in the case, which is enough for shooting during the day and within the night.

The transmitters automatically connect to the RØDE Micro wireless receiver and are always ready to go within seconds by connecting the receiver to the smartphone and then start receiving. There are no wires and you don’t need to use a specific app to capture video and audio because the receiver automatically becomes the default microphone for your smartphone when connected.

RØDE’s intelligent GainAssist technology automatically adjusts recording levels on-the-fly, eliminating the need to monitor settings through headphones when you need to concentrate on recording. GainAssist also eliminates the risk of clipped or silent recordings and means you don’t need to edit the audio in post-processing.

So why would you want to use wireless microphones like the RØDE Wireless Micro when smartphones already have great built-in microphones? Well, it’s all about consistent sound. As you move closer or further away from your subject, sound levels change and other sounds can drown out the sound you’re trying to record. With wireless microphones clipped to your presenters’ clothing, you get consistent sound levels and close-up sound even when you’re far away from your subject.

The microphones feature an omnidirectional pickup pattern to pick up sound from everywhere, making it easy to position and pick up sound. Together with GainAssist, this makes it almost impossible to record poor quality audio. Videos with bad audio are one of the biggest problems on social media, and nothing makes people swipe left faster.

The Wireless Micro is RØDE’s big push into the growing consumer wireless microphone market, which is currently fueled by creators producing content for social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Unlike RØDE’s wireless microphones aimed more at filmmakers, the Wireless Micro does not include inputs for lavalier microphones, nor does the receiver have an output for feeding audio to an analog device. This is a wireless microphone system strictly for smartphones, which brings me to my little review of the wonderful RØDE Wireless Micro.

RØDE decided to produce two versions of the Wireless Micro: one for USB-C and one for Apple Lightning smartphones. I would prefer to see a product with adapters for both types of interface, because many people with Lightning iPhones may soon upgrade to new iPhones with USB-C interfaces. Well, think about which direction you’re going. I would advise you to buy the USB-C version and get a Lighting OTG-to-USB-C adapter as a transition solution, then you don’t have to worry when you upgrade to a new iPhone, but it can still use the RØDE Wireless Micro with your old Lightning phone.

Verdict: The RØDE Wireless Micro is an extremely convenient wireless microphone system for creating TikTok, YouTube or Instagram content. The system is so simple to use and can be up and running in seconds. There aren’t any unnecessary or fancy features like a Lavalier input or microphone monitoring, but for smartphone use, wireless mics don’t get any simpler or easier to use. The sound quality is typical RØDE quality with super clear reception and the GainAssist function works perfectly. If you want a wireless microphone system for your smartphone with two microphones, then you can’t go wrong with the RØDE Wireless Micro. The price is also quite good.

Prices & Availability: The RØDE Wireless Micro is available now and priced at $149.

Technical specifications:

• Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional.
• Frequency range: 20Hz – 20kHz.
• Maximum SPL: 135dB SPL.
• Equivalent noise (A-Weighted): 21dBA.
• Signal to noise ratio: 73dB.
• Transmission range: Over 100 meters.
• Connectivity: USB-C [for Wireless Micro (USB-C)] / Apple Lightning [for Wireless Micro (Lightning)].
• OS Requirements: iOS 14 and up (for Lightning and USB-C) / Android 11 and up (for USB-C only).
• Battery capacity: 490 mAh.
• Charging time: 3 hours.
• Total charges: 2 charges (plus 14 hours of operation).
• Connection type: USB-C
• Transmitters: x 2.
• Receiver: 1 x (USB-C or Lightning)
• Charging case weight: 61g.
• Microphones: 12g / 18g (with magnet).
• Receiver: 6g.
• Gross weight: 102g.
• Microphone dimensions: 40 x 20 x 17 mm.
• Charging case dimensions: 44 x 24 x 9 mm.
• Accessories: 1 x SC22 USB-C to USB-C cable, windshield.
• Colors: Black or White.