Compact and comprehensive video production

The Rodecaster sequence of podcast mixers have turn into a mainstay amongst audio creatives. Final yr, the corporate expanded the road with its first multimedia mannequin — the Rodecaster Video. It was a extra area of interest proposition, geared toward streamers, video podcasters and dwell producers, and, at $1,200, individuals with deeper pockets. Immediately, 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 case you at present use Ecamm Dwell, OBS, a Stream Deck, a Rodecaster Pro/Duo, a video capture card or Blackmagic Atem kind switcher, then there’s a great probability the RCV-S does one thing, or many issues, helpful to you. Perhaps it might probably change all these merchandise, a few of them or improve your workflow. It’s somewhat sophisticated, however inside that complication is a variety of versatility.

Rode/Engadget

Rode’s second video-focused Rodecaster presents complete manufacturing instruments that just about rival the older, dearer authentic Rodecaster Video in a smaller bundle. The shortage of 4K will frustrate some, however the versatility and have set will make it a compelling bundle for creators of all sorts.

Execs

• Respectable connectivity
• Standalone manufacturing capabilities
• Wi-fi digital camera appropriate
• Onboard storage for media

Cons

• No 4K
• Bodily audio controls are missing

$499 at Rode

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 Wireless 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 similar to you’d discover in Zoom or Groups.

In contrast to the Rodecaster Professional or Duo, there are not 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 — comparable to overlays, graphics and audio/video clips — and you’ll file exhibits straight onto USB hard-drives or stream natively to Twitch, YouTube and different platforms through RTMP/S. There’s lots occurring, and the way you wish to use all of it is basically as much as you. Whereas the RCV-S leans extra towards “dwell” productions comparable to streaming or podcasts, you should utilize it for typical YouTube-style video manufacturing, relying in your workflow or video preferences.

Rodecaster Video versus Rodecaster Video S

The large worth distinction between the unique Rodecaster Video and the brand new S mannequin would possibly lead you to anticipate some critical characteristic trimming this time round, however Rode’s backyard shears have been pretty variety. Most notably, the variety of sources you possibly can join has been decreased from six to 4. In the meantime, the variety of “scenes” you possibly can 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 inner storage. Briefly, there’s somewhat bit much less connectivity, however not sufficient for it to really feel hobbled, particularly for the extra informal customers that is clearly geared 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’ll leap between them in actual time with a selection of transitions. For a extra polished manufacturing you possibly can create “scenes” through the menu with a choice of layouts for a number of cameras, picture-in-picture and so forth. That could possibly be two speaking heads for a podcast, overlaying your internet digital camera on high of your gameplay or a top-down digital camera blended with a special perspective for cooking tutorials or displays.

You’ll be able to create scenes straight on the gadget upfront or dwell through templates, however issues get lots 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 possibly can freely resize and place all of your completely different media wherever you need, add borders or rounded corners and so forth.

Whereas the primary 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 are obtainable to modify between, simply faucet the Media/Overlay button to briefly change the performance of the pads. You can too arrange chromakey/inexperienced screening straight on the gadget or through the Rodecaster App, too.

After getting every little thing arrange, you possibly can straight file output onto a USB SSD, once more, with out the necessity for a PC. There’s even the choice to file solely the primary output (“program”) or a multi-track model which is able to export a recording of each enter as a separate file you could edit as you see match. That is useful when you’re utilizing apps like Adobe Premier or Davinci Resolve. In case you shoot multi-camera dance tutorials, for instance, you possibly can leap between your important and extensive digital camera after which to a detailed up with out having to hunt-down the appropriate half from every file you recorded on completely different reminiscence playing cards.

Rode not too long ago up to date the Rodecaster Video firmware so as to add assist for as much as 4 “NDI” wi-fi cameras as extra sources. Sometimes these are distant or security-style cameras, however Rode’s Seize cell app additionally helps NDI streaming, that means you should utilize your cellphone wirelessly as one other digital camera you could change to, which is especially helpful. Although do be aware, the Rodecaster Video will should be hard-wired to your router on the identical community as your cellphone for this to work.

Audio

Whereas the RCV-S presents 9 audio tracks, it’s truthful to say it isn’t actually designed for dwell audio mixing within the pure sense since there are not any faders. As an alternative, you need to entry completely different channels through the menu on a small show and a dial — It’s a variety of searching and pecking. In case you’re related 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, comparable to Depth, Sparkle and Punch have been carried over from the Rodecaster Professional/Duo, supplying you with somewhat extra fine-grained management over the way you or your company sound.

There’s a slight disadvantage when utilizing the RCV-S as a standalone unit, in that it’s worthwhile to bodily push the buttons to alter the scene, which could not be excellent when you’re making an attempt to make a refined recording or can’t all the time 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 change cameras primarily based on which one has the strongest audio or primarily based on user-defined precedence. Sometimes, that will be whoever is speaking in a podcast, however it is also in-game sound or once you change to enjoying a musical instrument.

Auto switching works effectively, however it’s not fairly reliable sufficient to depend on for full autonomy in an expert surroundings — say whereas recording a panel at a convention — however it solves an issue when you’re by yourself, and it may not less than save a while in an off-the-cuff podcast scenario.

Issues to contemplate

It’s clear that the RCV-S, regardless of having fewer inputs than the unique Rodecaster Video, remains 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 attraction of the RCV-S shall be down as to if it might probably do what you want extra effectively. For dwell video manufacturing, it’s a neater 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 worth with the Mini Professional costing simply $330. Even the Mini Professional ISO ($550) that exports multi-track video was half the value of the unique Rodecaster Video. The RCV-S now presents comparable connectivity, onboard recording, extra expansive audio options and multi-track export for $50 much less.

For normal content material creators it’s somewhat trickier. As somebody that makes YouTube movies, the attraction 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 capturing top-down footage or want a second angle. Which means I’ve a number of completely different units on my desk, and I’m continuously doing a dance of unplugging issues and juggling media or completely different recordings earlier than I get every little thing able to edit.

With the RCV-S I can ditch my standalone seize card and completely go away a number of cameras related to the Rodecaster in order that they’re able to go at any time. I may even take away the Rodecaster Duo and convey it again out once more on the events I want extra fast management over a number of sources of audio (which is typically, however not usually). The attraction in my case is fewer units on my desk, and the flexibility to file 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 completed.

There are, after all, some limitations. Not least of all is the shortage of 4K. I’m nonetheless inclined to file 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 every little thing else, however as a small creator, comfort and suppleness may be very interesting. For streamers and dwell video manufacturing, the Rodecaster Video S is a really succesful instrument that gives a variety of performance for an accessible worth that can little question turn into the central hub for a lot of creators.

The actual kicker right here is the value. Let’s be clear, $500 remains to be important cash. However at lower than half the value of the unique Rodecaster with respectable connectivity and principally the identical performance, it is a straightforward suggestion to those that have been holding off primarily based on worth alone. Likewise, when you’re simply beginning out with content material creation and wish one thing with stable video credentials and audio chops, Rode makes a great case for itself with the Rodecaster Video S.