Compact and complete video manufacturing

The Rodecaster sequence of podcast mixers have change 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, aimed toward streamers, video podcasters and stay producers, and, at $1,200, folks 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 Reside, OBS, a Stream Deck, a Rodecaster Professional/Duo, a video seize card or Blackmagic Atem sort switcher, then there’s a superb likelihood the RCV-S does one thing, or many issues, helpful to you. Perhaps it could exchange all these merchandise, a few of them or improve your workflow. It’s a little bit sophisticated, however inside that complication is loads of versatility.

Rode/Engadget

Rode’s second video-focused Rodecaster presents complete manufacturing instruments that nearly rival the older, costlier authentic 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.

Professionals

• Respectable connectivity
• Standalone manufacturing capabilities
• Wi-fi digicam 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 digicam inputs, video is clearly the main focus 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 in style Atem Mini, outputs over HDMI at 1080p/60 (no 4K) or can be utilized over USB as a digital digicam 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 — similar to overlays, graphics and audio/video clips — and you may document reveals straight onto USB hard-drives or stream natively to Twitch, YouTube and different platforms through 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 “stay” productions similar 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 worth distinction between the unique Rodecaster Video and the brand new S mannequin would possibly 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 possibly can join has been diminished 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 not right here. The SD card slot for media has additionally been eliminated in favor of inside storage. Briefly, there’s a little bit 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 bounce between them in actual time with a alternative of transitions. For a extra polished manufacturing you possibly can create “scenes” through the menu with a number of layouts for a number of cameras, picture-in-picture and so forth. That might be two speaking heads for a podcast, overlaying your internet digicam on prime of your gameplay or a top-down digicam blended with a special perspective for cooking tutorials or displays.

You’ll be able to create scenes straight on the machine upfront or stay through templates, however issues get quite a bit simpler and extra artistic if you use Rode’s companion Rodecaster app. Right here, you’ll discover a “scene creator” software 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 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’ll 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 obtainable to modify 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 machine or through the Rodecaster App, too.

After you have the whole lot arrange, you possibly can straight document output onto a USB SSD, once more, with out the necessity for a PC. There’s even the choice to document solely the principle output (“program”) or a multi-track model which can export a recording of each enter as a separate file you could edit as you see match. That is useful should you’re utilizing apps like Adobe Premier or Davinci Resolve. In case you shoot multi-camera dance tutorials, for instance, you possibly can bounce between your fundamental and broad digicam after which to a detailed up with out having to hunt-down the correct 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 extra sources. Usually these are distant or security-style cameras, however Rode’s Seize cellular app additionally helps NDI streaming, which means you should use your cellphone wirelessly as one other digicam you could swap to, which is especially helpful. Although do observe, 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 stay audio mixing within the pure sense since there are not any faders. As a substitute, you must entry totally different channels through the menu on a small show and a dial — It’s loads of searching and pecking. In case you’re linked to a PC, the Rodecaster app does provide 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, similar to Depth, Sparkle and Punch have been carried over from the Rodecaster Professional/Duo, supplying you with a little bit extra fine-grained management over the way you or your friends sound.

There’s a slight disadvantage when utilizing the RCV-S as a standalone unit, in that it’s essential bodily push the buttons to alter the scene, which could not be ultimate should you’re attempting to make a cultured 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 swap cameras primarily based on which one has the strongest audio or primarily based on user-defined precedence. Usually, that might be whoever is speaking in a podcast, however it is also in-game sound or if you swap to enjoying a musical instrument.

Auto switching works properly, however it’s not fairly reliable sufficient to depend on for full autonomy in an expert setting — say whereas recording a panel at a convention — however it solves an issue should you’re by yourself, and it might at the very least save a while in an off-the-cuff podcast state of affairs.

Issues to think about

It’s clear that the RCV-S, regardless of having fewer inputs than the unique Rodecaster Video, remains to be fairly a fancy, open-ended software. 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 will likely be down as to whether it could do what you want extra effectively. For stay video manufacturing, it’s a neater promote, as there aren’t many all-in-one gadgets to compete with it that can be utilized standalone.

For instance, Blackmagic’s Atem sequence is extremely in style, 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 worth 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 common content material creators it’s a little bit trickier. As somebody that makes YouTube movies, the enchantment to me is the prospect to consolidate a couple of gadgets 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 fundamental digicam and I swap out that digicam for a smaller one if I’m taking pictures top-down footage or want a second angle. Meaning I’ve a number of totally different gadgets 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.

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 convey it again out once more on the events I want extra speedy management over a number of sources of audio (which is typically, however not usually). The enchantment in my case is fewer gadgets on my desk, and the flexibility to document multi-camera video with out having to arrange each shot, each single time, which saves important time that I can then use to really get extra work carried out.

There are, in fact, some limitations. Not least of all is the dearth of 4K. I’m nonetheless inclined to document on digicam 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 could be very interesting. For streamers and stay video manufacturing, the Rodecaster Video S is a really succesful software that gives a variety of performance for an accessible worth that may little question change into the central hub for a lot of creators.

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