Rode Wireless Micro is a new, portable, and more affordable version of its popular wireless microphone system made for mobile video creators.
The cameras on current smartphones, such as the Apple iPhone or other Android phones, are of high quality. They are so good that, in certain situations, they can even replace large and heavy DSLR/MILC cameras. For example, I have used my iPhone 13 Pro for all my trade show reporting for over two years.
The onboard microphones are and always will be a weak point. But you can quickly solve this issue by connecting an external mic to them. The quality is day and night.
My preferred wireless mic system is the Rode Wireless Go. I use it as a daily driver in the studio and on trade shows. However, the whole thing is not cheap. With the Wireless Micro, Rode presents a slimmed-down, more affordable, and smaller version.
Rode Wireless Micro
The Wireless Micro is a new lightweight wireless microphone system for mobile video production. It consists of two microphones, a receiver, and a charging case.
Like the big brothers Wireless Go/Pro, the transmitters have built-in microphones (frequency range 20 Hz – 20 kHz, max SPL 135 dB…) that pair automatically with the receiver without spending a long time setting anything up.
Rode says the mic caps are housed in their patent-pending acoustic chamber, which is tailor-made to capture clear and intelligible audio while mitigating wind noise and plosives.
According to Rode, each microphone operates for 7 hours. The charging cases provide two additional charges for up to 21 hours of operation on the go. This is nicer and smarter designed than on my Wireless Go II.
However, there are big differences between the Rode Wireless Micro and Go/Pro versions. One is the receiver, which connects directly to a smartphone without cables – convenient. Rode offers a USB-C and Lightning version for it.
Wireless Micro Vs Wireless Go/Pro
There is a big but. The Wireless Micro is limited to smartphones, so you cannot connect it to a large DSLR/MILC camera.
Two other features that are important to me are also missing. Firstly, you can’t connect an external Lavalier microphone, for example, when you want even better sound in specific situations.
Secondly, the Wireless Go II/Pro’s built-in recording/backup functions are missing, a feature that I love and use constantly. These two features make the Micro less flexible and less usable in professional setups.
The new Rode Wireless Micro also features an intelligent GainAssists technology that automatically controls your levels; you’ll capture crystal-clear, perfectly balanced audio every time.
Further, it ships with the Rode Capture app for iOS for video creation. It offers direct in-app control of compatible Rode microphones for capturing professional audio and a unique dual camera mode for simultaneously recording split screen or picture-in-picture with the front and selfie cameras.
Of course, the Wireless Micro can also be used with any other smartphone camera app. A tip for all iPhone users: the Final Cut camera app is great and free.
First Impression
It’s excellent that Rode now offers a more affordable alternative to the Wireless Go II /Pro systems. The features show that the mics are designed for a very mobile content creation world. You can’t go wrong here if you are looking for a wireless mic for your phone.
If you need more options like external mic input, the Wireless Go series, including the latest Pro, is still the better option.
Rode Wireless Micro system is available soon for $149.
More information here: Rode
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