Compact and complete video manufacturing

The Rodecaster sequence of podcast mixers have develop 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 stay producers, and, at $1,200, folks with deeper pockets. At this time, Rode returns with the Rodecaster Video S (RCV-S), a streamlined model that provides a lot of the identical performance for lower than half the price of the unique ($499).

When you at the moment use Ecamm Stay, OBS, a Stream Deck, a Rodecaster Pro/Duo, a video capture card or Blackmagic Atem kind switcher, then there’s likelihood the RCV-S does one thing, or many issues, helpful to you. Perhaps it might change all these merchandise, a few of them or improve your workflow. It’s slightly sophisticated, however inside that complication is quite a lot of versatility.

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 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 Wireless Go) immediately with out the necessity for a receiver. The RCV-S, like Blackmagic’s common 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.

Not like 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 — reminiscent of overlays, graphics and audio/video clips — and you’ll file exhibits immediately onto USB hard-drives or stream natively to Twitch, YouTube and different platforms by way of RTMP/S. There’s rather a lot occurring, and the way you wish to use all of it is basically as much as you. Whereas the RCV-S leans extra towards “stay” productions reminiscent of streaming or podcasts, you should utilize 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 would possibly lead you to count on some severe function trimming this time round, however Rode’s backyard shears have been pretty sort. Most notably, the variety of sources you possibly can join has been lowered 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 inner storage. Briefly, there’s slightly 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 soar between them in actual time with a alternative of transitions. For a extra polished manufacturing you possibly can create “scenes” by way of the menu with a collection 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 combined with a unique perspective for cooking tutorials or displays.

You’ll be able to create scenes immediately on the gadget upfront or stay by way of templates, however issues get rather a lot simpler and extra inventive whenever 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 primary 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 are out there to change between, simply faucet the Media/Overlay button to quickly change the performance of the pads. You can even arrange chromakey/inexperienced screening immediately on the gadget or by way of the Rodecaster App, too.

After you have all the things arrange, you possibly can immediately 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 can export a recording of each enter as a separate file you could edit as you see match. That is useful if you happen to’re utilizing apps like Adobe Premier or Davinci Resolve. When you shoot multi-camera dance tutorials, for instance, you possibly can soar between your essential and large digital camera after which to a detailed up with out having to hunt-down the proper 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 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 cellular app additionally helps NDI streaming, that means you should utilize your cellphone wirelessly as one other digital camera you could swap to, which is especially helpful. Although do word, the Rodecaster Video will have to be hard-wired to your router on the identical community as your cellphone for this to work.

Audio

Whereas the RCV-S affords 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, it’s a must to entry totally different channels by way of the menu on a small show and a dial — It’s quite a lot of searching and pecking. When 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, reminiscent of Depth, Sparkle and Punch have been carried over from the Rodecaster Professional/Duo, providing you with slightly 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 is advisable bodily push the buttons to vary the scene, which could not be splendid if you happen to’re making an attempt to make a sophisticated 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. Sometimes, that may be whoever is speaking in a podcast, however it may be in-game sound or whenever you swap to taking part in 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 if you happen to’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 posh, 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 might do what you want extra effectively. For stay 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 common, 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 value 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 common content material creators it’s slightly 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 essential 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 totally different units on my desk, and I’m always doing a dance of unplugging issues and juggling media or totally different recordings earlier than I get all the things able to edit.

With the RCV-S I can ditch my standalone seize card and completely go away 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 usually, however not usually). The enchantment in my case is fewer units on my desk, and the power 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 really get extra work finished.

There are, after all, some limitations. Not least of all is the dearth 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 all the things 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 provides a variety of performance for an accessible value that can little doubt develop 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 first rate connectivity and mainly 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 wish one thing with strong video credentials and audio chops, Rode makes case for itself with the Rodecaster Video S.