New RØDECaster Firmware Unlocks USB Mic Connectivity
UPDATE: The full release firmware version 1.3.4 is now live for the RØDECaster Duo and RØDECaster Pro II. Connect your console to the internet via Wi-Fi or ethernet to update your firmware.
Original article continues below.
A new beta firmware update has landed for the RØDECaster Duo and RØDECaster Pro II, bringing even more flexibility to the world’s most powerful all-in-one audio solutions.
We’re excited to introduce the ability to connect a RØDE USB microphone to your RØDECaster – a feature that many of you have been asking for, so as always, thank you so much for your feedback. We’ve also added the ability to adjust the levels of individual SMART pads as well as the ‘ducking’ mixer action, alongside a number of system enhancements and optimisations.
If you’d like to give these new features a try, sign up to join the RØDECaster beta testing program to access the new beta firmware.
USB Microphone Connectivity With RØDECasters
With the introduction of this new feature, you can now connect up to five microphones to the RØDECaster Pro II and up to three to the RØDECaster Duo, giving you even more versatility when recording bigger podcasts.
This feature requires that the RØDECaster ‘hosts’ the USB microphone, just like a computer would, which is an advanced capability that no other audio interface offers. You can connect most current RØDE USB microphones, including the PodMic USB, NT-USB+, NT-USB Mini, VideoMic NTG, VideoMic GO II, XCM-50 and XDM-100.
All you need to do is connect your microphone to the RØDECaster’s USB 2 port using a standard USB cable, just like you would when connecting to a computer, then assign USB 2 to the fader you want to use to control the mic level. To monitor your audio when using a USB mic, you will need to use its on-board headphone output to ensure you don’t experience any latency.
You will also have access to all of the digital signal processing that your microphone is capable of. For example, with the PodMic USB, you have access to the full suite of processors that you would find in RØDE Central, RØDE Connect or UNIFY, including the simple Depth, Sparkle and Punch effects as well as the advanced processing.
This new feature makes the RØDECasters more flexible than ever, giving you the option to connect your favourite XLR mic, a wireless mic, and now a USB mic too.
SMART Pad Customisation and Other Updates
We have also added a few new features to the RØDECaster’s SMART pads. You can now tweak the volume level of the sounds allocated to each of your pads using a brand new trim control. This is useful for individually adjusting each of your sounds so they are balanced, or to turn a particular sound up if you want it louder.
There’s also a new depth control for the 'ducking’ mixer action. This mixer action temporarily lowers the level of all other channels when the host connected to microphone channel 1 starts talking. Now you can control exactly how much gain reduction will be applied to the other channels when they are ‘ducked’, which is useful for ensuring the host of a podcast can always be heard over the other guests.
This new update also unlocks complete compatibility with the Wireless PRO, including the ability to change GainAssist settings from the RØDECaster itself.
We have also added a number of system enhancements and optimisations for better stability and to make the RØDECaster series even easier to use.
To try out all these latest features, join the RØDECaster Beta Testing Program.