Turning on Your Wireless PRO

Each transmitter and receiver unit features a ‘Ø’ button that functions as the power button as well as performing various other functions. Simply long-press this button to power on or power off your units. By default, the Wireless PRO transmitters will automatically power down after 15 minutes if they are unpaired and not recording, but this can be disabled via RØDE Central with the ‘Timeout’ toggle. The receiver does not power down automatically.

Understanding and Navigating the Display

The Wireless PRO receiver features an LCD display that shows you critical information about your audio levels, connectivity, recording status and more. It also allows you to navigate the system’s various settings. To navigate these options, you use the Left and Right Navigation buttons on the receiver, either with a short-press (less than 1 second) or long-press (1 second or more).

These three buttons will perform different functions depending on which screen you are currently on, but they correspond to the on-screen symbols and settings that are physically closest to them for quick identification. For instance, when in the output gain adjustment screen, the Left Navigation button lowers the gain level as it is closest to the on-screen ‘–’ symbol, while the Right Navigation button raises it as it is closest to the ‘+’ symbol.

Pairing Your Wireless PRO

When you first power on your Wireless PRO, the transmitters and receiver will automatically pair. You can also manually pair them if required.

Manual Pairing

With all your units powered on, short-press the Right Navigation button on the receiver to cycle to the first transmitter screen and then long-press the Right Navigation button to enter pairing mode – the display will read “PAIR TX NOW”. Short-press the Ø button on one of your transmitters to enter pairing mode – the pairing LED on the transmitter will start quickly flashing blue until it turns solid blue when successfully paired. Navigate to the next transmitter page on the receiver with a short-press of the Right Navigation button and repeat the process for your second transmitter.

To unpair a transmitter, short-press the Right Navigation button on the receiver to cycle to the desired transmitter screen and then long-press the Right Navigation button.

Note: You will need to manually re-pair the transmitter after doing this.

Pairing in RØDE Central

With your Wireless PRO receiver connected to a computer running RØDE Central (learn more about RØDE Central here), you can see if transmitters are currently paired to your receiver in the top-right section of the app. If a transmitter isn’t paired, turn it on, short-press its Ø button, and then click ‘pair’ in the app. Here, you can also unpair your transmitters.

Charge Case

The included charge case can store more than two full recharges for the whole system (two transmitters and one receiver) for extended use. To recharge your Wireless PRO, simply place all three units in the case, ensuring the receiver is placed in the slot marked ‘RX’ and that the USB-C port for each unit lines up with the USB-C connections in the case.

When the charging case isn’t connected to power, its LED will be solid blue when the case is charging any of the units placed inside of it. Pressing the button next to the LED will display the internal battery’s status. This will be solid green when it has a healthy charge, amber when low, red when very low, and flashing red when critical. If the charging case runs out of battery, you can top it up while simultaneously charging your mounted transmitters and receivers by connecting the case to a power source via USB-C.

Battery Level Indicators

The display on the Wireless PRO receiver will show you the battery level of each transmitter as well as the receiver itself, on the left of the home screen.

Each transmitter features a dedicated battery level LED indicator. When the battery is getting low, this LED will change from green to amber, and from amber to red when it is very low. The LED will flash red when the battery level is critical. When charging, this LED will flash green until it turns solid green when fully charged.

Attaching or Mounting Your Wireless PRO

Both the Wireless PRO's transmitters and receiver feature an integrated clip. These can be used to attach the transmitter units to clothing and other items, and slot the receiver into the cold shoe mount of a camera or similar device to firmly secure it in place.

MagClip GO

The Wireless PRO comes with two MagClip GO accessories included in the box, one for each transmitter. You can use this attachment for more flexibility when attaching a Wireless PRO transmitter to clothing. Simply slide the MagClip GO clip (the larger component) over the Wireless PRO clip to attach it, place the transmitter where you wish on clothing, and use the magnet (smaller component) on the other side of the clothing to secure it in place. You can also use the MagClip GO to attach the receiver unit to magnetic surfaces, such as MagSafe-equipped iPhones.

Connecting an External Microphone

Alongside the built-in microphones, the Wireless PRO transmitters also feature 3.5mm inputs for connecting external microphones such as the included Lavalier II microphones and RØDE VideoMics. When you connect an external microphone, it will replace the built-in mic as the input source.

Locking Connectors

The 3.5mm inputs on the two transmitters feature locking threads for microphones that feature locking connectors, such as the included Lavalier II. This allows you to securely attach your microphone so it can’t be accidentally unplugged while in use. Simply insert the microphone’s 3.5mm jack then twist the golden locking ring clockwise to secure the cable in place. Reverse the process to disconnect.

VideoMics and Other 3.5mm Audio Sources

You can connect any microphone or audio source that features a 3.5mm TRS output to the Wireless PRO, including on-camera shotgun microphones such as the VideoMic NTG. Plug-in power will be provided if needed.

Connecting Your Wireless PRO to a Camera

You can connect the Wireless PRO's receiver via the 3.5mm TRS output using the included TRS to TRS cable, or via USB using the included USB-C to USB-C cable, if your camera has a USB audio input. Simply connect one end of the cable into the Wireless PRO receiver and the other end to your camera’s audio input.

If you are using the 3.5mm output, first ensure the output gain mode is set to ‘Manual’, which is the default setting. To do this, press the Right Navigation button until you cycle through to the Gain Mode screen, and then press the Left Navigation button to cycle through the options until you have ‘Manual’ (indicated by the ‘level’ icon). You can also use the ‘Camera Preset’ gain mode (indicated by the camera icon) – see the ‘Camera Preset’ section for more information.

Plug-in Power Detect

By default, the Wireless PRO receiver will automatically power on or off when the camera it’s connected to also powers on or off, as long as the receiver detects power. Just be sure that your receiver is powered off before first turning on your camera for this mode to function correctly. You can disable this setting via RØDE Central.

Connecting Your Wireless PRO to a Smartphone

To connect the Wireless PRO to a smartphone or tablet, connect the receiver using the included USB-C to Lightning cable or USB-C to USB-C cable, depending on what connection type your device has.

Connecting Your Wireless PRO to a Computer

You can also connect the Wireless PRO to a computer and use it as a wireless audio interface. To do this, simply connect the receiver to your computer’s USB port using the supplied USB-C to USB-C cable, then go to your audio settings and select “Wireless PRO RX" as your input device. You will also need to do the same in any audio software you are using. If your computer only features a USB-A port, use a USB-C to USB-A cable like the SC18.

Connecting to a computer is also how you export on-board recordings from the transmitters, adjust settings, and charge the units. To do this, place both transmitters and the receiver into the charge case and use the included SuperSpeed USB-C cable to connect the case to your computer. This will allow for the fastest possible transfer rates and will charge your case and Wireless PRO units. See the ‘Configuring Wireless PRO with RØDE Central’ and ‘On-Board Recording and 32-bit Float’ sections for more information.

Note: Simultaneous use of the 3.5mm analog and USB-C digital outputs is not recommended – depending on which devices you're recording to and how they are powered, a ground loop may occur that can produce digital noise in your signal.

Connecting Headphones or Headsets to the Receiver

The 3.5mm TRRS connection on the Wireless PRO receiver is super versatile and able to connect to a number of different audio input and output devices, such as headphones and microphones.

When the 3.5mm output is not being used to connect the receiver to a camera (such as when you’re using the USB-C output or only using the transmitters’ on-board recording function), you can connect headphones like the NTH-100 for monitoring your audio, or a headset like the NTH-100M. Connecting a headset allows you to both monitor your audio as well as record your voice via the headset microphone – for more information on how this third channel of audio (RX Mic) is routed, please see the ‘Audio Routing’ section.

Before plugging your headphones or headset into the receiver, ensure the output gain mode is set to either “Headphones” or “Headset”. To do this, press the Right Navigation button until you cycle through to the Gain Mode screen, and then press the Left Navigation button to cycle through the options until you have either ‘headphones’ or ‘headset’ displayed, and then press the Right Navigation button to select the mode. Once selected, you can adjust the headphone output level by pressing the Left Navigation button from the Wireless PRO’s home screen, and then use the Left and Right Navigation buttons to adjust the volume.

Note: The Wireless PRO features a high-power headphone amplifier with enough output for high-impedance headphones that require a lot of volume.

Using the Windshields

The Wireless PRO’s transmitters feature high-quality in-built omnidirectional condenser microphones. These are sensitive microphones that are designed to pick up sound from all around in great detail. When recording outdoors or in windy environments, it’s recommended you use the supplied furry windshields to help protect the capsules and reduce any wind or background noise in your recording.

The Wireless PRO comes with three furry windshields. These have been designed to ensure an extremely strong connection and will not fall off your transmitters, even with vigorous use. To attach them securely, align the two white dots on the windshield with the black dots on the transmitter, then push the windshield down and twist to lock it in place. Reverse the process to remove them.

Merged, Split and Safety Channel Modes

By default, the Wireless PRO will be in Merged mode. To switch between Merged and Split mode, press and hold both the Left and Right Navigation buttons at the same time to enter the routing menu. Here you can cycle through the available modes by short-pressing the Left Navigation button and select your desired mode with the Right Navigation button.

Merged Mode

In Merged mode, the two transmitters (and RX Mic, if it is being used) are combined into a single summed output. This is great if you’re using the Wireless PRO in a live presentation setup, or only using one transmitter and want the audio to be recorded onto both channels of your recording device.

Split Mode

In Split mode, each transmitter's output is recorded onto separate channels (left and right) on the Wireless PRO's output. This means each channel can be processed individually in post-production, which is great for two-person interviews and other recording scenarios where you need to be able to edit and mix each sound source independently. If you are using a headset microphone connected to the receiver’s 3.5mm connection (RX Mic), the audio from the transmitters will be merged onto the output’s left channel and the RX Mic will be routed to the right channel. See the below table for more information on Split mode routing.

Safety Channel Mode

When Safety Channel mode is activated, the Wireless PRO will also output a second channel of audio -10dB lower than the main channel. This is useful in case your sound source gets very loud unexpectedly and your audio clips, as having this second channel means you will have a clean backup of your recording. The safety channel is indicated by the blue shield icon and is only available in merged mode. When activated, all of your inputs (both transmitters and RX Mic) will be merged to the left channel and the safety channel will be output to the right channel.

Gain Modes

To change modes, press the Right Navigation button until you’re on the Gain Mode screen, press the Left Navigation button to cycle through the options, and press the Right Navigation button to select your preference. The different gain modes are:

Manual

This is the default mode and is tailored to provide cameras and other similar devices with the appropriate gain level to capture clear recordings at a reasonable volume level. You can adjust this gain level in 3dB increments (see the ’Adjusting Output Gain Levels’ section for more information).

Camera Preset

With this mode selected, you can cycle between any of the camera presets you have loaded into your Wireless PRO. For more information on loading camera presets, see the 'Configuring Camera Presets in RØDE Central' section.

Headphones

The Wireless PRO receiver has a dedicated headphone amplifier that you can activate by changing the gain mode to ‘Headphones’. This increases the output level to be suitable for monitoring audio.

Note: The headphones output gain level will default to a low value to ensure it’s always at a safe level for listening. You will likely need to increase the level to be able to hear your audio clearly.

Headset

Just like the headphones output, the ‘Headset’ gain mode utilises the headphone amplifier, but also allows you to capture your headset microphone’s audio.

You can plug any microphone, such as a lavalier, into the RX Mic input on the receiver. However, as this is a TRRS connection, you must use a microphone with a TRRS connector such as the SmartLav+, a TRS to TRRS adaptor such as the SC4, or a TRS to TRRS cable as the SC7.

Note: You will need to use the USB output to record the headset microphone’s audio, as the 3.5mm output is used to plug in the headset. See the ‘Audio Routing’ section for more information on this mode and how the RX Mic audio is routed.

Adjusting Output Gain Levels

You can increase or decrease the output gain of the receiver’s 3.5mm output in the gain adjustment screen, allowing you to adjust the level of the audio being sent to your camera, headset, headphones or other device.

To access the gain adjustment screen, press the Left Navigation button on the receiver while on the home screen. When in this screen, the Left Navigation button decreases the output gain level, while the Right Navigation button increases it. If you're in Camera Preset mode, the Left and Right Navigation buttons will cycle through the different loaded camera presets.

Note: This gain adjustment doesn’t affect the Wireless PRO’s digital USB output.

Changing GainAssist Settings

To configure the GainAssist mode, press the Right Navigation button until you arrive at the screen for the transmitter you wish to adjust. Short-press the Left Navigation button to cycle between Auto and Dynamic modes, or long-press it to toggle GainAssist on or off.

Auto

The Auto GainAssist mode will give you a smoother, more consistent sound, which can be better in a recording scenario like an interview where your audio levels are jumping around a lot.

Dynamic

The Dynamic GainAssist mode balances your audio while maintaining dynamics, resulting in a more “natural” sound. This can be better in a controlled recording environment where the sound you’re recording is more even.

Note: GainAssist does not apply to on-board recordings.

Manual Input Gain

If you have the GainAssist setting disabled for your transmitters or RX Mic, you’re able to manually adjust the input gain for the built-in mic or connected external mic.

To disable GainAssist, long-press the Left Navigation button when in your desired transmitter screen until AUTO or DYNAMIC is replaced by a dB level. In the same screen, you can set the input gain level by short-pressing the Left Navigation button, and then adjusting the gain up or down (in 1dB increments) with the Left and Right Navigation buttons.

Selecting a Camera Preset on Your Receiver

With your camera presets loaded and your Wireless PRO in the Camera Preset gain mode, you can cycle through your saved presets by pressing the Left Navigation button on the receiver while on the home screen, and then using the Left and Right Navigation buttons.

Along with any camera and custom presets you have saved, there will also be a 'RØDE’ option that acts as a default preset. The gain level of this preset can be adjusted within the RØDE Central desktop app by clicking the three dots next to RØDE in the preset list.

On-board Recording Modes

There are two different modes for recording on your Wireless PRO transmitters that you can configure using RØDE Central – Manual and Always.

Manual: In this mode, on-board recordings are started and stopped when you press the record button on the transmitter.

Always: In this mode, on-board recordings will always be running if the transmitter is powered on, even if it’s not paired or connected to a receiver.

You can also press the receiver's Ø button to start and stop recording on your transmitters when it's in 'Record' mode (see the 'Configuring the Ø Button' section for more information).

Note: For transmitters in 'Manual' recording mode, using the receiver's Ø button will start or stop recording, just as the transmitter's dedicated record button does. But for transmitters in 'Always' recording mode, pressing the receiver's Ø button will start a new recording.

How Timecode Works with the Wireless PRO

The Wireless PRO uses the SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) timecode standard with LTC encoding (Linear Timecode), which is the most widely used format today. The Wireless PRO receiver acts as the ‘Source’ in a timecode setup, meaning that timecode is generated by the Wireless PRO and is received by other ‘Sync’ devices, such as cameras and audio recorders.

The Wireless PRO outputs timecode information as an audio signal. If your camera accepts timecode, it will record this data into your video files directly, but if it doesn’t then you can still record this audio timecode signal into your camera’s mic or aux input just like you would a microphone – this audio is then later recognised as timecode in your editing software.

The Wireless PRO receiver (RX) will automatically send timecode to the transmitters (TX), so the recordings on your transmitters will have timecode baked into them and be perfectly synchronised, but you need to record the timecode onto your camera(s) so that your video files also have this sync information.

Connecting Your Wireless PRO to a Device That Accepts Timecode

If your camera accepts timecode, it will be able to interpret the timecode signal sent to it from the Wireless PRO and insert this information into your recordings as metadata. For these cameras, use Timecode Mode 5 to ensure the timecode signal is delivered loud and clear.

Many of these cameras feature dedicated timecode ports, in which case you will need to use an adaptor to connect your Wireless PRO receiver’s 3.5mm output to whichever proprietary format your camera uses. Be sure to use a high-quality adaptor to avoid issues.

If your camera isn’t recognising the timecode signal sent to it, ensure your Wireless PRO is running the latest firmware and is set to Timecode Mode 5, and try raising the output gain level on the receiver.

We have created walkthrough guides (linked below) for a number of popular cameras and devices that accept timecode natively. Any camera or device that accepts the SMPTE standard format will work with the Wireless PRO:

Connecting Your Wireless PRO to a Device That Doesn’t Accept Timecode

If your camera model doesn’t accept timecode natively, such as the Sony A7s III, Canon EOS R5 or Panasonic Lumix GH5, you’ll need to record the timecode information as audio into its mic input, in the same way you would record any microphone audio.

For this, use the included SC2 3.5mm-to-3.5mm cable alongside Timecode Mode 1 on the Wireless PRO. If you’re recording audio via USB, to a smartphone for instance, use Timecode Mode 2, 3 or 4. You can view the below guides on how to synchronise your footage in post-production.