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How to Get Started With the RØDECaster Duo
In this section, we’ll take you through the basic setup process for the RØDECaster Duo, including connecting headphones and speakers, connecting and setting up microphones, instruments and other devices, updating firmware, and more.
How to Get Started With the RØDECaster Duo
In this section, we’ll take you through the basic setup process for the RØDECaster Duo, including connecting headphones and speakers, connecting and setting up microphones, instruments and other devices, updating firmware, and more.
The Start-up Process
Selecting a Language
After booting up your RØDECaster Duo for the first time, you will be asked to select your default language. There are 10 languages to choose from: English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. The default language can be changed at any time by tapping the settings cog and selecting ‘System’ > ‘Language’.
Date and Time
Next you will be asked to configure the time and date for your unit. Use the rotary encoder and touchscreen to set your local time and date. On the bottom left, you can also select whether you would like to show the time and date on the home screen.
Updating Firmware
Next you will be prompted to connect your RØDECaster Duo to a computer via Wi-Fi, ethernet or USB to ensure you are running the most up-to-date firmware. Select your preferred connection method and follow the instructions to establish internet connection.
The Setup Wizard
Next you will be taken through the Setup Wizard process, which provides step-by-step instructions for configuring your device. These steps are covered below. You can access the Setup Wizard at any time by creating a new ‘Show’ (tap the ‘Show’ icon in the top right of the homepage, then ‘New Show’).
Connecting Headphones and Speakers
Connecting Headphones
There are two outputs on the back of the RØDECaster Duo for connecting two pairs of headphones, such as the NTH-100, that feature high-quality 1/4-inch connectors. If your headphones have a 3.5mm connector, use a 1/4-inch to 3.5mm adaptor such as the RØDE HJA-4 to connect them to the unit.
Pro Tip
If you are the host of a podcast or producing/engineering a recording, we recommend always plugging into headphone output 1. This is because when you press the ‘Listen’ button on a fader, it will only be solo’d for headphone output 1 so you can listen to that channel without disrupting the flow of the recording for other people in your session.
Connecting a Headset
On the front of the RØDECaster Duo, on the right-hand side, there’s a 3.5mm TRRS input for connecting a headset such as the NTH-100M. This input allows you to capture your headset microphone as well as monitor audio via your headset. The RØDECaster Duo features a dedicated headset input channel, which you can assign to a fader to control the headset microphone’s input level.
Adjusting Headphone Levels
Both headphone outputs have an independent level control. These are located at the top-right of the unit and are labelled 1 and 2. These allow you to easily control the volume of your headphones and balance the levels for others you are recording with.
Note: The ‘1’ encoder also controls the output level of the headset connected to the headset input on the front.
You can also optimise the output level for the type of headphones you are using (i.e., whether they are high sensitivity or low sensitivity). To do this, tap the settings cog, then ‘Outputs’ > ‘Headphones’, then select your headphone type. High sensitivity models have more output while low sensitivity models have less output. Selecting the correct setting for your headphone type will optimise the gain structure to make setting headphone levels as consistent as possible.
Pro Tip
To avoid unexpected loud sounds in your headphones, we recommend always starting with your headphone levels low before setting up your inputs for recording, then turning them up to a comfortable level.
Connecting and Using Speakers/Monitors
There are two balanced 1/4-inch line outputs on the back of the RØDECaster Duo for connecting a pair of speakers/monitors. These are clearly labelled left and right. The monitor output level is controlled using the rotary encoder on the front of the unit and there is an icon on the top of the mixer screen to check your level.
Pro Tip
To avoid interference or electrical noise when using speakers/monitors, we recommend using balanced TRS cables.
Monitor Output Settings
You can access two additional settings for the monitor outputs by tapping the settings cog, then ‘Outputs’ > ‘Monitor’.
Auto-mute Monitor Output
When enabled, the monitor output will automatically be muted whenever a microphone channel fader is turned up in order to prevent feedback.
Auto-mute Bluetooth Output
When enabled, the Bluetooth output will be muted when a microphone channel fader is lifted to prevent feedback.
Fixed Output Level
When enabled, the monitor output level will be set to line-level and cannot be adjusted. This is useful if you are using the monitor outputs to send audio to outboard equipment, such as broadcast or livestreaming equipment, and want to ensure that your levels aren’t too high or low.
Connecting Microphones, Instruments and Other Devices
The RØDECaster Duo features a pair of high-quality Neutrik™ combo jacks for plugging in microphones, instruments (such as guitars and basses), and line-level devices like keyboards and drum machines. In this section, we’ll show you how to connect these devices and get them set up for recording.
Connecting Microphones
To start, plug your microphone into input 1 on the back of the unit using a standard 3-pin XLR cable. You can use any XLR microphone with the RØDECaster Duo, including condenser microphones that require phantom power. By default, inputs 1 and 2 will be allocated to faders 1 and 2 on the mixer. Ensuring that fader 1 is all the way down, also plug a pair of headphones into headphone channel 1 so you will be able to monitor your audio.
Microphone Basic Setup
To access the channel setup screen for fader 1, press the coloured button above the physical fader or tap the fader on the screen. Here you can select what type of microphone you are using, which will adjust the level, voicing and activate phantom power (if required). If your microphone does not appear in the “mic locker” menu, select the universal dynamic or condenser option. You can also manually turn phantom power on and off.
Pro Tip
The two analog inputs on the RØDECaster Duo feature our world-class Revolution Preamps™. These are ultra-low-noise, high-gain preamps that will give you plenty of output, even with the most demanding dynamic microphones, while remaining incredibly quiet. This eliminates the need to use a line booster or lifter with your microphones. In fact, the noise floor of the Revolution Preamps is so low, using a lifter will actually introduce noise to your signal, so we highly recommend NOT using one.
Setting Microphone Levels
Once your microphone is set up, push fader 1 up to the thick line just over halfway up the fader. This represents ‘unity gain’. Then, turn headphone channel 1 up to a comfortable listening level. Underneath the “mic locker” is a level meter and gain control. Keeping an eye on the level meter, talk at a natural level as close to the microphone as you will be when recording. Your audio should be jumping around the green section of the meter while you’re talking. If you selected the correct microphone setting, you should already be at a good recording level. Use the ‘+’ and ‘-’ buttons to adjust if required. Repeat this process for as many microphones as you need for your recording.
Note: You may notice that you are still getting levels on the meter even if the fader is all the way down. This is because the fader controls the level that is being sent to the output of the RØDECaster Duo, not the channel input level.
Tips on Microphone Technique
Good microphone technique is incredibly important for capturing clean, clear recordings and getting the best out of your microphone and recording device, while poor technique can be detrimental to your recording. Click the link below to find out more about microphone technique, as well as tips on setting your gain correctly and choosing the right recording space.
Using Microphone Presets
The RØDECaster Duo offers a selection of professionally tailored microphone presets ideal for podcasting and livestreaming. To access these, click the ‘Presets’ tab in channel setup screen. There are three default presets to choose from: ‘Neutral’, ‘Podcast Studio’ and ‘Broadcast’. You can also create your own presets (check out the section on ‘How to Use the On-board Processing’ to learn more about creating presets).
Connecting Instruments and Line-Level Devices
To connect an instrument or line-level device, the process is much the same as connecting a microphone: simply plug it in to any of the four inputs using a TRS or instrument cable. Next, open the channel setup screen and select either ‘Line-in’ or ‘Instrument’ from the “mic locker” menu – this will adjust the input gain to a suitable level depending on what is connected. Use the level meter and ‘+’ and ‘-’ buttons to adjust the input gain as required.
Stereo Linking Inputs
If you are using an instrument or line level device with stereo outputs, or recording a stereo microphone pair, you can link the two inputs and route them to one channel. This will allow you to control the level of both inputs with a single fader, ensuring both channel levels are exactly the same.
To link the two inputs, open the channel setup screen for the fader you want to allocate them to and click the settings cog to access the fader assignment screen. Next, tap the ‘Stereo’ icon underneath the two inputs. Tap the green tick icon to save. After saving, ensure that you have the correct input type selected from the “mic locker” menu.
Pro Tip
Linked inputs will automatically be panned hard left and right, giving you a full stereo image. You will also notice that faders with linked inputs assigned to them will have two level meters on the mixer screen, so you can independently monitor the level of each input.
Saving and Exporting Settings as a 'Show'
All of your settings, including your channel setup, mixer and SMART pad configuration, processing, effects, and device configuration, can be saved onto a microSD card or hard drive as a ‘Show'. To do this, tap the settings cog then ‘Show’, then tap ‘Export’. This will take a snapshot of all your settings and save them as a file to your storage device, which can then be transferred to your computer.
You can save and export as many ‘Show’ snapshots as you like, which is handy if you share your RØDECaster Duo with other creators or if you create several different podcasts, livestreams or different types of content.
To import a ‘Show’ that you have saved, make sure the file is loaded onto a microSD card or hard drive, connect this to your device, tap the icon in the top left corner of the home screen or tap the settings cog then ‘Show’ > ‘Import’, then select the ‘Show’ you want to import from the list.
Factory Reset
To perform a factory reset, tap the settings cog, then ‘System’ > ‘Information’ > ‘View Device Information’, then ‘Erase and Reset Device’.
Note: This will permanently delete all current configuration data. If you would like to save this data before erasing, see section above for how to export your ‘Show.
Powering The RØDECaster Duo
The RØDECaster Duo comes with a power supply unit. Plug this into the USB-C input next to the red button on the back of the unit to provide power. It can also be powered by a USB power bank, as long as it is capable of providing 30W USB-C PD (15V, 2A). You will get approximately one hour of operation per 10W/h capacity, so a high-quality battery pack will give you around ten hours of power (note: the power drawn from the battery depends on usage factors including screen and LED brightness, USB connectivity, and phantom power status, so results may vary). If insufficient power is provided to the unit, you will see a warning screen indicating so. In this case, either use the provided power supply or a power supply rated to the specifications above.
