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, aimed toward streamers, video podcasters and dwell producers, and, at $1,200, folks with deeper pockets. As we speak, 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).

In the event you presently use Ecamm Reside, OBS, a Stream Deck, a Rodecaster Pro/Duo, a video capture card or Blackmagic Atem kind switcher, then there’s a great probability 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 a bit of sophisticated, however inside that complication is a whole 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) instantly with out the necessity for a receiver. The RCV-S, like Blackmagic’s standard Atem Mini, outputs over HDMI at 1080p/60 (no 4K) or can be utilized over USB as a digital digital camera identical to you’d discover in Zoom or Groups.

In contrast to 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 — resembling overlays, graphics and audio/video clips — and you’ll report reveals instantly onto USB hard-drives or stream natively to Twitch, YouTube and different platforms through RTMP/S. There’s rather a lot happening, and the way you wish to use all of it is basically as much as you. Whereas the RCV-S leans extra towards “dwell” productions resembling streaming or podcasts, you should use it for standard YouTube-style video manufacturing, relying in your workflow or video preferences.

Rodecaster Video versus Rodecaster Video S

The large value distinction between the unique Rodecaster Video and the brand new S mannequin may lead you to anticipate some critical characteristic trimming this time round, however Rode’s backyard shears have been pretty sort. Most notably, the variety of sources you’ll be able to join has been lowered from six to 4. In the meantime, the variety of “scenes” you’ll be able to 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 now not right here. The SD card slot for media has additionally been eliminated in favor of inside storage. In brief, there’s a bit of bit much less connectivity, however not sufficient for it to really feel hobbled, particularly for the extra informal customers that is clearly aimed toward.

In-use

At its most simple, 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’ll be able to create “scenes” through the menu with a collection of layouts for a number of cameras, picture-in-picture and so forth. That may very well be two speaking heads for a podcast, overlaying your net digital camera on prime of your gameplay or a top-down digital camera combined with a distinct perspective for cooking tutorials or shows.

You’ll be able to create scenes instantly on the gadget prematurely or dwell through templates, however issues get rather a lot simpler and extra artistic once you use Rode’s companion Rodecaster app. Right here, you’ll discover a “scene creator” device that’s each visible and intuitive, plus it has the choice to make customized layouts the place you’ll be able to freely resize and place all of your totally different media wherever you need, add borders or rounded corners and so forth.

Whereas the principle pads are primarily for switching between sources and scenes, they will additionally set off media — pre-made video clips, overlays and graphics, for instance. You’ll be able to assign media to them with out decreasing the variety of sources/scenes which are obtainable to modify between, simply faucet the Media/Overlay button to quickly change the performance of the pads. You too can arrange chromakey/inexperienced screening instantly on the gadget or through the Rodecaster App, too.

After getting all the pieces arrange, you’ll be able to instantly report output onto a USB SSD, once more, with out the necessity for a PC. There’s even the choice to report solely the principle output (“program”) or a multi-track model which is able to export a recording of each enter as a separate file that you could edit as you see match. That is useful for those who’re utilizing apps like Adobe Premier or Davinci Resolve. In the event you shoot multi-camera dance tutorials, for instance, you’ll be able to soar between your essential and broad digital camera after which to a detailed up with out having to hunt-down the suitable half from every file you recorded on totally different reminiscence playing cards.

Rode just lately up to date the Rodecaster Video firmware so as to add assist for as much as 4 “NDI” wi-fi cameras as further sources. Usually these are distant or security-style cameras, however Rode’s Seize cellular app additionally helps NDI streaming, that means you should use your telephone wirelessly as one other digital camera that you could change to, which is especially helpful. Although do observe, the Rodecaster Video will should be hard-wired to your router on the identical community as your telephone for this to work.

Audio

Whereas the RCV-S affords 9 audio tracks, it’s honest to say it isn’t actually designed for dwell audio mixing within the pure sense since there are not any faders. As an alternative, you must entry totally different channels through the menu on a small show and a dial — It’s a whole lot of looking and pecking. In the event 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, resembling Depth, Sparkle and Punch have been carried over from the Rodecaster Professional/Duo, supplying you with a bit of extra fine-grained management over the way you or your visitors sound.

There’s a slight disadvantage when utilizing the RCV-S as a standalone unit, in that you want to bodily push the buttons to vary the scene, which could not be ultimate for those who’re making an attempt to make a refined 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 change cameras based mostly on which one has the strongest audio or based mostly on user-defined precedence. Usually, that may be whoever is speaking in a podcast, however it may be in-game sound or once you change to enjoying a musical instrument.

Auto switching works nicely, however it’s not fairly reliable sufficient to depend on for full autonomy in knowledgeable atmosphere — say whereas recording a panel at a convention — however it solves an issue for those who’re by yourself, and it might a minimum of save a while in an informal podcast scenario.

Issues to contemplate

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 device. 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 might be down as to if it might do what you want extra effectively. For dwell 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 standard, 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 worth 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 a bit of trickier. As somebody that makes YouTube movies, the enchantment to me is the prospect to consolidate just a few 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 taking pictures top-down footage or want a second angle. Meaning I’ve a number of totally different units on my desk, and I’m continuously doing a dance of unplugging issues and juggling media or totally different recordings earlier than I get all the pieces 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 fast 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 report 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 carried out.

There are, after all, some limitations. Not least of all is the shortage of 4K. I’m nonetheless inclined to report on digital camera for my major shot to make sure I nonetheless have a 4K copy for YouTube after which use the Rodecaster Video S for all the pieces else, however as a small creator, comfort and suppleness could be very interesting. For streamers and dwell video manufacturing, the Rodecaster Video S is a really succesful device 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 true kicker right here is the worth. Let’s be clear, $500 remains to be important cash. However at lower than half the worth of the unique Rodecaster with first rate connectivity and principally the identical performance, it is a simple suggestion to those that had been holding off based mostly on value alone. Likewise, for those who’re simply beginning out with content material creation and wish one thing with stable video credentials and audio chops, Rode makes a great case for itself with the Rodecaster Video S.