Compact and complete video manufacturing

The Rodecaster sequence of podcast mixers have turn out to be 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 dwell producers, and, at $1,200, individuals with deeper pockets. At the moment, 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).

If you happen to at present use Ecamm Dwell, OBS, a Stream Deck, a Rodecaster Pro/Duo, a video capture card or Blackmagic Atem kind switcher, then there’s a superb probability the RCV-S does one thing, or many issues, helpful to you. Perhaps it may possibly exchange all these merchandise, a few of them or improve your workflow. It’s a bit difficult, 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 target 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) straight with out the necessity for a receiver. The RCV-S, like Blackmagic’s in style 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 — equivalent to overlays, graphics and audio/video clips — and you may document exhibits straight onto USB hard-drives or stream natively to Twitch, YouTube and different platforms by way of RTMP/S. There’s loads 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 equivalent to streaming or podcasts, you need to use it for typical YouTube-style video manufacturing, relying in your workflow or video preferences.

Rodecaster Video versus Rodecaster Video S

The massive worth distinction between the unique Rodecaster Video and the brand new S mannequin would possibly lead you to count on some severe characteristic 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 decreased 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 now not right here. The SD card slot for media has additionally been eliminated in favor of inside storage. Briefly, there’s a bit 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 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 may leap between them in actual time with a selection of transitions. For a extra polished manufacturing you possibly can create “scenes” by way of the menu with a choice 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 net digital camera on prime of your gameplay or a top-down digital camera blended with a distinct perspective for cooking tutorials or shows.

You possibly can create scenes straight on the gadget prematurely or dwell by way of templates, however issues get loads simpler and extra inventive while 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 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 possibly can assign media to them with out decreasing the variety of sources/scenes which might be 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 straight on the gadget or by way of the Rodecaster App, too.

Upon getting every little thing arrange, you possibly can straight document output onto a USB SSD, once more, with out the necessity for a PC. There’s even the choice to document solely the primary output (“program”) or a multi-track model which can 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. If you happen to shoot multi-camera dance tutorials, for instance, you possibly can leap between your foremost and huge 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. Usually these are distant or security-style cameras, however Rode’s Seize cell app additionally helps NDI streaming, that means you need to use your telephone wirelessly as one other digital camera that you could swap to, which is especially helpful. Although do observe, the Rodecaster Video will have to be hard-wired to your router on the identical community as your telephone for this to work.

Audio

Whereas the RCV-S gives 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 need to entry totally different channels by way of the menu on a small show and a dial — It’s a whole lot of searching and pecking. If you happen to’re linked to a PC, the Rodecaster app does supply 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, equivalent to Depth, Sparkle and Punch have been carried over from the Rodecaster Professional/Duo, supplying you with a bit 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 you’ll want to bodily push the buttons to vary the scene, which could not be ideally suited for those who’re making an attempt to make a sophisticated recording or can’t all the time 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. Usually, that may be whoever is speaking in a podcast, however it may be in-game sound or while you swap to taking part in a musical instrument.

Auto switching works nicely, 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 for those who’re by yourself, and it may at the very least save a while in an informal podcast scenario.

Issues to think about

It’s clear that the RCV-S, regardless of having fewer inputs than the unique Rodecaster Video, continues to be fairly a fancy, 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 whether it may possibly do what you want extra effectively. For dwell video manufacturing, it’s a neater promote, as there aren’t many all-in-one gadgets to compete with it that can be utilized standalone.

For instance, Blackmagic’s Atem sequence is extremely in style, and till now, had the benefit on worth 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 gives comparable connectivity, onboard recording, extra expansive audio options and multi-track export for $50 much less.

For normal content material creators it’s a bit trickier. As somebody that makes YouTube movies, the enchantment to me is the possibility to consolidate just a few gadgets 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 foremost 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. Meaning I’ve a number of totally different gadgets on my desk, and I’m continually doing a dance of unplugging issues and juggling media or totally different recordings earlier than I get every little thing able to edit.

With the RCV-S I can ditch my standalone seize card and completely depart 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 produce it again out once more on the events I would like extra rapid management over a number of sources of audio (which is typically, however not usually). The enchantment in my case is fewer gadgets on my desk, and the flexibility to document 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 document 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 every little thing else, however as a small creator, comfort and adaptability 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 worth that may little question turn out to be the central hub for a lot of creators.

The actual kicker right here is the value. Let’s be clear, $500 continues 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 straightforward suggestion to those that have been holding off based mostly on worth alone. Likewise, for those who’re simply beginning out with content material creation and want one thing with strong video credentials and audio chops, Rode makes a superb case for itself with the Rodecaster Video S.