Compact and complete video manufacturing

The Rodecaster collection of podcast mixers have grow 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 stay producers, and, at $1,200, folks with deeper pockets. At this time, Rode returns with the Rodecaster Video S (RCV-S), a streamlined model that gives a lot of the identical performance for lower than half the price of the unique ($499).

For those who presently use Ecamm Stay, OBS, a Stream Deck, a Rodecaster Pro/Duo, a video capture card or Blackmagic Atem sort switcher, then there’s a very good likelihood the RCV-S does one thing, or many issues, helpful to you. Perhaps it may well exchange all these merchandise, a few of them or improve your workflow. It’s a little bit difficult, however inside that complication is numerous 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 widespread 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.

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 document exhibits straight onto USB hard-drives or stream natively to Twitch, YouTube and different platforms by way of RTMP/S. There’s rather a lot happening, and the way you wish to use all of it is essentially as much as you. Whereas the RCV-S leans extra towards “stay” productions resembling streaming or podcasts, you need to use it for standard 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 may lead you to anticipate some severe function trimming this time round, however Rode’s backyard shears have been pretty form. 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. Briefly, there’s a little 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’ll leap between them in actual time with a selection of transitions. For a extra polished manufacturing you’ll be able to 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 high of your gameplay or a top-down digital camera blended with a distinct perspective for cooking tutorials or shows.

You’ll be able to create scenes straight on the gadget upfront or stay by way of templates, however issues get rather a lot simpler and extra inventive while you use Rode’s companion Rodecaster app. Right here, you’ll discover a “scene creator” software 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 completely 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 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 lowering the variety of sources/scenes which might be obtainable to change between, simply faucet the Media/Overlay button to quickly change the performance of the pads. You may also arrange chromakey/inexperienced screening straight on the gadget or by way of the Rodecaster App, too.

After you have every little thing arrange, you’ll be able to 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 is able to export a recording of each enter as a separate file that you would be able to edit as you see match. That is useful in the event you’re utilizing apps like Adobe Premier or Davinci Resolve. For those who shoot multi-camera dance tutorials, for instance, you’ll be able to leap between your most important and extensive digital camera after which to a detailed up with out having to hunt-down the suitable half from every file you recorded on completely different reminiscence playing cards.

Rode not too long ago up to date the Rodecaster Video firmware so as to add help 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 cellphone wirelessly as one other digital camera that you would be able to change to, which is especially helpful. Although do notice, the Rodecaster Video will must be hard-wired to your router on the identical community as your cellphone for this to work.

Audio

Whereas the RCV-S provides 9 audio tracks, it’s truthful to say it isn’t actually designed for stay audio mixing within the pure sense since there are not any faders. As a substitute, it’s important to entry completely different channels by way of the menu on a small show and a dial — It’s numerous searching and pecking. For those who’re related 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, resembling Depth, Sparkle and Punch have been carried over from the Rodecaster Professional/Duo, providing you with a little bit extra fine-grained management over the way you or your company sound.

There’s a slight downside when utilizing the RCV-S as a standalone unit, in that it is advisable to bodily push the buttons to alter the scene, which could not be superb in the event you’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 primarily based on which one has the strongest audio or primarily based on user-defined precedence. Usually, that will be whoever is speaking in a podcast, nevertheless it is also in-game sound or while you change to taking part in a musical instrument.

Auto switching works properly, nevertheless it’s not fairly reliable sufficient to depend on for full autonomy in knowledgeable atmosphere — say whereas recording a panel at a convention — nevertheless it solves an issue in the event you’re by yourself, and it might a minimum of save a while in an informal podcast state of affairs.

Issues to think about

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 software. If you have already got a streaming setup you want and the software program and interfaces you want, then the attraction of the RCV-S can be down as to whether it may well do what you want extra effectively. For stay video manufacturing, it’s a neater promote, as there aren’t many all-in-one units to compete with it that can be utilized standalone.

For instance, Blackmagic’s Atem collection is extremely widespread, 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 provides comparable connectivity, onboard recording, extra expansive audio options and multi-track export for $50 much less.

For normal content material creators it’s a little bit trickier. As somebody that makes YouTube movies, the attraction 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 most important 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. Which means I’ve a number of completely different units on my desk, and I’m consistently doing a dance of unplugging issues and juggling media or completely 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 go away a number of cameras related 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 quick management over a number of sources of audio (which is typically, however not usually). The attraction in my case is fewer units on my desk, and the power 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 truly get extra work accomplished.

There are, in fact, some limitations. Not least of all is the shortage of 4K. I’m nonetheless inclined to document 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 every little thing else, however as a small creator, comfort and suppleness may be very interesting. For streamers and stay video manufacturing, the Rodecaster Video S is a really succesful software that gives a variety of performance for an accessible worth that may little question grow to be the central hub for a lot of creators.

The actual kicker right here is the value. Let’s be clear, $500 remains to be important cash. However at lower than half the value 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 primarily based on worth alone. Likewise, in the event you’re simply beginning out with content material creation and wish one thing with stable video credentials and audio chops, Rode makes a very good case for itself with the Rodecaster Video S.