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When Rode released the original Wireless GO, it was an instant success. Ease of use, sound quality and affordability have made wireless microphones more accessible. In fact, it was so successful that many products were born. After releasing the one with dual mics ($299), the company is back with a more affordable option at $149. Wireless METhere’s also a new video app for creators called Rode Capture, which is tightly integrated with Wireless ME and the company’s other products.
If you think “more affordable” means less features, you’re right. But you might be surprised too. At first it seems that he only has one transmitter (microphone) and one receiver, but the receiver also has a built-in microphone, so two speakers can be recorded simultaneously with separate audio files. That said, Rode calls his second mic the “ME mic” and calls it the “Narrator” mic. This can’t be used wirelessly (the one that connects to a recording device), so the only person who can actually use it is someone from the camera. It’s obviously fine if you’re not recording video, but if you are, it’s worth knowing.
Of course, there are other small compromises. For one thing, the receiver doesn’t have a display of any kind, so visual feedback about the connection is limited to a set of LEDs. There seems to be no feedback on gain level at all. There’s also no onboard storage for recording away from your camera, computer, or phone. This also means that there is no option to record the safety track at lower gain levels. So, given that there is no way to check the level, you really need to make sure everything is set up correctly beforehand. However, ME is half the price of GO II.
Photo by James Trew/Engadget
However, there are tools that can help. Wireless ME comes with a feature called GainAssist that monitors the signal internally and automatically sets the level depending on the volume of the environment and subject. This certainly helps prevent clipping, but it can still put you in the red. There’s also a “dynamic” mode for recording things with a more consistent volume than speech.
In terms of range, you can expect about 100 meters / 328 feet (line of sight), but it can actually vary a bit in either direction depending on conditions. This is a shorter range than the Wireless GO II (200m / 656ft) and (250m / 820ft), but sufficient for most scenarios. As for battery life, it’s a respectable 7 hours, but it doesn’t have a charging case like DJI. solution.
You will need to familiarize yourself with the Rode Central app as there is no way to change settings directly on your device. Here you can turn the receiver’s mic on or off when using it, change whether it records to one or two separate files (if both mics are used), and adjust the gain setting. It has both desktop and mobile (Android/iOS) versions, so you can change modes on the go, even if it’s a bit more work than doing it on a receiver like DJI and Anker products.
Given that the narrator and guest setup isn’t ideal for recording two speakers simultaneously with the camera, it’s a shame that the receiver doesn’t have the option to connect an external 3.5mm lav mic. Technically, this means you can run one with a longer cable and have two on your camera host. However, he can use the 3.5mm mic on the main transmitter. Alternatively, if you have access to another transmitter such as the Wireless GO II, you can pair it with the ME’s receiver and record up to 3 people at the same time. A separate file for every speaker is important.
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The interoperability of Wireless GO II and ME shows that Rode is thinking about how these products work together. This means creators can seamlessly collaborate with their gear or keep using old products as new ones come out. Further interoperability with other wireless devices is expected in the future.
Along with the new mic kit, the aforementioned capture appThis is a dedicated video app with a twist. Direct access to settings for compatible Rode mics. Most video apps don’t even tell you which mic you’re using. This can cause anxiety if you don’t know it’s working with your connected mic. This guarantee alone helps, direct access to microphone settings is always available. It will be a welcome bonus for creators. This app is completely free and does not require any Rode product to work, but it does require one. compatible products If you want to access its settings.
Wireless ME is available starting today for $149.
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