Australian company RODE has been a renowned supplier of high-quality equipment for audio and video production for over thirty years. With the Rodecaster Duo, they now present a powerful audio production solution that is tailored to the needs of podcasters and social media content creators. The Rodecaster Duo enables complete audio productions in professional-level quality, from recording to the final mix, without the need for a computer or other devices. Its two touch faders and six freely programmable smart pads ensure uncomplicated and intuitive operation, and the integrated effects, numerous inputs and outputs, and a range of wireless connections leave nothing to be desired. And as is to be expected from RODE, the Rodecaster Duo is extremely affordable considering its plethora of high-quality features.
Two low-noise Revolution preamps with 76dB of gain on tap serve as audio inputs on the Rodecaster Duo, and the XLR/jack combo sockets can also be used for line signals. Wireless microphone signals are also no problem for the Rodecaster Duo thanks to its built-in Wireless GO II receiver. The unit's APHEX signal processing guarantees professional recordings in broadcast quality, while the integrated DSP (digital signal processor) enables effects such as a high-pass filter, de-esser, noise gate, compressor, EQ, exciter, reverb, echo, and more. The Rodecaster Duo can also serve as an audio interface and be connected to dual computer setups via USB-C. Many other audio devices can also be connected via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and LAN. Additional highlights are the 5.5" HD touchscreen, four hardware faders, six smart pads, a 4GB internal memory, and the compact and lightweight design.
The days when recording audio was tied to a fixed location due to the size and weight of the equipment are definitely over, and the same applies to the production of broadcast-ready content. Today, creators have to be able to produce podcasts or social media content straight away in order to capture the moment, and the Rodecaster Duo gives them the freedom to do just that. Thanks to the two microphone channels and two headphone outputs, it is easy to conduct interviews and to create podcasts or other content. The time-consuming transfer of audio files to a computer or laptop and post-processing in a DAW is no longer necessary with the Rodecaster Duo, which means that all productions can be published on the spot in no time at all. The touch screen, the six smart pads, and the touch faders also provide an analogue feel during recording and post-production.
Founded in Sydney, Australia in 1990, Rode is a specialist in high-quality studio microphones. With its very first in-house, completely Australian-built model, the NT2 large-diaphragm microphone, the company created a classic which is still produced in its current and enhanced version, the NT2-A. An extensive range of studio and live microphones has also been added, regularly updated, and expanded over the years. These new additions include a variety of professional microphones which are designed for video and mobile applications and can be connected directly to SLR cameras or smartphones.
"Intuitive operation" always sounds good as a marketing claim, but it is also 100% true of the Rodecaster Duo. The Australian company has managed to combine the almost infinite possibilities of digital production with an analogue feel for the entire Rodecaster series. The total of seven virtual channels can be operated with two touch faders, just like on a traditional mixing console. Six smart pads can be freely programmed according to individual needs and can, for example, play jingles, switch effects on or off, send MIDI commands to external devices, and much more. What is more, the touch screen also provides haptic feedback when touched. With all of these features, the Rodecaster Duo enables the perfect, playful merging of an analogue mixing console with the flexibility of modern smartphones.