Episode Details

The Rodecaster Pro II is the new device from Rode. Today I compare it to the Rodecaster Pro I along with some other devices. This device is $700 and (IMHO) not for someone who is just doing some casual interviews via zoom. Feel free to follow/subscribe, and check out any of the other 833 episodes I have. 

SPONSOR: Focusrite The Vocaster Series Made For Podcasters

• AutoGain - Easily set your levels with the click of a button, with more than enough gain on tap (70dB) – no booster is needed
• Enhance - Four podcaster-approved voice presets bring out the best in any voice
• Mute - Silence the mic with the touch of a button - don’t let unexpected interruptions get in the way of recording
• Connect your phone - Record phone calls, high-quality music, or other audio from your device, seamlessly 
• Record to a camera - Plug in your camera and record directly to its memory card 
• Loopback - Stream calls or any other audio you can think of from your computer with two sets of stereo loopback
• Included software - Hindenburg Lite to record, three months of SquadCast Pro + Video to bring in your guests, and six months of Acast Influencer to publish, you’re ready to get your show out there
• Learn more at: Focusrite.com/Vocaster 

Things I Like About the Rodcaster II

• It is an interface, recorder, headphone amplifier, and jingle palet all on one
• They make updating the firmware (and there WILL BE UPDATEs) INSANELY Easy.
• Super QUiet Preamps
• Automatic Monitor Muting
• Smartpads now play sounds, control midi devices, and add effects
• Only record the channels you need (FINALLY!)
• No More Polywave
• Ability to put the unit on a stand and get it off your desk
• USB C Electric input which makes it easy to run on batteries.
• Flexible input assignments and color coding
• In addition to Aphex processing, new 3-band EQ

THINGS THAT ANNOY ME

• Multiple outputs are confusing and seem to change without me doing anything. I need the ability to turn on and off mix-minus. This is available on USB2, but if I am using (only) that option when I fire up the software on my computer, it won't connect to the unit because I'm not on USB 1. If I want to tie this into my DAW, tracks 1 and 2 are the stereo mix. This means my first slider is #3.
• The fader features fades out for X amount of seconds and keeps everything faded out. After the X amount of time it should unfade everything. This is an easy one to trip over.
• Set the Lights Brightness level sounds great, but I couldn't tell a channel was muted because the lights were so dim. This is (again) operator error, but frustrating.
• Loss of count down number is replaced with a pie chart. Those with older eyesight prefer large numbers. 
• I am required to take the cover off to turn the unit off. I use to be able to press the on off button twice and leave the cover on.
• Loss way to have a CONNECTED phone call. ON the ROdecaster 1, I could plug in a TRRS cable and the phone did everything like usual. Now if I want to make a phone call, I HAVE to use Bluetooth. When I plugged in the SC19 cable, the Rodecaster rebooted and the sound out of my phone was unusable. I was somewhat bummed after spending $30 on a cable, that I can't use it to make phone calls on my podcast without using Bluetooth. I need to remember to turn off Bluetooth on the unit as my phone keeps connecting to it. 

Comparing it to Some of the Competition Zoom Podtrak P4

I refer to this as the swiss army of podcasting