The Rode RodeCaster Pro is a compact all-in-one production console aimed at the professional podcast sector and scores with its intuitive operation, features and clarity of sound. All you have to do is connect a microphone (up to 4x mics can be connected), choose between a female or male voice and the approximate speech volume and off you go - levelling is automatically taken care of.
It doesn't matter whether you prefer to work with an SD card or at your computer, thanks to the SD slot and USB support both are possible in no time at all. The most important thing is the sound, which sounds well-produced thanks to Class-A pre-amps, Aphex signal processing and Smart Effects.
Functions
The small device surprises at every point with functions tailored to the typical podcaster. The host can connect up to 4x microphones, use a TRRS channel for the headphone output of a mobile phone as well as a Bluetooth channel for wireless streaming, conduct telephone interviews smoothly thanks to Ducking/Noise Gate (preventing annoying echoes), play jingles, sound effects and more via the sound bar including 8x trigger pads (with assignable colour coding), and more.
In addition there are 4x headphone outputs, 2x balanced line-outs for studio monitors and the solo button for pre-listening without affecting the recording/live stream.
This thing is an incredible piece of kit for Podcasting, 4 track audio recording and even on set production (if you've got the space on location). It is so easy to use you can be up and running in next to no time at all. The multitrack function is so helpful and the sample pads are very easy to program with the RodeCaster app.
I have to say just be careful of the onboard effects, for beginners they are great, but the compression is very smacky and there are no real parameters for control for more advanced users. This is mitigated, however, with the ability to turn off the processing for multi track recording.
I use this for broadcasting from home alongside Zetta2Go and Adobe Audition and simply would not be without it. Essential for home broadcasters, quality build and professional performance. Love it.
There are options for podcasting and recording voice overs. But I loved this so much, I bought one for myself and one for our youth group at our church.
The price tag makes you hesitate and think. Invest for success, work smarter, not harder. I have no regrets.