Review: RODELink wireless microphone kit
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- We review the new wireless mic transmitter and receiver kit from Rode, the Rodelink. It's supplied as a pre-matched pair of Tx and Rx units, plus the Rode Lavalier microphone. Each unit runs off two AA cells.
See also our review of Rode's subsequent "Newsshooter" wireless XLR kit at • Review: Rode Newsshoot...
If you'd like to buy this kit after watching the video, please do via our Amazon link as a small commission from this helps us keep the reviews coming. The link is:
RodeLink kit: amzn.to/1d17iOb
Rode Lav (mic only): amzn.to/1CdGPn7
Samples recorded on a Canon XF200.
Published by www.tubeshooter.co.uk
tubeshootermag
tubeshootermag
TubeShooterMag What an amazing set of tests. I have watched a couple of other field tests but you have proven beyond doubt that RØDE Microphones have made a good entry into wireless gear. I was sure that when you put those other devices in your pocket there would be some interference. Thanks for compiling the set of audio tests as well. nicely done and very helpful.
Thank you!
Awesome video, the distance was quite impressive. Thank you! :)
Well frankly, i was impressed,!!
Whats is yout set-up here? coz mine is TX (0) RX +20, whats yours here mate? thanks
Excelent review, thanks it was the tip in the right direction I wanted. I use Eneloop rechargeables in all of my flash units and power packs for the same units in my photography, would these batteries be suitable for the Rode units? Or do you suggest using fresh AA from the likes of Duracell? - once again, thanks
I don't know the "Eneloop" rechargeables, sorry. Any standard "AA" rechargeable should work I imagine though I seem to recall they typically put out slightly lower voltage than non-rechargeable cells so I can't guarantee it. Best to use a decent brand, whatever you do, so that they don't die in the middle of a recording!
For some reason, XF200 destroyed all the sound in this review. It just sounds like lower bitrate and frequency than any other Rode or Sony samples on youtube, both mics are very clear and crisp, but this is rough and low quality for some reason.
It sounds fine at this end. Perhaps UA-cam was sending you a low quality version, poor bandwidth or something..?
Thank you this was a comprehensive review.
Did you use the VXLR adapter?
If not do you know if this plug (converting 3.5mm to XLR) keeps the quality of the sound and stay balanced?
thanks
+Tomer Rotem The audio from the Rodelink is not balanced anyway, it's just dual mono on a stereo jack. If you use the VXLR it will simply take one pole of the jack and feed it into the XLR so it will work (as an audio connector) but there is no balancing to preserve.
Thank you very much for the prompt response. May I ask if the quality of this set will be maintained with the VXLR converter so I can expect an audio result similar to you have presented in this video?
+Tomer Rotem Should be, yes (depending on your actual recording device). Obviously each time you introduce a connector you also introduce the element of risk that the connection will wobble or break or cause some fault but assuming a seamless connection then the audio would be the same.
what is your set up on the cruising the cut vlog >?
Is this the same microphone as the standard "Rode Lavalier" (the one you show at 1:15) or is it a different model of Lavalier?
I seem to recall it's the same but don't absolutely quote me on that.
I have had the rode filmaker kit for over a year now it was great until the lav mic broke due wear and due to rigorous shooting, it has been used for atlest 4 times a week in a span of more than year, I have found out that buying a replacement lapel mic would cost a lot. I would want to know if there are any other cheaper alternative lav mics that would work properly with the rode transceiver and receiver? Until I get the money to buy another rode lav
A good question but unfortunately one that I do not know the answer to, alas.
I'd like to see this done in a conference hall full of phones...
If I get the chance, I'll repeat the test at the next conference I get to :-)
Well done, exactly what I was wondering
Thanks for the review, I really enjoyed it! I received mine today and whenever the mic gets close to the transmitter, I get a really bad electronic noise that makes the sound unusable. Is this normal or have I got a duff copy? Thanks
I haven't tried that (I'll give it a go if I get the time); it wouldn't surprise me though, after all the transmitter is putting out power and the mic is a sensitive little electronic device so if they're next to each other there could be noise pickup.
But why would you have the mic so close to the transmitter though? Surely mic on lapel and transmitter in back pocket or jacket pocket etc?
Thanks. They're not actually that close. Even with the mic in the pocket, it is still picking it up. I contacted Rode and they thought it could be a dodgy Micon adapter (apparently they had an issue with one of the batches). I guess if you haven't noticed it then I've probably got a dud ( i couldn't help but notice it). Thanks anyway and thanks again for the video!
Yes, that definitely sounds dodgy then. They're replacing it I assume?
I've sent it back so hopefully get a new one soon!
Great review with impressive results :-)
Glad you liked it!
Great job on the video. What mic did you use to make this video?
Thanks. The voiceover was recorded on a Rode NT-USB
Great review! If I'm looking for an entry level (I have a wired Lav but it's becoming a hassle) wireless option would you say this is it? I'm also looking at used Sony G3s but this seems like a solid contender.
Yes, absolutely I'd say this is a great entry-level option (I presume you mean Sennheiser G3? They're also good but more costly I think)
+TubeShooterMag Thanks for the help! It's going to be nice not needing to sync an external recorder and camera video.
Interesting to see the range you got. When running 4 of them, I was getting occasional dropouts over less than 30 metres, in a coastal situation, with no apparent interference sources. When using just 2 of them I noticed that the dropouts pretty much went away. After thinking about this, I suspect that the dropouts were not a problem of range, but may actually have been caused by interference between the 4 RodeLinks themselves. Anyone else had experience of using several RodeLinks at once? They were bought because they were cheaper than my preferred Sennheisers, and you are supposed to be able to use up to 4 of them at once. Now, I'm a bit reluctant to use them again in such a setup.
That is odd because given the technology they use I didn't think they were able to interfere like that (separate channels and all that). Worth pitching the question to Rode themselves I'd have though, be interesting to hear if you get a response.
Shave heard nothing but issues after issue with this wireless system, get what you pay for.
What sort of issues? It could help other potential buyers if you're a bit more descriptive.
Andy I'm a bit confused by that because this system is not a recorder, just a transmitter and receiver so it can't "stop recording". Can you clarify what's happening?
Great review and tests, thank you Sir! I also have the RODELink but have yet to put it through its paces.
Cheers
Thx for the good review. But for me it is very important to know about the battery consumtion. We are doing travel vlogs and today we usw the rode smart lav plus wih an iphone. Two things are really anoying: we have always start and stop manually the recording on the iphone and secondly, we have to sync both, video and audio lateron. So, the idea is now to turn on this rode link, lets say in the morning and never switch it off again until the day is over. How long is the battery live then? If its under 8 hours, maybe its an good idea to use an external power pak, what domyou think.
+SunnySunGER I think you'll go through a heck of a lot of batteries that way. Anything that transmits radio waves is (relatively) power hungry. There's no connection on the transmitter pack for an external power source so you'd have to "bodge" something up which would make an already large transmitter even bigger. I think realistically speaking you need to persist with start/stop recording, or accept that you'll be forever changing batteries in the Rodelink.
+SunnySunGER It takes about 5 seconds for the Tx and Rx to sync up but there's nothing more to it than simply switching them on so it's very straightfoward and easy.
@@TubeShooterMag Just bought a set and there are now external power supply even for the transmitter. I'm going to use it stationary so the receiver can be connected to a USB power supply unit. I have only used it once so far, a recording that lasted for appr two hours and at that time my 1900 mAh rechargeable batteries was half empty.
Thank you for a review that really tested the stuff and not only presented what's in the specs.
Cheers Patrick. Interesting to know that about the current version.
Thank you David for a great review. As you suggested, this system does indeed look ideal to capture dialogue whilst sailing.
Do you watch Mads on "Sail Life"? He uses one albeit he never goes sailing...
@@TubeShooterMag - I've never seen his channel before - thanks for the heads up about Mads & Sail Life - looks like I've a bit of an epic binge watch coming up . . . .
Haha yes that'll take a few weeks to see the lot!!