Latest news with #WirelessMicro
The Verge
22-05-2025
- The Verge
Rode's tiny wireless mic can now connect directly to your iPhone without a dongle
Rode has announced a firmware update for its Wireless Micro microphone system introducing a new feature called Direct Connect that allows the mic to directly connect to iOS devices over Bluetooth. Previously, you needed to use the company's USB-C dongle receiver. First launched last November, Rode's $149 Wireless Micro pairs two tiny rechargeable lavalier mics with a wireless receiver that connects directly to mobile devices using their USB-C charging ports (or in the case of older iPhones and iPads, the Lightning port). The receiver can connect to and record from both of the microphones simultaneously using Rode's mobile app, with a wireless range of 328 feet. The new Direct Connect feature takes that wireless receiver out of the equation so the mics can now connect directly to a smartphone. That approach potentially allows for simpler setups, but it does come with a few compromises. The feature is only compatible with iOS devices — not Android — and audio can only be captured from a single Wireless Micro mic at a time. The use of Bluetooth also reduces the range of the microphones, and the wireless connection may not be as stable as it is when using the receiver. Other upgrades in the firmware update include a new noise reduction feature that helps minimize unwanted background sounds while recording in environments where silence can't be guaranteed. That feature can be activated for each microphone independently. There's also a new output gain control that 'lets users easily adjust recording levels directly within the app,' and when using the wireless receiver connected to both mics, the audio can be captured to a single merged stereo track or recorded independently to separate channels for more flexibility while editing afterwards.
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Latest Firmware For RØDE's Wireless Micro Brings Direct Connection With iPhones
Exciting news released from RØDE, the Australia-based audio brand that dominates the video microphone market. Today, the company has announced a major firmware update for its award-winning Wireless Microproduct. Wireless Micro is RØDE's entry-level wireless lavalier mics designed for iPhones and Android devices. The kit consists of two wireless lavalier mics and a receiver unit, which is available for iOS or USB-C connections. The new feature announced today is called Direct Connect and it enables users to connect their Wireless Micro transmitters directly to an iOS device using the RØDE Capture app without the need to plug in the product's physical receiver unit. Available via the RØDE Capture app, Direct Connect can pair Wireless Micro transmitters directly with an iPhone via Bluetooth. This eliminates the need for additional hardware or accessories. A similar function is offered with Shure's MoveMicro system, which also connects directly to an iPhone via Bluetooth when using Shure's MOTIV app. 'With Direct Connect, we're making content creation more seamless than ever,' says Damien Wilson, CEO of RØDE. 'It's a direct response to what our users have been asking for – true wireless freedom, less hardware, and complete control from their phone. We're thrilled to bring this feature to the Wireless Micro as we continue leading the way in compact, professional audio solutions.' In addition to Direct Connect, the update also has several new and powerful enhancements within the RØDE Capture companion app. There is a brand-new noise reduction feature that helps deliver even cleaner audio by minimizing background noise when recording in dynamic or uncontrolled environments. This setting can be toggled independently for each transmitter, giving users more control over their sound. With the firmware update, it's now possible to record sound in merged or split modes. In merged mode, the audio from both transmitters is combined into a single, ready-to-publish stereo track. Meanwhile, in split mode, each transmitter is recorded to a separate channel, offering greater flexibility for adjusting levels in post-production. Finally, there's also a new output gain control that lets users adjust recording levels directly within the app, ensuring balanced audio. The release of Direct Connect follows the Wireless Micro's recent win as Best Microphone in Rolling Stone's 2025 Audio Awards. Praised for its compact form factor, intuitive design, and professional sound quality, the Wireless Micro was recognized as RØDE's most accessible wireless solution to date. RØDE's Wireless Micro is available in black or white and in both USB-C and Lightning configurations. It includes a pocket-sized charging case offering up to 21 hours of battery life and is compatible with a wide range of devices, now including wireless iOS pairing via Direct Connect. RØDE's Wireless Micro ships worldwide and is available to purchase for $149 from RØDE and other retailers. Direct Connect is available now on the RØDE Capture app once the user has applied the updated firmware using the transmitter unit.
Tom's Guide
16-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
The Rode Wireless Micro is so easy, I bet my cat could figure it out — it's perfect for total newbies
The Rode Wireless Micro is a smartphone-first microphone that is so easy to use, I think my cat could give it a go. There's no question about it: the Wireless Micro is intended for social content creators over traditional camera-forward videographers. As a result, it prioritizes portability and ease of use, both of which are integral for social media creators. So, is that enough to make it one of the best microphones? I think if you're after the easiest microphone in the world, then yeah, sure. The audio quality might not cut it for professionals, but, then again, it's just $150. For $150, this is an excellent set of wireless mics, and I have no doubt that it would instantly level-up your social media prowess. I'll get into all the gnarly details in this Rode Wireless Micro review. Price $149 / £139 Connectivity USB-C, Lightning Max SPL 135dB Audio resolution 24-bit, 48kHz Frequency response 20 Hz - 20 kHz Microphone type Condenser Battery life 18 hours Polar pattern Omnidirectional Weight 3.6 ounces Dimensions 2.8 x 2.3 x 1.1 inches Colors Black The Rode Wireless Micro is $149 from Amazon U.S. and £139 on Amazon U.K., but it's often on sale for around $15/£20 off. While this isn't massively cheap for a set of wireless mics, for the quality, I'd say this is a very reasonable price. The DJI Mic Mini is $149 for a receiver and two transmitters, which is the exact same price as the Rode Wireless Micro for the same number of RXs and TXs. The more professional-focused DJI Mic 2 is $349, and the Rode offering Wireless Pro is $399. If you need something with a higher bitrate, then I'd recommend the Rode Wireless Pro over the Wireless Micro. Actually, we use the Rode Wireless Pro in our 'Buy or Skip' videos — an example of which you can find in this Ultenic U12 vacuum cleaner review — which are just proof of how excellent this microphone is. Even so, if you're more of a casual content creator looking for a quick and easy way to upgrade your social videos, then I think the Wireless Micro is a fantastic choice. Now, if you want a wireless microphone that requires no setting up, then the Wireless Micro is for you. I was able to get recording the second I unboxed this mic. Think about the easiest microphone you've ever used, and then make it about 10% easier. That's the Rode Wireless Micro. The charging case is just 2.7 inches across — small enough to fit in my palm. It looks like an earbuds charging case, and has a soft-close clamshell-like lid. The case feels quite sturdy, too, and I'd have no doubts about throwing this into my recording bag willy-nilly. The two transmitters and the receiver fit snugly into the charging case and snap into place thanks to the magnetic charging pins. The magnetic clips slot underneath the TXs, and I'd recommend keeping them attached to the transmitters as they seem very easy to lose between uses. The windshields (AKA dead cat) don't fit in the charging case, which is a little bizarre. This is the only issue I have with the Wireless Micro. I'd recommend getting a little pouch to store the windshields between use, otherwise they might get lost. As for the transmitter microphones, they're omnidirectional mics, which means they pick up sounds from all around. If they're clipped to collars or simply held, they'll be able to capture voices. The mics are condenser microphones, so they will perform well in noisier environments. The Wireless Micro has a wireless range of up to 328 feet, which is around 500 feet less than the Wireless Pro, but 200 feet more than the Shure MoveMic 88+ ($449). I was quite surprised to see minimal app features on the Rode Central app. Unlike the Shure Motiv Mix smartphone app, you can only update firmware and control stereo/mono recording in Rode Central. I'd perhaps like to see some more customization options in future, like vocal effects, noise canceling options, and manual gain. The Wireless Micro mics have built-in gain adjustment, which I found worked well in testing, but I do think this should have a manual setting too for complex environments. Again, the Wireless Micro has built-in noise cancellation, but it would be more versatile if users could actually see and control this in-app. As I'll demonstrate in the 'Audio quality' section below, the noise cancellation is fine. It's not phenomenal, but it's not negligible, either. It would perform adequately for street content creators or casual content creators, but might not cut it for loud environments like festivals or music concerts. Even so, the Wireless Micro would be a perfect first microphone for beginner content creators, or content creators who have yet to invest in a professional-sounding mic setup. The wireless micro is easy to use right out of the box. It's as easy as this: plug the USB-C/Lightning receiver into your phone and press record. The mics will automatically be the preferred input when you use your native recording app, and you can also record into Rode Capture. However, I'd recommend using your native camera as it's just easier. Although you don't need either apps, Rode recommends you use the Wireless Micro with Rode Central and Rode Capture. I found both apps very easy to use, although nothing groundbreaking. User reviews on the App Store claim the app doesn't recognize Rode microphones, but I didn't experience any of this. The second I plugged in my USB-C receiver, the app recognized the mics. As you can see from the screenshots of the Rode Central (left) and Rode Capture (right) apps, the UI is very clean and has clear options for customization. As I mentioned earlier, there are minimal features in the app. In Rode Central, all you can do is customize the gain and merge or separate the two transmitter channels. There are no further options like EQ, noise cancelation, or similar. As with all microphones I test, I put the Rode Wireless Micro through a series of standardized audio tests. First, though, I'll let you hear the sound quality right off the bat. Word of warning, though, this was recorded onto my iPhone 16 Pro in m4a. I then had to convert to MP3 to upload here, so it will have lost some quality. I promise it sounded better in editing than it does here. My voice is clear, clean, and faithful to real life. While the audio quality isn't phenomenal, there's no reason why this wouldn't be more than enough for YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram content. I put the Wireless Micro through a series of tests — plosive (pops), sibilant (s sounds), and noisy environments. Plosive sounds are basically 'P' and 'B' sounds — anything that might make a microphone 'pop'. The Rode Wireless Micro has a built-in pop filter. I think the Wireless Micro did a really good job of minimizing the 'P' and 'B' pops here. Of course it's not as adept as a broadcast-quality microphone — but that's like comparing apples and oranges. They're completely different products with completely different intended uses. For social content creation, I think this is a very reliable pop filter and would perform well. Fricative sounds refer to soft, airy sounds like 'F' and 'V'. Sibilance refers to hissy 'S' sounds, which can be quite unpleasant to listen to. As you can tell from the audio clip above, the Wireless Micro, again, performed exceptionally well at mitigating harsh 'S' sounds. The repeated sibilance in the clip is soft and controlled. Again, I think this microphone would perform well, even with the most inexperienced users. Considering this is intended more as an out-and-about microphone than a static, treated room microphone, it's imperative that the Wireless Micro has decent ambient noise cancelation. As I lamented earlier, this noise cancellation is unfortunately not configurable in the Rode Central app. It's simply built into the microphone itself. Listen to this clip. As you can tell from the MP3 above, the noise cancelation is fine. By no means is the ambient noise silent, but, also, my voice is still front and center of the recording. I recorded a few clips of me on the street next to an electric saw, and the microphone still picked up my voice more than the noisy environment. While it's not Shure's 'Denoiser' (available on the MV7 broadcast-mic range) level of profound, the ambient noise reduction is still good enough to protect your recordings in noisy situations. I recorded this fake interview with the 'Merged' sound, as configured in the Rode Central app. As you can hear from the clip below, the Wireless Micro does a fantastic job of minimizing hisses and pops. As you can hear, my interviewee doesn't have the best microphone etiquette. But, then again, most interviewees might not have much microphone experience and be unsure how to speak into one. In that case, I'd be confident that the Wireless Micro would tame even the wildest speakers. The Rode Wireless Micro is probably the easiest wireless mic I've ever used. Easier than the Shure MoveMic 88+ (although that has better sound quality), and much easier than the Sennheiser Profile Wireless (with comparable sound quality). There's no fiddling with Bluetooth or trying to figure out why your TXs aren't working. The microphone just works, right out of the box. Thanks to the smartphone-first connectivity, I was able to get recording via my iPhone's camera in seconds. Whether you're recording voiceovers for TikTok or street interviews for Instagram, these mics won't let you down. While, no, I don't think the audio quality quite cuts it for professional content, the Wireless Micro is just $150, making it an ideal option for a first hi-res mic upgrade. For newbies, there's really nothing better.
