For musicians, effectively showcasing themselves has become a vital part of the craft, whether among fellow artists, on stage or - most importantly these days - online. Professional videos are undeniably a part of this modern landscape. And while new smartphones and digital cameras deliver exceptional image quality, achieving a superior sound, particularly in the music realm, is less straightforward. There is no need to worry, however, because with the Rode Wireless GO II, a simple, versatile, and high-quality solution for recording multiple people is within reach. And the cost is relatively modest too!
For musicians or bands looking to expand their audience, it is essential to embrace online performances, and that means creating content for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and more. This of course calls for top-quality, captivating videos - whether rehearsals, live shows, or promo announcements for a band. However, there is a snag – phones often struggle to capture good audio, particularly in acoustically challenging environments. Luckily, renowned microphone manufacturer Rode has the solution: The Wireless GO II. This kit tackles the problem head-on, making it a breeze to record high-quality audio, even on digital cameras. And the best part? It's as simple as powering on, pairing, and hitting record. Of course, this setup isn't just for video – it's also perfect for audio-only recordings too, like podcasts featuring two speakers.
When filming spontaneous videos, whether on the way to a concert, during band rehearsals, or in the studio, the last thing anyone wants is to be burdened by technical complications - and that is where the Rode Wireless GO II comes in. It effortlessly syncs with any smartphone or camera with a mini-jack input, and it can also be connected to the line input on a computer. The transmitters serve as both clip-on and beltpack lavalier microphones (with the option of attaching an external mic), wirelessly transmitting crystal-clear audio to the compact receiver. Plug-and-play simplicity is the name of the game – and the results will impress even the most discerning ears. Plus, with two transmitters included, stereo recording is a breeze, making the Wireless GO II ideal for interviews and podcasts as well.
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.
The standout feature of the Rode Wireless GO II is its intuitive usability. This compact set consists of two TX clip-on transmitters with built-in omnidirectional microphones and an RX receiver that can be clipped onto a shirt or attached to a camera's hot shoe mount. Thanks to the wireless connection, the subject can move quite far from the camera – up to 200m under ideal conditions – and still get an excellent sound. In practical terms, all that is necessary is to turn on the devices, connect the receiver via cable to the input jack on a camera, smartphone, or computer, and recording can begin. Additionally, the package includes (synthetic) fur windshields and charging cables for the transmitter and receiver batteries, along with a handy carrying case, making this a fantastic package at an affordable price.
Omnidirectional polar pattern
Microphones come with different polar patterns, depending on the direction from which the transducer picks up the most signal. With an omnidirectional polar pattern, sound waves from all directions (360 degrees) are captured at virtually equal volume, which results in a very natural sound image but can be impractical in noisy environments. Microphones with narrower directional characteristics, such as the cardioid polar pattern, are much better suited to such environments, as they directly eliminate or significantly reduce more unwanted noises.