There are more options than ever when it comes to wireless lapel mics, allowing content creators to capture high-quality audio without having to carry a mic in hand or bring someone else along to hold an overhead boom. Rode already makes some of the most popular options in the category, but with the new Rode Wireless Micro, the outfit is making their wireless clip-on mic more portable than ever.
Yes, Rode’s current wireless mic offerings are already pretty portable, with a size that can easily slip into a backpack pocket for easily taking on the go. In this case, though, they make everything as compact as possible, allowing the two transmitters and the receiver to fit in a pocket-sized box that looks like a charging case for a pair of true wireless earbuds.
The Rode Wireless Micro consists of pretty standard components: you get two transmitters, one receiver, and a charging case that lets you keep them all in one place. To use, you simply plug in the receiver to your phone’s USB-C port (or Lightning, if you opt for that version) and attach the wireless transmitters to the individuals you’re recording. Automatic pairing is built into the devices, so you can start using them off the bat. For mounting, the transmitters come with clips for easily attaching onto lapels and other parts of your clothing, as well as magnets to give you additional attachment options.
Each transmitter houses the mic inside a patent-pending acoustic chamber, a combo that, the outfit claims, enables incredibly clear and intelligible audio capture, while mitigating wind noise and plosives without using any other accessory. Like Rode’s other mics, it also has automated gain adjustments, so it can tweak the levels as needed to ensure balanced audio the whole time you’re recording, while an omnidirectional pickup pattern captures sound in all directions, so it should record subjects clearly, regardless of how the mics are worn.
The Rode Wireless Micro can record audio in the 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency range, while having a maximum SPL of 135dB and a transmission range of up to 330 feet. Battery life is rated at around six hours for each transmitter, with the charging case holding an additional 12 hours each, so you can do a whopping 18 hours of audio recordings with a couple of mandatory charging breaks in between.
How small are these? Well, the transmitters weigh just 0.4 ounces each, which puts them at less than half the size of Rode’s usual wireless mic designs, making them as unintrusive as possible. They’re also a lot harder to see in videos, which is a always a big plus. Of course, the limited size means you don’t get more advanced features, such as float-point recordings, backup channels, Bluetooth connectivity, or wired mic options for additional input, which are available in some of the wireless mic models currently in the market. It is really discreet, though, which might be what some content creators might actually prefer.
Want one? The Rode Wireless Micro is available now.
