RØDE today announced the RØDE Wireless GO II system, the world's smallest wireless microphone system. The new system offers 2.4GHz digital transmission with 128-bit encryption which delivers up to 200m of extra range over the previous iteration. The Wireless GO II system also offers more than 24 hours of onboard recording in each transmitter. This can save you from dropouts and other audio recording failures.
The new Wireless GO II system retails for $299 USD and should begin shipping worldwide very soon.
KEY FEATURES OF THE WIRELESS GO II:
- Dual-channel wireless microphone system – record two sound sources simultaneously or use as a single channel wireless microphone
- All-new Series IV 2.4GHz digital transmission with 128-bit encryption – delivers an extended range of up to 200m (line of sight), optimised for extremely stable operation in dense RF environments
- 3.5mm analog TRS output, USB-C and iOS digital audio output – universal compatibility with cameras, mobile devices and computers
- On-board recording capability – record over 24 hours of audio direct to each transmitter as a failsafe against dropouts and other audio issues
- Ability to switch between mono or stereo recording modes – record each channel separately or combine them for ultimate flexibility in post-production
- Flexible gain control – three-stage pad, expandable to 10-stage pad
- Safety channel – records a second channel at -20dB as a backup in case the main channel distorts
- Complete control over all features and functions via the RØDE Central app
- In-built rechargeable lithium-ion batteries – up to 7 hours battery life, plus a power saver mode
- Designed and made in RØDE’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Sydney, Australia
Preorder the RØDE Wireless GO II at Adorama
Press Release
The world's smallest and first truly wireless microphone has been reborn. Meet the RØDE Wireless GO II, a new ultra-compact and extremely versatile dual-channel wireless microphone system. Offering the same pocket-sized form factor and professional sound quality as the best-selling Wireless GO, with a host of incredible new features making it even more powerful and flexible, this is next-generation wireless audio from RØDE.
The original Wireless GO, released in 2019, revolutionised audio for content creators. With its innovative form factor, unique clip ‘n’ go versatility, and in-built microphone offering truly wireless recording for the first time, it changed the way creators captured sound for video.
The Wireless GO II offers all of these features and much more, including dual-channel recording, universal compatibility with cameras, mobile devices and computers, extended range and improved transmission stability, and on-board recording capabilities. Wireless audio has changed again.
“The original Wireless GO was a gamechanger,” says RØDE CEO Damien Wilson. “It truly revolutionised sound capture for everyone from vloggers to business professionals producing content while working from home. The form factor and feature set had never been seen before and many have attempted – and failed – to replicate it since.”
“The Wireless GO II is a huge leap forward in terms of useability and versatility while retaining all the elements that made the first edition such a success. It represents RØDE’s mission to innovate and continue evolving our product lines, always with creators in mind. The Wireless GO II is once again going to change the way people record audio for their content.”
UNMATCHED VERSATILITY
The Wireless GO II takes the versatility of the original to new heights. Each kit contains two transmitters and a single receiver, allowing users to capture two sound sources simultaneously – perfect for a wide range of filmmaking scenarios, from recording interviews to two-person vlogs. It can also be used as a single channel wireless microphone for recording just one sound source.
The Wireless GO II features a 3.5mm analog TRS output for plugging into cameras, plus a digital audio output via USB-C for plugging into smartphones, tablets and even computers. This universal compatibility with any device makes the Wireless GO II extremely versatile, ideal for everyone from filmmakers to YouTubers to business professionals.
Another groundbreaking feature is its on-board recording capability. The Wireless GO II can record over 24 hours of audio directly to each transmitter (without the need for an SD card), ensuring a backup recording is always available in post-production in case of transmission dropouts and other audio issues.
This feature is activated via RØDE Central, a new app that gives users access to firmware updates and advanced features for the Wireless GO II. In addition to onboard recording, these include activation of the safety channel, which records a second track at -20dB in case the main channel distorts, a fine gain control that expands the three-stage pad to a 10-stage pad, and more. The Wireless GO II is the first RØDE product to utilise RØDE Central, with the VideoMic NTG, AI-1 and others to be integrated in future.
Other key features of the Wireless GO II include the ability to switch between mono and stereo modes, allowing users to record each transmitter separately or combine the two for ultimate flexibility in post-production, a mute button, in-built rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that last up to 7 hours, and more.
No other wireless microphone system packs in such an incredible range of features, making the Wireless GO II one of the most versatile microphones on the market.
ULTRA-COMPACT WIRELESS AUDIO
The Wireless GO II offers the same pocket-sized form factor as the original. The receiver weighs just 32g and the transmitters weigh just 31g, with each measuring less than a matchbox, taking up virtually no space in a camera kit bag, backpack, handbag or briefcase.
The transmitters and receiver feature the same unique clip design as the original, which make them incredibly easy to clip onto talent and mount onto a DSLR or mirrorless camera, mobile camera rig, boom pole or cold shoe accessory. This also means the extensive range of Wireless GO accessories work with the Wireless GO II, including the Interview GO and MagClip GO. Ultra-compact wireless audio for any recording situation.
Each Wireless GO II kit ships with a flat TRS memory cable for plugging into cameras and three USB-C to USB-A cables for connecting to computers for charging and recording (additional RØDE cables or adaptors are required for connecting to mobile devices and computers with USB-C inputs). There is also a handy carry pouch for keeping the kit tidy and secure.
PROFESSIONAL SOUND. SEAMLESS CONNECTIVITY
The Wireless GO II has been designed to deliver professional sound while being incredibly simple to use. Out of the box, the two transmitters come auto paired to the receiver and will remember which channel they’ve been assigned to in future, ensuring a seamless setup process every time.
The system utilises RØDE’s all-new Series IV 2.4GHz digital transmission with 128-bit encryption, which delivers an extended range of up to 200m (line of sight) and is optimised for operation in areas with a high level of RF activity, including dense urban environments, shopping malls, universities, convention centres and offices. The internal antenna has been redesigned to ensure an extremely stable connection, and with on-board recording providing a backup of all audio, users never have to worry about dropouts again.
Each transmitter features a high-quality in-built omnidirectional condenser capsule for completely wireless recording, plus a 3.5mm TRS input for plugging in a lavalier microphone, such as the RØDE Lavalier GO.
The Wireless GO II also comes with three furry windshields, which incorporate an innovative new twist-to-lock design for recording in windy conditions, ensuring crystal-clear, professional sound in any situation.
Preorder the RØDE Wireless GO II at Adorama
Also, I do not believe they will ship with the ability to record and transmit simultaneously. That will come with a later firmware update. Which may also be what is allowing them to legally be sold right now in the US, if they haven’t already come to an agreement with Zaxcom or have some design loophole that gets around the patent or it provides them an easy way out if Zax does sue, then they can just never activate the feature on US models(*conspiracy theory* but nothing will stop anyone from downloading firmware for other (non-US)regions).
Is this supposedly a hardware paent or a software patent? If software then good. I like to see Americans getting bit in the ass by their own greedy money grubbing get rich quick schemes.
I’m guessing by your reply, you don’t work in the industry, because as crazy as it sounds, yes they do(Google it. And there are numerous threads in other professional production and audio boards on the topic). Most of us have been amazed and dumbfounded for YEARS by this. And yes, it has stood up to repeated challenges. Yes, there is prior art and should never have been granted a patent for the basic recording while transmitting idea(telling that this patent is only for the US and was never attempted or granted in any other country), but still the US patent system/judges have allowed it to stand. It was almost/temporarily brought down last year, at least part of it, but upon “appeal” or re-application or whatever it’s called in the patent world when they amend or add information/change their argument, it was upheld, again. And even crazier, they have been able to force other companies to disable the headphone/audio output jacks on their standalone “mini”recorders(not wireless transmitters)(US models) when they are recording.
I’m not a fan of Zaxcom for this very reason, but they are not a patent troll. They are an actual practicing, product producing company serving the high-end/upper echelon of audio in TV/movie production.
Now on to the interesting part of this concerning Rode. Some of the speculation/theory(some claim to have spoken to Rode and had it confirmed) is that because the system operates at 2.4GHz(not in the UHF spectrum as most professional wireless systems currently do), it gets around Zaxcom’s patent. Other theories speculate on the internal non-removable memory/media. And yet another theory is that Rode and Zax came to a licensing agreement(Zax is on the record as willing to license their patent) and Rode is not a competitor to Zaxcom(yes they both make audio products, but for vastly different markets. Think Honda Civic vs. Ferrari). I don’t buy any part of the argument that they aren’t competitors, because they have enforced it on other “down market” companies. Also interesting is that I do not believe the Rode system will ship with the ability to simultaneously record and transmit. It will supposedly be added in a future firmware update. I think that is a key piece to this all...