RØDE RØDECaster Pro II
Image courtesy: RØDE Microphones

RØDE Microphones has released a new firmware update, version 1.1.1, for the RØDE RØDECaster Pro II integrated audio production studio. The update means that you now have advanced sub-mixing to all of the device’s outputs.

RØDECaster Pro II

The RØDECaster Pro II is an audio production solution for content creators, streamers, podcasters and musicians. It has four inputs for connecting microphones, instruments and line-level devices together with four high-power headphone outputs and balanced 1/4-inch line outputs. It also has ultra-low-noise, high-gain Revolution preamps for great audio quality. In addition, the RØDECaster Pro II has nine assignable audio channels with six broadcast-quality physical faders and three virtual faders. There are eight programmable SMART pads that you can use to trigger voice effects, play back audio or send MIDI commands to external software.

Firmware update

RØDECaster Pro II outputs
Image courtesy: RØDE Microphones

Following the previous firmware update (version 1.0.7) for the RØDECaster Pro II, you could customize which channels would be heard on the USB and Bluetooth outputs. However, the version 1.1.1 update means you can now independently adjust the level of each channel for all ten audio outputs — both digital and analog. This includes the headphone and monitor outputs, the Bluetooth channel, the onboard recording mix and the three USB outputs.

Configuring the output

You access the new sub-mixing features of the RØDECaster Pro II through the settings cog in the top-right corner of the screen. You select Outputs, then Routing, to choose which of the ten outputs to configure. Every output has a Custom option at the top of the screen, which you can tap to see the new sub-mix screen for that output.

Sub-mix controls

RØDECaster Pro II mixing controls
Image courtesy: RØDE Microphones

In the RØDECaster Pro II sub-mix screen, you can set the levels for each channel. You do this by tapping the virtual fader and turning the rotary encoder. You can also link channels to create an offset from the main mix. This means that when you adjust the physical or virtual faders in your main mix, the offset for the linked channels will be maintained. So if you are a streamer, you can set the levels for the audio you hear in your headphones separately from the audio sent to your stream. In addition, for a podcast, hosts and guests can listen to entirely different mixes from what is being output.

Other enhancements

The firmware update for the RØDECaster Pro II also means that you can apply voice effects to each individual channel in multitrack mode. This also means that you can capture these effects while maintaining the post-production flexibility from multitrack recording. In addition, the RØDE Central companion software has been updated to reflect the configuration options now available on the RØDECaster Pro II itself.

What we think

The latest firmware update for the RØDECaster Pro II adds even more functionality to the device. It’s also free, so there’s no reason to wait to access the new sub-mixing features.

Pricing and availability

Firmware version 1.1.1 for the RØDECaster Pro II is available for download now, free of charge. You can connect your device to the internet to update. You can also install the latest version of RØDE Central to update your RØDECaster Pro II from your computer.

Pete Tomkies is a freelance cinematographer and camera operator from Manchester, UK. He also produces and directs short films as Duck66 Films. Pete's latest short Once Bitten... won 15 awards and was selected for 105 film festivals around the world.