Rode Rodecaster PRO II is an audio production studio for content creators

Rode Rodecaster PRO II audio production amp studio will be available in a few days and aims to appeal to all content creators in the world. While the predecessor focused very much on podcasting and streaming, it now is also about music and vocal recordings and all kinds of other recording tasks. There are many new features, but also a few reductions.

If you compare the Rodecaster PRO II with the previous Rode Podcaster model, you will quickly notice that the number of physical faders has been reduced. Instead of eight faders, there are only six, but now three virtual faders are added – in the end, there is even one more! A high-resolution 5.5-inch touchscreen is still available for operation.

The eight pads have become programmable SMART pads intended for triggering audio, effects, MIDI commands, mixer actions, and vision switching on eight banks. Two buttons for changing banks are added and clear the way for up to 64 actions. An encoder with a pushbutton function is used for navigating and setting parameters.

Of course, the connection options are interesting. Four Neutrik combo sockets for XLR and jack are not only suitable for microphones, but also for line and instrument signals. According to Rode, the low-noise Revolution high-gain preamps enable amplification of up to 76 dB, phantom power is of course also available.

Computers or mobile devices can be connected via the two USB ports (USB-C), and broadband Bluetooth integrates telephone calls or audio streams. The Rodecaster PRO II connects to the Internet via WLAN or the Ethernet connection.

The inputs can be freely configured to nine channels, six of which are physical and three of which are virtual. As usual, the Rodecaster PRO II offers connections for four headphones and two balanced jack outputs for monitoring.

Recordings are possible with up to 16 tracks or as a stereo mix on microSDHC or microSDXC cards, a USB storage medium (exFAT, at least 100 MB/s), or on the computer (with macOS or Windows). The converters work with 24 bits and 48 kHz. The 4 GB of internal memory is used for SMART Pad Audio – i.e. the sounds accessible via the pads.

APHEX Audio Processing again offers effects such as Aural Exciter, Big Bottom, Compellor, De-Esser, Noise Gate, High Pass Filter, and Equalizer. There are also on-board effects such as reverb, delay, pitch shifting, and robot voice.

The Rodecaster PRO II improves and extends some aspects of the old model, but remains true to the basic concept. If you would like to integrate an instrument, you can now do it more easily, the new SMART Pads also offer more options. Otherwise, much remains as usual – and that’s a good thing! If you can do without the new features, you are still well equipped with the predecessor Rode procaster (approx. $572 on Amazon).

Rode Rodecaster PRO II price and availability

Rode Rodecaster PRO II audio production amp studio is available from June 15th for $699 / £699, and you can already pre-order at Bhphotovideo.com and Amazon.co.uk stores. The scope of delivery includes a power supply unit and a three-meter long USB-C to USB-C cable.

Last year, Zoom introduced the R20 multitrack recorder with a touchscreen for DAW-like editing in a compact studio. It is a digital compact studio with 16 tracks, eight of which can be recorded at the same time and is priced at $399.99.