- Rode's smallest and lightest microphone at just 0.42 oz / 12 g
- Available in white or black versions and for USB-C or Lightning connection
- Automatically controls audio levels for well-balanced sound
Rode has introduced its smallest wireless microphone system to date, the Wireless Micro. Designed for smartphone content creation, the Wireless Micro is the audio giant's simplest wireless microphone yet, delivering next-level audio quality, wire-free and discreet.
The Dual Microphone Kit includes two microphones (also known as transmitters) and one receiver, all stored in a charging case. The entire kit, including case, weighs just 3.6 oz / 102 g, and each microphone weighs just 0.42 oz / 12 g and measures 40 x 20 x 17 mm. That's very small.
To get started, simply plug the (also small) receiver into your smartphone's charging port and it will sync with the microphones. Depending on your smartphone, you may first have to manually select the external microphone option in your phone's camera video menu (instead of the phone's built-in microphone), as was the case for me when I used a Pixel phone. Otherwise, that's it – you'll be up and running in seconds, equipped with Rode's Intelligent GainAssist technology for “perfect audio every time.”
The microphones can be clipped to clothing or attached magnetically and are available in black or white. There are USB-C and Lightning versions of the Wireless Micro for full compatibility with both Android and all iPhone models.
Wind shields are integrated as part of Rode's patent-pending acoustic chamber design, plus there are additional furry windshields in the box that clip around the receiver for clearer outdoor recording on windy days, although these additional windshields They don't fit in the charging case. .
The list price of the Wireless Micro is $149. We will update this article with UK and Australian pricing, as well as the on-sale date, as soon as we receive this information from Rode.
The smart choice for smartphone content creators
The Wireless Micro has a transmission range of over 100m and during testing we were able to reliably connect to an Android phone. The runtime for each microphone is a generous seven hours, plus you can recharge the microphone's battery via the charging case, which features a 490mAh battery, effectively extending the total runtime to 21 hours. Impressive stuff.
You can record video with the Rode Wireless Micro audio through your phone's camera app, plus it works with the free Rode Capture video recording app, which adds features like sound level monitoring. There are advantages and disadvantages to working with either of those options, so it's good to be able to choose between the two.
A note for audiophiles: the Wireless Micro has a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz, a maximum SPL of 135 dB, a signal-to-noise ratio of 73 dB, and an A-weighted equivalent noise of 21 dBA. Those specs are roughly similar to the Rode Wireless ME, a wireless microphone that also works with cameras.
The intelligent GainAssist automatically controls audio levels for well-balanced sound, freeing the user to focus on creating. While we'll need to fully evaluate the audio quality in our review, the Wireless Micro looks like a great addition to Rode's range of wireless microphones. I can see this being one of Rode's most popular products to date.