Rode Wireless Micro Review: A Palm-Sized Podcast Studio

Rode releases a new wireless microphone every single day of the week (and twice on Sundays). Here’s one of their latest: The Rode Wireless Micro!

Many years ago, I remember showing my gran an iPod and wondering how impossible it must’ve been for her to comprehend.

These days, I get it. My on-the-go podcasting kit consists of a brick-sized digital recorder, two dynamic mics, and two rolls of XLR cables. I still think of this as “handy” and “portable”. And then I hold in my palm the new Rode Wireless Micro – a tiny kit that lets you capture pristine audio with your smartphone. And it’s precisely this kit that’s the focus of my reviewer’s pen today.

A quick heads up before we dive in: We received the Rode Wireless Micro free of charge for review purposes. We also use some affiliate links, which help support all of our free content, but rest assured, this never prevents us from giving our honest opinions.

The audio in this video was recorded with the Rode Wireless Micro.

Rode Wireless Micro

I used to throw the term “pocket-sized” around when I was writing gear reviews, but, to be honest, this only applied to the types of pockets found on Clown’s trousers.

Now, ordinary pockets can get in on the act – even if they live on skintight jeans.

Weighing in at less than 100g and small enough to close your fist around, the Rode Wireless Micro case contains two mic transmitters and a receiver.

You can choose a Lightning or USB-C kit, depending on whether your mobile cellular telephone is an Apple or Android device. So, assuming you have a phone (last time I left the house, it looked like everyone was sorted on that front), your entire “studio” can cost you less than $150.

Who is it For?

This kit will benefit anyone who wants to record first-class audio into their smartphone. However, it excels if:

• You’re recording video – the mics are barely visible on your clothing
• You’re frequently recording on the go (and often, spontaneously)
• You often record with others (guests or co-hosts) in person

The Rode Wireless Micro is a kit you can have on you at all times, and if a recording opportunity arises, you can be set up and hitting the big red button in seconds.

How Does the Rode Wireless Micro Work?

Pop the receiver into your smartphone via its Lightning or USB-C port, then, download the Rode Central app. Clip one of the mics onto your jersey, open up your video camera or voice memo app, and that’s it. You’re all set.

Rode Central

This free app ensures the Rode Wireless Micro kit will work on your phone. It’s very minimalistic, which isn’t a bad thing. I really like the fact that there is a Gain Control option, as this is an area where some smartphone recording setups fall short. You can also choose whether to merge your audio or split it to either side of a stereo track. Aside from that, the app just gets out of your way and lets you do your thing.

Technical Stuff

The mics have Omnidirectional polar patterns. This means they pick up sound equally from all around them, making them foolproof for setting up – you can’t accidentally point them in the wrong direction.

Here are some more tech specs, too.

• Frequency Range (20 Hz – 20 kHz) captures the full range of human hearing
• Maximum SPL (135 dB SPL) determines how loud your sound source can be before the audio distorts. At 135, you’d probably be fine recording at a gig, motor race, or fireworks display.
• Equivalent Noise (21 dBA) is the self-noise of the microphone. Gentle nature sounds or ASMR-style whispering should record well enough, too.
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio tells you how much of the recorded signal is clean compared to noise. 73dB is great for its size, putting it around the level of the Blue Yeti or AT2020.
• Sample Rate (48 kHz) and Bit Depth (24-bit) ensure detailed and professional-quality audio.

The Wireless Micro also has GainAssist technology, which is claimed to help optimise your levels during a recording session. I can’t see any settings for this in the mobile app, though – I only have the option to set gain levels manually (which is fine by me).

Other Features of the Rode Wireless Micro

The Rode Wireless Micro has a transmission range of 100m, assuming full line of sight. That means you could theoretically have two goalies recording together on a football park or two co-hosts at either end of a train. They wouldn’t be able to hear one another, of course, but you could hire Usain Bolt to run back and forth every 9.58 seconds to pass on the messages.

The transmitters are also said to be “splashproof”. I’m assuming that means water, and not acid or lava. Disappointing news if you regularly record your podcast on Venus.

The mics will run for a whopping 7 hours, and the carry case provides an additional two charges for up to 21 hours of battery life.

If you want to hear a sound sample, then the audio in this video overview was recorded with the Rode Wireless Micro.

Summary: Rode Wireless Micro Review

I got a decent play with this kit before I’d even checked the price, and was pretty amazed to see it cost only $150. I think that’s a real bargain for the quality and range of options it provides.

More podcasters than ever before are using their smartphones to record, and whilst the video on these devices can be first-class, the audio isn’t quite there yet. The Rode Wireless Micro solves that problem at an accessible price point.

Personally, I can’t see myself ever using a smartphone as my primary recording method, but I’m not the main target audience here. Whilst I stick my iPod on and listen to “Now That’s What I Call Music: 1927”, the modern content creator is out there recording “TikToks” and “YouTube Shorts” with studio-quality audio. And all power to them. It was a lot harder in my day.

Now, where’s that 400-foot roll of XLR cable?

Rode Wireless Micro doesn’t sound like a good fit? No problem. Our podcast equipment guide and best podcast microphones roundup will help you find something more suitable!