Røde’s New Interview Pro Wireless Condenser Mic Is A Sound Investment

Back in April, Røde announced new products at the NAB broadcasting technology show in Las Vegas. Those products are landing on customers desks and the first up for review is Røde’s Interview Pro, a wireless and handheld microphone with 32-bit float recording and 8GB of onboard memory that makes it completely self-contained.

As you would expect from a Røde product, the Interview Pro is manufactured at the company’s New South Wales factory. It feels like a solid piece of kit that’s tough enough to handle the punishment meted out during newsgathering on the road.

The Interview Pro can be connected to any of Røde’s Series IV wireless system which includes the Wireless PRO, Wireless ME and Wireless GO II products. The pocket-sized radio receivers used in these kits can transmit pristine digital audio up to 200m as long as both devices are in sight of each other. The receiving device can be plugged into a camera, digital recorder or even a smartphone.

As well as connecting with Røde’s wireless systems, the Interview Pro will also connect to the RødeCaster Pro II, RødeCaster DUO and the Røde Streamer X. When connected to these devices, the incoming wireless ling takes over one of the XLR channels so bear that in mind when adding up how many mics your setup can take.

The Interview PRO uses Røde’s innovative Series IV 2.4GHz digital transmission with 128-bit encryption. The result is an incredibly stable wireless feed and the mic is perfect for vox pops and interviews when on the run.

The condenser capsule used in the Interview PRO has a superbly rich and detailed sound with a warm character and an excellent response time. The mic also ships with a foam windshield for when it is used outdoors.

The fixed internal battery inside the Interview PRO can be recharged by unscrewing the mic’s barrel to reveal a USB C charging port and a full charge will provide up to 25 hours of use. The USB port not only charges the battery, but it’s also used to connect the mic to a Mac or PC. So that the 32GB of internal memory appears on the computer desktop like any other removable storage. The audio files stored on the mic can be dragged and dropped to the computer ready for processing.

The ability to record up to 40 hours of high-quality audio on the Interview PRO’s internal memory means you don’t even need the wireless kit, although it’s a good idea if you want to monitor the recording as it’s being made. The audio files can be matched up with the video footage in post-production, but just be sure to use a clapper board for syncing the sound and identifying which recordings belongs with which video.

Also built into the Interview PRO is Røde’s innovative GainAssist technology. This uses intelligent algorithms to adjust the mic’s gain levels automatically as you are recording. The system goes a long way top stopping any clipping and works so well.

Another innovative feature with this mic is its ability to record audio in 32-bit float audio at 48kHz sampling rate directly to the built-in memory. The beauty of 32-bit float recording is there is no chance of the ever clipping the sound. The gain can be adjusted afterwards so you don’t need to monitor the sound as it’s being recorded. And when you are recording to the internal memory, a handy pause button on the mic means you can stop the recording in-between interviews or vox pops.

With more than 40 hours of onboard recording time, you can always have a saftety track as well as sending the audio wirelessly back to the camera or digital recorder. This dual recording facility is an excellent plan when you are recording occasions that can’t be repeated. It’s virtually foolproof.

Verdict: The new Røde Interview PRO wireless mic combines the convenience of a wireless mic with the deep and rich sound quality of a great condenser capsule. The sound is bigger and deeper than a Lavalier mic and shock-mounting built into the mic’s body means almost no handling noise. For recording pristine interviews for video or radio, the Interview PRO is a no-brainer. For those who need more than one mic, there’s even a smart docking station that can recharge two mics at the same time so they are always ready for use at a moment’s notice. Highly Recommended.

Pricing & Availability: The Røde Interview PRO wireless condenser microphone is available now and priced at $249 / £249 / €249.

More info: rode.com

Tech Specs:

• Color: Black.
• Weight: 250g.
• Dimensions: 258 x 47 x 47.
• Capsule: Electret condenser.
• Acoustic principle: Pre-polarised pressure transducer.
• Polar pattern: Omnidirectional.
• Frequency range: 20Hz – 20kHz.
• Signal-to-Noise ratio: 74dB.
• Dynamic range: 102dB (as per IEC651).
• Maximum SPL: 122dB SPL.
• Wireless connectivity: RØDE Series IV Wireless 2.4GHz.
• Transmission range: Up to 200m (line of sight).
• Computer connectivity: USB-C (USB SuperSpeed 5Gbps).
• Power: In-built lithium-ion rechargeable (charged via USB).
• Recording capacity: 32GB (over 40 hours of recording).
• Operating time: Up to 25 hours.
• Bit depth: 32-bit.
• Sample rate: 48 kHz.
• Minimum OS: macOS 11, Windows 10, iOS 14, Android 11.