Rode Brings Direct Connect to Wireless GO Gen 3 and Wireless PRO

Rode has released a free firmware update that adds Direct Connect to two more of its wireless microphone systems: the Wireless GO (Gen 3) and the Wireless PRO. The feature first appeared on the Wireless Micro. It lets the transmitters pair with an iPhone over Bluetooth, so the receiver no longer has to be plugged into the phone.

How Direct Connect works

The connection runs only inside the free Rode Capture app; the built-in iPhone camera app and other camera apps do not support it. Within Capture, users can choose between two recording modes:

• Merged combines both transmitters into a single stereo track.
• Split places each transmitter on its own channel for later editing.

Output gain can be adjusted inside the app during recording. Removing the receiver also frees up the phone's USB-C port, which matters for users of gimbals that do not expect a device hanging off the phone. Rode CEO Damien Wilson said the feedback from Wireless Micro users who adopted Direct Connect had been very positive. In early hands-on use, the update was offered through Rode Central on a computer before it appeared in the mobile apps.

The two systems

Wireless GO (Gen 3) uses Rode's Series IV 2.4 GHz digital transmission, records 32-bit float audio to 32GB of storage inside each transmitter and uses Intelligent GainAssist to keep levels balanced. It is sold in several colours for US$199 after a 33% price cut.

Wireless PRO adds timecode for syncing in post-production and a line-of-sight range of 260 m. It works with Series IV devices including RODECaster Pro II, RODECaster Duo and RODECaster Video, and costs US$299 following a 25% reduction. Both systems ship worldwide, and Direct Connect is available on them now.