RODE Wireless ME: Half the Price of the Wireless GO II, Same Great Quality Audio
RODE Wireless ME
While it looks nearly identical to the RODE Wireless GO II, the new Wireless ME is a more affordable option with the same microphone quality, though it has a few key differences. The Wireless ME is more targeted towards vloggers and content creators who don’t need many of the pro features exclusive to the GO II.
At first glance, Wireless ME looks nearly identical to the RODE Wireless GO II. However, it has a few key differences to set it apart; and it’s a lot cheaper. Most interesting, this wireless microphone kit consists of just one wireless microphone transmitter, and one receiver that features a built-in microphone, eliminating the need for a dedicated receiver.
With just two devices, the Wireless ME is ideal for those needing a simpler and cheaper solution for capturing high-quality audio wirelessly. At $149.00, the Wireless ME is precisely half the cost of the Wireless GO II.
While it lacks some of the advanced features found on the Rode Wireless GO II, including a screen to monitor your microphones, physical controls, and internal backup recording, the ME offers the same excellent audio quality and intuitive smart connectivity.
The Wireless ME is targeted at those who are on a tighter budget or primarily produce social media content. Our testing found that the Wireless ME isn’t as well suited for professional productions, especially with its lack of internal recording and monitoring features. On the other hand, the Me is usually the better choice when it comes to conducting simple interviews or vlogging. Follow along with our video review to hear real-world tests with this new wireless system, including the transmission range and a demo of the new Rode Capture app.
What’s Included
The Rode Wireless ME is an affordable wireless microphone kit with everything you need to start capturing high-quality audio for your video productions. For $149, you get a transmitter, a receiver, a built-in omnidirectional microphone, connection cables, and a carrying case to keep everything organized and protected.
The Rode Wireless ME kit includes a 3.5mm TRS cable for connecting to a camera or recorder, a 3.5mm TRRS cable for smartphones and tablets, a USB Type-C cable for connecting to Android devices, tablets and computers, and a Lightning cable for iPhones.
You’ll also find two twist-on windshields for outdoor recording or reducing plosives. All of these accessories, including the windshields, are also compatible with the Wireless GO II. The kit is incredibly versatile and can be connected to just about anything, making it an excellent option for run-and-gun content creators who need to be able to move quickly and easily from one location to another.
Carrying Case
Similar to the Rode Wireless Go II, the Rode Wireless Me also comes with a black soft Velcro carrying case that is big enough to hold both the transmitter and receiver, as well as some wire connectors and one or two lapel mics. However, the pouch for the Wireless Me is about half as wide as the one for the Wireless Go II, which means it may be a bit more compact with less space to accommodate larger accessories and wires. This could be problematic if you plan on expanding your kit by buying an additional transmitter/mic.
While the Wireless Me’s carrying case is not as roomy as the Wireless Go II’s, it is still very convenient for keeping all your cables and accessories organized and protected during transport. The compact size of the Wireless Me’s carrying case also makes it easy to slip into a pocket or small bag.
Flipping The Design
The Rode Wireless Me’s transmitter and receiver look very similar, with the same size, and shape. Both weigh just 32g. The transmitter and receiver units are already paired out of the box, saving you the trouble of setting them up manually.
Both the receiver and transmitter have a cold shoe clip on their back that allows for easy attachment to clothing or a camera.
If you plan on primarily using these microphones on clothing, we highly recommend picking up aMagclip-Go.
While the unit can be clipped onto collars or pockets, the MagClip-Go allows you to attach it to any part of your clothing without needing a specific spot to clip onto. This is particularly useful if you want to hide the transmitter for a more discreet look, or if you want to position it closer to the sound source for better audio quality. The Magclip-Go is easy to use and securely holds the transmitter in place, so you don’t have to worry about it falling off or getting in the way.
The black finish of the Wireless ME is discreet, with only a pair of LEDs indicating the power and connection status (the same as the original GO).
However, one downside of the Wireless ME is that its transmitters lack a display, making it difficult to keep track of settings and levels while recording. This is where the RODE Capture app comes in handy, as it allows you to monitor audio levels on your smartphone or tablet while recording.
Both units feature built-in omnidirectional microphones (the same as the RODE Wireless GO II), making them an ideal choice for on-the-go recording without needing an external mic. The USB-C ports on each component allow for easy charging and connecting to smartphones, tablets, and computers. Additionally, the transmitter features a 3.5mm TRS socket that allows for connection to an external Lavalier microphone for when you want a more discrete look or even higher-quality recordings.
Unfortunately, the receiver side of the dual mic system lacks a 3.5mm TRS input, meaning you’re only stuck with its internal microphone. This is a rather disappointing omission.
The intentional design decision to place the microphone on the bottom of the receiver and on the top of the transmitter is smart, as it allows the receiver to be mounted on a cold shoe mount in a way that picks up audio from the user operating the camera.
This design feature is handy for content creators who are vlogging or conducting quick interviews where they need to capture clean audio of both the subject being filmed and the person operating the camera.
By mounting the receiver on a cold shoe mount with the microphone facing backward, towards the user behind the camera, the Rode Wireless ME can capture audio on the transmitter wirelessly. In contrast, the receiver always needs to be plugged in as it lacks internal recording.
Range Test
During our testing of the RODE Wireless ME, we put its claimed range of 100 meters (approximately 328 feet) to the test, although we should note that it falls short of the Wireless GO II’s 200 meters range. We managed approximately 54 meters (177 feet) at the Manhattan Bridge Arch and Colonnade and found that the audio remained clear provided line of sight was maintained. Beyond this, the connection wasn’t reliable.
Dropouts became more noticeable around 25 meters once I turned my back toward the receiver. At about 50 meters, the audio was completely cut out when I moved in and out between columns where I was blocked and out of view.
Maintaining line of sight is crucial for the best results, but it’s worth noting that at this range, you can hardly see me in frame, even while filming with the 3x telephoto lens on the iPhone 14 Pro.
Audio Quality
Setting up and using the Wireless ME is also incredibly easy. Simply turn on both the transmitter and receiver, and they will automatically connect. The Wireless ME features a built-in high-quality omnidirectional microphone, which delivers the same clear and natural sound as the RODE Wireless GO II.
The microphone can pick up sound from all directions, making it ideal for capturing audio in a variety of settings. When the microphone is placed on a person’s collar, with the microphone about 4-5 inches below the mouth, as most users will probably be using this for, the audio sounds clear and is free of any noise or interference.
That said, as with most microphones, the audio quality improves dramatically when the microphone is placed closer to the source, such as when it’s hand-held and placed about 2–3 inches in front of the mouth. However, this is not practical for most users, especially when you want the microphone to be discrete.
The windshields do an excellent job at cutting down wind and plosives. I generally keep these on all the time as I don’t find them to be distracting visually, nor do I notice any sound quality loss. Being Omnidirectional, these microphones will still likely pick up more background audio than you’d like. When testing these microphones downtown, my voice was frequently overpowered by cars passing by. In situations like this, something like theLavalier IIcan help isolate your voice better.
Gain Assist
For those who may be new to audio recording or are working in situations where they don’t have full control over the audio levels, Gain Assist is a welcome addition. During our tests, we found theAutomode to work well in most situations, especially outdoors, providing a smoother and more consistent sound by lowering louder sounds or increasing quieter bits.
However, in some cases, such as when there are sudden changes in volume or when recording in noisy environments, it can result in some audible artifacts or distortion, which may do more harm than good.
TheDynamicmode can add warmth and presence to the recording but is not adjustable, making it best for indoor controlled environments.
With the Wireless ME, you’re able to’t change the gain on the fly through physical controls on the receiver like you can with the RODE Wireless GO II. Instead, you need to use software to make any adjustments to the gain settings. This can be done through a compatible app or a computer.
While this shouldn’t be an issue if you’re recording with RODE Capture as the controls are built into the app, this may be a downside for users connecting to cameras or audio recorders who need to make quick adjustments and don’t want to rely on a separate smart device to do so. Within the app, you can also set recording channels to be merged or separate, though again, you were able to easily change this using physical controls on the RODE Wireless GO II.
RODE Capture
Rode Capture is a new app available for iOS that allows you to control and monitor your Rode Wireless ME system. Unfortunately, Android users are out of luck for now.
The app enables you to adjust settings such as input levels, mute, and pairing. Again, with the lack of a built-in screen on the receiver and its absent headphone out jack, using the app is the only way to monitor your audio levels.
The app supports picture-in-picture and split-screen recording modes, which is perfect for capturing your front and rear camera views simultaneously.
Videos can be saved with the picture-in-picture perspective baked in, or you can set the app to save the full resolution of both cameras separately. The first option is great when you want to publish content quickly without needing additional edits, while the latter provides you the flexibility to edit and make cuts more easily.
The RODE Capture app is a great addition to RODE’s lineup and shows their dedication to mobile filmmaking. However, some areas for improvement would make the app even more useful for professional video recording. One issue is that when using both cameras, you can’t change focal lengths while recording has already begun, which can limit certain types of shots.
Additionally, while the app offers a good range of resolution and frame rate options, there are currently no additional video settings available. For more professional video recording, it would be great to see options for adjusting shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and picture profiles. These additional controls would allow for more precise adjustments to the image, and give filmmakers more creative control over the final product.
Along with the lack of manual video controls, we ran into another issue with the RODE Capture app: it doesn’t handle filming in shadows, high contrast, or low light very well. During one test where we simulated an interview, the front-facing camera was perfectly exposed for the videographer who was operating the camera, while the rear camera was compensating for the bright sky behind the subject, leading to the underexposure of the subject. This can be problematic for those who frequently shoot in varying lighting conditions and could benefit from manual control over settings like ISO and shutter speed.
Overall, while the RODE Capture app is a good start, but there is still room for improvement to make it a more comprehensive and professional tool for mobile filmmaking.
Battery Life and Charging
For its size, the Wireless ME’s battery life is quite good, with both the transmitter and receiver offering up to a stated seven hours of continuous recording on a single charge. However, just as with the Wireless GO II, we found that the actual battery life exceeded this estimate and that you could get more than eight hours of use before needing to recharge.
Without any displays, you’ll need to rely on its color status indicators to keep track of battery life. To be safe, I usually charge these up after each shoot, so I never have to worry about them running low.
It’s worth noting that, unlike some competing options such as the DJI Mic, the Wireless ME doesn’t come with a charging case. You’ll need to charge the transmitter and receiver separately using the included USB-C cables. While some may miss the convenience of a charging case, it’s worth considering that such cases can add bulk and weight to the kit, which may be a drawback for those prioritizing portability.
Should You Pick the RODE Wireless ME, or Wireless GO II?
The RODE Wireless ME is in many ways a stripped-down version of the RODE Wireless GO II, but still manages to offer a few unique advantages.
The audio quality and battery life of the Wireless ME are identical to the RODE Wireless GO II, which is a good thing. However, its new auto Gain Assist feature to prevent clipping can make it the better choice in unpredictable recording situations. Without a dedicated receiver, the ME offers an easier setup, however, for some, these can also be major annoyances.
To save on cost, the ME lacks a built-in recording feature, external microphone input on the receiver unit, physical level controls, and a screen for monitoring. Just as important, combining the receiver and second microphone into one unit significantly limits your ability to wirelessly mic up two different subjects in front of the camera.
These limitations are less important for users who primarily vlog or film videos where the second person is always behind the camera, especially when the ME is used in conjunction with the RODE Companion app. However, for more professional productions, the added versatility offered by the Wireless GO II is well worth the premium.
A no-compromise compact wireless microphone system that gives you the most flexibility and peace of mind when recording audio.
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