RØDE’s Streamer X Is The Perfect Video Capture And Audio Interface For Live Streamers

It’s been fairly a yr for the audio model RØDE. The Australian firm has had a bumper yr of product launches, together with new wi-fi microphones, a compact model of the RØDECaster Pro, plus a brand new era of RØDE’s iconic NT1 condenser microphone with USB and XLR in addition to 32-bit float digital output.

Also introduced earlier this yr was the all-new Streamer X: a video seize and audio interface designed for avid gamers and reside streamers who need nice high quality video and audio for streaming to their viewers.

The Streamer X is beautifully compact and packed stuffed with innovation. It allows streamers to take an HDMI video feed from a pc, DSLR or a gaming console at resolutions as much as 4K with a refresh price of 30Hz. There’s a pass-thru HDMI port for feeding by the video sign to an exterior monitor at 4K/60Hz.

Despite its small measurement and restricted bodily controls, the Streamer X gives many features that may be accessed utilizing both RØDE Unify or RØDE Central software program in order that the Streamer X might be custom-made proper right down to the final element.

Setting up the Streamer X is straightforward. There are two USB-C ports for connecting two separate computer systems or creating two audio channels from one laptop. A single Neutrik combo XLR/TRS audio enter feeding RØDE’s excellent low-noise Revolution preamp can drive nearly any microphone, even the hard-to-drive fashions like a Shure’s SM7B.

As properly as accepting a microphone within the XLR enter, the Streamer X may take an instrument. At the rear of the gadget are two outputs for connecting headphones or a headset, just like the RØDE NTH-100. The headphone enter is an ordinary 6.35mm, whereas the headset is a 3.5mm TRRS jack. Microphone inputs may embody a wi-fi reference to RØDE’s vary of wi-fi microphones, reminiscent of the brand new Wireless Pro.

The achieve degree for inputs to the Streamer X might be set utilizing the Gain encoder knob. Next to it’s a quantity encoder that may modify the quantity ranges of the headphones or headset. With a pair of headphones or a headset plugged into the rear of the Streamer X, you get zero-latency monitoring and might hear the audio out of your video feed, host laptop and even sound results.

Beneath the Gain and Volume rotary encoders are two buttons that may immediately lower the audio and video feed if you have to. I’m undecided why you would possibly want them, however maybe you’ll be able to consider them as panic buttons if issues go awry or you’re struck down with a coughing match.

The RØDE Streamer X has one thing referred to as SMART Pads. There are 4 organized in 16 banks, providing a complete of 64 separate pads. The pads might be cycled by utilizing the ahead and backward cursor keys beneath the 4 pads. Each SMART Pad can maintain one of many following: Sound, Effect, Mixer or MIDI command.

You can retailer sound results, music beds, jingles or another audio on a SMART Pad, which might be triggered by urgent the pad. The Sound might be performed as soon as or as a steady loop, making it a useful characteristic for taking part in music beds.

SMART Pads may retailer one of many many onboard sound results out there on the Streamer X, together with pitch shifting, voice disguiser, megaphone, echo and reverbs. They may maintain APHEX processing constructed into the gadget like noise gate, de-essing, compressor, and many others.

Mixer Actions may also be saved in a SMART Pad with results reminiscent of a censorship beep tone, fade in and fade out or a ducking perform that enhances the mic degree if you converse and lowers another audio supply enjoying. The Mixer Actions may also be used to regulate the clever routing of the inputs and outputs to fit your setup, together with Mix Minus for on-line chats with a distant contributor.

Finally, the fourth motion that may be assigned to a SMART Pad is MIDI Triggers. One pad press will ship a MIDI Trigger to the host laptop and could possibly be set as much as management audio software program. The SMART Pads are very versatile and can be utilized to customise your reside streaming setup.

To get probably the most out of the Streamer X, RØDE has developed its Unify software program, which allows the person to customise the Streamer X with routing tables for steering sound sources to go the place you need them. It takes a bit of examine to get probably the most out of Unify, and the software program is offered for Windows and macOS. Unify may handle your recordings, which might be exported as audio information in WAV or MP3 codecs.

Unify may add extra audio sources, whether or not a gaming console, music supply and even sound from an online browser. It’s a bit daunting at first, however I recommend that you just mess around with Streamer X and skim the person information to get an thought of what it’s able to. Unify is a robust piece of software program that massively expands the little Streamer X’s capabilities. It’s a bit like studying a brand new language. Practice makes good. Just experiment and also you’ll quickly get the hold of what this unbelievable field of tips can do.

Alongside Unify, the RØDE Streamer X may also be configured utilizing RØDE Central software program. It’s not as intensive as Unify, however it does many of the belongings you want, together with loading sounds into the SMART Pads. You may replace the Streamer X’s firmware and modify primary settings.

Another thrilling characteristic on Streamer X is the Presentation Mode. This characteristic allows the person to make use of the SMART Pads as management buttons when utilizing PowerPoint or Apple Keynote and presenting to an viewers.

Despite its compact measurement, the RØDE Streamer X has a tripod mount enabling it to be hooked up to a growth arm in order that it doesn’t take up any desk house. The total construct high quality and video and audio feed high quality are impeccable.

Verdict: The RØDE Streamer X is an extremely versatile device for controlling audio and video settings in actual time. There are controls for microphone achieve and headphone quantity. The provision of 64 SMART Pads allows the person to program particular person pads with sounds, results, mixer actions and even MIDI Triggers. The Streamer X will seize the video out of your digicam, recreation console, laptop or different video supply and allow you so as to add audio utilizing an XLR, wi-fi mic or perhaps a headset. The Streamer X is so versatile you’ll be able to set it as much as do nearly something together with your video and audio sources. It may even be used to run your PowerPoint presentation extra easily. The Streamer X is a improbable piece of {hardware}. Live Streamers and Gamers will adore it.

Pricing & Availability: The RØDE Streamer X is delivery now and prices $399. RØDE is making a gift of a free NTH-100M headset (valued at US$199) with any buy of a Streamer X made between November 20 and November 30.

More data: rode.com

Tech Specs:

• Audio interface, video seize card and management floor.
• Video specs: Up to 4K @ 30Hz video seize and 4K @ 60Hz pass-through through HDMI.
• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) assist: Yes.
• Analog mic enter: Neutrik combo jack for connecting XLR microphone or instrument, with an ultra-low-noise, high-gain Revolution Preamp.
• Headset enter: 3.5mm TRRS enter for connecting headsets and 1/4-inch headphone output for zero-latency monitoring.
• Integrated wi-fi receiver for connecting RØDE Series IV wi-fi microphones, together with the Wireless PRO, Wireless GO II and Wireless ME.
• Internal DSP for superior audio processing powered by APHEX.
• 64 customizable SMART Pads for triggering sounds, voice results and MIDI instructions
• Dual USB-C interfaces for connecting to 2 computer systems or consoles.
• Easy configuration and management through the RØDE Central desktop companion app.
• Compatible with RØDE’s free UNIFY streaming software program for superior audio routing, mixing and configuration.