Rodecaster Pro 2: Ultra Long Term Review

This is a long term review of my experience with the Rodecaster Pro II since launch. Overall it’s been absolutely awesome, and even though there are some fantastic alternatives out there, I’ve found the RCP to be the most practical and user friendly option so I wanted to share my thoughts and explore areas for improvement

⏱️Chapter Markers:
0:00 - 2 Years With The 2
1:45 - Who Is The Rodecaster Pro 2 For?
3:28 - Sound Quality & Preamps
6:42 - Onboard Processing & Effects
9:17 - Outputs & Routing
10:18 - Computer Connectivity
11:51 - Assignable Faders
12:40 -Rode Central App
14:17 - Smart Pads
16:18 - Wireless Connectivity
17:45 - The Mushy Power Button
19:22 - Build Quality
21:15 - Headphone Latency
23:35 - Music: The Rodecaster’s Biggest Weakness
26:04 - Headphone Clicking
27:14 - Flimsy Power Connection
28:01 - Conclusion

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Hi! My name is Tom Buck, a lifelong A/V nerd and former high school Digital Media teacher. I started this channel in 2017 as a project to share my enthusiasm for everything related to audio and video production.

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Episode 395: Rodecaster Pro 2: Ultra Long Term Review

[Studios]

I just bought mine today, after you answered my comment on the other video. I see you also added that information to this video. You're amazing and so helpful. Thank you.

[cayman]

2 years already! That went by quickly! Still love mine.

[markredder]

Thanks for your prose on the pros of the Rodecaster Pro II and the cons too.

[BuddyQuaid]

Love the channel Tom! Great colors. Fun to watch and great content.

[wstks-fmworldwide]

Indeed. I too have really enjoyed learning to use mine since last October (2023). Re: those tiny, random clicks. I've noticed them too when recording and, to be on the safe side, run my exported audio through Auphonic (free) to remove any hint of noise before continuing a bit more processing, mixing, and mastering in Adobe Audition. That also helps remove any echo since I record in an untreated space.. Another step, sure, but it results in pretty good audio overall from a non-professional's p.o.v.

[panosru]

I sold my RCP1 and bought RC Duo, it is indeed a great device! Thankfully in the time being I only require two microphones, so I don't need the RCP2, not having the TRRS input was a real deal-breaker for RCP2 for me, and I'm glad that they addressed that request with RC Duo. Great device indeed!

[elliothuntington]

Thank you Tom! I'm curious, you mentioned that you made a video about the arm you have the RCP2 mounted on. I've not been able to find that video, but I'm really curious about it. I bought the RCP2 after watching your videos almost 2 years ago. Would you mind linking to the video that you made that goes into detail about your RCP2 mounting arm?

[FreeSpiritsVisuals]

Just got mine yesterday and am excited to use it for recording. Your video on Mix-Minus was super helpful for my setup and understanding the routing options as I was getting a bunch of feedback off my mic initially when going into Garageband.. so thanks!

[SLSMusic]

Actually it turns out that using Rodeccaeter Pro II in Windows would cause latency significantly more than using in Mac. That’s what my friend and I found out after testing on both our computers. I think many people complained about the latency problems were using Windows. I’m using Mac and I’m doing music (with keyboard) but I didn’t notice any (And just to be clear I’m really sensitive to latency).

And that headphone click problem, yeah, really ANNOYING! I’m so scared and nervous every time I heard it in my headphone one, especially during live stream. But everyone told me that they can’t hear that then I realize it was just the user. I couldn’t figure out what cause the problem but all I can do is just let it be there 😞

[AudioHotline]

It is a very great device. I am about to put it to its LIMITS! 36 hours of recording within 2 days… if it can keep up, I’ll be putting it through even more in the coming weeks haha. We’ll see how it goes! I might make a video about it 🤔

The clicking in my headphones is something I have been trying to figure out to! Have quite a few people mentioned that to you?

Power supply being USB-C is definitely not great. I really wish it still had the OG rodecaster power supply.

[HectorMJZ]

I'm glad you mentioned that this unit is not for musicians. I agree... I use the Rodecaster for my radio show recordings (vocals)... and it's amazing! BUT, for music, turntables, instruments, I use the SSL2 sound card. Thanks for the review. Last comment, I wish Rode had a preset for killing all effects, including effects on master outs etc. AND I wish Rode had a way to export custom Mic settings to transfer from one Rodecaster to another.

[NerdSyncProductions]

I own the RCP 2 and I will echo (pun?) the complaints about the headphone latency. It’s so challenging to get over for me. I have to speak into it for at least 15-20 minutes before my brain can adjust to it, but even then I never stop noticing it. I just get used to it.

On the note about build-quality, I had the micro SD card slot break within the first month but they were able repair it for free so that was nice. I secretly hoped they would also fix the headphone latency on my unit because I told them about that too, but it’s the same sadly.

[iamfrankstallone]

Appreciate you taking the time to chat about this product more! Also nice to see you have the competition around. 🤣

I have the first, and this second generation. The only thing I miss from the first generation is the 3.5mm input. Bluetooth is a dumpster fire. Bringing phone calls, or audio from my iPhone in is hit or miss with Bluetooth.

For some reason my voice changer's no longer work... I haven't had time to look into it because I am busy with other things, and honestly it's not the end of the world.

The power button sucks. It has nothing to do with double clicking to turn it off — I can barely get a single button click to turn it on or off. I actually think it's getting worse.

The latency bothered me coming from the RCP1 to the RCP2. I got used to it after a while.

I haven't heard any clicking in the headphones. If it's power delivery — are you on a UPS system aka uninterruptible power supply and battery backup? Maybe that would remedy this?

[stephansagmiller]

Another great one Tom. I think Latency can be measured through the mixer, maybe an important metric in a mixer review. Not suggesting you go full Project Farm. I think the DLZ Creator has faster latency, we could be splitting tortussus or hairs here ;-) You've got one of the best A/V channels out there because you make it easy to believe in your impeccable ethics, a ray of light in an occasionally dark world, thanks!

[KevPez-IS]

Def excited to watch this. I had a rodecaster pro 1. Had to sell it due to financial hardships. I ended up getting a Zoom P4, and was shocked how good it sounded and how better its headphone monitors were compared to the Rode.

[alanfindlayviewfromtherock]

The RCP2 is a great interface. Sad to say I was an early purchaser and I've had 2 replacements this far! Third time lucky. For me, I prefer the original Rodecaster Pro. For a simple podcast that allows remote connectivity with no complications it wins every time for me. But, aye, still love Rode products.

[MrCameraJunkie]

Wow I use my RCP II everyday. I cant believe its been two years already. 🤙🏽

[jonathanramsey]

25:00 ok. I get it. I’m an acoustic performer and I don’t use modeling. In the 80s, I used a chorus a lot, but I grew away from that quickly at the end is the decade. The only time I would use amp modeling would be even I use an electric, but I would use my Vox modeling amp and mix it. Of course, that has its own latency, but it’s a known variable

[DjMike-L]

I use on my dj set and the sound is so great i stream on TikTok twitch and YouTube the preamps are wonderful

[ThisIsLeeBird]

I’ll continue to say it… it just needs the ability to jam sync time code. It’s 2024, we shouldn’t be clapping when time code has been around for 50 years or better.