Rode Microphones has launched a new and improved version of its beloved Go portable microphone Wireless Go II, which uses the same form factor as the original version, but adds a series of new and improved features. Most notably, Go II provides two transmitter packages that can talk to one receiver at the same time, allowing you to record two separate speakers to the same camera or connected device.

Rode Wireless Go II ($299) comes with everything you need to start recording high-quality audio to a camera or any other device that can be connected to a 3.5 mm jack. The transmitter package-there are two in the box-has built-in microphones that can provide excellent sound individually, or you can use them with any lavalier microphone equipped with 3.5 mm, depending on your needs.

The receiver package can be output to 3.5mm TRS, but it can also be transmitted using USB Type-C (also used for charging). This is a new product of this generation. Rode also sells USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to Lightning cables, so you can use them with modern Android devices, iPhone, iPad, Mac and PC.

Each of the three battery packs has a built-in rechargeable battery that can provide up to 7 hours of working time on a single charge. You can adjust the gain of each transmitter independently and mute each transmitter individually or at the same time from the receiver package. You can also switch between mono recording and stereo recording modes that use each transmitter as a channel.

The transmitter can work within 200 meters (approximately 650 feet) from the receiver, provided they have a line of sight and the receiver has a display to show input level, battery status, connectivity, etc. Each transmitter has two LEDs that provide visual feedback for connectivity and gain. Each is also automatically recorded locally and can store more than 24 hours of audio in the built-in storage in case the connection is interrupted.

With this update, I really feel that Rod has already thought everything out. On the one hand, you can start using it immediately because the transmitter package and receiver are pre-paired and assigned to the left and right channels by default. They are very user-friendly. Although Rode has launched a new Windows and Mac application to centrally control them, called Rode Central, you actually don't need any additional software to start recording with them.

This updated version also uses a new RF transmission technology, which has a built-in 128-bit encryption and has a farther site range for its use. The purpose of this is to make them more reliable in areas that are already experiencing a lot of RF traffic-such as busy shopping malls (once the COVID era has passed), conference halls, or other public areas surrounded by many people and smartphones.

The onboard memory is also new, which means you never have to worry about any potential disconnection, because you will always have a local file that can rely on the launcher package itself. A similar worry-saving feature is a safe channel that records backup tracks at a speed of -20db, so if you encounter any excessive sound that causes peaks in the main recording, you will have another choice. Both of these functions must be actively turned on in the Rode Central app. Rode will also use the app to provide future firmware updates for Go II, but they are very welcome additional functions.

At the same time, the best new feature may be that you get all these improvements in the same excellent software package. Rode's original Go is very good, largely because it uses a small and portable package, a transmitter with a built-in microphone, and an excellent waist bag. The dimensions here are exactly the same, and they use the same integrated clips, making them compatible with all of Rode's existing Go accessories.

There is a concept of "lap speed" in racing. In this case, you are so far ahead of your competitors that you surpass them again. This is basically what Rode did with Go II. It established the leading position of the best mobile video/live podcast microphones on the market, and its smart features solved some of the shortcomings of the original product.

How to create the best home video conferencing settings for various budgets