RØDECaster Pro Firmware 2.1 Is Here! Check Out the Incredible New Features

The next major firmware update for the RØDECaster Pro has arrived! Back in April, we teased a beta version of firmware 2.1 and since then we’ve had loads of feedback and suggestions about what you like about the firmware, what’d you change, and how the RØDECaster Pro could work better for you.

This has been extremely helpful with the development of the new firmware, so a massive thank you to everyone who downloaded the beta and took the time to test it out. Congratulations to De Audio Fabrique, Tudor, Francisco Aguilar, Henrik Berby, Bjorn and Catie Lake – you’ve all won a podcasting prize pack for giving us some super helpful suggestions. We’ll be in contact very soon to get your details, so keep an eye out for us.

Without further ado, introducing RØDECaster Pro firmware 2.1! This follows on from previous updates that have enhanced the RØDECaster Pro in a number of ways, including the addition of multitrack recording options, optimisation of the sound pads, improvements to the audio processing engine, and handy updates to the Companion App.

Now we have unlocked even more features, including giving you complete granular control over all processing parameters, new editing and export options, expanded multitrack capabilities, and much more.

Download the new firmware here. Below we’re going to take you through the new features in more depth.

Granular Control Over All Audio Processing

One of the most common feature requests has been the ability to fine-tune the RØDECaster Pro’s on-board audio processors. You’ve got it!

Previously, all of the audio processing has been controlled by a simple on/off toggle. For even greater control over your audio, we’ve now included an ‘Effects Edit Mode’, which allows you to tweak all of the parameters of the compressor, noise gate, de-esser, APHEX Aural Exciter and Big Bottom, and high-pass filter. This will allow you to create a unique sound for your podcasts.

To access the ‘Effects Edit Mode’, press the settings button, then navigate to ‘Advanced’ > ‘Audio’ > ‘Processing’ > then enable ‘Effects Edit Mode’. Now when you access the settings for each channel and press ‘Audio Processing’, you will see icons for each of the processors.

Before you dive into tweaking, you will notice there's a ‘Processing’ toggle on the ‘Audio Processing’ homepage. This is a global bypass switch that toggles all of the processers on and off so you can easily gauge what kind of impact they are having on your audio.

We won’t go into too much detail about what each of the parameters does (click here to find out more about the audio processors on the RØDECaster Pro), but essentially you now have access to all of the controls you would find in a professional plug-in or hardware unit. This will allow you to precisely tailor the RØDECaster Pro to your voice, your environment, and the other equipment you are using.

If there’s a processor that you don’t want to use, you can simply switch it off using the toggle in the top right-hand corner of the editor. The arrow button in the left-hand corner will revert the parameters back to where you started when you first opened the processor, acting as a safety net in case your audio starts to enter unpleasant territory. 

*Pro tip: We have organised the icons in the ‘Audio Processing’ menu to reflect the signal chain for the effects: high-pass filter > noise gate > de-esser > compressor > Aural Exciter > Big Bottom.

If all this control is overkill for you and you want to revert back to the straightforward one-switch effects editor, you can simply turn ‘Effects Edit Mode’ off.

Firmware version 2.1 gives you complete control over all of the RØDECaster Pro's audio processors, including the noise gate, compressor, high-pass filter, de-esser, and APHEX processors. 

The Master Bus Compressor

As well as the individual channel compressors, the RØDECaster Pro now features a master bus compressor. This is a compressor that is applied to the combined output of your RØDECaster Pro, including each mic input, the smartphone, USB and Bluetooth channels, and the sound pads.

To access this, head to the settings menu and press ‘Channels’ > ‘Master Compressor’. As well as the usual parameters you would find on a compressor plug-in or hardware unit, there are also meters for input (green), output (yellow), and gain reduction level (red).

The master bus compressor is handy for making your podcast gel and ensuring your overall mix is balanced. However, take care when tweaking as too much compression can give your podcasts an unnatural sound. If you don’t wish to apply the master compressor, you can simply switch it off using the toggle in the top right-hand corner. 

The new master bus compressor will help your podcasts gel and pop. 

Companion App Effects Editor

Not only can you access all of this advanced tweakability via the RØDECaster Pro’s touchscreen interface, but you can also do all of your editing on your computer via the RØDECaster Pro Companion App.

Simply plug your RØDECaster Pro into your computer, switch it on, and open the app. Then go to ‘File’ > ‘Open Effects Editor’ – from there you can tweak all of the processors in real-time. There’s even a processing graph in the channel and master bus compressors so you can easily track how the compression settings are affecting your audio, as well as input and gain reduction meters.  

*Pro tip: If you are happy with all of your audio processing and want to save your settings, click ‘File’ > ‘Save Show’. This will take a snapshot of all settings, including every effect parameter.

More on the updates to the Companion App later.

Broadcast-style Level Metering

We have also added the option to include broadcast-style level meters with precise dBFS markers to each of the channels on the home screen, giving you even greater control over your recording levels. To enable this function, head to the settings menu > ‘Advanced’ > ‘Audio’ > ‘Operations’ > engage the ‘Broadcast Meters’ toggle.

Broadcast-style level meters with dBFS markers!

Sound Pad Overdubbing

Another new feature is the sound pad overdub mode. Audio that has been loaded onto the sound pads can now be overdubbed, allowing you to create layered sounds, record VOs over music, create custom ad rolls and more.

To access this, head to the sound pad settings by pressing the note icon on the home page, then tap the sound pad you want to overdub. Now press ‘Record’ and tap the ‘Overdub’ toggle. The audio meter will turn blue.

If you want to overdub the sound pad audio from the start, tap the red record button to begin recording. You can also overdub any section of the audio you want. To do this, press the play button to scrub across the timeline to the point you want to start, then press the record button to begin overdubbing; then press the stop button when you want to stop recording. If you’re happy with it, tap ‘Save’, otherwise tap ‘Discard’ and start again. 

The new overdub function lets you overdub any sound pad to create layered sounds, record VOs over music, create custom ad rolls and more.

Post-Fader Multitrack Recording

Previously, when recording in multitrack to your computer, the output of the RØDECaster has been pre-fader, meaning that all of your settings – including where the level meters are set and any processing that you have applied – have been bypassed, leaving you with a raw recording.

We have now included the option to record post-fader, accessed via settings > ‘Advanced> ‘Audio’ > ‘Multitrack’ and tapping the ‘Post Fader’ toggle.

Once switched on, all processing, effects and fader positions will be recorded with your podcast. This means that any changes you make while recording your podcast are then recorded directly to your multitrack files. This is great if you’re looking to save time in post-production, but it also means that if you make a mistake during a recording, you won’t have anything to fall back on, so be extra careful when recording in Post-Fader Mode.

Other Cool New Features

Updated Interface

To accommodate all of the new functions, we have made some updates to the RØDECaster Pro’s menu navigation and user interface. This will make it easier to access features and improve workflow overall.

You’ll notice we have updated the colours of the channel select buttons – not only do these match the colour of each channel’s menu interface, they also match the colours of RØDE XLR-ID cable identification rings, making it even easier to keep your setup organised and know who is talking at any given time.

Swipe To Access Homepage

Another handy new feature is the ability to swipe up to return to the homepage from any menu. To go back to where you were previously, simply swipe down.

Sound Pad Looping

Finally, there is now the option to loop a sound pad infinitely. To access this, go to the editor for the sound pad you want to loop and tap the arrow button next to the playback options – this toggles between loop mode and single playback.

TRRS Output Pad

We have also included a -6dB pad for the TRRS output, which is accessed in settings > ‘Advanced’ > ‘Audio’ > ‘Processing’ > then enable ‘TRRS output 6dB pad’.

The reason we added this feature is because of an issue with some communication apps, particularly broadcast-specific ones. These apps will sometimes add their own digital boost to the input signal, resulting in distortion at the remote end of the connection. To mitigate this, engage the -6dB pad, ensuring your signal is clean and clear.  

Enhancements to the Companion App

New Firmware Updater

Finally, we have made some handy improvements to the RØDECaster Pro Companion App. The Firmware Updater has now been integrated into the Companion App, streamlining the update process. To update your firmware, click ‘File’ > ‘Update Firmware’.

Control All Audio Processors in Real-Time

As mentioned, you can access the effects editor via the app, allowing you to tweak all of the processors in real-time on your computer. To access the app editor, click ‘File’ > ‘Open Effects Editor’.

One handy feature in the app editor is the ability to revert all effect parameters to their default setting – to do this, click the cog icon in the top right-had corner of the editor. This is handy if you’re not happy with how the processing is sounding and want to start tweaking with a clean slate.

The button to the left of this will revert the settings back to where you started when you opened the processor, exactly the same as the button in the RØDECaster Pro’s hardware editor.

Export For Your Preferred Podcast Platform

We have also added new export options to make it easier to deliver your podcast to different platforms. While in ‘Podcast Transfer Mode’, click on the podcast you would like to export, and you will see you have access to a drop-down menu featuring all major podcast platforms. By selecting one, your podcast will be optimised for that platform when you export it, including the file type, sample rate, bit rate and loudness.

Clicking ‘Advanced Settings’ allows you to see the specific export settings selected for that platform; by selecting ‘Custom’ from the list of platforms, you can modify the settings to meet your needs.

We also had a lot of feedback from podcasters recording longer episodes that were frustrated by the fact that their podcasts were being automatically cut up into 4GB chunks due to a file format limitation in standard WAV files. 

We’ve taken on this feedback and developed a new option that allows the exporting of 64-bit WAV files; this is accessed via ‘File’ > ‘Advanced’ and selecting ‘Save 64bit Podcasts’. With this activated, your podcasts will no longer be cut up into 4GB chunks, but instead will be a single continuous recording for the entire length of your podcast. This has been tested with major editing and audio platforms with no issues but be aware that some older or more basic software might not support this 64-bit format. 

That’s it for firmware 2.1! We hope you enjoy using all these new features, and if you have any suggestions, please get in touch with us at info@rode.com. Happy podcasting!