RODE Microphones PODCASTER User manual

(EMC, LVD)

Podcaster

Instruction Manual

www.rodemic.com

- 2 -

Introduction

Thank you for investing in the Podcaster, the

world’s ﬁrst broadcast sound quality USB microphone.

Those of you who are ﬁrst time customers, may

be interested to know that we are one of the largest and

most respected professional microphone companies

in the world. Our studio microphones are the ‘tone’

behind some of the biggest hits of the last decade, and

our award winning live performance microphones are

on tour daily in 52 countries.

The Podcaster has been designed for any

application where recorded voice clarity and direct

digital connection is demanded. Designed with

Podcastingasa main use,thisrevolutionary microphone

is also perfect for adding voice-overs while editing

digital video, and for the ‘on location’ reporter who can

quickly record on a laptop and then simply e-mail this

to the studio for instant broadcast.

Just plug in the Podcaster with the supplied USB

cable, launch your recording or video editing program

and begin. It is that simple.

In the following pages, you’ll ﬁnd a detailed description

of the features of the Podcaster, as well as a

step-by-step instruction for its setup.

Please take the time to visit www.rodemic.com and

While there you can view studio tips and techniques, as

well as browse the comprehensive range of accessories

for the Podcaster and other microphones.

Peter Freedman

Microphones

Sydney, Australia

- 3 -

Speciﬁcations

Acoustic

Principle:

Dynamic (neodymium) 28mm

Active

Electronics:

Analogue signal conditioning +

A/D and USB interface

Directional

Pattern:

Cardioid

Frequency

Range:

40Hz ~ 14kHz

(see graph)

Sensitivity: -51dB re 1V/Pa @ 1kHz

(2.8mV @ 94dB SPL)

±3dB @ 1kHz

Maximum SPL: 115dB

Signal/Noise: >78dB

Analogue

Output I/F:

Headphone audio output for

monitoring. Drives 150mW into

32 Ω. Output level adjustment.

Resolution: 18bits

Audio Control

I/F:

AC97

Power

Requirement:

Power supplied via USB port

Output

Connection:

USB Digital Interface

Net Weight: 610g (21.5oz)

Packed Weight: 1025g (36oz)

Dimensions 215 x 56 x 52mm

8.5 x 2.2 x 2”

- 4 -

Speciﬁcations

Features

Frequency Response

Polar Response

• High quality broadcast sound

• Dynamic capsule (neodymium) 28mm

• 18-bit Resolution, 8kHz to 48kHz sampling

• Windows and Mac compatible

• Tight cardioid pattern for superior off-axis sound

rejection

• Powered by USB bus

• Includes microphone mount and 3m (40”) USB

cable

• 3.5mm stereo headphone jack output with volume

control

• Designed and manufactured in Australia

• Full 10 year guarantee*

*Online product registration required.

- 5 -

Mic Layout

Status LED

Integrated windshield

Locking collar

USB Connection

Headphone

Output

Headphone

Volume

Control

- 6 -

The RØDE Podcaster is designed for native support in

Windows XP, Vista and Mac OS X operating systems.

Installing the Podcaster on Mac OS X

• Plug one end of the USB cable into the microphone

and the other end into your USB port on the Mac.

The LED will ﬂash red and then go green to

indicate that everything is functioning correctly

with USB power.

The Mac will recognise the USB audio device and

automatically install a universal driver.

• To select the Podcaster as the computer’s new

audio input, open the ‘System Preferences’ from

the dock or the main Apple Menu.

Next open the ‘Sound’ preference and click

the ‘Input’ tab. Select ‘RØDE Podcaster’.

This will allow you to use your Podcaster

through the existing sound recording

software on your Mac.

• The ‘Input Volume’ slider can be used to

adjust the sensitivity of the Podcaster.

Installing the Podcaster

- 7 -

The following example is for setting up the Podcaster

in Windows XP Service Pack 2. Other versions may

vary slightly.

Installing the Podcaster on Windows XP

• Plug one end of the USB cable into the microphone

and the other end into your PC.

The LED should ﬂash red and then go green to

indicate that everything is functioning correctly

with USB power.

The PC will recognise the USB audio device and

automatically install a universal driver.

• To select the Podcaster as the computer’s new

audio input, open ‘Sounds and Audio Devices’

through the Control Panel.

This is usually done by going to Start/Control

Panel and selecting the ‘Sounds and Audio

Devices’ icon.

Click on the ‘Audio’ tab, and under the ‘Sound

Recording’ option, you should now be able

to select ‘RØDE Podcaster’ as your default

device.

This will allow you to use your Podcaster

through the existing sound recording

software on your PC.

• The level slider under ‘Volume’ can be used to

adjust the sensitivity of the Podcaster.

Installing the Podcaster

- 8 -

Setting up the Podcaster

Setting the sound level correctly

The first step in setting up your recording

environment is to get a good ‘Sound Level’ on

your equipment. This is done to ensure that

you do not exceed the level of sound that your

equipment can handle before it distorts the

signal and at the same time, ensuring that the

sound is not too low and indistinguishable.

By adjusting the recording volume slider you

should be able to set a reasonable level very

quickly.

The way to do this is to set the Podcaster up in

front of you and raise the slider control while

you are speaking at the same level you will use

when recording. (see pages 6 & 7 for operating

system control, or refer to your application

documentation for native instruction).

If your slider control features a graphic level

you will be able to gauge an appropriate level

slightly below where the level reaches an

overload (typically red).

Your recording will now be set at a useful level.

Experimentation with this will allow you to fine

tune your recordings over time.

Talking in to your Podcaster

The Podcaster is an end address microphone.

This simply means that to get the clearest

sound, you must talk directly into the front of

the microphone as shown below. When you are

talking into the microphone you should be able

to clearly see the green status LED.

- 9 -

Setting up the Podcaster

Positioning your Podcaster

You will find that where you position your

Podcaster will alter the quality of the sound.

Environment and background noise will vary

every time a microphone is moved to a different

location. The most successful method to

optimise the sound you want is to try various

positions and isolate the recording environment

from external noise sources as much as possible.

Proximity effect is an increased bass response

which happens when you are close to the

microphone. This can be used in a positive way

to enhance the quality of your voice, but be

careful as being too close may increase the bass

response too much which will distort the sound.

Connecting headphones to your Podcaster

A unique feature of your Podcaster is the

in-built, high level, headphone amplifier.

Simply connect the 3.5mm jack from your

headphones, and adjust the volume control on

the microphone and you have direct monitoring

of the sound from the microphone.

The advantage of connecting the headphones

directly to the microphone is that you are able

to hear exactly what you are recording before it

is recorded. This allows for more accurate fine

tuning and should reduce the need to re-record

as problems can be detected earlier in the

recording process.

- 10 -

Setting up the Podcaster

Mounting the Podcaster

The Podcaster comes with a stand mount that

will allow you to connect it to a microphone

stand or ‘Anglepoise® style’ arm such as the

RØDE PSA-1.

The mount comes with a 3/8” brass insert that

can be removed. Once removed the internal

thread of the mount is a 5/8” thread. This allows

the mount to be used on either a US 5/8” stand

or pole or a Euro 3/8” stand or pole.

Also on the mount is a thumb screw which when

loosened will allow the mount to rotate to enable

you to angle your microphone to the most

appropriate direction.

To mount the microphone into the clip follow the

steps below.

• Remove the locking collar from the base of

the microphone.

• Slide the base of the microphone into the

hole in the stand mount.

• Screw the locking collar back into position to

carefully secure the Podcaster to the mount.

• Now, loosen the thumbscrew on the stand

mount and adjust the microphone to

the desired angle. Once set, tighten the

thumbscrew to secure the microphone in

place.

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