ALLERLEI

These are just some notes about using the RODE directional microphone. It’s just like a lot of tech gadgets — simple and easy to use IF you take the time figuring it out, and IF you use it all the time. Otherwise, the thing should be a lot simpler and a lot more obvious. Anyway, my observations:

The RODE microphone Is charged  via USB-C port on right side of the ROSE microphone.

Uses cable with 3.5mm standard audio plugs on both sides to connect to cameras like the Nikon P1000.

Once plugged into camera, the RODE turns on automatically when the camera is on.

If not, long press first round button with the power icon before it to turn RODE on and off.

Note: Power light on RODE is green/orange/red, green blink when charging, red blink when power very low. Orange presumably low power. Battery should last about 30 hours.

End of RODE body (facing you) has rotating Gain wheel from 1 (least gain) to 15 (most gain). Generally use 10. 

First round bottom (past power button icon) toggles between -20db, two bars, and both. 

• -20db is -20db “pad’ (a power attenuation device). This setting lowers the audio signal strength in loud environments so that audio is not distorted.
• the two bar icon means it is recording normally, but also saves a separate track at -20db, just in case that the normal track turns out distorted. 
• the third icon (alike a wave) alerts red when audio is too high db. If it flashes red, engage -20db.

Second round button marked “75 and 150” filters either 75hz or 150hz, which is where wind noise and rumblings are (150hz cuts more than 75HZ). Button toggles 75, 150, off. 

Second button can also enhance speech clarity (step icon on the right). Push and hold third button 3 seconds to toggle clarity on and off. Note: Both 75/150 and speech enhance can be on simultaneously.