RØDE Wireless ME Ultra-compact Wireless Microphone System with Built-in Microphones, GainAssist Technology and 100m Range for Filmmaking, Interviews and Content Creation, Wireless ME

Not only did I used to DJ but I’m a YouTuber & I have a podcast.So this review comes from somebody who has always Had to pay attention to audio and what things sound like to other people.I have tested a few microphones already just to see what really sounds better so the things that I have used are:- RODE Me-L Dynamic boom microphone- Audio Technica ATR2100 Cardioid Dynamic mic- Apple AirPods 3rd generation- Apple headphones (The ones with the wire When they used to come with your phone)I have seen Youtubers record videos using the Apple headphones and Apple AirPods many times but Keep in mind = Your iPhone and the wireless Apple AirPods are condenser mics inside …..so they pick up everything!Which is great if you are trying to do ASMR, but you also have to make sure that that you are in a legit 100% quiet area!I am the kind of person that wants to be able to record on the fly and almost never have a problem with my audio.I want to drown out most of the sound that you hear in the background that way I can literally be outside inside moving around or in my car recording and you wouldn’t barely be able to tell the difference.That’s the level of quality that I’m looking for …but on a budget because I don’t want to spend a lot of money I don’t have a bunch of equipment either AND I wanna be on top of the video just to get amazing soundI want a simple plug and play type of Set up.*My YouTube videos are filmed with the Rode Me-L and my podcast is Recorded with audio technicaFor reviewing of this video, Here’s some things you need to know when you’re reading my review:1. currently have an iPhone 12 Pro max that I used to record my YouTube videos in 4K and my podcasts that are on Spotify and Apple2. When I started my podcast, though I got a little bit pickier about my audio sound because I wanted that true podcast sound and voice. I already had purchased the Audio Technica mic back in 2019 when it was deemed the number one podcasting mic by a few “million dollar” Podcasters And that is what I use3. a couple of years now I’ve already had the RODE Me-L the Super cute, tiny dynamic boom mic that plugs right into your iPhone lightning port. So when recording any talking head videos for my YouTube channel I’ve always used the RODE Me-L. The sound has been amazing!4. I’ve always recorded my podcast just using my voice notes app on my iPhone and then I do post editing in Filmora.5. In post editing my video and audio the only 2 Things I’ve ever tweaked are the decibels and I would add a tiny bit more “bass” to my voice So that anytime I may have had a higher pitched voice that day it’s still softens my voice to the listener.And of course, adding base always makes your voice sound better for podcasting.TESTING:The way that I tested this was watching my own YouTube video set on “unlisted” and watching it on my 55 inch living room televisionFor the podcast, I would put in my AirPods Because most people are listening to podcasts or even watching YouTube videos with their headphones on.SIDE NOTE:I also have owned the Hollyland wireless microphones and I sold those on eBay because they just didn’t sound good. Still hear a slight humming in the background.The CON:So, with all of the things Ive already owned/been using vs the new wireless RODE Me Wireless I can honestly tell you I have tried all the combinations of settings, and I still Hear this humming!It’s slightly less with a particular combination of settings, but you just don’t hear that as much when you’re actually plugging in a microphone to your iPhone or device.* So yes, I will be returning these just because I am more of a minimalist so I don’t want to keep something that I may possibly only use in the future when I need it.I’ve heard a lot of other people say there is something to be said when things are plugged directly into a device vs wireless. And I can attest to this!HANDS DOWN THE WINNER IS…For recording my YouTube videos because I want to be hands-free the RODE Me-L That is actually plugged into my iPhone directly by far is the best audioFor recording my podcast I still prefer my Audio Technica (Or I can record my YouTube videos with this, I would just have to be holding a microphone, which is tedious sometimes when I need to actually use both of my hands)And as an honorable mention, I have tested recording my podcast with my RODE Me-L And it still sounds pretty damn good, good enough that if I needed to record a podcast and I forgot my microphone, I would still feel confident posting that audioAND….. The other honorable mention is actually recording with your Apple headphones haha…. In all honesty, if you had zero money to buy any of these items, you should just be recording with an authentic set of Apple headphones.You will just have to make sure that you are keeping the microphone that is dangling from constantly hitting Your hair or T-shirt.FYI, Everything I used to record YouTube and my podcast all fit in a little pouch. I have never been someone who likes to have all these things because I want my set up to be on the GO.And if I’m doing too much just to do a simple video or a podcast that doesn’t come with video… This is where people start to fall off the wagon with being consistent with doing a YouTube video or a podcast is when they have to do too much just to set things up!

Edit (4/29/2023):After talking with Rode Customer Service I have found that the usbC cables are not meant to be affected by the Level setting. I read the online User Guide for the Wireless ME twice before submitting my original review. There was no mention about the limitations of the usbC cords. I was assured that marketing would update the User Guide to note that the 3.5mm cables must be used for the Level setting to take effect.I changed to 4 stars because the ME is great other than the advertising pictures. The influencer shots are still misleading for a plug and play product. They're using the usbC adapter with their phone, so if they don't normalize or master the track after filming, then their video will be half as loud as EVERY other video on EVERY social media platform.Original Review:Comparing against the DJI and the Shure MVL/Rode Lav ii/Powerdewise lavSomething's gotta be wrong with me, right? Why do I expect a product targeted towards social media videos to produce a sound as loud as the typical social media video? I don't know why! The youtube reviewers lauding this thing and the other reviewers are all trying convince me that I'm inept. I'm hard to gaslight, though, so here's the review.First off, and most importantly, using the iOs Rode Central app: the "Level," output does absolutely nothing. The settings are high-med-low. There is no discernable difference between that setting. This is where I think the problem is. Spending $150 on a mic shouldn't get me a significantly quieter video than just plugging the Rode Lavalier ii straight into the iPhone. But it does. Meaning the output for the receiver is likely stuck to low.There is a way around it. Using their other app (Rode Capture) you can raise the level of the mic. It starts to distort but at least it's at the volume comparable to the DJI.Everything else about this is absolutely fantastic and perfect. I want to give it 5 stars, but the whole point of this is to skip mastering or processing the heckin track. I'm better off with no auxiliary audio and just using the phone mic. That's not hyperbole. Yes, I checked. I made over 30 (10-30 second) videos comparing different configurations. A couple of them were just of me speaking into the phone at arms length.That's the end of the review. I'm now going to list all of my findings in an attempt to show my work and validate my complaint --First off I updated the firmware of the TX and RX.-I reset the devices multiple times throughout the process to see if turning on/off the device would helpwith the device settings.-Using a Shure MVL, Rode Lav ii and Powerdewise I can confirm that everything sounds great. Also, that a TRRS to TRS adapter is necessary.- By, "great," of course I mean, "great... but quiet."-Turning off the Gain Assist made no difference for how loud the video got.-The difference between Auto and Dynamic for the Gain Assist for me speaking normally into a normal lav placed around my sternum was dismissible.-The Gain Assist itself works amazingly well when I tried to peak the audio.-I went through every possible configuration for the "Level" on the receiver, the "Gain Assist" on the transmitter, and the lavaliers I have (including the built-in TX mic). All videos were half the volume of what I get out of my DJI or just a straight up Powerdewise straight into the phone. Again, unless I used the Rode Capture app.-I think "Level" setting is bugged and causing the issueTHE RODE CAPTURE APP LOSES AUDIO! That's it. During the tests sometimes the audio would just stop working. I would watch it stop working. Without pressing anything the levels would sometimes randomly drop to zero. I would reset the app and it would be right back up. No trouble with the iOs camera.My workaround is dependent on an unreliable app.If it's just a bug that they address before my return window is up, then I will happily update my review to 5 stars. Amazon only lets me upload one video for the review. I chose the "High Level" using the Rode Lav ii and the iOs camera app.Thanks for listening to me whine. :)

I love this product. As an absolute novice at filming social media video I wanted something thst would be simple but high quality. This set has been perfect for my needs. Simple to use and delivers great sound quality (to my ear). I added a rode lavalier microphone and couldn't be happier with the set up. I typically use this setup with my android phone, outside with a distance of 20 to 30 ft. I highly recommend!