These Rode wireless mics now connect to iPhone via Bluetooth

As much as I like my Rode Wireless Go microphone, there’s a bit of friction involved when I want to use it with my phone. Now, I’ve got a pretty good incentive to upgrade, with the Gen 3 Rode Wireless Go now supporting direct Bluetooth connectivity with iPhones.

Via a firmware update, both the Gen 3 Go and the Wireless Pro models can now take advantage of Rode’s “Direct Connect” technology. First introduced with the petite Rode Wireless Micro range, Direct Connect enables Bluetooth connectivity between the transmitters and an iPhone when using the Rode Capture app.

So, instead of fumbling around for a USB-C cable or plugging in an additional dongle, the Gen 3 Wireless Go and Wireless Pro connect completely wirelessly. I’ve got the older Gen 2 model, so I just miss out on the added feature, but I’m confident it would make recording on the go a lot smoother.

It’s also encouraging to see Direct Connect come to Rode’s other wireless microphones. As nifty as the Micro is, it doesn’t have the internal storage or 32-bit float recording of the Wireless Go or Wireless Pro. 32-bit float recording, in particular, is a big one: it saves a backup audio file that can be a lifesaver if the original recording is lost or you get any distortion from peaking.

Which iPhones does Direct Connect work with?

According to Rode, as long as an iPhone runs iOS 14 or above, that’s enough to work with Direct Connect. However, the Rode Capture app listing mentions iOS 16 and the iPhone XS as the minimum requirements. With that in mind, any iPhone from the last few years will work with the newly enabled Bluetooth connectivity.

As for Android users, Rode says it’s “actively working on Android support for Rode Capture”. While the company didn’t commit to an exact timeline, it plans to bring Direct Connect to more devices in the future.

Rode adding Direct Connect via a firmware update also means there’s no need to buy additional equipment. That’s a refreshing change in the consumer tech industry, where every inch of value is squeezed out of customers.

For someone like me, who does need to upgrade, the Gen 3 Wireless Go mic system costs $340 in Australia, while the Wireless Pro costs $510, which includes a charging case for the receiver and two transmitters.

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