DIY Video Studio is supported by its readers who use the affiliate links or ads on this site. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank your support if you use any of the links.
The quality of your microphone cable can make a real difference to your audio quality. It’s therefore no surprise that RØDE has its own range of cables and adaptors for the optimal performance of its microphones.
RØDE has a wide range of high-quality cables and adapters to connect their 3.5mm microphones to various devices. These include TRS to TRRS and TRRS to TRS adapters, as well as adapters for mobile devices and to connect to XLR inputs on professional audio equipment.
Whether you are a vlogger, podcaster, or video maker, I’ll lead you through those products and explain which one you need.
Why do RØDE video microphones need adaptors?
The audio output connector on most RODE video microphones is a 3.5mm TRS connector, either a socket or a short cable with a mini jack plug. These TRS connectors are compatible with most cameras, camcorders, and audio recorders, but not mobile devices and XLR audio inputs.
Smartphones and tablets with a headphone/mic socket use a 3.5mm TRRS mini-jack connector and higher-end and newer smartphones use a Lightning or USB-C connector. So, you may need an adaptor to connect to these devices.
Some RODE mics have USB outputs and even these may need an adaptor if you wish to record on an Apple mobile device with a Lightning connector.
Finally, if you have a camera or recorder with XLR inputs, here again, you’ll need an adaptor if you want to record with a RODE microphone that uses TRS connectors.
RØDE 3.5mm TRS and TRRS Adaptors and Cables
RØDE makes different 3.5mm adaptors, although the two that you are most likely to come across online are the SC3 and SC4. I will look at as many of the RØDE adaptors and cables as possible and explain their use.
RØDE SC1
The RØDE SC1 is a 6m/20ft 3.5mm TRRS extension cable, with a gold-plated 3.5mm TRRS male plug at one end and a 3.5mm TRRS female connector at the other end. The cable is shielded to help avoid picking up electrical interference and provides a longer reach when connecting a mic with a TRRS output to a smartphone or tablet. An example is the smartLav+.
RØDE SC2
The RØDE SC2 is a 3.5mm TRS to TRS shielded coiled patch cable with a reach of 17-40cm (7-16 inches). The minijacks at each end of the cable are gold-plated. They are also 90° elbow connectors, helping to reduce obscuring the view of camera flip-out screens. The SC2 is suitable for connecting microphones with a 3.5mm TRS audio output socket to devices with a 3.5mm TRS audio input socket. For example, connecting a RØDE VideoMic Pro+ to a DSLR/Mirrorless camera.
RØDE SC3
The RØDE SC3 is a 3.5mm TRRS to TRS Adaptor with gold-plated contacts to reduce signal loss. It has a female TRRS connector and a male TRS jack. This allows you to connect a microphone with a smartphone 3.5mm TRRS jack to connect to devices with a 3.5mm TRS audio socket. For example, the SC3 allows you to use a RØDE SmartLav+ lavalier microphone with a DSLR/Mirrorless camera.
RØDE SC4
The RØDE SC4 is a 3.5mm TRS to TRRS Adaptor with shielded cable and has gold-plated contacts to reduce signal loss. It allows microphones with a 3.5mm TRS mini jack to connect to the 3.5mm TRRS headphone connector on smartphones and tablets.
RØDE SC6
The RØDE SC6 is a 3.5mm dual TRRS to single TRS adaptor with a single 3.5mm stereo headphone output. It allows two microphones with 3.5mm TRRS mini jack plugs to be fed into a single 3.5mm TRRS socket on a smartphone or tablet. For example, you could use a RØDE SC6 to record with two RØDE smartLav+ microphones to a smartphone or tablet. You can listen back to your recording by plugging headphones into the SC6 headphone socket.
RØDE SC7
The RØDE SC7 is a 3.5mm TRS to TRRS coiled patch cable with a 17-40cm (7-16 inches) reach. Each end of the cable has a 3.5mm mini jack, however, one end is a TRS mini jack, and the other end is a TRRS mini jack. The RØDE SC7 can be used to connect a microphone with a TRS output socket to a device with a TRRS input socket, such as a smartphone or tablet.
RØDE SC8
The RØDE SC8 is a 6m/20ft 3.5mm TRS extension cable, with gold plated 3.5mm TRS male at one end and a 3.5mm TRS female connector at each end. The cable is shielded to help avoid picking up electrical interference and provides a longer reach when connecting a mic with a TRS output to a camera or audio recorder with a 3.5mm TRS input connector.
RØDE SC9
The RØDE SC9 is a 1.5m (5ft) 3.5mm TRRS to TRRS cable, with gold-plated 3.5mm TRRS mini-jacks at each end. You can think of it as a TRRS aux cable that can be used to connect any two devices that have 3.5mm TRRS input/output sockets.
RØDE SC10
The SC10 is a 3.5mm TRRS to TRRS patch cable with a strain relief sleeve and junction box. The cable is for use with the RØDE VideoMic NTG microphone. The cable’s length is 32.1cm (12.6 inches).
RØDE SC11
The SC11 is a 3.5mm TRS Y-splitter cable. All mini-jacks are 3.5mm TRS. It lets you connect two mono microphones with 3.5mm TRS sockets to a single 3.5mm TRS stereo input on a camera. The cable is 27.5cm (10.5 inches) long. The dual-end cables are color-coded, red being right and black being left.
RØDE VC1
The RØDE VC1 is a 3.5mm TRS Extension Cable that included a coiled section for easy use with a microphone boompole. The total length of the cable is 3m (10ft). One end has a 3.5mm TRS minijack, while the end close to the coiled section has a female 3.5mm TRS stereo connector.
Typical usage would be to connect a RØDE video microphone with a 3.5mm minijack on a boompole to a camera or recorder. It can also be used with the RØDE VXLR for 3.5mm TRS mini jack to XLR conversion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, RODE offers a wide range of 3.5mm TRS/TRRS microphone cables and adapters that cater to all of your audio recording setups.
The 10 cables and adapters listed in this article provide a variety of options for connecting different types of microphones and devices. Whether you’re in need of a short cable for on-camera mics or longer dual inputs for recording interviews, RODE has options for you. The adapters provided by RODE ensure compatibility with a wide range of devices. Whether you’re using a camera or smartphone, RODE makes it easy to connect to your microphone.
RODE’s cables and adapters are designed to provide optimal performance, which is why the mini-jacks connectors are gold-plated, and the cables are shielded from electrical interference at bay. In summary, RODE’s microphone cables and adapters are reliable, high-quality, and versatile options that you trust, whether you are an audio professional or enthusiast.
Source: Rode Microphones
About the author: Tosh Lubek is a multi-award-winning broadcaster, writer, and video producer, with 40 years of experience in professional broadcasting. He has worked with radio and TV broadcasters, advertising agencies, and direct clients on a variety of projects including radio and television advertising, online video production, corporate videos, award ceremony motion graphics, and theme park sound design. Tosh has won numerous awards, including a Radio Academy Awards Gold Sony, a Gold, Silver, and Bronze World Medals in the New York Festivals International Advertising Awards. Since about 2007 he has been creating YouTube videos. Tosh has been a sponsor of the “video booth” at HashTag Business Events across the UK.
Recent Posts
Microphone Audio Quality Boost: Simple Tips for YouTubers & Streamers
Do you want to make your microphone sound AMAZING? In this video I've packed plenty of actionable tips to help YouTubers and streamers improve their microphone audio quality. Learn about the...
When I went shopping for my Blue Yeti, because I knew it had been originally launched in 2009, I asked, “does the Blue Yeti does work with Windows 10”. Yes, it does, I was assured. Happy with...