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USB microphones have been around for some time now, and their quality has steadily improved. You can now expect quite respectable results from inexpensive USB microphones. Today, analog-to-digital converter chips can produce excellent results, so they have started to be included in on-camera microphones, sometimes along with traditional 3.5mm analog outputs.
An example of this type of microphone is the Rode VideoMic NTG, an on-camera shotgun microphone that boasts USB-C and auto-sensing 3.5mm audio outputs.
In this article, I’ll lead you through RODE’s USB cables and adapters that will help you get the best performance from your RODE microphone.
RØDE Lightning and USB Adapters and Cables
RØDE supplies many Lightning/USB adapters and cables that are intended for use with their video microphones while others are for RØDE’s larger studio USB microphones. I will look at as many of the RØDE adapters and cables as possible and explain their use.
RØDE SC15
The SC15 is a Lightning accessory cable.
It provides USB-C to Lightning connectivity and has a male Lightning connector at one end and a male USB-C at the other. It is a 30cm (11.8-inch) long cable and allows MFi-certified USB-C microphones to be connected to iOS devices with Lightning sockets. Note that is intended for the transfer of audio data and is not a charging or sync cable.
A typical use of the SC15 cable would be to connect the VideoMic NTG to the Lightning port on an iPhone or tablet.
RØDE SC16
The SC16 is a USB-C to USB-C patch cable.
The cable is 30cm (11.8 inches) long and ultra-flexible. It can be used to connect microphones with a USB-C output to devices with a USB-C port, such as mobile phones, tablets, and computers.
Microphones that can be used with this USB-C to USB-C cable include the RØDECaster Pro, VideoMic NTG, NT-USB Mini, and Wireless GO II.
RØDE SC17
The SC17 is a USB-C to USB-C Cable.
This cable is a 1.5m (5ft) Hi-Speed certified USB cable. Unlike the SC16, the diameter and flexibility are like that of USB cables that are normally used with computer equipment. Uses include connecting larger USB microphones with a USB-C output to a desktop or laptop with a USB-C port or RØDECaster Pro.
RØDE SC18
The SC18 is a USB-C to USB-A Cable.
The cable is a 1.5m (5ft) Hi-Speed certified USB Cable. The diameter and flexibility are like that of USB cables used with computer equipment. Uses include connecting larger USB microphones with a USB-C output to a USB-A port on laptops etc. Compatible RØDE microphones include the NT-USB Mini, VideoMic NTG, and RØDECaster Pro.
RØDE SC19
The SC19 is a USB-C to Lightning cable.
This cable is a 1.5m (5ft) Lightning accessory cable that allows MFi-certified USB-C microphones to connect to iOS devices. This USB-C to Lightning cable allows you to record with microphones, like the VideoMic NTG, to iPhones and iPads with Lightning port connectors. This is the longer of the two USB-C to Lightning cables that RØDE supplies. If you require a shorter cable length you should opt for the RØDE SC21 cable.
RØDE SC21
The SC21 is a USB-C to Lightning cable.
The SC21 is a 30cm (11.8-inch) that enables MFi-certified USB-C microphones to connect to iOS devices. A typical use of this cable is to connect a RØDE Wireless GO II to an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning port. Note that this cable is intended for the transfer of audio data and is not a charging or sync cable. If you require a longer cable length you should opt for the RØDE SC19 cable.
RØDE SC22
The SC22 is a USB-C to USB-C Cable.
This is a 30cm (11.8-inch) long USB-C to USB-C cable that can be used to connect microphones with a USB-C output connector to computers, smartphones, and tablets that have a USB-C port. This short USB cable with a round profile is most suitable when you need to keep the microphone close to the recording device. It will work with all USB-C equipped RØDE products. If you require a longer USB-C to USB-C cable look to the RØDE SC17 cable.
Conclusion
RØDE offers several lightning and USB microphone cables and adapters that will suit the needs of creators. This includes the use of RØDE’s on-camera microphones and their more conventional studio mics used for live streaming. The various cables and adapters give users the possibility of connecting RØDE microphones to various devices.
Whether you’re looking for a short cable for vlogging with a smartphone or recording to a computer, RØDE will have the cable or adapter for you. Overall, RØDE’s microphone cables and adapters are reliable, high-quality, and versatile options for audio professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Source: Rode
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.
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