RODE Microphones RØDELink Filmmaker kit Installation guide

Can I use multiple transmitters with a single RØDELink receiver?-
Not simultaneously. Each RØDELink System is designed to operate as a pair and you can
only receive audio from one transmitter unit at any time.
That said, each RØDELink receiver has up to eight memory locations where it can store
paired transmitters so you can have one receiver unit that can connect to eight
transmitters without having to re-pair the units.
To switch between paired transmitters (in this example Ch1 and Ch2) on the same
receiver, follow these steps:
Can I use any microphone with my RØDELink Filmmaker kit?-
Yes, the RØDELink Filmmaker kit transmitter accepts a 3.5mm TRS mic input, so you
can connect any self-powered microphone with a 3.5mm output, such as a VideoMic into
the RØDELink Filmmaker kit transmitter.
Can I connect the output of the RØDELink Filmmaker receiver (RX-CAM) to an XLR input?-
Yes you can, using a 3.5mm to XLR adaptor such as the RØDE VXLR.
Please note that this will be an unbalanced signal.
Can I connect an XLR microphone to the RØDELink Filmmaker kit?-
Yes you can connect an XLR microphone to the RØDELink Filmmaker kit, however the
microphone must be self-powered as the TX-BELT transmitter unit does not provide
phantom power.
To connect your XLR microphone you will need an XLR-to-3.5mm cable such as this.
How do I pair my RØDELink transmitter and receiver?-
RØDELink kits are shipped pre-paired from the factory, however if you wish to re-pair
for any reason just follow these steps:
1. Turn on the Receiver and Transmitter units.
2. Open the battery door of both units, allowing access to the pair (red) buttons.

3. On the Receiver unit, press the pair button. The screen status should change to
display a flashing channel number and a searching animation to indicate it is in
pair mode.
4. If you wish to select a specific channel number, press the 'CH' button to cycle
through to the desired channel.
5. Press the pair button on the Transmitter.
6. Both units should now display a solid, matching channel number indicating that
they are now paired.
If you wish to pair multiple RØDELink kits, simply switch off the first set and then pair
the second set using the steps above on a different channel.
Is the lavalier microphone supplied with the Filmmaker Kit the same as RØDE’s Lavalier
microphone?-
No. The lav mic included is a different microphone, and does not have a removable
adaptor but rather a fixed 3.5mm connector with locking thread. While both are
broadcast-grade in performance, the Lavalier supports the MiCon adaptor system for a
wide range of compatibility with popular audio devices.
What is the operating range of the RØDELink wireless system?-
The RØDELink system has an operating range up to 100m (~110 yards), however as with
all wireless transmission devices this operating range can be influenced by external
factors.
The RØDELink system operates in the 2.4GHz frequency spectrum which is shared with
common wireless transmission devices such as WiFi networks, Bluetooth devices,
microwave ovens and more. The more 2.4GHz devices that are simultaneously running in
the same location as your RØDELink system, the more congested this 2.4GHz frequency
spectrum will be, cutting down the signal strength and overall operating range for all
2.4GHz devices. In a very busy 2.4GHz environment you may find your RØDELink
system is unable to maintain its maximum operating range.
Signal travelling distance is also another possible factor. This refers to the physical
distance between the Receiver (RX) and Transmitter (TX). An unobstructed line of sight
between the two devices will provide the shortest possible signal travelling distance,
therefore the strongest signal. If the signal needs to travel through, or around walls and
other objects, this lengthens your signal travelling distance, reducing overall signal
strength.
Can I use multiple RØDELink kits at the same time?-
Yes, RØDELink systems have been tested for use with up to 8 kits operating in the same
area under optimum conditions without problem.
It is important to note that the more kits you have operating simultaneously, the more

likely you are to experience a decrease in their useable range. This is also relative to the
environment you are operating in and depending on the amount of 2.4Ghz devices that
are active at the time of use, your useable range may be less than the optimum distance.
If a complex setup is required or you want to use multiple RØDELink systems, we
strongly recommend testing your setup in the same active environment you intend to use
it. This will allow you to assess the signal strength surrounding you and any range
restrictions you’ll need to be aware of during operation.
When using multiple RØDELink kits you will also want to space the receivers apart for
optimal performance. This only needs to be a minimum of 10-15cm and typically will
only affect usage in congested RF environments as well as when larger transmitting
distances are required. Always make sure that your receivers (Rx) are orientated so that
the antennas are forward facing (when using the Rx-CAM this will occur naturally if the
kits are mounted via the provided cold shoe mount and the display is facing the camera
operator).
How does ‘Signal to Noise Ratio’ affect my RØDELink’s range?-
Take for example a small room with no people in it, you are trying to hold a conversation
with someone across the room, you’ll probably need to be standing within 4-5 meters of
that person for them to be able to hear you speaking at a normal level. Now, consider
being in the same room but instead filled with 20 people talking at once, you’ll need to be
much closer than a meter for that same person you were trying to hold a conversation
with to hear you speaking at normal level, reducing the distance between you.
Think of yourself as the transmitter, your friend the receiver, your speaking voice the
signal and all the other people speaking around you to be the ‘noise’. The greater the
‘noise’ level (other signals in the 2.4Ghz spectrum), the closer the ‘transmitter’ and
‘receiver’ will need to be to successfully communicate with each other.
Of course, there is technology that can help with the background noise. Each RØDELink
system transmits on two frequencies simultaneously and its series II 2.4Ghz technology is
constantly searching for and hopping between the strongest frequencies to transmit on,
ensuring the best possible communication between transmitter and receiver. However,
understanding that the 2.4Ghz ‘noise’ will affect the range which the RØDELink systems
can transmit will help ensure you allow for the best setup within your requirements.
How do I optimize my RØDELink’s range and performance?-
Understanding both the environment you are operating in as well as exactly what the
oppositional factors mean and how they might affect performance is key to optimising
your RØDELink setup.
1. The biggest impact on performance will of course be interference from other
devices in the area you intend to use your RØDELink system. Wi-Fi access points
are the most common interferer in the 2.4Ghz spectrum, so a simple way of

identifying how many access points are available in an area is to take a quick look
at how many you can see on your smartphone. The more access points, the higher
the interference potential.
2. If you have identified that you are operating in a congested 2.4Ghz environment,
you’ll then want to consider how these interferers will impact the RØDELink’s
performance. As a general rule, 3 access points, being heavily used in the same
area will cause the 2.4GHz frequency band to be used up and you will see a large
reduction in range performance of the RØDELink system. However, distance
between the interferers and the RØDELink system can help this. For optimum
RØDELink performance you should aim to keep the distance between your
transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) to less than the distance between any
interfering device and the transmitter or receiver.
3. Wherever possible, you will want to keep your Transmitter (Tx) and Receiver
(Rx) in direct line of sight. This means that there are no objects at all between the
two. Understandably the transmitter (Tx) may at times need to be hidden
depending on the scenario you are using it in, however the RØDELink’s range
can be further optimised by ensuring there is nothing impeding the signal
transmission.
4. The orientation of the antenna in your RØDELink kit during operation will also
help optimise the systems performance. The Rx-CAM will be oriented correctly if
mounted via the cold shoe mount which it ships with as standard. If the shoe is
not being used you should aim to have the bottom of the receiver (opposite side to
the screen) pointing towards the transmitter.