If you’re on the lookout for a versatile and compact audio solution for your mobile recording needs, the Rode SC6-L is worth your attention. In this review, we’ll delve into the features, performance, and overall user experience of this nifty audio interface.
Design and Build Quality
- Compact and lightweight
- Sturdy, metal construction
- Two 3.5mm TRRS input jacks
- 3.5mm TRRS output jack
- LED indicator lights
The Rode SC6-L boasts a compact and sturdy design, making it easy to carry around. Its metal construction ensures durability, perfect for on-the-go recording.
Connectivity
- Dual input jacks for microphones or headphones
- Single output jack for monitoring or recording
- Compatible with various TRRS devices
- Seamless integration with smartphones, tablets, and select DSLR cameras
With two input jacks, you can connect two microphones or headphones simultaneously. This is incredibly handy for interviews, podcasting, or recording audio with a friend. The SC6-L is compatible with a wide range of TRRS devices and seamlessly pairs with your smartphone, tablet, or even select DSLR cameras.
Performance
- Crystal-clear audio recording
- Adjustable gain control
- Real-time monitoring
- No batteries required
The SC6-L delivers exceptional audio quality, capturing your voice with clarity and precision. Its adjustable gain control allows you to fine-tune your recording levels. Real-time monitoring ensures that you always know what your recording sounds like. Plus, it doesn’t need batteries, making it reliable for extended recording sessions.
Pros
- Compact and durable design
- Versatile dual input jacks
- Seamless integration with various devices
- Exceptional audio quality
- Adjustable gain control
- Real-time monitoring
- Battery-free operation
Cons
- Limited to TRRS devices
- Not suitable for professional studio setups
- Might be too basic for advanced users
User Experience
Using the Rode SC6-L is a breeze. Simply plug it into your device and start recording or monitoring with ease. Its compatibility with a wide range of devices makes it a versatile tool for content creators, journalists, and anyone who needs reliable mobile audio recording.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Rode SC6-L is a handy audio interface that’s perfect for mobile content creators. Its compact and durable design, versatile connectivity, and excellent performance make it a valuable tool for a variety of applications. While it may have some limitations, such as being tailored for TRRS devices, it excels in its intended use cases.
Whether you’re a podcaster, vlogger, or journalist, the Rode SC6-L is a cost-effective solution for high-quality audio recording on the go.
Jack –
It’s always good to have a backup, and this device allows you to have that with your iPhone when recording videos because with it you can record dual channel audio, so the two mics each record on a separate channel. The channels will not be in sync so you need to open the file in Audacity and edit it there, unless your video editing program allows you to do that natively. I use Camtasia so I have to edit externally. It might sound like a hassle but it gives you the option to edit out odd noises or rustling sounds that might not be on the second mic.
kimberlyn –
No sure why but it’s definitely flawed and there is not other product like this so I gotta deal with it. And 80% of the time it does not work
matthew chilton –
for my daughter
gpbarbosa –
It had to be more flexible to use with P2 like most of the lapel mics.
Brent P. –
Sadly, This iPhong lightening to TRRS is dead. Will not connect. Also Rode will not respond to Emails even though I have an account with them and have purchased a $600.00 Rodecaster Pro. This company, in my case, is not living up to its reputation for good customer service. I am not sure this is a trustworthy company. If they contact me I will update every one.
nitehawk49 –
Product broke after the first time we used it. There was no damage to the product and it was not mistreated. When I called the company to get it repaired under the 1 year warranty they also informed me I’d have to pay for shipping to get it fixed.
Patrick Mudge –
Product fell apart within 4 months. Housing does not stay on.
VictorMD –
Do not waste your money on this!
R G Andrews –
Mix down any audio to iPhone whilst recording video! It’s the answer!!I hunted for a long time to find this solution. I Googled like crazy, and also searched YouTube, all to no avail.Years ago I bought an iRig for my iPhone 5. It kind of worked OK, but the quality was poor, and it only recorded in mono – and through phone circuitry designed only for voice, really.When I spotted this Rode SC6-L I thought my dream had come true! However, it wasn’t as simple as that, and I was slightly put off by some poor reviews. But I’m happy to report, when you connect it up in a certain way, it IS the answer!! I am hoping this review will save others from unnecessary stress!!First of all I had to look up what “TRRS” means. (Shameful for an ex telephone engineer!!) It refers to the (3.5mm) plug and means “Tip Ring Ring Sleeve”, (language that was very common during my Post Office apprenticeship!)Some years ago, a new “standard” for mobile phone headsets emerged to allow the use of stereo ear buds plus a microphone. I barely gave it a thought at the time, but in essence we were all used to a normal headphone plug having three connectors for stereo (Tip, Ring and Sleeve); that’s all that was needed. The sleeve is “Common” ground, and the other two, Tip and Ring are left and right signal channels.The NEW 3.5 mm plug has FOUR connectors, but still fits into any 3.5mm hole!! (And vice versa.) Having lost all my youthful curiosity years earlier, I merely noted that some headsets work in some sockets, and others kinda work with a jiggle, and others don’t work at all. Soon after that I moved to iOS technology and let them look after me with their slick solutions that require no real thought!!History lesson over!Although I could find no anecdotal evidence or otherwise that the Rode SC6-L would solve my interface problem, (Nor was “Stereo” mentioned anywhere on the Rode website in relation to this product) I nevertheless decided to take a punt. Otherwise I’d only waste loads of energy endlessly wondering!I read that the 3.5mm jacks on the SC6-L are the TRRS variety. Initially I bought TRS to TRRS converter plugs, in the hope that I could use a couple of RCA -to- 3-pole 3.5mm cables already hoarded in my 1980s junk box. Well, they sort of worked, but were noisy and scratchy. Also the converter plugs seemed to hang out of the sockets; altogether not very satisfactory.The Rode SC6-L is designed to work with Rode bespoke mics, which are fitted with TRRS plugs. I should have thought of this earlier – it probably also works with phone headset mics, (I’ll try it sometime). Now, Rode have used the same wiring protocol as phone headsets, (and only in writing this down do I appreciate why!!).So, to get to the point – “simply” (!) get a couple of TRRS plugs and wire them to almost any passive mic, or in my case a pair of RCA Phono connectors, so I can connect the iPhone to my DAW (Boss BR800 multi-track recorder). The wiring is simple: (mic) signal wire to the “Sleeve”, that’s the connector all the way up the plug nearest to the wire, and the “ground” wire goes to the next one down. (On a phone headset, this is the common ground for the ear buds as well as the mic.) Now there is no longer any need for the converter plugs; I can plug my audio line-level output* straight into the phone via the Rode SC6-L. And yes – IT RECORDS IN STEREO!!Some notes:Firstly, you have to download the “Rode Reporter” app to set up the device. Plug the SC6-L into the phone and the “settings button” will appear top right of the screen. Settings include channel separation (yes/no) and sensitivity. (Select “Yes” for channel separation in order to achieve stereo.) You can alter these variables at any time with the app, but once set, they are written to the Rode SC6-L firmware and will remain that way, whatever app you use for recording, including the phone’s native video camera. (Mostly this is what I use.)*Second – if like me you want to mix down from another audio device – CAUTION! The device is primarily designed for low signal levels, so first set the device to minimum sensitivity, and even set thus, I have to keep my “master fader” a bit lower than if I were sending the signal elsewhere, eg to a pre-amp. Don’t over-drive the device!Finally (phew!!) in these days of lock-down, I was unable to easily (quickly) purchase TRRS plugs, so instead I have butchered a couple of old phone headsets, snipping the cables just south of the mic breakout box, and then proving through with a multimeter to find the right connector (mic). These wires are very very fine, and might end up introducing noise where I’ve indiscriminately stabbed at the connections with my soldering iron, peering myopically through a 10x Loup and trying not to stick the hot iron up my nose!! Therefore when my new gold** TRRS plugs arrive, I shall snip off my awful bodge and wire a RCA phono pair straight into the new plugs. (**Gold is better than most conductors.) My 1980s junk box has plenty of RCA leads to choose from!PS If anyone submitted a poor review, I suspect it is because it was unclear how to set this thing up. However, since there appears to be no other similar device on the market (certainly for the price) then it’s worth persevering. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to put contact details up here, but I’d like to help if I haven’t been sufficiently clear. My name is Rich Andrews, UK based – I’m a professional sailor, or yachtsman. You’ll find me if you try hard enough!! Good luck!!
Gavin –
At last! Got it workingI’ve been looking for a way of getting a line level stereo output from my keyboards into my iPhone to use when streaming live (ie Reddit RPAN, YouTube live.. etc) and use GarageBand or camera app (video). Various adapters allow you to connect a mono mic but not much choice for anything else.I found this Rode SC6 adapter which sounded like the part. The only slightly annoying part is the cables. It says it’s for a Rode mic. And frustratingly they break convention and wire their mics differently. With some wiggling of the plug I got it to work well, but not ideal as the slightest movement would create crackling or drop-offs.The wiring is actually very simple, just 2 wires for left and 2 for right. I had a stereo 3.5mm to two mono 3.5mm cable, cut off the two mono plugs and replaced with TRRS. I’ve uploaded how the TRRS socket is wired (go with OMTP standard), the two TRRS plugs now plug into the SC6 and yI can now record in stereo or live stream from my iPhone.I also uploaded photos of 2 Rode mic adapters (black and grey colour). These don’t work, again you can fiddle with the cable to get sound but the wiring is not right.The SC6 also has a useful monitor socket so you can hear exactly what is being captured.The app is useful too, you can monitor levels, adjust sensitivity (for line set to minimum). Settings are saved so are applied to any app.And thanks to previous reviewer (think he said his name was Andrew), his review gave me more determination to get to the end.Good luck!Note for Rode – a little switch on the device to flick the wiring would make this device much more usable than messing around with cables and reduce your returns!