In this article, we will define what the Ø symbol means and what the Ø button does on the Rodecaster Pro 2 Audio Mixer.
Quick Answer: Most commonly, the Ø symbol can be found on the channel strip, and it is used to invert the polarity of the signal to correct phase issues. Rode also uses the Ø symbol in their branding.
Ø In Rode’s Logo
The Ø symbol is found in many audio mixers in the market. Rode also uses the symbol in its logo.
The symbol can be found not only on the logo but also on their products, including the Rode’s control app and the companion app for the Rodecaster Pro 2.
Ø For Default Show Setup
The Ø symbol can also be found in the top left corner of your touchscreen when you are not recording.
This button is useful for setting up the show of your recordings.
When you click the button, you will find the default show settings. You will find buttons allowing you to edit the show’s name, import, export, or create a new show.
This symbol, in this case, is part of Rode’s branding itself.
Ø In The Channel Strip
The Ø symbol in the channel strip is not part of Rode’s branding. The purpose of this symbol is to represent the button used for inverting the polarity of your signal.
Polarity and Phase
Polarity and phase are related. Polarity needs to be inverted to fix signals that are out of phase.
This is a common problem when setting up two microphones on a single source, like two mics on an acoustic guitar or two on a grand piano or a snare drum.
Example of phase in snare drums
For example, when we put two microphones on the snare drum: one microphone is on the snare top, and the other is on the snare bottom.
If you hit the snare drum, the sine wave will push down on the bottom microphone compressing the signal into the bottom microphone.
When the drum is relaxing off, the signal comes back and compresses the top microphone as it relaxes off the bottom. You end up having a signal that is out of phase.
The whole point of using two microphones on the snare drum is to make the snare drum sound bigger. But if your microphones are out of phase, it will make the sound thinner, and it will be missing a lot of the frequencies that you’re trying to capture.
The frequencies cancel each other out because they are out of phase.
This is similar to noise-cancelling headphones, which use negative sound waves to cancel the sound waves you do not want. However, this happens accidentally on a snare drum.
How to fix phase issues
If you find yourself in this situation where you put two microphones onto a musical instrument and end up having a thinner sound. That is a red flag that you are experiencing a phase issue which can be corrected with polarity.
You can also correct this by moving your microphones around. But if you have already made a recording, the quickest way to correct that is to invert the polarity of one of those microphones or one of those audio inputs.
Ø Button For Podcasting & Live Streaming
In the case of having many microphones next to each other during a podcast or live streaming, you are less likely to have phase and polarity issues.
This is due to the 3:1 rule for phase/polarity.
When you position your mic, it should be 2”-3” away from your mouth. As for the positions of the adjacent microphones, they need to be three times further from your mic as your mic is to your mouth.
As long as the next microphone is at least away from yours, you won’t experience any phase/polarity issues.
When to use Ø Button
This button is rarely engaged during a podcast or live stream.
If you think that your microphones have a phase issue, you can invert the polarity using this button for one of the microphones. This should correct any phase issues that you may have.
What does the Ø button do? | Rodecaster Pro 2 | Price & Specs
- Rodecaster Pro 2 Audio Mixer: https://currentprice.io/rodecaster2
- Shure SM7B Dynamic Microphone: https://currentprice.io/shure_sm7b
- Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro Headphones: https://currentprice.io/beyer_dt_990
- XLR Cable: https://currentprice.io/xlr_cable
- TRS Cable: https://currentprice.io/trs_cable
- Mic Stand: https://currentprice.io/desk_stand
- Rode PSA1+ Boom Arm: https://currentprice.io/psa1_plus
