RØDE Launches New NTG4 Series, RØDELink Wireless System and NTR Ribbon Microphone

Full disclosure here. RØDE is the company that helped us the most when it came time to make our YouTube videos sound great. Before they put us on the right path, the only thing people would comment on, is how crappy our audio was, or they can’t hear (the words that are comin’ outta my mouth). Now, viewers bitch about other things. Anyway, back to the company’s big product launches for this quarter which include two new NTG4 series shotgun microphones, a new affordable wireless audio system for DSLR shooters, and their new NTR ribbon microphone.

Many moons ago, both Futurelooks and MEGATechNews started with this horrible $99 microphone we got from a music store. It looked OK, but man did it sound horrible. Luckily, we met some people at RØDE, and not only did they help us fix our audio issue, but it gave us the opportunity to focus on the video quality. Which, we still work on diligently. The NTG2 was the microphone that got us started, and the company just launched their new NTG4 series: NTG4 and NTG4+.

The NTG4 is a shorter microphone made perfect for on camera mounting. Its digital buttons allow you to turn it on, use a -10db PAD with another button, in case you have someone who’s very enthusiastic on set, or accentuate the high frequencies with a 75Hz high pass filter. The last thing helps the mic pick up those lost high frequencies when using any sort of wind protection.

The difference between both mics is that the NTG4+ is longer and includes a battery that can be charged via USB, and can last up to 150hrs on a single charge, which takes about 2 hrs. Both mics though, are major improvements over the original NTG2 and NTG1, and fall just under the top end NTG3 in terms of performance. Both will be hitting the shelves sometime next month.

We love our Sennheiser G3 system matched up with RØDE lavalier mics. But in all honesty, there really hasn’t been anything out there that truly speaks to the indie filmmakers and videographers out there. The RØDELink Digital Wireless System might be the system to do it. It sports next-generation 2.4GHz, 128-bit encrypted digital transmission, over two channels simultaneously. Sound quality is 24-bit/44.1k, and it can do that up to 100 meters away.

The best part is, it’s completely ready to mount to your DSLR or Cinema camera bodies with the built in cold shoe. In fact, RØDE will be selling the system in multiple configurations to suit all sorts of video work, including stage, allowing you to get a kit that works for you. And if RØDE packs as much value into this system as they do in their other products, there’s going to be a lot of happy people out there.

The Filmmaker Kit, which includes a body pack, on camera receiver, and one of RØDE’s own lavalier mics will ship around April 2015. Just in time for NAB 2015 in Las Vegas.

Finally, RØDE has released what they consider a great value in the ribbon microphone segment with their NTR. I’ll admit, I don’t know much about ribbon microphones, so I’ll let the experts decide if this is a great vocal mic. Although I do love my NT-USB for the occasional voice over thing I have to do.

Full press release is available below.

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RØDE breaks new ground with multiple product launch in 2015

Tuesday January 20^th 2015, San Diego USA – Australian audio company RØDE Microphones has held the largest simultaneous product launch in the company’s history, introducing multiple new products and categories at an exclusive event in San Diego, USA.

Considered by many to be the dominant force in audio for broadcast and film production over the past 10 years, RØDE has solidified this reputation with the launch of the RØDELink Digital Wireless System. A fully-digital wireless audio system, RØDELink utilizes a next-generation 2.4GHz, 128-bit encrypted digital transmission sent on two channels simultaneously, providing a high-resolution 24-bit/44.1k digital audio signal at a range of up to 100 meters (over 100 yards).

The RØDELink system will consist of a number of receiver and transmitter options, and will be available in kits for specific audio solutions across film, news gathering, presentation and stage use. The first of these to be released – The Filmmaker Kit, will consist of a beltpack transmitter, on-camera or beltpack receiver, and RØDE’s broadcast quality Lavalier microphone.

“We’re very excited to announce the launch of the RØDELink fully-digital wireless audio system. Continuing RØDE’s mission to provide premium performance products at an accessible price, the RØDELink system will be one of the most affordable wireless solutions on the market.” Commented Peter Freedman, RØDE’s Founder and President, at the company event in San Diego. “20 years ago RØDE revolutionized the home recording experience. 10 Years ago RØDE did the same in the video category. Now the time is right for a revolution in wireless audio capabilities, and I believe that RØDELink will become the category leader in a very short space of time.”

The RØDELink Filmmaker kit will be shipping globally in April 2015. For more information, please visit www.rode.com/wireless.

Continuing to drive innovation in the broadcast audio industry, RØDE has also announced two new shotgun microphones, the NTG4 and NTG4+. Drawing on the success of the current RØDE shotgun mic range, but with a wealth of innovative features, the NTG4 and NTG4+ are set to once again define RØDE as the industry-standard for broadcast microphones for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Starting with an all-new capsule, the NTG4 and NTG4+ exhibit lower noise and higher sensitivity, giving you cleaner audio at the source. On-board digital switching now controls a 75Hz high pass filter, 10db PAD and innovative high frequency boost which was first available on the Stereo VideoMic X, allowing you to compensate for any high frequency attenuation when using a DeadCat style furry windshield.

Enhancing the dual-powered flexibility of the NTG2, the NTG4+ comes equipped with an internal rechargeable lithium battery, a world first for a professional shotgun microphone. Providing up to 150 hours operating time, the battery is conveniently charged via any USB power source using the supplied MicroUSB cable.

The NTG4 and NTG4+ will be available globally in February 2015. For more information, please visit www.rode.com/ntg4.

Built on a foundation of studio microphone excellence, RØDE is once again set to re-define the studio microphone landscape with the introduction of the world’s very best ribbon microphone, The RØDE NTR.

The NTR is unlike any ribbon microphone ever created. The unique design places the ribbon distinctly separate to the microphone frame and body, allowing the greatest possible acoustic transparency around the ribbon element and minimising resonance. The ribbon element itself is designed completely from scratch, using extremely fine aluminium that is only 1.8 microns thick – one of the thinnest ribbons in existence. An innovative, in-house, proprietary technique was developed to laser cut the ribbon, giving a level of precision and accuracy never before seen in a ribbon microphone.

Surrounding the ribbon element is a chemically etched all-metal layer of mesh – the same used on the SMR pop shield. This is extremely rigid while exhibiting super low density, resulting in greater acoustic transparency.

Married to RØDE’s ribbon element is a high output, ultra-low noise, low impedance transformer. Combined with world-class active electronics, this allows the NTR to be used with a wide range of preamps without the additional gain requirements of many other ribbon offerings.

“It’s always been a dream of RØDE’s to create the world’s very best ribbon microphone, but the time was never quite right.” Exclaimed Damien Wilson, RØDE’s Global Sales and Marketing Director. “As many of you know, our manufacturing capabilities have expanded dramatically over the past few years and now we’re proud to say we have a facility unlike any other in the world. These expanded capabilities have allowed us to realize this dream, and bring the NTR to life.”

An intricate blend of art and science, the NTR reaffirms RØDE as a world leader in microphones for studio recording of vocals and instruments.

The NTR will be available globally in February 2015. For more information, please visit www.rode.com/ntr.

About RØDE microphones:
RØDE Microphones (www.rode.com) designs and manufactures high-quality microphones and related accessories for studio, live and location use. Its products are designed and primarily manufactured in Sydney, Australia and exported to over 100 countries globally.

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