By technical editor Matt Allard:

Introducing the RØDELink Digital Wireless Audio System from RØDE Microphones on Vimeo.

Australian audio company RØDE Microphones has just 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.

The most exciting is the RØDELink Digital Wireless System. A fully-digital wireless audio system, RØDELink utilises 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 use of 2.4GHz means that the RØDELink should be able to work worldwide – most UHF and digital hybrid wireless systems like the Sennheiser G3 and Sony UWP-D work on different frequency bands in different countries due to different regulations. Traveling internationally with wireless mics could be a real headache in the past – RØDELink may just have made it a whole lot easier.

The RØDELink system will consist of a number of receiver and transmitter options, and will be available in kits for specific audio needs 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 a RØDE Lavalier microphone.

This from the Rode press release: “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. No pricing has been announced officially but we are told it should be sub US$500 (edit – B+H now has it listed at $399 US) – making it considerably less than the cheapest pro wireless systems from rivals Sony and Sennheiser.

This is a great announcement as I am sure the Rodelink system is sure to be a hit with filmmakers across the World. For me, a wireless mic system was the missing link in the Rode product range. The use of the 2.4Ghz part of the spectrum is novel and it will be interesting to test how the Rodelink compares to hybrid digital wireless systems like Sony’s UWP-D range.

Introducing the NTG4 and NTG4+ Shotgun Microphones from RØDE Microphones on Vimeo.

RØDE has also announced two new shotgun microphones, the NTG4 and NTG4+. Drawing on the success of the current RØDE shotgun mic the new NTG 4 and 4+ are a step up from the lower cost NTG 1 and 2 shotguns which are very popular with news and documentary shooters on budgets. The NTG 4 and 4+ have higher audio quality but are similar in size. This should be a great upgrade for existing NTG 1 and 2 users

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 such as a phone battery or laptop – using the supplied MicroUSB cable.

Until now to get much better camera top sound has required either a longer microphone like the Rode NTG 3 and Sennheiser ME66/K6 which can be unwieldy, or spending some serious cash on something like a Sanken CS1e. The NTG 4 looks to be the perfect solution without breaking the bank.

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

For studio folk RØDE has also announced the RØDE NTR, which they claim is the world’s very best ribbon microphone. This is what they have to say about it:

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.

Full disclosure: Rode microphones is a sponsor of Newsshooter.com