To commemorate '15 Years of Classic Sound' RØDE has issued this collector's edition of the Classic II tube microphone, exclusively limited to only 500 editions worldwide.
The RØDE Classic and Classic II microphones were a labour of love. Each element, be it the capsule, the transformer, the valve, the body or the cable were of the finest quality available.
At the heart of both microphones is the 6072 Twin Triode valve, as found in most of history's most revered transducers. Its unparalleled sonic characteristics have made it incredibly sought after, and with production ceasing over 30 years ago RØDE were lucky to secure a production quantity of "new old stock" to be used exclusively in the Classic.
The transformer, custom designed by Jensen to perfectly match the 6072, pairs with the valve to provide the signature Classic warmth. Both the Classic and Classic II capsules are hand assembled dual pressure gradient transducers, sputtered with pure gold.
The centre-electrode design found in the Classic was modified to edge-terminated in its successor, resulting in a slightly lower noise level. The Classic II features nine polar patterns, in addition to a variable PAD and high pass filters.
The microphone body is machined from solid brass and polished by hand before coating with stain nickel.
For the very first time the RØDE Classic is finished in a lustrous matte black, with the '15 Years of Classic Sound' logo proudly etched onto the microphone's brass body.
The microphone case and power transformer are also finished in black, and marked with the commemorative logo. A second 6072 twin triode tube (NOS) is supplied in an etched aluminium storage cylinder to ensure that this microphone's classic sound will last for many years to come.
Also included is a leather bound embossed collector's coffee table book, documenting the history of RØDE's flagship microphone.
This commemorative edition of the Classic II receives a lifetime warranty to ensure such an exclusive microphone receives the care and attention it deserves. Upon online registration of the microphone, the owner will receive a personalised titanium warranty card featuring their name.
Who's been seen rockin' the Classic II Limited Edition
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Classic II Limited Edition microphone reviews:
“RØDE made miracle with this mic, I would say it is bargain considering aluminium case, shockmount and remote control unit...I prefer it to 3 times costlier mics”
- Sam Krulin, producer and recording musician, Harmony Central (Customer Review)
“I have two Classic II mics and I must say they are right up there with the best and most expensive mics around; they actually produce instant stunning results
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- Paul Miller, Harmony Central (Customer Review)
“My vocals got clarity & presence at the same time, I've got to have this Mic.”
- Snoop Dogg
“I recorded the vocal on this track with a RØDE Classic II. I released it last year and is currently receiving airplay round the world. Just thought I’d send it to you. It’s my version of Sam Cooke’s “Change Is Gonna Come.”
Love the mic. I’ve done a-b with other leading brands. The Classic II adds a warmth a breathes life into the vocal. Beautiful.
I don’t want to sing through anything else. The guitar solo was also through the Classic II.
Keep up the great work.”
- Tim Shaw (Customer Review)
“My RØDE Classic II always performs excellently without any inconsistencies. It has a clean clear sound which I find sits very well in mixes both dense and sparse. I like the pattern selector and the no-sag birdcage (shock-mount). This microphone has a wonderful big vintage shape. In my experience, singers respond to the look of the microphone almost as much as they do to their headphone mix, and that response can be heard in their performance.
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- Thadeus Corea - Blue Man Group/Jaguar Recording Studio (Customer Review)
“I recently upgraded my microphone collection to include a tube microphone. After shopping around and demoing various microphones to include Neumann tube microphones in this price range I have to say that this is the best of its class. This baby screams pro!! More options than any other microphones at this price and built like a tank.”
- Laniko Music, USA (Customer Review)
“To me, the RØDE Classic II is the modern version of the great old tube mics we all love. A simple, perfect balance of low end warmth and smooth, articulate top end. We ended up using the Classic II for drum room mics, acoustic guitar, percussion and every single vocal on the new Loaded album.”
- Duff McKagan
“As a vocal mic it offers a great natural tone with a hint of sweetness... A controlled singer can nicely play to this mic's proximity effect and get a great intimate tone with ease.
This mic is very well suited for jazz, classical, solo folk and any vocal style where pristine, open and real are your aural objectives.
Acoustic guitar (my favourite use) really shows off this mic's big top end, and it does so without sacrificing the low mids. Here it really highlights how balanced the microphone is tonally...
I really liked the Classic II as a front-of-kit mic for a jazz drummer...
What impressed me the most about the Classic II is something we usually associate with mic pres and not as often with mics, but this mics stacks unbelievably well. In other words, this mic offers a nice coherent and unimposing sound on songs where it was the only mic used, making it a wonderful choice as your one and only high-end tube mic. Again, think realism and naturalness over character.
It's hard to argue with a microphone with over a decade of dedicated service, and not hard to see why it has been left in service this long. As a final note, since of come from a family of dealers of antiques and collectibles, ery prone to limited editions and all the snobbery it implies, let me restate that there are only 500 of these and then they are gone forever!”
- Paul Vnuk Jr., Recording Magazine