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As Australia's most populated city Sydney is perhaps best known for its iconic harbour, featuring the world famous Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Of course it's also home to RØDE Microphones' head office and manufacturing.
RØDE Microphones is a wholly Australian company - 100% Australian owned, with all product design and the vast majority of our manufacturing right here just 20 minutes west of Sydney's CBD.
Of course we're a long way away from the rest of the world, and you don't become one of the world's premiere pro-audio companies by just sitting in your backyard. Our sales, logistics and R&D offices in Santa Barbara (USA), Seattle (USA) and Hong Kong ensure we are able to operate 24/7 on a global scale.
RØDE Microphones evolved from the Freedman Group of Companies, established in 1967 by Henry and Astrid Freedman, after immigrating to Australia from Sweden.
Freedman Electronics was a pioneer in the Australian audio industry for the design, manufacture, installation and servicing of a diverse range of audio products. Loudspeakers, amplifiers, custom electronics and microphones were all a part of the company's expertise; all of which took place within the confines of the small but unique Australian market.
Ongoing microphone research and development within Freedman Electronics, both in the laboratory and in the field, would later drive the ambition to design and produce superior microphone products.
In 1990, the decision was made to produce and market the first RØDE microphone.
Before the explosion of the home recording market, there were very few established and respected manufacturers of professional recording quality (condenser) microphones. Those previous 'market-leaders' produced premium product that also carried a premium price.
Why were they so expensive? Well, the market at that time was small and considerable investment had to be recouped from a limited customer base.
RØDE's early manufacturing coincided with the emergence of the much larger home recording and project studio markets. The company was aware that by using the latest technologies, and the best design and engineering staff, production quantities could be produced which would achieve previously unheard of economies of scale resulting in better microphones for your dollar.
In 2003, having established itself as a leading force in this growing market, the company moved into a 75,000 square foot factory and offices near the home of Sydney 2000 Olympics.
The premises allowed for the necessary increases in electronic production, assembly, warehousing, dispatch and administration, to supply the growing worldwide demand.
A separate dedicated metalwork facility located 250 km north west of Sydney, is equipped with the latest computer controlled machinery, producing microphone bodies and associated fittings and componentry to the highest international standards.
RØDE Microphones is committed to providing our customers with products that represent the ultimate in value, performance and user satisfaction.
We achieve this through our ongoing investment in research and development, the use of the latest manufacturing technologies to improving the quality, performance and production efficiencies. But most importantly we listen to people who use microphones.
Furthermore we will continue to provide the best after-sales service, as we realise that when a person invests in our microphones it is the beginning of a relationship which we hope will last a lifetime.
