New Rode Small Diaphragm Capacitor Mics

by **Mike Stranks** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 11:47 am

These have been in the offing for some time, but have finally arrived:

https://www.rode.com/tf-5

Given the enthusiasm for the NT5/NT55 here, there should be a lot of interest...

Hugh: Review in the pipeline?

by **ConcertinaChap** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 11:54 am

Priced at or above the KM184. Something of a change of strategy for Rode there.

CC

by **Bob Bickerton** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 12:06 pm

Interesting. Like other Rode specs, the polar pattern is grossly over simplified, so not much confidence there, but what is positive is that the published frequency response, if accurate, is almost exactly the same as the Neumann TLM193/TLM170 (cardioid), in which case these could be very good indeed.....

Bob

by **Mike Stranks** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 12:08 pm

... and these are the first in the range of Rode TF (Tony Faulkner) mics...

It'll be interesting to see what comes next.

by **ConcertinaChap** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 12:13 pm

If it does match the TLM193 then it might be a cracking vocal mic as well.

CC

by **Hugh Robjohns** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 12:20 pm

Mike Stranks wrote:Given the enthusiasm for the NT5/NT55 here there should be a lot of interest...
Hugh: Review in the pipeline?

I'm sure we will...

I laid my sticky paws on a pair not long ago: when I bumped into Tony Faulkner at an industry thing he rummaged in his bag and pulled out an early production test pair of these mics which he's been working with... as well as a much larger and soon-to-be-released Rode wonder that I can't talk about yet... ;)

As many will know, Tony has been helping Rode develop quite a few interesting high-end mics of late, and Rode is raising its game to play seriously alongside the long-established European manufacturers.

The TF-5s are very KM84-ish in terms of size, style, quality, and precision. I gather Tony's not a fan of KM84s (unlike most of the rest of the recording world), but he told me the TF-5s are "rather nice".

So I'm very much looking forward to having a proper play.

by **The Korff** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 12:41 pm

As I type, the review models are winging their way over from Australia. We'll get them reviewed asap!

by **Smellthevalve** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 1:26 pm

Hugh Robjohns wrote:a much larger and soon-to-be-released Rode wonder that I can't talk about yet...

Well I would expect there to be something with a valve in it ;)

by **John Willett** » Wed Jun 19, 2019 3:52 pm

ConcertinaChap wrote:Priced at or above the KM184. Something of a change of strategy for Rode there.

CC

Well, they have development costs on the mics - and they have to pay TF ;)

by **CS70** » Thu Jun 20, 2019 12:41 pm

John Willett wrote:
ConcertinaChap wrote:Priced at or above the KM184. Something of a change of strategy for Rode there.

CC

Well, they have development costs on the mics - and they have to pay TF ;)

Ahah no, marginal costs are what matters for pricing. The famous name, and the price bracket choice itself are the marketing clues.

Wonder if it'll work. It's gotta be a long term strategy anyways: brands have a tendency to stick with an image for a very long time after that image is created. Rode is "okay mics that dont cost too much and are used by good amateurs". Neumanns are "wonderful mics that cost a lot and are used by professionals". Totally regardless of whether is true or not. The wording "for the price" seldom appears when talking Neumanns. And it's far easier to wash out a brand than to make it posher. It's not a case that Lexus exists (and it worked).

Will see.. wish them the best of luck.

by **ManFromGlass** » Thu Jun 20, 2019 1:51 pm

My take on Röde is no longer your definition based on the last few years offerings of mics. My perception has also changed for Behringer and synths. I wish them both well too.
I suspect it’s a tough slog to change the community’s perception of your products.

by **ConcertinaChap** » Thu Jun 20, 2019 6:48 pm

sE is another example of a company that has taken the same path from very-good-for-the-price to pricey-but-desirable. It can be done and I wish Rode well, particularly because I'm deeply in love with my NT-SF1.

CC

by **James Perrett** » Thu Jun 20, 2019 9:14 pm

ManFromGlass wrote:My take on Röde is no longer your definition based on the last few years offerings of mics. My perception has also changed for Behringer and synths. I wish them both well too.
I suspect it’s a tough slog to change the community’s perception of your products.

Both Rode and Behringer have acquired other companies that are well established in the areas that they want to move into. Behringer can put the Midas name on their mixers and now have their own semiconductor manufacturing after buying TC Electronic. Rode acquired Soundfield and Rycote who are both well respected specialists.

by **John Willett** » Thu Jun 20, 2019 9:38 pm

James Perrett wrote: Rode acquired Soundfield and Rycote who are both well respected specialists.

Er - Røde *don't* own Rycote.

Røde licence Rycote designs and a consultant that worked for Rycote now does work for Røde.

Rycote is now part of the Vitec group - nothing to do with Røde.

by **James Perrett** » Thu Jun 20, 2019 10:26 pm

John Willett wrote:Er - Røde *don't* own Rycote.

Røde licence Rycote designs and a consultant that worked for Rycote now does work for Røde.

Rycote is now part of the Vitec group - nothing to do with Røde.

Sorry - that's what happens when you rely on a somewhat ageing memory. :headbang: I knew that there had been changes and that Rode were using Rycote designs so made more of it than there really is.

by **Sam Inglis** » Thu Jun 20, 2019 11:19 pm

Rode have definitely upped their game in recent years. As CC says the NT-SF1 is excellent and the NT-R is a superb mic.

by **Hugh Robjohns** » Thu Jun 20, 2019 11:28 pm

...and there's a lot more in the works where they came from...

by **ConcertinaChap** » Fri Jun 21, 2019 6:54 am

And I'm sure there's a few more subtle hints from Hugh to come too :thumbup:

CC

by **Aural Reject** » Fri Jun 21, 2019 7:44 am

ConcertinaChap wrote:And I'm sure there's a few more subtle hints from Hugh to come too :thumbup:

CC

Well....there's the supposed TF-50....and the rumoured NT49 and NTR-V that GS have been salivating about for years....

by **Arpangel** » Fri Jun 21, 2019 8:59 am

I'm interested in Tony Faulkener's Rode connection, especially as he lists the Rode K2 in his equipment list. I was thinking of getting a pair of K2's as a relatively cheap pair of large diaphragm condensers. I'm thinking, if Mr Faulkener uses them they can't be bad type of equation!

Rode seem to be going out as a manufacturer of high end microphones in their own right, instead of being thought of as a cheap alternative, albeit a good, "cheap-er" alternative.

Would I buy a set of Rode small diaphragms to replace my Sennheiser MKH's? Film and TV people will still pull a 416 off the shelf before anything else.

I'd really like to try some Rode mic's, if they are as good as I've heard they'd be a great way to expand my collection.

SOUND ON SOUND

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New Rode Small Diaphragm Capacitor Mics