Rode came out of Sydney and proved that professional-grade microphones didn’t need to cost a fortune. The company’s condenser microphones — particularly the NT1 and the VideoMic series — brought studio-quality audio to filmmakers, YouTubers, and podcasters at price points that undercut European and American competitors by 50% or more.
Peter Freedman founded Rode Microphones in 1990, taking over his father’s audio distribution business and shifting to manufacturing. The early years were scrappy — Freedman reportedly mortgaged his house to fund the first production run. That bet paid off. Rode now exports to over 120 countries and manufactures everything in their Sydney factory, which is unusual for an audio company in an industry dominated by Chinese contract manufacturing.
The Wireless Go system was a game-changer. A tiny clip-on transmitter and receiver that delivered broadcast-quality wireless audio for under $200, it became the standard tool for run-and-gun videographers and content creators. The Wireless Go II added dual-channel recording, letting creators capture two speakers simultaneously.
Rode’s also pushed into interfaces and software. The RodeCaster Pro, a podcast production console, combined a mixer, recorder, sound pads, and effects processing into one unit that replaced thousands of dollars worth of studio gear. Their acquisition of Aphex (the legendary audio processing company) gave them access to classic compressor and EQ algorithms. Rode’s approach is consistent: take professional audio tools and make them affordable without sacrificing quality.
