Description
The RØDE Reporter is a dedicated omnidirectional handheld dynamic microphone specifically designed for electronic news gathering (ENG), interviews, presentations, and field reporting. Its unique design and polar pattern make it highly effective for situations where you need to capture multiple voices or ambient sounds naturally without strict mic placement.
Features & Specifications:
- Microphone Type: Dynamic (moving coil). This makes it incredibly robust, durable, and excellent at handling high sound pressure levels (SPLs) without distortion. As a dynamic mic, it does not require phantom power (+48V), making it simple to plug into any XLR input on a field recorder, camera, or mixer.
- Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional. This is the defining characteristic of the Reporter. An omnidirectional microphone picks up sound equally from all directions (360 degrees). This is crucial for interview scenarios where:
- Ease of Use: You don’t need to constantly adjust the microphone’s position between interview subjects. You can hold it in the middle of a group, and everyone will be picked up clearly.
- Natural Sound: It captures the sound of the environment, which can be desirable for a “you are there” feel in reporting.
- Reduced Proximity Effect: Omnidirectional mics naturally exhibit less proximity effect (bass boost when close to the mic) compared to directional mics, leading to a more consistent tonal balance.
- Frequency Response: 70 Hz to 15 kHz. This range is specifically tailored for speech intelligibility.
- Bass Roll-off: The low-end roll-off helps to minimize unwanted handling noise, wind rumble, and other low-frequency distractions often encountered in outdoor or challenging recording environments.
- Presence Boost: It has a carefully shaped frequency response that emphasizes the crucial vocal frequencies (often a slight boost in the mid-range around 4-10 kHz), ensuring voices cut through clearly and are highly intelligible.
- Internal Multi-Layer Mesh Grille: The microphone features an integrated, multi-layered mesh basket that acts as an effective pop filter. This significantly reduces plosive sounds (“p” and “b” pops) and breath noises, often eliminating the need for an external foam windscreen in many situations.
- Internal Shock Mounting: The dynamic capsule is internally shock-mounted, which helps to isolate the microphone from handling noise and vibrations transmitted through the microphone body. This is essential for a handheld interview mic.
- Ergonomic Design: It has an extended, ergonomic die-cast aluminum body with a matte black anti-glare finish. The long handle provides a comfortable grip and allows for easy positioning during interviews, keeping the reporter’s hand out of the shot if desired.
- Detachable Microphone Flag: The Reporter comes with a removable, two-sided polycarbonate/ABS plastic microphone flag. This is common for broadcast use, allowing organizations to display their logo prominently during interviews.
- Connectivity: Standard 3-pin XLR male output. It connects to any professional audio recorder, camera with an XLR input, or mixer.
- Build Quality: RØDE is renowned for its robust construction, and the Reporter is built to withstand the rigors of field use. Its metal construction ensures durability.
- Weight: Approximately 256g (0.56 lbs) without the flag attached, making it comfortable for extended handheld use.
- Included Accessories: Typically comes with a ZP2 padded zip pouch for protection and a removable microphone flag.
Performance and Sound Quality:
- Clear, Natural Speech: The Reporter delivers clear, crisp, and natural vocal reproduction, optimized specifically for dialogue in interview and reporting scenarios.
- Forgiving Placement: Its omnidirectional pattern is its biggest asset for interviews. You don’t need to be precise with aiming the microphone, making it very “forgiving” for both the interviewer and interviewee. This also makes it great for capturing group discussions.
- Effective Noise Handling: While omnidirectional mics pick up more ambient sound than cardioid mics, the Reporter’s specific frequency tailoring and internal shockmount help to minimize undesirable low-frequency rumble and handling noise. The internal pop filter is also very effective.
- “ENG Ready”: It’s designed to be a grab-and-go solution for electronic news gathering, providing reliable, broadcast-quality audio quickly and efficiently.
Uses Cases:
- Journalists and Field Reporters: Its primary target, for on-the-go interviews and news gathering.
- Podcasters: Especially those conducting in-person interviews or group discussions where mic passing is impractical.
- Videographers and Filmmakers: For capturing dialogue quickly and reliably in the field.
- Presenters: For clear vocal capture in live or recorded presentations.
- Anyone needing a reliable, easy-to-use handheld interview microphone.
