RØDE TF-5 £1,299 MATCHED PAIR

CHOICE AWARD 9/10

Australian-based manufacturer RØDE produces a wide range of microphones suited to a multitude of applications. The TF-5 is a smalldiaphragm, externally biased condenser design with a fixed-cardioid polar pattern, representing “the ultimate expression of RØDE manufacturing expertise, acoustic design and sonic purity”, according to the company. It’s certainly true that it’s no ‘me too’ wannabe, with an eye on classic designs of yesteryear; this new microphone has been created from scratch.

Designed in collaboration with Grammyaward winning classical-music engineer Tony Faulkner, the TF-5 is best suited to critical recording where purity of tone and a natural, clean character are paramount. Now, I realise that few readers will be full-time classical-music engineers, however, producing stellar recordings of pianos, acoustic guitars and other acoustic instruments – especially in stereo – is not