Rycote Microphone Windshields has been developing and delivering the industry-standard shock and wind protection for the extremes of field production sound for fifty years. In addition to producing shock and wind protection tools, the British brand now also offers a range of high-quality microphones, including HC shotgun and pencil microphones, designed to provide precision recording capabilities across a variety of recording environments. The latest models were unveiled at the IBC 2023 show in Amsterdam are now entering production.
Rycote is now part of Videndum Media Solutions, a division of Videndum (former Vitec Group), an international group of companies that includes Audix, Avenger Colorama, Gitzo, Joby, Lowepro, Manfrotto, Savage, and Syrp Lab, among many others.
Since Rycote was acquired by Videndum in 2018, the company and brand has been incorporated in the expanding Media Solutions Division, together with audio brands Audix and Joby, allowing it to expand the market for its microphone windshields and suspension systems to the thriving content creation space. All Vivendum companies continue to operating independently, integrated in its countries of origin, benefiting from the group's resources and global distribution scale.
This investment in Rycote allowed the company to relocate its headquarters from Stroud (Gloucester, UK) to Ashby-De-La-Zouch, much further north, closer to Birmingham, and expand its manufacturing capabilities and efficiency.
This relocation to a single facility and the recent decision for Rycote to enter the microphone product segment with a complete range of condenser microphones and hypercardioid shotguns, was the motivation to promote factory tours to channel partners, sound engineers, and press. In separate events, held at the new manufacturing facility in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Rycote showcased the company's commitment to excellence and innovation.
The highlight of the event was a comprehensive factory tour that allowed attendees to witness first-hand the meticulous craftsmanship and technology that goes into every Rycote product. Visitors had the opportunity to observe the intricate processes involved in the production of Rycote’s renowned windshields and shock mounts, and even got to experience production for themselves as they were invited to get hands on and create their very own Softie windshield.
Guests also experienced Rycote's brand new hemi-anechoic chamber, which is the only one in the UK to have a wind tunnel installed, enabling the factory to truly test the products to their full capabilities.
Rycote’s team of experts conducted live product demonstrations and showed the soon to be launched microphones; the BD-10, made for stereo and field recording, mainly applied on ambient and dialogues, and the HC-35, a long shotgun microphone developed for sport broadcast, or a wide outdoor shot dialogue on a script TV.
The event also featured interactive focus groups where attendees were invited to share their feedback and ask questions of the Rycote team. Bjorn Rennemo-Henriksen, Channel Director, Audio, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support from attendees: "We are delighted by the success of our Meet the Team Event Day. It was a fantastic opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate our shared passion for audio capturing. Rycote is committed to not only delivering exceptional products but also continuing the strong, lasting relationships with partners and engineers."
A second event for industry journalists took place separately, offering insights into the company's strategy and future roadmap. It was also an opportunity to meet with Rycote's diverse and international audio team, some of whom are based at the new facility, and some company representatives from both the US and Italy.
"Hosting our press event at the new factory was a rewarding experience. It provided us with a platform to not only present our manufacturing facilities, but also to introduce our fundamental values as a community-oriented organization. Press had the opportunity to see first-hand the dedication of our talented workforce and the processes that go into local manufacturing. With Rycote products, the attention to detail is key, and we take immense pride in exactly that, and it was evident in every step of the tour. It’s a testament to the quality that defines Rycote," says James Scott, Operations Director, Rycote.
www.rycote.com
www.videndum.com
