Sometimes you have to travel half-way around the world to meet an Aussie company doing amazing things. Here at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas RODE Microphones is one such company, reports Trevor Long for radioinfo.

Firstly – I had no idea Rode was Australian.  They aren’t just from Australia, Rode microphones are made in Australia.

At their display I found what I think is a fantastic product from this company, and almost perfect for radio stations around the world.

It’s called the  iXY.  It’s a stereo microphone for iPhone and iPad which plugs directly into the (old) 30-pin connector on iPhone 4 and 4S and iPad (1/2/3).

What’s brilliant about this is that it allows for recording at sampling rates up to 24-bit/96kHz and is the only microphone on the market that will do so.

The iXY has a pair of half inch cardoid condenser capsules, in a 90 degree configuration.

Also released at the same time as the iXY here in Las Vegas is RODE rec, an app for your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch designed to be a companion to this new microphone. Together, they are possibly the best field reporting recorder option on the market.

The app allows you to edit the recorded file directly in the waveform, cutting, pasting, removing audio, adding audio fades and more.

Plus, directly from the app you can upload files to Soundcloud, Dropbox, FTP or email at a sample rate you and the format choose.

At US$199 it’s a fantastic product, outstanding in fact.  Currently RODE are taking pre-orders which have already sold-out, but expect new stock to be listed soon.

If you’re a reporter, or a station engineer looking for new audio recording solutions – check out the RODE iXY.

_{Trevor Long is a radio tech specialist and in his day job works for SBS Australia. www.yourtechlife.com}