RØDE Microphones Acquires Mackie, the Iconic Pro Audio Company

Industry News

by Jose PradaDecember 6^th, 2023

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RØDE, the Australian company and one of the leaders in audio gear, has announced the acquisition of another giant in the sound industry, the American company, Mackie. With this move, the Freedman Group (RØDE’s parent company) became one of the most influential audio firms. 

I still remember Mackie products at home when I was a kid. My father, a composer and piano player, often talked to me and used them as a reference in the industry (especially his beloved Mackie Micro Series 1202 mixer). Years passed, and their name faded from the industry, although I still see Mackie products widely used in music and home studios and stages. Now, RØDE, an XXI giant in the sound industry, has acquired the American company in a huge move towards expanding their catalog.

A promising merge for the final user?

With RØDE being one of the prominent sound companies for content creators and filmmakers, I would love to see this acquisition as a boost of what Mackie once meant in the world of audio and music. It would be awesome to see new products from the company adapted to today’s world. 

To know what this merge means, let’s take a look at Peter Freedman’s words:

I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Mackie to The Freedman Group’s roster of iconic audio brands. They are true legends, with a pedigree of live sound expertise that is simply unmatched. Today, RØDE and Mackie are both leaders in audio, and we share the same passion for creating innovative, high-quality products with a strong customer focus. With this acquisition, The Freedman Group is now a premier audio technology company offering world-class products to an even wider range of customers, from up-and-coming content creators to professionals working in live production and everyone in-between.

Peter Freedman, Freedman Group’s Founder and Chairman

Mackie was founded in 1989, and since then, they have established themselves in the business with a philosophy of high-quality ‘built-like-a-tank’ products that are affordable for the average user. Although their influence faded as years passed, they still have top products like the ProFX series of compact mixers or the Thump series of powered loudspeakers. 

 I can’t think of a better company for Mackie to be associated with than RØDE.

Greg Mackie

RØDE, on its side, is one of the leading sellers today (as I write this, their RØDE NT5 MP condenser microphone leads the Small Dia­phragm Con­dens­er Mi­cro­phones sales rank in Thomann, and the Rode NT1-A is second in large diaphragm mics, for example. The RODE Wireless GO II TX is first in the rank of wireless transmitters at B&H Photo/Video). 

This move could be huge and mean the development of new products and technologies since both companies seem to share paths:

Having met Greg Mackie before I even started RØDE, I found his passion for audio and approach to business inspiring. Their origin story is uncannily similar to ours. Both brands helped fuel the democratisation of DIY recording in their own way, Mackie with their mixers and speakers and RØDE with our microphones. We shared a similar path and today, both brands are leaders in what we do, so I am incredibly excited to bring these two audio icons together.

Peter Freedman

According to Freedman Group CEO Damien Wilson, Mackie’s manufacturing and operations will remain the same, possibly combining both brands’ IP, infrastructure, and resources to create new solutions. 

As a user of both brands (and I am sure many of you have used some of their products), I can’t wait to see what this acquisition will mean for creatives and what the future will bring us.

What do you think of this acquisition? Do you expect new products merging from both companies to come soon? Let us know in the comments!