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Rycote timeline of innovation

The innovative, straightforward approach to problem-solving that led to the creation of the first Rycote windshields – made by professionals, for professionals – still drives the company over 40 years later..

 

1969
1969
Rycote founded by sound recordist John Gozzard. The company is named after a contraction of the name of his home, 'Rylands Cottage'.
 
1985
1985
The latest Rycote Windjammer™ design is featured on the BBC’s Tomorrow’s World, thanks to a sound engineer working on the programme, who proposes it as an example of advanced UK design and technology.
 
1987
1987
Rycote introduces the first Softie windshield for on-camera microphones.
 
1990
1990
The first Mini Windjammer™ is launched, designed for the built-in microphones on the new generation of portable video camcorders.
 
1999
1999
The Modular Suspension System, with its range of different Connbox connectors, begins shipping. The Technical Achievement Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences is awarded to Vivienne Dyer and Rycote’s Chief Designer Chris Woolf for this product the following year.
 
2004
2004
Extending the concept of the versatile Modular Suspension System, the Modular Windshield System is launched.
 
2005
2005
A range of noise-reducing Personal Microphone Solutions is launched for Lavalier microphones worn on clothing, including Undercovers, Stickies and Overcovers.
 
2007
2007
The Lyre, a new type of non-elasticated microphone suspension clip made from the virtually indestructible thermo-plastic material Hytrel, debuts inRycote’s S-Series combined windshield and suspension system. Over the next three years, this replaces the elasticated suspensions throughout Rycote’s shock-mount ranges.
 
2008
2008
The InVision range of suspensions for discreet small-diaphragm broadcast microphones begins shipping, using the Lyre design.
 
2009
2009
The Universal Camera Kit is announced: an affordable combined windshield and suspension system for high-quality on-camera Camcorder microphones.
 
2010
2010
The long-awaited Rycote InVision USM ships. A universal version of the InVision microphone shock-mount with no elasticated parts, it is suitable foralmost any high-quality large-diaphragm recording microphone, and rewrites the rulebook on low-noise microphone suspensions.