RODE SVM Problem
 

I recently just bought a RODE SVM from B&H. I went out and purchased brand new 9V batteries. I plugged it in and turned it on. The battery status light stays lit on red and then dies out after about 8 seconds. The manual says it should turn to green 1/4 after you turn it on. Is it killing my batteries that fast? A short circuit or something? I have no idea what is going on. If anyone has encountered this problem, let me know. Otherwise I guess I will have to return it.

Sounds like you got a bad one.
I would give B & H a call if you haven't already and get it exchanged.

I bought one of these through DV Creators eStore
(shameless sponsor plug :-) so I already know what they do on power-up.

One thing I would do is make sure you are putting the battery in the right way.
The Rode documentation says it is physically possible to put it in only one way.
The Rode documentation lies.

There is a little battery orientation label on one side of the battery compartment
to remind you which way to put it in however.

Thanks. I did put the battery in the correct way. When I connected it to my camera, the battery did not die out, it just stayed red but the mic has huge distortion and static. I'm just going to return it as a defect.