sE RNT Rupert Neve Signature Series Large-diaphragm Multi-pattern Condenser Tube Microphone

Description

THE RNT: A NEW FLAGSHIP TUBE MICROPHONE FROM SE ELECTRONICS AND RUPERT NEVE DESIGNS®.

Delivers the pristine, musical sonic character and uncompromising performance of the world’s most prized recording equipment.

The RNT is the third microphone in the collaboration between sE Electronics and Rupert Neve Designs, founded by the legendary audio designer Mr. Rupert Neve.

Mr. Rupert Neve & Mr. Siwei Zou at the Rupert Neve Designs office in Texas, October 2014.
Much like the RNR1 Active Ribbon and RN17 Small-Diaphragm Condenser, the RNT is something truly special, developed over several years of careful listening and measurement by Mr. Rupert Neve, Mr. Siwei Zou, and the engineering teams from both Rupert Neve Designs and sE Electronics.
All in all, this new flagship tube microphone brings the larger-than-life sounds of classic studio microphones into the modern age with greater depth and clarity than ever before.
The RNT utilizes fully discrete, Class-A electronics throughout both of its active stages.
The first stage is tube-based, with a hand-selected, low-noise ECC82 tube within the microphone chassis, and implementing a custom-built Rupert Neve Designs output transformer.

“A tube has a lot of qualities which are very desirable, and it has a particular quality of sound to it.”
If you get the size of the diaphragm of the microphone right, and you get the frequency response and the directional properties, and all the myriad of other qualities right, it is symbiotic with the tube’s performance.”

– Mr. Rupert Neve
The second stage is within the floor box – which controls polar pattern, filter and gain switching – and is also coupled with a second custom-made Rupert Neve Designs output transformer.
This second stage is is built around the same custom op-amps used in Rupert Neve Designs’ flagship 5088 recording console, known worldwide for its unrivaled transparency and headroom.
sE’s Capsule Master Hongzu Xu holding a tray of RNT capsules, hand-made in our own capsule room.
sE’s Capsule Master Hongzu Xu holding a tray of RNT capsules, hand-made in our own capsule room.
The custom handcrafted large-diaphragm true condenser capsule is the finest capsule sE has ever made, born from years of rigorous testing and listening, and developed and constructed by hand in sE’s own factory.
The Class-A electronics and switchable gain ensure a massive dynamic range, with high sound pressure level (SPL) handling capability and extremely low-noise components, and the switchable low-cut filters eliminate rumble or footfall noise, and can also compensate for an excess of bass frequencies caused by the proximity effect.
This enables the RNT to close-mic many instruments including electric guitar speaker cabinets, brass instruments and drums.
Lastly, the 9-position polar pattern switch allows for omnidirectional, cardioid, and figure-eight pickup patterns (plus several positions in between each) for precise tailoring of the balance between direct and ambient sound when recording with the RNT.

INSIDE THE MICROPHONE

HAND-CRAFTED, GOLD-SPUTTERED 1″ TRUE CONDENSER CAPSULE

The finest and most complex capsule sE has ever built
Hand-crafted and individually tuned in our very own factory
Refined electrode design delivers supremely natural sound quality

NINE SELECTABLE POLAR PATTERNS

Precisely-tuned dual-diaphragm capsule design allows you to choose the perfect setting for every application
Minimize unwanted signal bleed with ease

HAND-SELECTED ECC82 TUBE & CUSTOM RUPERT NEVE DESIGNS AUDIO TRANSFORMER

Each microphone-grade tube is carefully selected and pretested in-house
Allows for stunning realism and depth in recordings
Unique tube circuit design optimized for driving the first custom-made transformer

HAND-CRAFTED METAL HOUSING WITH PREMIUM FINISH

All-metal construction built with highest attention to detail
Efficient rejection of any electrical interference and noise
High quality finish ensures a great look for many years
As with all Rupert Neve Signature Series microphones, the RNT’s solid brass chassis is milled in our own machine shop.
As with all Rupert Neve Signature Series microphones, the RNT’s solid brass chassis is milled in our own machine shop.

INSIDE THE FLOOR BOX

A SECOND CUSTOM-BUILT RUPERT NEVE DESIGNS AUDIO TRANSFORMER

Designed for sweet, musical performance and bulletproof isolation
Provides the legendary sonic character of Rupert Neve’s famous transformers

CUSTOM-MADE, DISCRETE CLASS-A RUPERT NEVE DESIGNS AMPLIFICATION

Delivers the sonic character and performance expected from the world’s most prized recording equipment
Utilizes the same operational amplifiers found in Rupert Neve Designs’ flagship 5088 console
These discrete op-amps ensure enormous headroom, ultra-wide bandwidth, zero crossover distortion, and quality without compromise

ACTIVE GAIN STAGE WITH THREE SWITCHABLE LEVELS

Provides 24dB of extended dynamic range for a wide range of applications
Discrete Rupert Neve Designs op-amp cards ensure pristine performance
Suitable for everything from delicate ambience recordings to close-miking of extremely loud instruments and voices

TWO SWITCHABLE ACTIVE LOW-CUT FILTERS

Custom Rupert Neve Designs op-amps implemented for best possible sound quality
Reduce unwanted rumble or foot-fall noise, or compensate for proximity effect
The RNT is sE’s new flagship large-diaphragm condenser microphone, and proudly stands alongside the RNR1 and RN17 in being what we believe are some of the finest and most unique microphones ever produced.
Rupert Neve and Siwei Zou, 2015.

“Siwei has done an amazing job on the microphone. Very high performance, and I believe a very nice sounding result.”

– Mr. Rupert Neve
Hear all the sE / Rupert Neve microphones in this special sEssions recording from Esplanade Studios in New Orleans.
Listen to the isolated vocals (RNT set to cardioid mode) from the video above, recorded through a Rupert Neve Designs Shelford 5052 mic preamp:

The sE Electronics RNT is a high-quality condenser microphone designed for professional audio recording applications. Its main purposes are as follows:

1. Studio Vocal Recording: The sE Electronics RNT is renowned for its exceptional vocal recording capabilities. It is often used in studios for recording vocals, including singing and spoken word. Its high sensitivity and wide frequency response capture the nuances and details of vocal performances with exceptional clarity and accuracy.
2. Instrument Recording: This microphone is also suitable for recording various musical instruments, including acoustic guitars, pianos, strings, and percussion instruments. Its versatile design allows it to capture the full range of frequencies and dynamics produced by different instruments.
3. Broadcast and Podcasting: The sE Electronics RNT can be employed in professional broadcasting and podcasting setups. It provides clear and natural sound reproduction, making it ideal for capturing the voices of hosts, guests, and interviewees with high fidelity.
4. Voiceover and Narration: Voiceover artists and narrators often use the sE Electronics RNT for recording voiceovers for commercials, documentaries, audiobooks, and other audiovisual projects. Its precision and low self-noise ensure that the recorded voice is crisp and free from unwanted artifacts.
5. Sound Reinforcement: In live sound reinforcement applications, where clear and accurate audio is essential, the sE Electronics RNT can be used to capture vocals and acoustic instruments on stage. It offers a high level of feedback rejection and a natural sound profile.
6. Critical Studio Applications: The microphone is suitable for critical recording tasks where audio quality is paramount. This includes capturing high-resolution audio for music production, sound design, and audio post-production for film and television.
7. Professional Recording Environments: The sE Electronics RNT is often used in professional recording studios, both home and commercial, where the focus is on achieving the highest level of audio quality and detail.

Key features of the sE Electronics RNT that contribute to its exceptional performance include a large-diaphragm, dual-diaphragm design, selectable polar patterns (cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8), high-pass filter, and a pad switch to accommodate various recording scenarios and acoustic environments.

Overall, the sE Electronics RNT microphone is prized for its versatility, build quality, and ability to deliver outstanding audio capture in a wide range of professional audio recording applications.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

• • RNT microphone
  • Custom shock-mount
  • RNT Floor Box (Power Supply)
  • 8-pin cable (to connect mic to floor box)
  • IEC power cable
  • Wooden microphone box
  • Flight case
  • sE logo sticker

RECOMMENDED USE

For more information, check on the sE Electronics website.