Mr. Rupert Neve (left) and Siwei Zou
The sE Electronics International group is producing a new range of Rupert Neve Signature Series mics under the sE brand for 2008. The first of several mics being readied for production will be a state-of-the-art active ribbon mic featuring discrete circuits and purpose-designed transformers by Mr. Rupert Neve. The capsule and manufacturing are being controlled by sE, while Mr. Neve is overseeing the mic’s electronics and transformer.
sE Electronics and Mr. Neve are also developing a large diaphragm tube mic and a solid-state condenser model.
“Recent developments in the way that humans perceive sound are demanding significant advances both in performance and the philosophy of audio processing,” says Mr. Neve. “That which was ‘good enough’ for light-hearted amusement fails to satisfy the thoughtful listener—in fact, deficient sound quality has been shown to result in frustration, even anger. The experienced listener is aware of incredibly small sound pressure levels that in many cases are beyond the conventional range of hearing.
“I have worked for some time on the designs for a new range of microphones, the concepts of which are actually already being implemented in our own Rupert Neve Designs 5088 console—namely, utilizing Discrete Single-Sided Circuits and my custom designed transformers. This new approach to analog sound processing needs extreme care in its manufacture and meticulous alignment of the embedded discrete op amps and the delicate microphone elements.
“This association with Siwei Zou and sE will provide an ideal partnership in terms of their masterly and enthusiastic commitment to innovation and quality that have also been my own hallmarks for more than 50 years,” Mr. Neve concludes.
“I have, for many years, admired the work of Mr. Neve, and now that we have a chance to work together I am able to realize a quality level in microphone technology that no other manufacturer to date has managed to achieve,” says Siwei Zou. “The excellence we have worked so hard to achieve in production, design and capsule technology at sE, coupled with the best transformers this product area has ever seen, plus new cutting-edge circuit board design—which from early tests are already proving to surpass anything I have ever heard before—means we are now able to produce high end mics, at a fraction of the cost of other high end brand models, but which have a sound and performance quality, the likes of which this market has never seen before. This is a truly exciting time for sE and me personally.”
For more information, visit www.seelectronics.com.
