RN17

The RN17 is a small-diaphragm condenser microphone developed jointly by sE Electronics and Rupert Neve, and it is the second product from that collaboration. It uses a handmade 2/3" true condenser capsule with a gold-sputtered diaphragm and a cardioid pattern. A custom transformer designed by Rupert Neve for this microphone is larger than usual, which gives the body its distinctive shape.

The capsule is interchangeable. A cardioid capsule is fitted as standard and an omnidirectional capsule can be bought separately. The finish is matte black, and each microphone comes with a custom shock mount. The recommended uses include acoustic guitar, choir, orchestra and strings, piano, woodwinds, drums, percussion and cymbals or overheads.

The RN17 has a 3-pin male XLR output and runs on 48 V phantom power. It is also sold as a factory-matched stereo pair, in which the transformers and cardioid capsules are tuned to each other. The pair adds a stereo mounting bar, two shock mounts, a wooden presentation case and empty canisters for future capsule additions.