RN17

The RN17 is a small-diaphragm true condenser microphone built for detailed capture of acoustic sources in the studio and on stage. Its hand-crafted 2/3" capsule carries a 17.2 mm gold-sputtered mylar diaphragm light enough to follow fast transients, so cymbals, acoustic guitar and strings keep their attack instead of blurring together.

A full-scale output transformer designed by Rupert Neve adds headroom and low-end weight that pencil condensers rarely reach, and clarity holds across the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range rather than only the top end. Max SPL of 131 dB lets the mic sit inches from a snare or a brass section without breaking up, while 18 dB self-noise and a 76 dB signal-to-noise ratio keep quiet passages clean.

The cardioid capsule ships installed, and the body also accepts the RN17 omnidirectional capsule (sold separately) when a session calls for room tone or a wider spatial image, so one microphone covers both close-miking and ambient work. Typical placements include acoustic guitar, choir, orchestral strings, piano, woodwinds, drums, percussion and overheads.

Power comes from standard 48V phantom through a 3-pin XLR, with 200 Ohm output impedance for long cable runs. The custom shock-mount isolates the mic from stand vibration, and the wooden box plus metal case keep it protected between sessions.