Recently, sE Electronics came to Gearwire Studio to show us their roster of microphones. It was also just announced that sE Electronics and Rupert Neve Designs are teaming up to produce a new range of Rupert Neve signature series mics under sE's roster in 2008. Coincidence? Or is Rupert Neve just a huge Gearwire fanatic?

The first microphone that the new Neve / sE pairing will double team is going to be an active ribbon mic with discrete circuits and purpose designed transformers by Rupert Neve and capsules and manufacturing done by sE electronics.

After the ribbon microphone is finished, sE and Neve will set their sights on a large diaphragm tube mic and a solid state condenser microphone. The mics are said to be linked by look, which should blend a retro feel with sE's "modernistic 'industrial chic.'"

In the midst of a virtual round table of comments, Rupert Neve had this to say:

"Recent developments in the way that humans perceive sound are demanding significant advances both in performance and the philosophy of audio processing. 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. . .”

“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."

Representing sE Electronics, James Young expressed sE's eagerness to work with Mr. Neve:

"It’s a huge honor for us that Rupert even considered us among the big players as a company he might like to work with. In the end there was no way we could ever compete with the kind of money that a large corporation could throw around to secure a deal, so it’s a testament to Mr Neve’s principles and dedication to his art that he chose to work with the company that he thought would build the best product, plain and simple. We are all so excited about where this collaboration will take us and focused now on getting the first three products to market by Summer 2008 and then. . . Well, you’ll see!”