Rupert Neve RNDI Direct Interface

OVERVIEW

Designed by the man himself to convey the undiminished tone and vitality of the source instrument while balancing and isolating the original signal, the Rupert Neve Designs RNDI Active Transformer Direct Interface raises the bar for DIs. The product of experimentation with new transformer designs, the interface uses class-A biased discrete FET amplifiers with low-impedance, transformer-balanced outputs to deliver consistent performance over cable stretches as far as 100' with minimal loss of high-frequency information.

The unit is powered by industry-standard 48V phantom power on an XLR connection and creates a very high-impedance input of 2 MOhms to ensure consistent performance for a wide variety of instruments. The class-A design ensures that there is no crossover distortion added to the signal, which would otherwise add upper order odd harmonics which are musically dissonant. Instead the unit provides 2nd order (octave) and some 3rd order (fifth above octave) harmonics to enliven the sound. The discrete design of the system means there are no integrated circuits or digital components that can detrimentally effect the sound signature.

In instrument mode, the DI offers the user +21.5 dBU of gain, which is also capable of working with professional line-level sources like interfaces, CD players, and drum machines without a pad. This allows the unit to act as a "Re-Preamp" so you can change the tonality of a previously recorded piece of music. To do this, simply connect a channel output of the audio interface to the input of the DI and engage 48V power. By "Re-Preamping", you can apply the tone of another preamp to the source and more accurately automate or control the drive level on the preamp.

When placed in speaker mode, the unit can handle the output of a 1000W power amplifier (92 Vrms or 266 Vp-p) to capture the full tone of the instrument, preamp, EQ, inserts, and the amplifier's output stages before hitting the speakers. This allows the engineer to avoid any bleed in a live environment and any unwanted tone added by the speaker cabinet or microphone. When used with modern speaker emulation plug-ins, this allows the engineer to take advantage of the flexibility of digital modeling and the non-linear response of an actual analog amplifier.

Direct Tone

Features class-A discrete components to deliver the legendary Neve tone

Headroom

Provides +21.5 dBU of gain for professional line-level sources without a pad in speaker mode. This makes the unit capable of handling the full output of a 1000W power amplifier (92 Vrms or 266 Vp-p)

Rugged Steel Frame

Features an industrial-grade powder-coated steel chassis built to withstand the stresses of life on the road

Variety of Sources

Provides consistent performance across a variety of sources due to its 2 MOhms discrete FET input and high headroom. Works well with everything from basses, guitars, acoustic instruments, keyboards, and even professional line-level devices. In instrument mode, you can even connect a professional line-level interface output to "Re-Preamp" a previously recorded source

Drive Longer Lines

Utilizes a low-impedance transformer-coupled output, below 50 ohms, to drive long cable lines while retaining high-frequency content

1/4" THRU Output

Uses a THRU output in Instrument mode to feed the amplifier input for sound reinforcement

Phase Coherence

Keeps the sound well-balanced and natural, especially important when blending the direct signal with a microphone capture of the same source

Phantom Power

Uses 48V phantom power with a blue LED indicator

SPECS