We take a look at RME’s new 12Mic, an AVB-capable 12-channel mic pre designed for the next decade.
For more than a decade, RME has been designing and manufacturing microphone preamplifiers to the highest standard.
Specialising in MADI-equipped multi-channel preamps for the live, studio and broadcast communities, RME’s OctaMic and Micstasy preamps have been used on countless high-profile recordings around the world, including several Grammy award-winning recordings.
Finding a particular home in classical and orchestral recordings, where transparent recording is particularly prized, RME mic pres deliver pristine, transparent audio reproduction that faithfully compliments the brand’s range of established audio interfaces and AD/DA converters.
Now with the new RME 12Mic, the next-generation of microphone preamps has arrived, once again bringing reference-class specifications and impeccable sound quality to professional audio applications.
Watch the RME 12Mic Overview video
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RME 12Mic – 12-Channel Microphone Preamp with ADAT, MADI and AVB
Announced at NAMM 2020, the RME 12Mic represents a key component of RME’s next-generation audio networking devices.
A digitally controlled, 12-Channel mic pre and AD converter, the 12Mic is the first preamp from RME to feature Ethernet connections, offering maximum audio networking flexibility to recording engineers who value the highest analogue and digital signal quality.
Next-Level Microphone Preamps
Accepting signals of up to +18 dBu, the PAD-free microphone input stages offer an exceptional signal-to-noise ratio of 120 dBA after AD conversion, and provide 75 dB of gain on every channel.
All twelve of the front-facing XLR connections accept both microphone and line level signals, whilst the first four connections also accept TRS connectors, with switchable high impedance (Hi-Z) for recording instruments.
Combined with RME’s SteadyClock FS and the latest AD conversion, RME’s new preamp design allows for audio capture with unmatched precision.
The RME 12Mic is part of the next-generation of audio networking products from RME,
featuring 12 x high-end microphone preamps (120 dBA) and redundant AVB Ethernet connections.
Front panel control
The 12Mic’s front panel has been designed and optimised for both speed and usability. A TFT display provides accurate level metering, with a colour sequence of green, yellow, amber and red for checking levels at a glance.
All controls and device states can be operated directly from the front panel, making the 12Mic fully configurable via a menu system that is both straightforward to use, and easy to navigate.
Four control buttons, which change their function depending on the currently selected feature, plus an encoder allow for rapid control over the 12Mic’s full list of functions.
For example, channels can be grouped together to create Gain Groups, making it easy to adjust the level of multiple microphones simultaneously via the main encoder, as well as remotely via RME’s browser-based control software.
Simply click the channel you want to start a group with and hold the + button on the display, then select the channels you want to add to the group. You can now easily increase or decrease the gain for this entire group, making it easy to adjust an entire set of microphones when recording a drum kit, or multiple overheads when recording an ensemble.
Channels can also easily be routed to the headphone output for quickly line-checking any of the 12Mic’s analogue and digital I/O, and phantom power can be switched on or off via the button above each XLR input.
Other features accessible via the front panel include adjustable settings for Wordclock, information regarding active MADI and AVB streams, plus the ability to save and load up 15 presets.
AVB Audio Networking
The RME AVB Core meticulously implements the IEEE standards for audio streaming, discovery and control, and includes support for the standards set out by Avnu Alliance’s ‘Milan’ (Media-integrated local area network), a specification that ensures devices from different AVB-implementing manufacturers will operate harmoniously with one another.
All of RME’s AVB devices can be discovered and controlled by any AVB controller, and any signal reaching the 12Mic can be routed and streamed over a deterministic network with fixed latency and guaranteed bandwidth – no switch configuration required!
I/O Connectivity
On the rear panel, the RME 12Mic features 2 EtherCon network ports for redundant AVB operation; coaxial I/O for MADI and Wordclock; 3 ADAT optical outputs; plus a USB connection for remote control and firmware updates.
An optional MADI SFP module can also be added to provide MADI optical I/O, as well as offering MADI redundancy when used in conjunction with the MADI coaxial connections.
The three optical ADAT allow for up to 24 outputs at 44.1 / 48 kHz, (for example a combination of microphone inputs, MADI signals and AVB signals), or 12 outputs at 96 kHz sample rate, providing compatibility with a wide range of audio interfaces straight out of the box.
Equally, all 12 channels can be recorded at 192 kHz via the on-board MADI coax connection (and/or MADI optical), whilst the 2 AVB ethernet ports allow for fully redundant 192 kHz operation, with up to 128 channels of audio in both directions.
Redundant Operation – MADI, AVB and Power
As previously mentioned, the 12Mic’s multiple layers of redundancy make it a perfect choice for live sound. Alongside the two fully redundant network ports and MADI I/O, the 12Mic also features a secondary DC power supply connection with a twist-lock mechanism, which can be used alongside, or instead of, the standard IEC connection.
Both power inlets are internally monitored, with the 12Mic displaying a (red) warning light when PSU redundancy is activated, but only one power supply is active.
Software and Remote Control
Along with the front panel control, the 12Mic can also be controlled via RME’s free browser-based Web Remote. This simple interface provides an easy method for making adjustsments to any of the input channels – gains, 48v phantom power, and switching between the XLR and TRS inputs.
Channel routing is also incredibly easy – simply click and drag an input to an output – and can be accessed from any location on a network.
Finally, when paired with the RME Digiface USB, the 12Mic can be easily managed via RME’s AVB software controller, or via other third-party AVDECC controllers such as Hive.
SteadyClock FS
The RME 12Mic also features RME’s SteadyClock FS, the latest iteration of the company’s incredibly accurate digital clocking and filtering technology, that supresses jitter values down to the femtosecond.
With accurate clocking an essential element in digital audio, digital audio signals are reliant on the clocking frequency for the correct representation of both the audio bits and sample time reference – with SteadClock FS, the result is a recording with more detail and definition that replicates the source material to its fullest depth and clarity.
The RME 12Mic can be paired with any of RME’s professional audio interfaces,
including for adding an additional 12 mic pres to the 188-Channel RME Fireface UFX+ (via MADI).
Of course, multiple 12Mics can be daisy-chained together for even more channels!
Adding the RME 12Mic to existing setups
For existing RME users, the 12Mic will make for a fantastic addition to any RME-based recording or live setup.
Thanks to the inclusion of ADAT outputs and MADI I/O, the 12Mic can easily be connected to any of RME’s professional audio interfaces – for example, pairing the 12Mic with RME’s flagship Fireface UFX+ would make for an incredibly powerful recording setup, connecting via MADI to provide a total of 16 high-end mic pres in only 2U of rack space.
For studios, live rigs or installations that require even more channels, multiple 12Mics can also be daisy-chained together via the MADI connection.
Other interfaces can also benefit from the 12Mic, with all of RME’s 1U interfaces such as the Fireface UFX II and 802 featuring dual pairs of ADAT I/O, meaning all 12 input channels from the 12Mic can be sent to any of RME’s 1U interfaces.
See the full range of RME Audio Interfaces
Next-Generation Audio Networking
When paired with an AVB-capable interface, such as the RME Digiface AVB, the 12Mic offers even more flexibility, becoming a key component in any modern AVB-based setup. The RME M-32 Pro AD and DA, RME AVB Tool, and the upcoming RME M-1610 Pro all feature AVB capabilities – as such, it’s now possible to build yourself a next-generation, RME-based audio networking setup – one that will no doubt come to define the next decade of professional audio production.
Find out more about the RME 12Mic
See the full range of RME audio networking devices
5 Year Warranty (UK Only)
Over the past 20 years, the word ‘reliability’ has become synonymous with the RME Audio brand, thanks to both the exceptional build quality and the now industry-renowned, rock-solid drivers.
For this reason, we are happy to offer all of our UK customers a complimentary 5 year warranty on all RME products, when purchased either from ourselves, or from one of our authorised UK dealers, and remain the only interface manufacturer to offer this at no extra cost.
To activate your 5 year warranty, simply register your RME device with us within 30 days of purchase via our warranty page.
To ensure you are buying your device from a UK-based retailer, please check our list of authorised UK dealers before purchase.
If you’d like to know more about any of RME’s audio interfaces, soundcards, AD/DA Converters or microphone preamps, give us a call on 01727 821 870 to speak to one of our team or to arrange a demo.
You can also contact us here.