Neumann RIME: an integrated solution for immersive audio monitoring in headphones

The German professional audio specialist Neumann has developed RIME (Reference Immersive Monitoring Environment), a new headphone software solution that allows music producers and mixing engineers to monitor immersive formats such as Dolby Atmos in reference quality.

In this way, RIME is emerging as an alternative when a multichannel speaker configuration is not available or when working on the go. ​

Yasmine Riechers, CEO of Neumann, states that "immersive audio is the new standard. Streaming services favor content that can be enjoyed in spatial audio formats, such as Dolby Atmos or Sony 360 Reality. More and more DAWs offer immersive audio capabilities, and engineers, producers and musicians alike are eager to explore these new possibilities. To do this, reliable monitoring is essential."

"With RIME, we offer an integrated solution that meets these constantly evolving needs, providing a more cost-effective and mobile alternative to speaker-based monitoring solutions. Our NDH headphones have the same carefully balanced sound as our KH studio monitors, making it easy to switch between the two. With RIME, this unique advantage extends to immersive monitoring as well," he adds.

RIME is a plug-in for major Mac and PC DAWs (VST3/AU/AAX) and is typically used on the output or monitor bus. Convert multichannel formats to binaural audio, preserving surround and height channel information, allowing users to monitor and mix content in formats such as Dolby Atmos using headphones.
RIME captures an actual purpose-built studio room using reference-quality Neumann equipment. Acoustics experts installed immersive speaker and subwoofer configurations from Neumann's KH line, which were fine-tuned using automatic MA 1 monitor alignment. three-dimensional sound field was captured using the legendary KU 100 binaural microphone connected to Neumann's acclaimed MT 48 audio interface, which features state-of-the-art preamplifier and converter technology. This cutting-edge configuration ensures impeccable sound quality throughout the signal chain.

AMBEO algorithms

“As RIME is designed exclusively for Neumann headphones, this perfect signal chain extends all the way to the user,” explains the product manager. Jorma Marquardt. “Nuestros auriculares NDH 20 y NDH 30 se fabrican con tolerancias extremadamente estrictas. Y, por supuesto, conocemos todos sus parámetros acústicos. Gracias a los innovadores algoritmos AMBEO, somos capaces de lograr una verdadera inmersión con una consistencia sonora inigualable y una localización 3D nítida”.

A diferencia de las soluciones de la competencia, que confunden al usuario con multitud de opciones y espacios virtuales con sonidos diferentes, RIME es fácil de usar y reproduce una sala de referencia como única fuente de verdad. “RIME no es una simulación, sino que captura una sala de control óptima con la máxima calidad. RIME suena real, ¡porque es real!”, subraya Marquardt.

For greater realism, RIME is compatible with OSC-compatible head tracking devices to create a listening experience that responds to the user's head movements. Additionally, RIME can also be used for stereo playback and enjoy a speaker-like listening experience without the on-head localization often associated with headphones. This feature allows users to check the compatibility of their mixes with speakers using Neumann headphones, allowing them to mix with confidence that their tracks will play perfectly on all playback systems.