FMR Audio RNC 1773 5-stars Reviews

Good first compressor

This is my first compressor so I didn't want to spend too much. Anyway, I like it.

If you are not experienced with compressors (like me), it can take a while to hear subtle compression and dial it in as you like. It is easy to hear aggressive settings but I don't think that is the point of this compressor.

I don't really bother with the "Really Nice" mode as I don't get the sense the controls are doing exactly what I want. I prefer the normal mode and like to set the Ratio, Attack and Release to around 10 O'C and Threshold so the LEDs are barely flickering (-2db) and then set the Gain so the volume seems to be the same as when I started. Closer listening reveals that the body of the mix seems to have puffed its chest up a bit.

Subtle but effective. I might consider a character compressor next but for the moment (and the money), I'm happy with this guy.

A bargain

This compressor costs very little, performs well, it has all the controls you need to shape the sound as you want and it can be very clean and subtle or aggressive depending on the attack, ratio and release time. I especially like it on bass guitar coupled with his brother RNP (Really Nice Preamp).

Amazing little box

Does a wonderful job on individual tracks, busses or the master channel.

I love FMR audio - I think everyone else does too... I'm trying to get their RNLA at the moment, but it's impossible: sold out everywhere it seems!

Best in its class (YMMV)

I have two units that I use for live work. On different occasions I had tried them on speech, lead vocals, acoustic guitars, as well as on the main bus. I'm comparing against other budget compressors that I use on a regular basis - DBX 166 XS and Behringer MDX2600.

As far as I can tell the RNC 1773 are completely transparent sonically. Their self-noise is audibly lower than both the 166XS and the MDX2600. This makes them my favorite option so far for speakers and vocals.

As a bus compressors RNCs can help with controlling the dynamics of a band in an unobtrusive way. By all chances they may never become a 'legendary' bus-comp but they will help with keeping the 'this is getting too loud' people in certain types of events off your back.

Probably the most obvious thing RNCs lack is a gate. That's why I'm not eager to use them on anything drum- or percussion-like. Fell free to prove me wrong though.

Overall FMR's RNC 1773 is a great overall compressor for an analog rig where only a couple of channels need dynamics control.

Good mix bus compressor

Everything you want from a home studio compressor. It really makes everything super nice, just push the right button :)

Impressed

I'm really into analog mixing. This is the first hardware compressor i bought, and I don't regret it a bit.

It's small, it's cute and it gets the job done. It's very clean but if u want to get a little "dirt" and saturation, the attack and release controls got u covered!

It can be used on anything and you can go from subtle compression to smashing drums.

The super nice mode is fantastic. U don't have to chain multiple compressors with small ratio, just use this function.

AND IT IS CHEAP!! I mean it is stereo compressor and u even have a sidechain option. What more could one ask for.

The compressor is amazing, very high quality transparent compression that can really squash a signal if needs be. very versatile controls and the super nice setting is brilliant. I would recommend this to anyone as for the money I think it's one of the best compressors you can buy.

Excellent comp / value

Used it in the studio and for Live productions for a long time now. Works really damn well. Recently saw that even Steve Albini loves using this in his Studio. The newer versions have a much improved PSU design, but this has never impeded the sound quality.

Great compressor for good price

Great compressor, on vocals and sounds with less pronounces transients the 'super nice' setting really smooths things out nicely. If in regular (so not 'super nice') mode it works well on drums. Some versions (I think the older one) require an AC power supply which is hard to replace.

Great Compressor

The RNC is a great compressor, I use it on vocal chains to even out my input. It is very transparent.

Amazed

Best bang for the buck of all time amazing compressor. If it was $2k it would still be worth buying.

Excellent, neutral peak compressor

The RNC is a fast, peak detector compressor/limiter. I use mine primarily on the way in for recording vocals, acoustic guitar, overheads and bass to add a little bit of polish. Just a bit of fast limiting really makes the difference.

The Really Nice function is great, adding a more forgiving RMS detection style compression character. I've used this when running things back out to it, but am a bit cautious of adding that kind of character during tracking.

My main problem with it is that the attack and release times can be so fast it can be hard to avoid bass heavy instruments distorting. The best workaround for this is to add a HPF to the sidechain - easy really, just a TRS jack and a capacitor. I leave mine in for the most part and it works great.

It's probably the best compressor in its pricerange. If I went back to a desk based studio I'd probably want 3-4 of these before I got anything else.

Great compressor

Not much to say about this other than it is extremely good !

Will probably buy one or two more of these. the super nice mode is excellent, really clean.

Great compressor, ultra transparent,

This is compressor is a "classic".

It delivers a truly transparent type compression: it doesn't colour the sound, it doesn't destroy the attack with artifacts.

This last thing it's something that you like or not... but you buy a RNC because it's transparent.

Otherwise, you buy a different compressor.

I really appreciate the sincerity of the producer.

As written in the user manual... the compressor doesn't work well on source plenty of low frequencies (bass or bass drum) if used at a very fast attack times.

It doesn't have balanced I/Os but it as a TRS sidechain plug... so you can insert it by using a TRS cable instead of a common Y-cable.

Easy to use with great results on vocals

I have had the FMR RNC 1773 compressor for a few weeks now. I have tracked vocals, guitars, bass & percussion with it. It's easy to use with simple results. To be honest, I used it to make sure it compressed any "over zealous" clipping when tracking vocals & percussion into Pro Tools. It did work for Bass guitar but not ideal. It worked ok for me and (although it's un-balanced) it didn't seem to notice in my mixes. For the price, it's really good. I shall probably get a couple more. Oh by the way, I prefer it's smaller 1/3 rack space size as it fits on my desk for ease of access to the controls.

Very good in this price

I love this. Have a strong characteristic sound. Best for drums, bass, synths... The "super nice" button make magic. Very nice compressor in this price category.

A good feature the one cable link possibility. I use with a GAP Preq73, or my Mackie mixer in insert. Simple, perfect.

Great compressor

Does the job even if the size is small!

I still use it on stage or in the studio.

the RNC mode is actually really nice.

Indeed Real Nice Compressor

This tiny thing is a very nice product on a very small box, and at a nice price. I recorded bass with it and i am very pleased. It delivers very smooth compressing by pussing the "very nice" sound, without any colouring of the sound. It's bypass works absolutely fine, and only in conditions of hard compressing it may distorts in some way. It gives you the oportunity to have a very big, full, and yet smooth waveform for you bassline. I am looking forward for using it in vocals, guitars etc...although i am sure it will be great! Last i want to tell you that is very very very well built (made in usa) and for once again, very versatible cause it is very very very small...you can easiliy put it on you guitar case and go!

Hard to fault

This compressor is incredible value for money, it's already proved itself indispensable in the few weeks I've had with it. It's two modes - 'normal' and 'super nice' - gives it a great versatility. In normal mode it will brings levels under control as you'd expect and can create some great pumping sounds (if so desired) when it's cranked up. In 'super nice' mode the compressor becomes very transparent (apparently by piling three compressors on top of each other), bringing the dynamic range under control while retaining the instruments character and keeping the pumping artefacts virtually non existent (unless you pile on tons of compression), which makes it great for things like vocals and other acoustic instruments.