How Different Are These Compressors?

[Smokepole]

TexRoadkill, I never heard of the FMR RNC you suggested to me in my other post so I went back and did a search trying to be really thorough in my education here.

Well, I got quite an eyeful. What a rep. that thing has.

My question is, how much better for practical purposes is the RNC than the Composer Pro? That was mentioned several times in the threads I reviewed also.

I have the Composer but I honestly just bought it for the gate. Being the rookie that I am, when the dude at the store turned me on to the gate and showed me how to use it, I had to have one. It truly makes life a little easier. He didn't have any simpler models so he gave me the unit for $79.

So I do have a compressor (kind of by accident) but just figured it must be shitty, thinking that the compressor section is worth all of about $50.

I'm trying to decide if another compressor like the RNC is a smart target piece for my next upgrade or if it's not that different from the one I have. I'm really only looking for transparency and versatility at this point, not color or anything.

Thanks again Guys.
Joe

[VotaIdiota]

Originally posted by Smokepole

I'm really only looking for transparency and versatility at this point, not color or anything.

Joe

you almost answered yourself there.
pretty much the two main selling points I can think of on the RNC (besides its ridiculously good value for the money) is its transparency and versatility.

on a side note, the composer pro isn't that bad for the price, it's just if you hit it with too much reduction it'll really start to be noticeable. unlike the RNC, which I've used up to 15 db of reduction on things and not really noticed that much.

[Bass Master "K"]

The RNC flat out rocks the house. Never used anything anywhere remotely like it for the price range.

[Smokepole]

This thing really has nothing but compliments and positve feedback about it. I'm going to think seriuosly about ordering one this week to round out my little project.

Do they have any clinics or 12 step programs to help battle this new addiction?

[Track Rat]

Sorry Smokepole, yer fucked. Just go with it and buy.
I have two RNCs and a Composer Pro. Both fine units but the RNC is what you're describing. Colorless compression (you can get rude with it but it's not an opto compressor).

[TexRoadkill]

The only complaints I've ever seen on the net about the RNC are that it's a little too transparent for some people's taste.

[Smokepole]

I'm not going to buy, I'm not going to buy, I'm not going to buy!

That's it, I can’t stop myself.

What vendor do you guys favor, there seems to be a hundred places who have it and will ship for free.

[cjogo]

fast and reliable!!! Jay over @ mercenary


http://fp2k.redshift.com/cjogo/crystalrecording.htm

[ebill01]

The rnc is the only "sure thing" I know of in the subjective world of audio. I purchased from mercenary and I am very,very satisfied. Forget the price,forget the little box, it is just so very easy to get great sounds!
Bill

[Track Rat]

Got mine at Mercenary. Good service and a free pair of earplugs (how they ever heard my music before they sent me my stuff I'll never know).

[Smokepole]

I tried ordering one there today but my message inquiring about shipping charges wouldn't go out. I'm just going to call there tomorrow.
I bought the DMP3 today. Along with this little unit I'll have a nice basic system for the well-dressed bottomfeeder.

I have a behringer that I'm going to use for a gate. What sequence do I connect things? Preamp first but what's next, compressor or gate?





I'm not addicted at all, I can stop at anytime!

[littledog]

You'll probably find it easier to get good gating settings if you are working with the uncompressed signal. So I would most often put the gate before the compressor.

[TexRoadkill]

Why do you need the gate?

[knownuttin]

My thoughts exactly. What purpose is the gate serving in your chain? Or why did the salesman say you need one?

[Smokepole]

Thanks littledog

TexRoadkill,
I'm using the gate to get rid of background noise at my house. Even with all appliances off and everything, it seems to reduce background noise when I'm not actually singing or playing into the mic.

Why do ask? Is there a better way or should I not be using it for some reason?????

[littledog]

The reason one has to be careful using a gate is that without extreme care in settings (and a high quality gate) it can be quite audible when it cuts in and out. Also, if release time and threshold are set incorrectly, the "tail" of the sound as it fades out may be cut off abruptly.

If these mistakes happen during the tracking process, you're basically screwed. That's why if you are going to use a gate, it is better to add it in during mixdown, where it will be "non-destructive".

If your goal is to reduce background ambient noises, it is always better to try to eliminate them from reaching the mic, if possible. Heavy moving-van type blankets over the windows, weather-stripped doors, use of gobos around the mic, etc. are all worth trying. And you may need to get rid of those battery powered quartz clocks with the loud ticks!

[Smokepole]

The unit I have is top of the line. Extremely high quality!
$79 Behringer!!!

Is it safer to use more as downward compression keeping the ratio low and the threshold where it just trips very sensitively?

Or should I just make that my sixth return this month at Guitar Center.

I can take it, don't hold back. You guys from this site have been dead on the money so far.

( the FMR RNC is already on it's way to my house)

[MrZekeMan]

I just bought an RNC from a dealer for $165 shipped. The dealer asked that I not quote his price to other dealers, so I won't post the name of the company here. If you are interested send me a private message and I will hook you up.

Taylor

[chessrock]

When you talk about the Composer Pro and the RNC, you're pretty much discussing two absolute God-sends to the home recorder. I put both up there along side the sm57, the Mackie XDR preamp, Joemeek gear, etc.

Budget legends.

Generally, I think Recording Magazine lays some real eggs.

But I got a kick out of a quote from the latest one. In an interview with Bon Jovi's producer (don't laugh), Obie O'brian, Obie describes working in Jon Bon Jovi's personal home studio:

As far as equipment goes, Obie says, "We have better gear available here than in many pro studios. Partly this is because for a personal facility like this one, you can install gear that you want to use, rather than purchasing gear that you think you prospective clients might like to see on the studio's gear list." The studio has a collection of vintage processors like like LA-3As, 1176s, and Pultecs in the racks alongside modern gear from Tube-Tech and Avalon Design. Obie adds, "I also really like these inexpensive stereo Behringer compressors that I have. They have a unique sound. I use them all the time.

[Smokepole]

MrZekeMan
I appreciate it but I already have one on it's way from Mercenary.
That's a great price though! Thanks just the same.

chessrock
What's your view on using the downward compression?

[MrZekeMan]

Originally posted by Smokepole

I already have one on it's way from Mercenary.

I'll be interested to see how you like it. Mine is on it's way too. I'm really looking forward to having an improved signal chain with the RNC and a nice pre.

[chessrock]

Originally posted by Smokepole
chessrock
What's your view on using the downward compression?

All my compression is software, and I haven't had a need for downward compression that I can think of. I've sold all my outboard compressors, which basically sat and collected dust, with the exception of the Joemeek, that is. Speaking of software, the RNC shares a lot in common with a DAW plugin, if you study it's design. It sort of is like a comp plugin in a box in a lot of ways. The compression is handled mostly in a dsp, out of the way of the actual audio path, from what I understand.

I can't wait to get my UAD powered plugins. These things are supposed to have unbelieveable compressors modeled after some classics. Aparently, they do a convincing immitation of the real deal, and blow any other software plugin comp out of the water. We'll see.

[gordone]

Just to clarify, the controls of the RNC are digital/DSP, but the actual audio path is completely analog. Here's the quote from the site -
"The RNC achieves such high performance at a low cost by using evolutionary advances in digital technology, coupled with the best analog has to offer. Using digital controls and an all-analog signal path, the RNC offers accurate, precise controls and a clean tonal character. " (http://www.fmraudio.com)
I actually don't use my RNCs that much anymore. I've gotten more comfortable tracking without it (at a lower level so I don't clip), but I do 24-bits so I still retain the detail. I compress in N-Track during mixing. The RenComp automatically goes on my vocals, and on most acoustic guitar tracks.

I still use the RNCs when tracking others, since they don't seem to understand the ramifications of digital clipping

Originally posted by chessrock


<snip>Speaking of software, the RNC shares a lot in common with a DAW plugin, if you study it's design. It sort of is like a comp plugin in a box in a lot of ways. The compression is handled mostly in a dsp, out of the way of the actual audio path, from what I understand.

<snip>

[chessrock]

Kind of sounds like what I said. On a dsp card out of the way of the actual audio path. I really need to stop being so vague around here.

When all is said and done, though, the end result is very similar to what you'd get from the Renaissanace Comp or similar plugin, right? The characteristics of the comp, itself, if I understand correctly, come from the dsp card. Am I correct? But without the a/d conversion and without the danger of digital rounding errors. Sort of like the best of both worlds.

I could be totally off-the-mark here, but this is what I gathered when Harvey was explaining it to me.

[gregkat]

hey chessrock,

got my uad card installed monday and let me tell you it will blow you away. So far all I've messed with are the Pultec (incredible on shaping low end and bringing out high end sparkle) the La-2a (makes everything sound huge) and the 1176 (seems to inhance clarity and depth). can't wait to try out the realverb and nigel.

Greg