got an RNC and I hate it - maybe it's just me...

[wes480]

ok, so far i can't get the RNC to do anything that I bought it for.

Mainly, I want to be able to get a hotter signal without clipping.

I read the manual, played all around with the dials, it is doing really strange things to my gain. I can never get (bass guitar, and vocals...mainly) to hover between -5 and 0 or so, without clipping....

maybe someone could reccomend some settings?

Plus, it is doing really strange things to my bass sound (not what i would expect a compressor to do...)

Tried super nice mode also. I just can't get it to DO anything good..heh. help me out please.

Using it on the insert channel of my Aardvark Q10.

-wes

[cordura21]

this is from http://www.fmraudio.com/faq.html, maybe it'll help:

Why does the RNC distort my bass guitar?
At the risk of sounding too esoteric and philosophical, there are many universal laws that are, many times, inconvenient (like, say, gravity). Well, there's a mutual (and universal) exclusivity between low frequency fidelity and fast compressor release times. Stated another way: the faster a compressor's release time, the more distorted the lower frequencies will be. "Okay, okay!", you say, "I know that! But why don't I have similar problems with my other compressors?" Simply put, the RNC's normal mode release times are shorter than many compressors (some of the fastest that we've seen). This means that the RNC will induce low frequency distortion more frequently than your other compressors. "Why didn't you make the RNC so it wouldn't distort my bass notes?" Because then we'd limit (no pun intended) your creative choices for other sound sources where a really fast release time would sound really gonzo...like on kick or snare drums. Try compressing a snare drum track with the RNC set for really fast attack and release times. You'll here drum resonances that you've never heard before that can be creatively used to add spice to your mixes!

"How do I avoid or reduce the low frequency distortion?" This one's easy: increase the release time until the distortion goes away. (Doing my best Groucho Marx impression: "Does it distort when you do that? Well don't do that!")

[chessrock]

If you're interested in getting it off your hands, feel free to email me:

snailinajar@yahoo.com

[TexRoadkill]

Are the inserts on the Q10 pre/Analog-digital convertors? If they are after the convertors then they wont help with clipping.

[chessrock]

Originally posted by TexRoadkill
If they are after the convertors then they wont help with clipping.

Not unless you mean help compress your clipped signal.

[chessparov]

Wes, if it's any help, the Symetrix 501 is supposed to work better
on bass guitar than the RNC, and you could also use it for vocals.
It's only a single channel though.

Chris

[chessparov]

Wes, if it's any help, the Symetrix 501 is supposed to work better
on bass guitar than the RNC, and you could also use it for vocals.
It's only a single channel though.

Chris

[chessparov]

Wes, if it's any help, the Symetrix 501 is supposed to work better
on bass guitar than the RNC, and you could also use it for vocals.
It's only a single channel though.

Chris

[Bass Master "K"]

I use a Q10 with an RNC, and you should NOT be having trouble with the vocals unless you are using totally out of whack settings, or your unit is defective. I use it on my vocals and my drummers snare and the unit flat out kicks butt. Seamless and colorless. I havn't tried it on my bass, but you shouldn't be getting distortion from the voc's.

Also, did you recheck your Q10 levels after plugging the unit in? If you had your vocals level set "pre-RNC" and then don't adjust them after you plug it in your signal may be through the roof.

Maybe if you post your settings your using, and how hot your signal is we can help more.

[MISTERQCUE]

Experienced the same emotions when I purchased unit 2 years ago upon the forceful advice of Cuzzin' Brucie Blue-bear!
Being a bassist , I wanted the RNC to provide near-flawless processing and levelling, yet low-end distortion surfaced around 60-75 hz at either fast or slow releases. However, knowing that
my limited skillz @ understanding and operation of proper comp'ing and levelling contributed to my original disdain for the unit, I discovered that controlling low freq'y via eq'ing in conjuction with incorporating a slow release time,provided me with the satisfactory bass track I had hope to expect from the unit!
BELIEVE ME, if a simple,unorthodox HOME-RECORDIST like me
(I will never consider myself a RECORDING ENGINEER; always a musician 1st) can taste it's clean and transparent flavor, I just KNOW YOU can!!!

Besides, how can 1 diss a unit that so convenient, you can practically put it in your shirt pocket and take it anywhere!!!!


Peace
Mr.Q

[wes480]

what kind of settings do you typically use with the vocals?

I will have to go play around with it more tomorrow...and post back the settings we had it on, can't remember right now.

I know everything set at 12 was supposed to be pretty "average" though.

[sponge bob]

You'll never be satisfied with the RNC because they are absolute junk! Total Garbage! Utter useless trash! A huge waste of money and time! What you need is an Alesis 3630! If you want, I can swap you one for your RNC! Heck, cus I'm in a good mood, I'll even pay the shipping! Trust ol' Sponge Bob on this one - You'll be amazed at what it does to your bass!!! :0

Sponge Bob

[littledog]

"Who lives in a pineapple under the sea..."

[chessparov]

My last "triple post" looks like a bad late night commercial where the
local station play it as nauseum! Will try to be more patient with
this site's acute slow loading issue.

Chris

[gordone]

They have to be before the converters because the RNC is analog, unless they have an extra set of conversion on the inserts (which would be pretty dumb)

Originally posted by TexRoadkill
Are the inserts on the Q10 pre/Analog-digital convertors? If they are after the convertors then they wont help with clipping.

[wes480]

yes they are inserted even before the preamp on the Q10

[gordone]

This would mean that the RNC is being fed a mic-level signal, which could be why the RNC isn't doing anything. Are you sure that the inserts are before the pre-amp? The only thing that should be before the preamp is the microphone!

Originally posted by wes480
yes they are inserted even before the preamp on the Q10

[gordone]

From the Aardvark website:

4 Inserts for Outboard Effects: The Q10 is armed with 4 TRS ¼" inserts that work just like those of an analog mixer. These connect directly to outboard signal processing gear so you can 'insert' the processed analog signal between the mic preamps and the A/D converter. This means your classic analog signal processing gear such as EQs, compressors, limiters, can be easily integrated with the Q10s crystal clear mic preamps, allowing you to still use your favorite analog processors when you record direct to the computer.

So your setup should be ok.

[meriphew]

Originally posted by chessparov
Wes, if it's any help, the Symetrix 501 is supposed to work better
on bass guitar than the RNC, and you could also use it for vocals.
It's only a single channel though.

Chris

Are you trying to say that the Symetrix might work better on bass than the RNC?

[Bass Master "K"]

Yo yo yo Ed....
Really long time buddy. I read some of your stuff here, and bought the HomeRecording.comp CD and realised who you were but wasn't sure if you'd remember the Unspun days. You were the best freaking soundguy we worked with. You gave us some killer shows man....

We played a show with Atom Sane and they said you had played with them for a while but moved on. Who are you playing with? I heard your track on the CD. Sounds like the studio is kicking ass.

If you go to www.ruleofnine.com you can e-mail me in the contact area. Take it easy man...

[pglewis]

If your band is tired of all the washed up house sound doods and you need somebody give me a ring.

SPAM! SPAM! SPAM SPAM SPAM!!!

Sorry, Ed, couldn't resist .

[Blue Bear Sound]

...there are also times when a Marshall mxl2001 mic is the right mic for the job -- it doesn't mean the mxl2001 is good mic just because it has its applications, and it doesn't mean the RNC is bad because it can't be used for ALL applications!

As the saying goes -- it all depends on what you need to do.............!

[Bass Master "K"]

lol, your too kind man. I always said I was a piano player playing a bass player on the weekends, but I finally came to the conclusion that I am now a bass player too.

Ya, we had some killer shows. Sonusman's words are not spam, this guy was putting every sound man's mix in town to shame. He was always the guy who would give us a break on his price because he liked the music. It was rare to find a soundman who still was really about the music and not the money.

Shayne is doing good man, I recently got back in touch with him. E-mail me sometime and I can fill you in. Also, the gig idea sounds good....let me know how it goes and talk to you soon.