Compressors under $500: FMR RNC vs ART Pro VLA?

  • Thread starter Thread starter crgoda
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crgoda

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Hello everyone,

I've been looking for the best all around compressor $500 can buy for my home studio for use with an AKAI DPS16.
After 2 weeks reading about several compressors in the market and getting opinions from several people, i believe it came down to these 2:

1) 2 x FMR RNCs (rack mounted) for $320

or

2) 1 ART PRO VLA for about the same.

Now I'm trying to get as much feedback as can between these 2. Unfortunately no music store in my area carries either so I cannot A/B them. All your opinions are very welcome.

Thanks in advance
 
No experience with either, but I have heard some good things about the VLA from credible people here. Do a search and see what you come up with.

How many channels do you need? You are comparing 4 vs. 2.

Why not get one of each?
 
Get yourself both RNC's and the Pro VLA... I am hunting for a VLA right now too. Never have enough compressors anyway.
 
I also suggest one of each, which would fit your budget too. Get away from the idea of one "best" and move toward the idea of "variety".
 
In the idea of variety, what would be the differences between both? Why have both of them? What are their pro and cons?
 
I believe you have more control over attack and release with the RNC - the VLA just has "fast and slow"
 
My RNP flat out broke one day. I called FMR audio and the very next day I had a brand new one in my hand. No questions were ask. Thats is what I call customer service. Thats is one good reason to get the RNC
 
The RNC is clean, mean and lean, and it does exactly what you set it to do (except in Super Mice mode) which should be all pluses, but for some seems to be troublesome.:rolleyes:
 
crgoda said:
In the idea of variety, what would be the differences between both? Why have both of them? What are their pro and cons?
Click to expand...

Well, the VLA is a hybrid tube/optical unit and the FMR is VCA.

Here's what rip rowan at ProRec.com said about the VLA compressor in his review of the Pro Channel:

"The PRO VLA (Vactrol® based Leveling Amplifier) is a multi-purpose tool for audio engineering and recording. Enclosed in a 2U(3.5" high) rack-mountable chassis are two independent channels of analog leveling/compression designed to work seamlessly with any recording, sound-reinforcement, or electronic instrument setup. ART’s PRO VLA circuitry is a hybrid design utilizing the latest and most advanced analog and tube technology. Using a transformerless design throughout, the PRO VLA maintains exceptional signal integrity and extremely low noise. Its VCA-less design utilizes optical electronics (Vactrol) coupled with a 12AX7 vacuum tube gain stage for superior musical performance."

This is from the ART website:

"The PRO VLA is a soft knee leveling amplifier by design. Although it is capable of providing a thoughougly "squashed" signal, the PRO VLA was designed to excel in areas where transparent, expressively musical dynamics control is desired. In addition to making signal levels more manageable, it is common practice to apply compression or limiting to a signal to make it louder or more "in-your-face". The benefit of using the PRO VLA for these applications is in its design. By utilizing opto-electronics, the PRO VLA allows you to add more compression without sounding like you’re squashing the daylights out of the signal. Unlike typical compressors which use VCA’s to control level detection, the PRO VLA is very musical. The nature of its operation is much like the way your eye adjusts to light. Just as your eye transparently adjusts to changes in light, the PRO VLA adjusts to changes in signal level.


The unique compressor circuit features a dual design. The compressor can function as either an optocompressor or a variable-mu compressor. The optocompressor utilizes the ART Vactrol design found in the ART Pro-VLA. The Vactrol optocompressor is a good choice for vocals and other, more transparent compression roles. The dual-triode variable-mu compressor is fast-acting and very suitable for hard limiting. The compressor features variable threshold and ratio, and switches for “fast” or “slow” attack and “fast” or “auto” release. The compressor contains an output make-up gain knob that offers another 16 dB of tube gain. A 10-segment LED gain reduction meter is provided to monitor the amount of compression."
 
FWIW, my 2cents..........

.......on bass, the RNC is a most effective tool for controlling sig peaks during hi-energy perf's such as the percussive-slap technique and hi-octane solos. The unit has the ability to maintain
a clean & transparent translation of dynamics control w/o adding
any type of unwanted or unnecessary audio artifacts.
In addition to it's superb shelving function, there's absolutely NO
coloration added to the processed signal negating the need for some sort of "enhancement/color" control sometimes found
in processors in it's price range.

The RNC is a most excellent & hi'ly recommended dynamic processor & can achieve more than satisfactory results even when
higher-than-avg settings are in place. Squash a signal with a hi-thresh and slow attack and the RNC STILL maintains a near effortless & clear response!
 
tdukex said:
...The unique compressor circuit features a dual design. The compressor can function as either an optocompressor or a variable-mu compressor.
Click to expand...

Is this for real. It HAS both? Or is this just marketing-speak?
 
mixsit said:
Is this for real. It HAS both? Or is this just marketing-speak?
Click to expand...

ART says it has both, and I have no reason to disbelieve them because I have never heard anyone say otherwise. Of course I've never looked inside one, either. Nor have I looked inside my Meek compressor to make sure it is optical as claimed. I haven't checked inside my tube microphone to make sure it really has a tube either. I just know that when it first came out the VLA retailed for around $500, Rip Rowan liked the VLA compressor on the Pro Channel, and all of the other comments I've read here and elsewhere have been positive.

Is it an LA2, I doubt it.
 
Teacher said:
i think the question is does it do either of them well..
Click to expand...

And don't we ask that obvious question about all gear? In the end, it is often determined by the skill of the user and the ear of the beholder.
 
tdukex said:
...Nor have I looked inside my Meek compressor to make sure it is optical as claimed. I haven't checked inside my tube microphone to make sure it really has a tube either...
Is it an LA2, I doubt it.
Click to expand...

Ok. I get the point.:p
At the ART site I found VLA and the TSC(something like that) which is opt and vca, didn't find the vari-mu part though.
 
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