FMR RNC

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riotshield

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Hi,

I've heard very good things about this compressor, but as a newbie to home recording on a limited budget, I'm not sure whether it's worth it. What would the advantages of an RNC be over applying compression to a recorded signal with, say, Cool Edit 2000? Also, I am currently recording most of my stuff through an Audio Buddy. The RNC lacks XLR inputs while the Audio Buddy has them. I might be wrong, but shouldn't the compressor come before the pre-amp? How would I record a mic with the RNC? Thanks
 
No, the compressor would not come before the preamp. You must get the mic level up to a usable (line) level first before it can be processed.
A couple of ways to set that up would be to go mic to preamp, line out to line in of compressor, line out to line in of recorder or whatever. Another way involves mic preamps with an insert built into it, such as a DBX 386.
 
The advantage to compressing your tracks on the way to tape are:

1) You are taking advantage of the better sounding compression on the RNC. Plug-ins are OK, but not as good (usually) as the RNC.

2) You can get your tracks LOUDER to your digital recording device, and thus higher quality.

The disadvantages are:

1) If your compression setting is wrong, you can't change it
2) If your compression setting is wrong, you can't change it, and
3) If your compression setting is wrong, you can't change it.

...and compression is VERY easy to over do- especially when you are just learning how to use it. :)

I have an RNC and I LOVE it. I frequently use it when recording vocals and bass. Much less frequently on guitar.

Take care,
Chris
 
Chris, you dont like the RNC on guitar? Just curious.
 
I would think the RNC would be great for guitar considering the very fast attack time available.
 
It's VERY nice on guitar although I don't usually put compression on crunchy guitar as it's already more or less compressed.
 
Chris seems to do mainly acoustic. I'm wondering if he doesnt like it on acoustic or if he just doesnt compress acoustics in general.

I've just started doing some acoustic tracks and I think I need some good compression. The cheap Logic plugins just add too much mush.
 
Personally, for the most part, after. There's always an exception but I'd rather apply compression/EQ/effects at mix time.
 
I've used the RNC on the acoustic and it sounds fine- better than the compressor plugs that I have to use if I need compression afterwards. I just have to compress on the way in to use the RNC and I've ruined enough good takes that way that I am really leary of doing so. Mainly because most of my tunes lean on the acoustic guitar. If I crunch the life out of a good take there is no way to put it back in later.

If I'm recording a REALLY punchy tune, I'll usually pass it through the RNC, though. I can get pretty percussive (especially on the good takes. :)- just want to catch those peaks. :)

Take care,
Chris
 
Thanks for the feedback. Why cant you use it in the mix? Do you need us to help you setup an effects loop? ;)
 
I WISH I could get a decent external effects loop setup with my system. :rolleyes: That's the bummer about all-digital recording. I have this nice outboard compressor that I'd LOVE to use on the lead vocal tracks and the guitars, but...no can do once the tracks have been recorded.

Tex, try playing with the settings on those "cheap Logic plugins"- it usually doesn't take too much compression to even out a decent acoustic take. Also, are you cutting some of the lows before compressing? That can help with the mush.

Take care,
Chris
 
I may be asking too much from the Logic plugins. I definately cut the hell out of the bass. These are my fist acoustic attempts and I'm learning that the nice rich solo guitar sound is lethal to the mix.

You can use the in/outs on your soundcard as an effects loop. Even a soundblaster could pull it off, although not as well. You probably dont want the extra DAC but the added benefit of the compression in the mix may outway the possible losses.

I have the Roland VM3100 and its pretty cool for being able to have 8 digital busses and I can route them from the DAW to the internal effects or external jacks for outboard processing. Then I just record the whole mix back onto 2 tracks in the DAW.
 
I was thinking of upping to a MOTU 828 or something just for that reason, but no cashola for anything like that. The old US-428 will have to do- and it has NO extra outputs. :(

I'm not really unhappy with using the RNC to compress the guits on the way to disk, though. (Getting back to the subject at hand...) It takes a gentle touch, but the RNC sounds really sharp for stuff like this. I almost always run my vocals through it just to even them out a little- still plenty of dynamics, but I like to get my signals as hot as I can.

I always use a light touch on the way in, though. That also makes the job easier for the compression plugs if I do need more compression later. It takes practice (and messsing up a few times) to get the trick of what a "light touch" really is, but its worth the effort. The RNC sounds MUCH better than most of the compression plugs that I've used.

Tex- yeah, that full acoustic sound just doesn't mix worth anything. Sounds great in the cans while you're recording but its a pain later on. I listen for the definition of the mids when I'm setting up the mics and try to capture only as much low end as I need- then I roll off everything below 100Hz or so in the mix. That lets the bass do its job in the low end and makes the acoustic sit pretty high in the mix without the low end mush that the compressor tends to highlight so...well. ;)

Take care,
Chris
 
Im with Chris on the bass roll off.Low E on the guitar is 90Hz I think,so you would be safe rolling off everything below that as just rumble and junk.
Tom
 
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