RNC: Any really nice settings?

[Mr. Moon]

Hi.

I purchased an RNC about a month or so ago and have been working with it on and off since then, with varying degrees of success. I was wondering if anyone out there who regularly uses the RNC could share with me their "normal" default settings that they have found work best for recording electric bass guitar (5 string), electric guitar (6 and 7 string) and acoustic guitar (6 and 12 string).

I am close-micing the electric guitars with an SM-57 and using a SP C1 at times as well. The C1 will also be used on the acoustic guitars and the bass will be run direct into my VTB-1 preamp.

I've been reading all I can on compression, including articles from various web sites here and elsewhere. I am specifically looking for info regarding this compressor in particular, as I've heard from a few people who swear by using "super-nice" mode for recording acoustic guitars, and other who say that "super-nice" mode is best used only for mastering, etc. Additionally, I think that different compressors, or any product for that matter, often have different "sweet spots" for settings that vary by manufacturer.

Thanks!

-Mr. Moon

=> www.mp3.com/Mr_Moon <=

 

[Middleman]

Man, whats with all the sudden interest in compressors and limiters?

Ok, here are some of the ways I use the RNC. Generally for vocals I will use 2 compressors. One for fat and slow and another for fast peak control. I use the RNC in conjunction with either a focusrite VM Pro opto compressor or a dbx limiter/compressor.

The RNC does fat a slow well so I set it on -5 to -10 threshold, 1:3 ratio, 13-30 attack, release .5-1 and gain 0. I then follow it with the dbx as a limiter. Super nice is on.

The opto in the VMPro is slower than the RNC and I have used it first for fat and slow and then run the RNC as a limiter i.e. -3 threshold, 1:25 ratio, .2 attack,.05 release, Gain 0.

On instruments I generally run it alone, settings can be all over the map depending on what your doing.

You can also strap the RNC across your main buss for mixing or run your final mix through it for overall compression. I would not reccomend it for mastering however, a multiband compressor will offer more variety in control.

The ultimate rule however is if it the settings sound good to you, stop turning the knobs.

 

[pundit]

Supernice mode will give you the most transparent compression.
Supernice mode is what has made the RNC famous.
It will allow quite a high degree of compression without making everything sound too 'squished'! So it's particularly usefull for both full mix compression and acoustic guitars or anything that contains a multitude of simultaneous frequencies and harmonics.
It does what an Alesis 3630 DOESN'T!!

If you want to use it almost as an effect and get a really 'clamped' type of sound then non 'supernice' mode will make it's operation more audible. Generally normal mode is more suitable for compressing individual drum track etc.

However if compressing a drum submix then definately use 'supernice' mode.

Cheers

 

[Tomcat]

Hi Middleman,

What is the object of setting one for "fat and slow"? Since my budget is very limited, would it work and be better for my vocals, to get a second RNC and set them up as a series pair the way you are doing or would just using the RNC as a limiter be enough?

Thanks for your help!

Tom

 

[Middleman]

Fat and slow is my term not an industry term.

What it refers to is letting the transients through to give the voice some "air" as they call it. But you set the compressor to slow attack so that it comes in a little late so it gently compresses the voice on long notes or when the singer pushes air to sustain a long note. Then you extend the release so it adds a little more umpf to the tail end of a note or phrase.

Because you let some of the tranisients through initially they may get out of control meaning too loud for a milli second. The second compressor or a limiter is used to make sure there is no peaking of the meters.

Two RNCs would work but a limiter might be better.

Remember this is a compression centric approach to vocals. There are other ways, less focused on compression, to approach a vocal.

If you have a nice sounding room, set the vocalist back from the mic. This will reduce the transient issues and open up the volume. You can get a nice airy open sound.

It all depends on what effect you are trying to acheive.

 

[TexRoadkill]

Distorted guitars usually don't need a lot of compression because distortion itself compresses the dynamics. Just use enough to control any peaks but if you don't need it don't use it. I love the RNC on vocals and drum overheads.

 

[Tomcat]

Hi Middleman,

I'm wondering what happened to the "make up" gain that the manual for the RNC and some posts I've seen here talk about where you set the gain to the same level as you set the threshhold in order to make up for the loss. Your settings use zero gain; why? Thanks.

Tom

 

[Middleman]

I'm wondering what happened to the "make up" gain that the manual for the RNC and some posts I've seen here talk about where you set the gain to the same level as you set the threshhold in order to make up for the loss. Your settings use zero gain; why? Thanks.

Tom

Couple of choices here.

1. If you want the minimum effect of compression after a signal has been compressed you can just push the mixer volume on the track that has the compression.

2. If you want a slightly more compressed sound then you push the compressor gain and let the compressor increase the volume.

3. If you really want a fat sound then turn down your track volume and turn up the compressor gain even more. Depending on the quality of the compressor you can get real rock n roll here.

It's all about the sound you want. I tend to leave the gain at zero because I am a compression minimalist (is there such a word?) Also most of the cheaper hardware compressors are noisy so if you take the track volume up and not the compressor gain your likely to get less unwanted noise.