anyone own an RNC by FMR compressor? (really nice compressor)

[Larry Watts] "I'd like to hear from anyone who uses an RNC compressor and would tell me its strengths and weaknesses.
(Their website gives many glowing testimonies from users who appear to be very professional) "


I have one at home and 5 at the studio. They are awesome. Everything their website says is true! One of the best kept secrets out there.

Their only weakness is that they are unbalanced ins/outs, and use a wall wart. But that is a big part of what keeps the size and price small.

Very transparent. In supernice node you'll be thinking "is this thing on?".

Mark Simpson

[Larry Watts] "The reason is that my boss spoke with an audio engineer at a tv station who stopped using his RNC's in favor of something else. Because of this my boss developed a negative attitude toward the RNC's in spite of the glowing reports from their website. I am trying to change that perception. ("


What was the something else? No one claims it's the very best compressor ever made. What it is, is a fantastic bargain and a great utility compressor easily competing with compressors 4 or 5 times it's price. I think the thing is amazing for it's price, and I'm not alone in this opinion.

Go over to rec.audio.pro usenet list and ask them the same question. The RNC is practically a religion over there. ... :-)
I haven't been over there in a year or two, but I'm sure the RNC is still a hot topic.

BTW, to answer your question, I mix for a very large church about twice a week. Sometimes FOH and sometimes mixing a split feed to the studio for video. I also have a home studio for personal use (and a few extra bucks here and there).

I try to use the right tool (from those at hand) for the right job. The right job for the RNC in my case seems to be acoustic guitar, strapped across a stereo buss for background vocals, and wireless lav mics. Other compressors I have to use in the studio are Distressors, which I use on Kick, Bass, and sometimes lead vocals (RNC for the lead vocal sometimes too, depending on the vocalist/situation), a very old DBX 160 on snare (awesome snare compressor but also unbalanced), and an 8 channel presonus (used at FOH in conjuction with a couple more RNCs, and a newer stereo DBX).

[Larry Watts] "We need compressors for the guests and hgost of our TV in-studio show. (Mostly a talk show) "

should work great for that, providing the unbalanced i/o is not a problem.


[Larry Watts] "I am trying to change that perception. (I had an RNC at my previous job and it worked great, but I'm not a hihgly skilled audio guy.)"

You don't have to be the most gifted engineer in the world to recognize when something is easy to use and works well. As a matter of fact, the less skill you have the more the RNC shines. In supernice mode, it's nearly impossible to do something that will sound bad. It's about as idiot proof as a compressor gets.

If you buy one and your boss is still not happy, it shouldn't be hard to sell (I bet you could unload it here at the COW for most of what you paid for it).

I don't know what else to tell you, they're a great deal for a great little utility compressor.

Mark Simpson