FMR Audio RNC 1773

The RNC is a fast, peak detector compressor/limiter. I use mine primarily on the way in for recording vocals, acoustic guitar, overheads and bass to add a little bit of polish. Just a bit of fast limiting really makes the difference.

The Really Nice function is great, adding a more forgiving RMS detection style compression character. I've used this when running things back out to it, but am a bit cautious of adding that kind of character during tracking.

My main problem with it is that the attack and release times can be so fast it can be hard to avoid bass heavy instruments distorting. The best workaround for this is to add a HPF to the sidechain - easy really, just a TRS jack and a capacitor. I leave mine in for the most part and it works great.

It's probably the best compressor in its pricerange. If I went back to a desk based studio I'd probably want 3-4 of these before I got anything else.

I'm really into analog mixing. This is the first hardware compressor i bought, and I don't regret it a bit.

It's small, it's cute and it gets the job done. It's very clean but if u want to get a little "dirt" and saturation, the attack and release controls got u covered!
It can be used on anything and you can go from subtle compression to smashing drums.
The super nice mode is fantastic. U don't have to chain multiple compressors with small ratio, just use this function.

AND IT IS CHEAP!! I mean it is stereo compressor and u even have a sidechain option. What more could one ask for.

I have two units that I use for live work. On different occasions I had tried them on speech, lead vocals, acoustic guitars, as well as on the main bus. I'm comparing against other budget compressors that I use on a regular basis - DBX 166 XS and Behringer MDX2600.

As far as I can tell the RNC 1773 are completely transparent sonically. Their self-noise is audibly lower than both the 166XS and the MDX2600. This makes them my favorite option so far for speakers and vocals.

As a bus compressors RNCs can help with controlling the dynamics of a band in an unobtrusive way. By all chances they may never become a 'legendary' bus-comp but they will help with keeping the 'this is getting too loud' people in certain types of events off your back.

Probably the most obvious thing RNCs lack is a gate. That's why I'm not eager to use them on anything drum- or percussion-like. Fell free to prove me wrong though.

Overall FMR's RNC 1773 is a great overall compressor for an analog rig where only a couple of channels need dynamics control.

This compressor is incredible value for money, it's already proved itself indispensable in the few weeks I've had with it. It's two modes - 'normal' and 'super nice' - gives it a great versatility. In normal mode it will brings levels under control as you'd expect and can create some great pumping sounds (if so desired) when it's cranked up. In 'super nice' mode the compressor becomes very transparent (apparently by piling three compressors on top of each other), bringing the dynamic range under control while retaining the instruments character and keeping the pumping artefacts virtually non existent (unless you pile on tons of compression), which makes it great for things like vocals and other acoustic instruments.

I am not sure my untrained ears are goign to add much more to the amount of praise already placed on this unit and the RNLA, which I also purchased. RNC in 'Super nice' mode is fantastic on Ac Gtr & vocals and I have been using both units as summing units in my final mixes out of Logic.

They have been adding analogue vibe to my mixes in truck loads. I have had a number of mics modded and have spent some money on Golden Age & Joe Meeks pres. So you can tell I haven't Neumann, Coles, API, etc. kind of budget! These two units however have offered me a great analogue foray 'into' & 'out-of-the-box' at what I think is an amazing price