FMR RNC 1773 Compressor Unit

by FMR

Product Features

• Compressor Unit

Product Details

• Item Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0006I935Y
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,729 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #5 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Signal Processors > Effects Processors > Compressors, Limiters & Gates

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The RNC achieves such high performance at a low cost by using evolutionary advances in digital technology, coupled with the best analog has to offer. Using digital controls and an all-analog signal path, the RNC offers accurate, precise controls and a clean tonal character.

The RNC provides two modes of operation: normal and SuperNice. Normal mode allows the RNC to be used for everyday compression tasks, like punchy snare drums or bass guitars, and is great for everything from gentle compression to serious squashing. SuperNice mode provides near-invisible signal compression for sensitive material where compression artifacts are less desirable (like vocals, acoustic guitar or the program bus).

Technical Specifications

• Size: 1/3 x 1 EIA rack unit
• Connectors: 1/4" Unbalanced I/O (TS, or TRS for console inserts); L/R in and out, TRS sidechain
• Controls and Displays - Rotary: Threshold, Ratio, Attack Time, Release Time, Output Level
• Controls and Displays - Switches: Bypass, Mode Select
• Controls and Displays - Meter: 8-segment LED Gain Reduction, 0-20 dB
• Mode - Normal: Provides fast attack/release, accurate compression
• Mode - Super Nice: Layered compressors, reduces compression artifacts
• Operating Level: 0.775 Vrms (0 dBu) nominal
• Noise: Less than -90dBu over 20-20kHz
• Frequency response: 10 - 100k Hz ±0.5dBat0dBu
• Clip point: +22.5dBu at 3% THD, 1kHz, greater than 2kOhm load
• Distortion: less than 0.1%, no gain reduction at 1 kHz, 0dBu; less than 0.5%, 6 dB G.R. at 1kHz, 6:1, 6.0msec attack, 0.5 sec release, 0dB gain, 0dBu
• Threshold range: -40dBu to +20dBu
• Ratio range: 1:1 to 25:1
• Attack range: 0.2 msec to 200msec for 100% correction with <15dB over threshold input signal
• Release range: .05 sec to 5.0 sec for 100% recovery with 15dB G.R.
• Output trim range: ±15dB
• AC Power: Wall transformer, 9VAC at 500mA, 2.1mm jack
• Dimensions: 5.5" x 5.5" x 1.6"
• Weight: 2 lbs

Product Description

The Really Nice Compressor (RNC) is a compact, affordable stereo compressor with a high-fidelity audio path and compression scheme. Don't be deceived by the sub-$200 price tag; the RNC is a serious studio tool that easily competes with compressors five times its price. HOW IT'S DONEThe RNC achieves such high performance at a low cost by using evolutionary advances in digital technology, coupled with the best analog has to offer. Using digital controls and an all-analog signal path, the RNC offers accurate, precise controls and a clean tonal character. The RNC provides two modes of operation: normal and SuperNiceTM. Normal mode allows the RNC to be used for everyday compression tasks, like punchy snare drums or bass guitars, and is great for everything from gentle compression to serious squashing. SuperNice mode provides near-invisible signal compression for sensitive material where compression artifacts are less desirable (like vocals, acoustic guitar or the program bus). HOW IT SOUNDSIn a word: transparent. The RNC yields clean, airy compression with few artifacts and little high end loss, even at massive gain reduction.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In a perfect world, February 23, 2006

By 

J. Poctor "J. Proctor" (NOVA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: FMR RNC 1773 Compressor Unit

This thing is top quality. If you check out reviews on the internet, the RNC is compared to compressors in the $1000-2000 range for a good reason. It's marvelous.

If I had to dig deep for a complaint, it would be that it doesn't power up in the "super nice" mode. I have to actually push the button. Boo hoo.

I use it strictly between my bass guitar and my preamp. The "super nice" mode is probably required if you're going to use it for bass guitar, but once that's engaged, it sounds great and does precisely what it's supposed to do. The case is solid, the power supply is included, and the knobs perform as labeled.

Of all my equipment, a lowly compressor isn't the most loved, but the RNC is definitely the most trouble-free, performs-as-advertised, trustworthy component I own.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the greatest bargains in pro audio, April 13, 2010

By 

Ken C. Lee (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: FMR RNC 1773 Compressor Unit

SuperNice Mode beautifully minimizes artifacts, and like all FMR products, this works extremely nicely. Don't let the hobby-kit exterior or the low price fool you...this compressor easily outclasses compressors that cost several times as much. I'm also a huge fan of the FMR RNLA (I own one of these limiting amplifiers as well) and FMR RNP Really Nice Mic Preamps (I own two of these). I cannot possibly say enough nice things about how good these products sound or what a bargain they are. Highly recommended.

And yes, they all have wall-warts. Deal with it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super Nice, April 26, 2010

By 

James E. Sink "Jimsi777" (Newport News, Virginia 23602) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: FMR RNC 1773 Compressor Unit

I own this and it is very clean and quiet. It is worth the 175 i spent and does a great job if set up properly even for bass... i dont like the ganged stereo controls nor do i like the unbalanced outs or even the size sometimes, but with 19" rack with RNP its great all around vocal guitar anything compressor, just note it adds no color and is just clean and quiet...worth every cent and more...super nice mode adds a little shimmer BUT, it has slow attack in Super Nice Mode" yet is useful on vocals acoustic guitar...