FMR Audio RNC1773 Stereo Compressor

FMR Audio RNC1773 Stereo Compressor

FMR Audio's first product, introduced over 18 years ago, the Really Nice Compressor (RNC) is a compact and cost-effective stereo compressor with a high-fidelity audio path and compression scheme. The RNC provides quality compression at a budget price.

The RNC provides two modes of operation. One allows the RNC to be used for special effects, like snappy snares or popping basses. The other provides near-invisible signal compression for sensitive material where compression artefacts are less desirable (like natural vocals, acoustic guitar, or the program bus). The RNC yields clean, airy compression with few artefacts and little high-end loss, even at massive gain reduction!

Main Features

The RNC achieves such high performance at a low cost by using a microprocessor to replace discrete sidechain components (resistors, diodes, capacitors, opamps, transistors, etc) with chunks of software, thereby reducing the component cost. This approach, however, still processes the main audio in the analogue domain, avoiding the problems associated with digital audio conversion (e.g., latency, digital artefacts). Even the problem of 'scratchy' pots and switches is avoided: no audio flows through the front-panel controls.

The front-panel pots and switches merely feed DC voltages to the microprocessor, and it takes care of adjusting parameters and signal path with components, like sealed relays and VCAs, located close to the input/output jacks avoiding noise pickup and audio quality reduction due to ageing controls. With this blend of technology, the RNC offers the accuracy and precision of digital control with the clean tonal character of an all-analogue signal path. The RNC's digital control permits accurate repeatability of your favourite settings.

Key Features:

• Stereo compressor in 1/3 rack size.
• Accurate & repeatable 5-parameter controls.
• "Normal" mode for serious signal squashing. Very fast attack times allow positive control of percussive sources.
• "Super Nice" mode for near-invisible compression. This mode cascades three stereo compressors in series to reduce compression artefacts.
• Single TRS-cable attachment to many "insert" jacks.
• 1/4" TRS sidechain insert for special effects.
• No audio flows through front-panel controls, permitting short audio runs to avoid hum/noise pickup.
• Rack-mountable.
• Rugged extruded aluminium and electro-galvanized steel enclosure.