FMR Audio RNC 1773 vs. RNLA 7239 Shootout

[@marpsr]

Have to say I’m pleased with FMR’s customer service, they fixed a broken 1773 I got on eBay for a reasonable price, and let me know what I had purchased was actually 25 years old!

[@miguelonvalencia]

Which one would your recommend for a tb-303?

[@StudioFanThess]

I have learned that inputs and outputs are unbalanced. What cables should I put in this case? I will link them directly to the patch bay..

[@GreyManFaustus]

It doesn't matter, any patch cable will work fine. You just won't get the shielding benefit out of your balanced cables.

[@tobiasjone]

The RNLA sounds like it was made by API. I’ve had one for 20 years and love it.

[@CC-fi3pp]

RNC 1773 because everything I use adds a ton of "colour" (OC2, BX-8, MPC 2000XL and so on, so I already have to EQ a little less subtlety then I'd like at times), to much alteration on top of alteration to the sound will just create a mess no DAW can save so although the RNLA sounds great, it's a no from me. Just hit fire on the purchase for a RNC 1773 after researching and this video helped a ton, thanks.

[@GreyManFaustus]

Glad it helped. I wouldn't want to miss the RNLA on bass though - makes it really silky and gets rid of rumbly low low-mids

[@CC-fi3pp]

@@GreyManFaustus That's true but an EQ pedal like my MXR 10 band can do something similar for me plus the RNC can be used on bass, drums, lead, vocals, the RNLA is tastey though, it's very tempting but the RNC I just couldn't pass on.

[@1loveMusic2003]

Really good demo!

[@vintageMIDI]

Well done comparison. I'm amazed by how these models hold up to much more expensive compressors.

[@GreyManFaustus]

Yeah, absolutely! The JoeMeek MC2 is similarly great and just a tiny bit more expensive, but I have yet to discover another unit this cheap, that sounds good right out of the box.

[@MrZyrenda]

@@GreyManFaustus Where can I buy joe meek mc2?

[@GreyManFaustus]

@@MrZyrenda It's no longer in production, so your best bet would be Reverb or eBay.

[@jacobsteel]

very useful, thank you!

[@axisofficial265]

This is the best comparison on youtube. Thx

[@christopherdunn317]

Hi there when i use both my unit's now ? the gain reduction meter lights light up fast and sort of hold's themselves slower when turning off any idea why ? like its not quick lights on and off ?

[@GreyManFaustus]

The only thing I can come up with without seeing it is one or both of them being on long release time settings.

[@christopherdunn317]

@@GreyManFaustus Yes thank you ! that was the reason LOL !

[@suzukiax100rd3]

I have a question, can it be used in real time to record vocals?

[@GreyManFaustus]

Of course, if your interface has an insert loop.

[@suzukiax100rd3]

@@GreyManFaustus OK

[@EckertAndras]

Both devices should be taken because they are good and not expensive

[@yamansitar6153]

Hi , would this be a good compressor for live stereo master ? would come from the desk into the compressor and then and then to speakers ,,thanks

[@GreyManFaustus]

I haven't actually tried, but I don't see why not. The only thing to consider would be, that it can't do dual mono. Dbx 266 or the Behringer models (for similarly priced examples) feature 2 independent channels.

[@davidharpersongs]

I have tried putting the 1773 across a buss several times (in a recording situation) without success.

[@StudioFanThess]

​@@davidharpersongs do you mean in to stereo out of your daw? beacose for this reason I want to buy...

[@davidharpersongs]

@@StudioFanThess I think it would be as good as any other quality buss compressor.

[@eancurtis9333]

Why does the rnla sound better to my ears?

[@GreyManFaustus]

well, it IS pretty smooth

[@andresmarquezcol]

RNC for drums and RNLA for Bass.

[@noggin86]

I was going to go for the RNLA but from your video the RNC sounds better to me - RNLA doesn't sound as forward, like somebody stuck a blanket between the speaker and my ears.

[@RepublicAllegiance]

Well done. What would you compare these to?

[@GreyManFaustus]

Thank you! The RNC is very clean, there is just a tiny tad of midrange ring. Including "Super Nice Mode" it's easily comparable to any linear software compressor but with the possibility to emulate cascade compression. The RNLA is hard to compare imo. Tone-wise, it's somewhat similar-ish to the Distressor, but it behaves completely different.

[@tedjlegrand]

@@GreyManFaustus if you read FMR's manual, its says that itr is inspired by opto comp. like LA2A, LA3A..

[@GreyManFaustus]

@@tedjlegrand Ah, interesting! I don't own the manuals nor have I ever laid hands on an actual LA2A. But I was of the impression, that the RNLA is a VCA compressor.

[@tedjlegrand]

@@GreyManFaustus The RNLA has a sonic signature similar to many compressors that we’ve usedover the years, many of which have been referred to as “levelling amps”(e.g.,LA2A, LA3A, etc.). (DISCLAIMER: Please don’t confuse this with us saying thatthe RNLA sounds just like such-and-such, ‘cause it doesn’t and that’s NOT whatwe’re saying!) There are some sonic similarities-a “classic” character, if youwill-between the RNLA and some of the more preferred, sought-after levellingamps and opto compressors. you can see it here www.fmraudio.com/assets/rnlaquickstartv060.pdf ;)

[@levijessegonzalez3629]

Would you say the RNC can be done with software? I'm thinking about selling mine. It's transparent but so are some plugins

[@GreyManFaustus]

Yeah, absolutely. I stumbled upon a test on facebook some time ago, which indicated, that the RNC colours ever so slightly. So, every clean compressor PI with the same control pattern will do the job at least equally well. That said, I prefer using it on the way in for a more direct quality to the sound - which is probably my imagination.

[@EZBOT_]

Best comparison yet, ty! I'll be getting the RNC, the RNLA colors too much for me.

[@GreyManFaustus]

Thank you, glad it was helpful. The RNLA is a matter of taste indeed, especially because it's easy to overdo. But I think it is phenomenal on vocals and bass guitar.

[@ryanhume216]

oh hey what's up man

[@EZBOT_]

@@ryanhume216 oh hello sir!

[@savanaviolenta]

I got me the RNC, but now thinking of getting the colourful compressor RNLA. Having a transparent and colourful compressors is always a good thing.

[@eyesintheskies]

Thanks for that, has helped me decide 👍 I prefer the clarity of the rnc, have other tools to add ‘character’ As usual better to listen to audio than folk ranting on gearspace 😂

[@davidharpersongs]

Good job!

[@DanCeese]

If the RNLA didn't suck some tones out and just adds color, it'd be perfect, in my opinion!

[@marbar1844]

Cool vid but maybe slightly less manic next time. Just a little more chance to hear each sample before the swap and this would be a 10/10 vid! Still a good one. Thanks.

[@macmoll]

RNLA for Piano and Guitar. Everything else RNC.

[@spunkadellic]

My thoughts exactly. Maybe the LA would be nice for a parallel drum bus tho

[@BadPenny]

German humour 😂👍🇬🇧