FMR audio equipment

[Silent Sound]

Most people around here seem to love them. Especially their compressors. I only have the RNP, which is a pretty nice little unit. It's strange in that it seems like it wouldn't be that versatile, because it only has one sound. I mean, you can't really clean it up, or dirty it up. That being said, the one sound it has does seem to work on just about anything. I have several preamps that I use for certain sources, or with certain mics, but the RNP is the one, if only, preamp that I own that seems to work with anything on anything. It's not usually my favorite, but it's probably the most reliable at giving me a consistently usable sound. I'd like to pick up one of their compressors, preferably the PBC-6a, but I've just found plugin compressors to be so much more useful and user friendly that I can't yet justify spending the money on a hardware unit. I mean, for the same price you can run one plugin instance or as many simultaneously as your computer will allow.

[jeremyglover]

type FMR into the search window.
read thousands of posts form people saying how amazing FMR is.
go to the store and get a demo.
if you like it keep it.

that's what i did anyway.

[Rascal Audio]

FMR's products fit a unique niche in that they are lower cost devices that blend perfectly into the racks of world-class facilities alongside much costlier, traditionally lustworthy gear. You cannot go wrong with FMR gear.

I, myself, have an RNC, an RNLA and a PBC (and about to snag a second PBC shortly for stereo work).

And Mark is a nice guy too!

Joel

[CRASHBOX]

Two big thumbs up for the RNP and RNC in particular, and for the entire line in general; just really great value all round. This stuff holds it's own with gear costing double and more. Both pieces are hard to beat in their price ranges, and the rnc in particular gets used in studios with budgets for far more expensive gear. Thought my tascam converter pre's were pretty good till I got the RNP; wow. Like taking a blanket off my speakers. The improvement in clarity made my mixes far easier. As for tone, everyone I've ever spoken with regard the RNP as a very clean pre, but not as clean as a grace or millenia. If this is your first outboard pre I'd say it's a very safe choice, and also easy to resell if the need arose. My two cents.

[PhilDW]

The RNP has an insert point that can use the RNC, so strictly speaking you wouldn't be connecting the output of the RNP to the input of an RNC.

The PBC is a great piece of gear.

[electricity17]

FMR gear is great, I have one of each compressor. They're all flexible pieces of gear, but the PBC is my favorite, lead vocals always go through it.

[Puffer Fish]

This will surely turn into yet another thread of love for FMR Audio, and rightfully so. There are some folks around here who think the FMR stuff is not so great, but I have never been able to understand their point of reference because The racks of FMR Audio gear I have holds up very well and gets used on every project---it's just a useful bunch of tools. I have some RNCs I use in a live rig and they are great. I have more RNCs, a RNLA and an RNP that are in the recording rig. Great there, too.

There are certainly plenty of other worth while tools in the same price point, but of the stuff you mentioned, for my money and for the sake of having some widely useful gear, I would choose the FMR Audio gear over the Presonus and Joemeek stuff. And yes, I own some Joemeek and Presonus gear as well. The Meek compressor (which I like) is a special sort of tool that is not as useful in as many situations as say the RNC, in my experience.

For the sake of being thorough, you should also have a look at the Overstayer and Black Lion Audio gear before pulling the trigger. But if you just go ahead and grab some FMR Audio pieces, I am pretty sure you will not regret it, you'll use them for as long as you do studio work and if you ever want to sell the stuff, it has been retaining its resale value very well over the past decade. It seems like a can't lose situation!

[Ephi82]

FMR:

Mark is the owner and answers customer emails. A helpful and nice guy. They are in Austin. (Buy USA)

The RNP is a very good "first" outboard pre amp. 100% better than most anything in a prosumer multitrack machine and many live boards. If you have never plugged a SM 58 or 57 into an outboard pre, you will be amazed A lot of sound for short money

The RNC is an EXCELLENT first outboard compressor. This is a very inexpensive way to see that plug ins just aren't able to do what outboard does, still. Please note that this box does as advertised. It compresses/limits, but doesn't inject any color/flavor at all. If you want some color, see next.

The PBC is simply amazing. Now, this thing can go from solid, clean, dynamic control...... to all that, and then add sweet, "warm" thickness like you cant believe. It works so well on vocals and I love it following my Great River NV-1 with the Fender p bass DI'd. Need a great bass tone that hangs in the mix? check!

I want to get a second PBC for 2 BUSS compression. You can link them up!

[sausy]

I think I've decided on the RNP and the PBC, just have to get the money together now lol... I've heard really good things about them and they seem like the logical step to take my set up to the next level, This will be my first acquisition of outboard gear, up to now I've just run everything through my BR800 and into my DAW, I'm hoping these will really make a difference to my vocals, acoustic guitars and bass... Thanks for all the input guys, great help...

[CRASHBOX]

You definitely won't regret those choices. If you're budget is too tight, the RNP/RNC combination will save you a fair bit and still get you there for most anything you'd need, leaving you the option to add color afterward if you choose. As I don't always know what I want tone wise until my tracks stack up, I like to track clean and decide later. Call me indecisive :-) , and as always, YMMV

[HeavyD1176]

Sorry to hijack but would anyone recommend the RNP for something like stereo remote recording of choirs, stringed quartet, or handbell ensemble sort of stuff?

[CRASHBOX]

Sure, for the budget they're probably unbeatable. But if your budget doubles there are other options on the clean side that are either more transparent or more flattering in the highs, depending on your preferences. But for their budget I can't think of anything else I'd use in your shoes.

[Maverick87]

Anyone have experience with the RNLA? I think the PBC is a little out of budget as of right now, and I've really been eyeing the RNLA for a while now. They say the RNC is very transparent, so it has me wondering how much better it cam actually be than stock plugin compressors. RNLA is supposed to be more colored and really thickens things up though in a good way. I'd love to hear more experiences on these in vocal applications, especially when it comes to stacked vocals.

Maybe the RNLA would be too much thickening and color once vocals were stacked with it? Maybe the more transparent RNC is better for stacked vocals? I imagine that the ideal situation would be lead vox and/or maybe bussed vox through RNLA and backing/stacked vox through RNC, but thats my inner gear slut telling me that I want both :D

I've heard a few sample clips of the RNC and RNLA and can definitely can hear the thickening of the RNLA. I'm thinking maybe it can give me the nice thick and non muddy low end I'm looking for.

While we're on the subject, is the PBC miles ahead of the other two compressors and worth saving up for over the other two?

[Ephi82]

Originally Posted by Maverick87

Anyone have experience with the RNLA? I think the PBC is a little out of budget as of right now, and I've really been eyeing the RNLA for a while now. They say the RNC is very transparent, so it has me wondering how much better it cam actually be than stock plugin compressors. RNLA is supposed to be more colored and really thickens things up though in a good way. I'd love to hear more experiences on these in vocal applications, especially when it comes to stacked vocals.

Maybe the RNLA would be too much thickening and color once vocals were stacked with it? Maybe the more transparent RNC is better for stacked vocals? I imagine that the ideal situation would be lead vox and/or maybe bussed vox through RNLA and backing/stacked vox through RNC, but thats my inner gear slut telling me that I want both :D

I've heard a few sample clips of the RNC and RNLA and can definitely can hear the thickening of the RNLA. I'm thinking maybe it can give me the nice thick and non muddy low end I'm looking for.

While we're on the subject, is the PBC miles ahead of the other two compressors and worth saving up for over the other two?

I have the RNC, dont have the RNLA, which is really a leveling device.

I can only tell you that the PBC is very special for vocals. I can get a very intimate sound and then get real close, using the proximity effect of the condenser mic I am using, for effect, and the PBC insures that a controlled, consistent, thick, meaty, vocal sound gets to the converters without ever clipping, and it does so effortlessly!

I have never used a compressor that so easily allows me to focus more on singing and performance than thinking about what setting the compressor is on as I track!. this is a great product

[Puffer Fish]

Originally Posted by Maverick87

Anyone have experience with the RNLA? I think the PBC is a little out of budget as of right now, and I've really been eyeing the RNLA for a while now. They say the RNC is very transparent, so it has me wondering how much better it cam actually be than stock plugin compressors. RNLA is supposed to be more colored and really thickens things up though in a good way. I'd love to hear more experiences on these in vocal applications, especially when it comes to stacked vocals.

Maybe the RNLA would be too much thickening and color once vocals were stacked with it? Maybe the more transparent RNC is better for stacked vocals? I imagine that the ideal situation would be lead vox and/or maybe bussed vox through RNLA and backing/stacked vox through RNC, but thats my inner gear slut telling me that I want both :D

I've heard a few sample clips of the RNC and RNLA and can definitely can hear the thickening of the RNLA. I'm thinking maybe it can give me the nice thick and non muddy low end I'm looking for.

While we're on the subject, is the PBC miles ahead of the other two compressors and worth saving up for over the other two?

I have the RNLA and a bunch of RNCs. I do not think the RNLA is too thick or colored sounding to use all over the place. I think it simply has some character while the RNC does not. The RNC = compress and get out of the way. RNLA = compress and add some color to the sound. I like them both and would be happy to own more. I do not have the PCB at this point. That may change some day. : )

[CRASHBOX]

I had the rnla for a while and had to get rid of it for money reasons.

My experience with it was that it was a full time colored compressor; you could add additional color if you like but that the color is always there. Personally, I don't always want color, and as this was my only outboard compressor wasn't the best tool for my little sonic tool box. I definitely wouldn't have the rnla as my only compressor, as I found it's sonic signature a little strong for tracking across a whole song for my tastes. Remember the rnla is a leveling amp as opposed to a compressor, so it behaves differently from the rnc and is probably closer to the limiter camp. Not trying to bag on the rnla, but as a guy with one compressor it's flavor was strong for me for tracking. Also, prior mistakes in overcoloring during tracking have taught me to track cleaner and add dirt later as a rule. YMMV

[electricity17]

Owning all three FMR comps, I think the PBC is worth it for vocals alone. That's what I got it for, I use it on all the lead vocals I record (granted it's all rock tracks) and I love how it sounds. I also use it on electric and acoustic guitars, and for parallel compression on snare and kick. Also bass.

I've used the RNLA for backing vocals to get a different tone because I'm using the same LDC and preamp, it sounds good and does the job but it doesn't sound as rich as the PBC. I love the RNLA on the mix buss though, and I've gotten good bass sounds through it. RNC seems to be working on the drum buss more than anything else, need to try it on acoustic guitar sometime.