Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $235
Standard/Professional
$100
$501+
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Price History
Based on price data from 1 merchant for "FMR Audio RNC1773 Really Nice Compressor". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 23, 2026.
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Description
Meet the FMR Audio RNC1773 Really Nice Compressor, often known as the "RNC". This compact stereo mastermind redefines the boundaries between affordable and cheap. Hailing from the late 1990s, the RNC has earned its stripes in both amateur home studios and high-end control rooms alike, owing to its clear compression and small size. It's a real bargain that could make pricier compressors rethink their worth.
Key Features:
- Stereo Compressor: Handles both left and right channels for a balanced sound.
- Transparent Compression: Maintains the integrity of your music, ensuring natural sound.
- Compact Size: Ideal for both professional and home studios.
- Affordable: Packs high-end features at a fraction of the cost of similar compressors.
Product specs
| Available since | June 2005 |
| Compressor | Yes |
| Gate | No |
| Peak Limiter | No |
| 2-Channel Unit | Yes |
| Attack/Release Adjustable | Yes |
FAQs
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What type of compression does the FMR Audio RNC1773 Really Nice Compressor provide?
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The FMR Audio RNC1773 offers clean, transparent, and airy compression with two modes: "Normal" for standard compression tasks and "Super Nice" for more subtle, nuanced compression without high-end loss.
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Does the FMR Audio RNC1773 have an all-analog signal path?
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Yes, the RNC1773 features an all-analog signal path, ensuring high-fidelity audio quality while being controlled digitally for precise adjustments.
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How many channels does the FMR Audio RNC1773 support?
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The FMR Audio RNC1773 is a 2-channel compressor, making it suitable for stereo applications or dual mono setups in studio environments.
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Can I adjust the attack and release settings on the FMR Audio RNC1773?
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Yes, the FMR Audio RNC1773 allows for adjustable attack and release settings, providing flexibility to tailor the compression to your specific audio needs.
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What makes the "Super Nice" mode unique on the FMR Audio RNC1773?
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The "Super Nice" mode on the RNC1773 offers a more transparent compression effect, reducing the typical artifacts associated with compression and preserving the high-end detail of your audio.
Videos
Front End Audio
FMR Audio RNC "Really Nice Compressor"
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptionally transparent sound, does not color the audio
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Super Nice mode offers nearly invisible compression
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Low self-noise compared to other budget compressors
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Versatile, effective on vocals, acoustic guitars, and main bus
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Compact size, ideal for small studios
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Offers clean compression or can add "dirt" with controls
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Stereo compressor with sidechain option at a low cost
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Can be used for live work with great success
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Ideal for peak limiting with transparent results
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Performs well in analog mixing environments
CONS
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Fast attack and release times may cause distortion on bass heavy instruments
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Lacks a built-in gate, making it less ideal for drums or percussion
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Requires a workaround (HPF to the sidechain) for optimal performance on certain instruments
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Some users notice a slight high frequency drop on hats and cymbals
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May cut some low end even when in bypass mode
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about FMR Audio RNC1773 Really Nice Compressor.
Features and functionality
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The "super nice" mode offers ultra-smooth compression, ideal for vocals and strings, with fast attacks and slow releases for optimal results.
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The standard mode, when "super nice" is off, provides squashy, noticeable compression suited for dynamic sources, with slow attack and fast release settings.
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The absence of metering on the RNC1773 encourages users to rely on their ears, which some find beneficial for honing their listening skills.
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Use cases and applications
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For transparent bus or mix compression, using "super nice" mode with slow attack and release provides subtle control without obvious compression artifacts.
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Users appreciate the RNC1773 for its ability to increase perceived loudness without raising actual volume, enhancing track presence in mixes.
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The RNC is reportedly better suited for studio settings than live modular performances due to difficulties in making fine adjustments during live sets.
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The RNC can be used to limit volume before a soundcard, preventing clipping during jamming sessions when used outside a modular system.
Source
User experience
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Light compression during tracking, with settings like a threshold just below peak and a ratio of about 6:1, is favored for controlling peaks without heavy alteration.
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Some owners enjoy the simple, straightforward design of the RNC1773, highlighting its effective performance despite a lack of extensive features.
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Value and pricing
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Owners consider the RNC1773 to have the best performance-to-price ratio for a hardware stereo compressor, making it an ideal first hardware compressor purchase.
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Software and compatibility
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A user mentions using the RNC1773 in post-production due to compatibility issues with a pre-amp and OS updates, suggesting setup challenges with specific audio interfaces.
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Comparisons
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The Symmetrix 425 is suggested over the RNC for modular setups, especially for bass-heavy content, where the RNC might underperform outside of its "super nice" mode.
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The MSCL is recommended as a great stereo choice for modular racks, offering limiting capabilities often desired in modular setups, unlike the RNC.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 8 Reviews and 32 Ratings
41029
still the finest bang for buck mono comp going
the RNC is in fact REALLY NICE... its a VCA comp in the dbx/SSL camp with really fine control. If you're used to the E and G series channel comps you'll feel right at home. For guys doing one track at a time into a USB interface this is a must-have just for transparent peak limiting. This compressor would be a great buy at almost any price. If you don't know how to set up a compressor this is not really plug 'n play, but for anyone with experience and a decent set of ears? I own so many of these, they just get it done.
Really Really Nice
Don't let it's size fool you. It can flatten a (mix) bus like a steamroller if you let it. But at the same time it can be subtle like a breeze. I took it on the road a while as the master compressor for my live set as Analog Kitchen but is not much in use now. Every so often I'll use it and it never fails me. It's always nice to have options..
5455
Constant companion for more years than I can count
It's a different world now but when this came out it was an amazing bank for buck. It's super strait forward & easy to use. "Does what it says on the tin" piece of gear. Still gets use today, tho certainly not as much as it used to. That's not to discount it at all & I'm certainly not planning on selling it!
41029
I like my really nice limiting amplifier too, loved the RNC so much that when the RNLA came out I pre-ordered one
5455
Totally, I was in that early adopter gang as well. Killer piece of kit. I used to have the RNLA but it fell victim to a "loan" to a buddy & I moved before I got it back.
1248
really nice
It works like a dream. I noticed a little high frequency drop (on hats and cymbals) when processing audio with it, but a little eq brings it back to shine.
41029
yeah, FMR make a.... wait for it.... really nice compressor
its nice, really
really nice compressor
a great tool. really usefull and trasparent when recording voices with RN mode on. great also on parallel comp on drums
41029
love the really nice compressor! it just works, nothing more.... great change of pace from all the vintage and vintage-styled boxes where the flawed circuits color the sound and become an instrument in and of themselves!
Artist usage
Add artist
Featured in this April 25, 2019 Twitter post.
If you want an entry level outboard compressor, this is the one. Relatively cheap and it sounds great. It’s pretty good as just touch of saturation on a master with no peak reduction too
In the Flaunt article "Homeshake's Doing Fine, Thanks," an FMR Audio device is visible behind HOMESHAKE's laptop. While it's uncertain if the device is the RNC1773 Really Nice Compressor or the RNLA, it is clearly an FMR Audio product.
A photo Boh uploaded to his twitter showing that he has 2 FMR Audio, RNC1773 "Really Nice Compressors". One he had modified by the Umbrella Company, and another that is stock.
Translated Quote from Twitter "I forgot paste image (^ _ ;) that the left had been used up to now. This right is further modify version! "
In an Instagram post titled "Synth Sunday," ACM live demonstrates the use of the FMR Audio RNC1773 Really Nice Compressor, incorporating it into their setup via a side chain bus on the mixing console.
In an Instagram post, Ruede Hagelstein showcases his live setup, featuring the FMR Audio RNC1773 Really Nice Compressor, which he used for a performance at About Blank in Berlin.
In an Instagram video posted by Chinese American Bear, Bryce Barsten's studio is shown with an FMR Audio RNC1773 Really Nice Compressor clearly visible on the shelf.
List of effects at Paul Robb's studio:
Aphex Type C2 Exciter. BBE 462 Sonic Maximiser enhancer. Drawmer DL241 dual compressor. "I generally strap this across the stereo buss. At some point I'd like to get a better compressor, though." Boss SE50. Boss SE70. "I primarily use these for distortion." Digitech VFX Valve FX. "This is an awesome distortion box. It's so bright it will rip your head off." Ensoniq DP/2. "I also use this primarily for distortion. All four of my distortion boxes [Digitech Valve FX, Roland SE50 and SE70, Ensoniq DP2] are absolutely critical to me. They're indispensable. I rarely use synthesizers anymore without running them through a guitar box." Eventide H3000 multi‑effects. FMR Audio RNC1773 Really Nice Compressor (x3). "These are my new favourite boxes. They make them in Texas, and they're incredibly cheap — 179 dollars, I think it was. But they're great, and on a par with the Drawmer compressor." Focusrite Red 2 Dual EQ. "It's mostly just gorgeous looking! Everyone who comes in here notices it. It looks like a piece of candy, you just want to bite on it. The thing is, it's so intimidating to look at, you really can't tell if it's any good or not — it doesn't need to be any good! I like it, though it's not quite good enough to strap across the whole mix: the EQ3D is on a par, even though it's half the price." Focusrite Red 7 Voice Channel. "This has a mic pre, a compressor, an enhancer and a de‑esser in it, which we use for recording vocals." Lexicon MPX1 multi‑effects. Lexicon PCM70 multi‑effects. Nightpro EQ3D filter. Peavey Analog Filter. "I actually very rarely use this. I've run some loops through it to make them sound crunchy and lo‑fi and it works OK. These techno people use outboard filters all the time — it's just that this one isn't a particularly good one, and I can't justify spending a grand on something like the Waldorf DPole or the Mutator." Roland SDE1000. "I just use this for simple delays." Roland SRV2000 reverb. SPL Vitalizer. "I think this is a lot more popular in Britain than it is here. I like it, but it has so much background hiss that I can only use it in loud noisy music. The great thing about it is the way it spreads the stereo fields, it's got some kind of phase." TC Electronic M2000 multi‑effects. Yamaha SPX90 multi‑effects. "This was the first effects box I ever bought and it's totally on its last legs. I keep it for its stereo split program, because it sounds so grainy and nice."
Genre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use FMR Audio RNC1773 Really Nice Compressor, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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