FMR Audio RNLA7239

The FMR Audio RNLA7239, which stands for "Really Nice Leveling Amplifier" is a single channel compressor that has 1/4 connections and is all analog based. It is not a rack mountable piece of gear and is powered by a wall wart power supply.

UTILIZATION

The layout of the FMR Audio RNLA7239 is pretty simple as far as compressors go. It is really easy to use if you have any idea about how to use a compressor and even if you don't it probably won't take you too long to figure out. It has basic parameters for a compressor like threshold, ratio, attack, release, and gain, all which help to provide total control over your tone. There are also two buttons - one for bypass and one for log rel, which adds a bit of punch to your sound. It also has an LED meter for gain reduction. The manual for the FMR Audio RNLA7239 is pretty thorough, but the unit is easy enough to use that I never really needed it.

SOUND QUALITY

The sound quality of the FMR Audio RNLA7239 is pretty awesome considering you probably expect much worse in this price range and by the look of it. Even without those factors being taken into consideration, the RNLA7239 packs a lot of punch and is suitable for a variety of applications, although I use it mostly for drums and electric guitar. Everything comes in pretty clean and while it does color your sound, that is what makes this a unique sounding compressor. It isn't a great choice for an all around compressor, but it definitely excels at a high level in the things that it is good at.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using the FMR Audio RNLA7239 for about six months and I've found it to be an outstanding little compressor for the price. It is really easy to use and has a unique sound to it that I find works great for what I am trying to do sometimes. FMR is known for their great sounding products and their extremely low prices, and even though they only have a few products, what they do offer provides a great deal and the FMR Audio RNLA7239 fits right in. Overall, an awesome leveling amp at an even better price.

This is a stereo compressor "low budget" with all the standard functions on the front and a "log rel" based on the most significant.

The unit therefore has 2 inputs (left and right, the left also for mono input) TRS to transport in the same cable the raw signal to the machine and return the processed signal to the console or elsewhere for insertion, convenient and cable "Y", well done!

If you prefer to use a mono jack, so there is next to each entry dedicated output.

There is also a side-chain input, so, of ...

The device is analog and offers a release button (bypass) unfortunately very noisy ..

The device can be a thread Racke through the compressor and in the fixing screw which is provided to the rack.

The hull is aluminum alloy and steel, well insulated from the manufacturer.

The set is presented very simply and comes with its power supply (9v 500 ma).

The detail that kills? with the system inputs for very inserting when the device is not powered, the audio passes through.

Please note: no on / off switch on the unit.

UTILIZATION

Configuration is very simple:

a knob treshold (-40 dBu - +20 dBu), a knob ratio (1:1-25:1), another for the attack and then release the knob to finish the output gain (+ or- 15 dB).
Diodes "meter" (Gain Reduction) are very reactive and very useful.
We also find a front "log-rel" button that will play on the speed of coube envelope (if I understood correctly) that affects the "transients" according to the settings of ratio and time release, sounds great on drum-type or perceived! To finish and to make dry / processed there is a bypass button, the comparison is still very noisy and it will be the only downside of this Device actually quite awesome.

The manual, in English, is shielded humor is sick this couple, it is well fed, it changes the whole industrial rigor of traditional trick-mechanical dépriments. Ah, yes, it is super amber and finally only details the functions of each editable thing, no presets but complete specifications. No scheme either. The manual is like the machine: not taking cabbage, but the big difference is not very useful!

Editing sounds is easy, a knob or button per function all quite readable in terms of screen printing.

SOUND QUALITY

The possibilities of this small compressor finally very extensive, the whole being still very colorful (pretty little distortion, if you want) and it is an important point, even with a very slight compression, but I find it very c is matter of taste.

I tried it on drum-machines, I must say I am very pleasantly surprised by the result including the GC, the toms (allows good control levels and time of release) and snare. The surprise comes from the results on Charley, it's downright great!

Pushed into a corner we can move towards experimentation (for squelcher drums of AC performs well and is clean).

On bass (Warwick) we enjoy as many settings work very well, a lightweight compression via a setting that will lengthen a little time to release the note to an extreme form, again it is clean , musical and enjoyable. In extreme situations with Warwick, the effects are super funky and mix ca really should give special attention to the bass (it has managed to bring a lot of bass sound of an old Jamie Rock Why "Just Another Story "to the dramatic effect).

Mono synth bass on it (in my opinion) does not add much, except for the Type 303 xoxbox machine or in this case it allows to extend the release time but also control a little better loss low when the resonance is opened, it is still ca. But this type of synth I like to push the preamp console to compress.

A group of synth leads and pads is not bad, ca brings more if we do not want the fuss about eq and mix, but hey, then again, I prefer properly mix the sources of the group rather than compress synth, except that here, the character made is significant, it changes everything.

A group a little messy, it stays clean and can manage the level despite the different types of signals sent to the group.

On the master, I'm not sure ca brings something more than let the mastering studio manage the dynamic, if you have it at home. Although frankly I was very pleasantly surprised with the results obtained today. I'd really like to immerse myself ultra fine on this case, as in searching, maybe you can do a mix lightly compressed with this machine and suddenly make him a particular signature without damaging the dynamics with which mastering studios like working.

I have to try on the voice, because it is one of the applications for which I intended (naked voice, image), I'm a little afraid that the color provided prevents me from using this specific, I am, however, very confident regarding a voice in a mix.

The envelope slap well, I appreciate the speed of the attack and the responsiveness of the entire envelope, super versatile, the Log-Rel key is really a plus.

In wall mode, AC works but I do not like the masses, it is too far, so it all depends on the source and use, but we prefer to use a dedicated and transparent device, I guess.

OVERALL OPINION

I received this morning and tested 5 or 6 hours.

The compressor does not heat has barely warm, perfect, therefore.

What I like most:

The unit works properly and even goes beyond my expectations.

The Log Rel function is very convenient and can be critical on some percussive material, for example.

The very entries hybrids.

The set, which if not "beautiful" (this is relative) inspires confidence (large sticker MADE IN USA below is marketing to do not worry but it works), and seems firmly entrenched isolated in her black dress. I have not opened yet, but it will not tarry.

The color is given special is rather fat as her, well, not fat, but thick. This little box a real character.

The importance of this lies in the compressor equation character vs price either love or we go this is the advantage of this kind of machine (I hooked after 5 minutes of testing), we know quickly whether we like it or not. The sound of the RNLA, besides what it brings, is clean for use "pro" enough.

What I like least:

No ON / OFF
Bypass too noisy
no input gain

If I had the choice again, I would.

"Level" as they say in FMR.

UTILIZATION

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SOUND QUALITY

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OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 6 months.
It is easy to use. it sounds.
Unlike his brother the RNC 1773, the sound is much more colorful on the RNLA.
We get it very quickly the distortion, but the purpose of this machine.
Coupled with the 1773 RNC gives it sound crazy.

For now I use it on different sources:
voice, acoustic guitars, bus batteries, I also tried to try the bus master.
The result is interesting but I decided not to put the compressor on my master and treat my mix differently. And processing the mix through with a more appropriate and without premastering RNC / RNLA.

In short, happy with the RNLA: I bought a second.