FMR Audio

Notes: What It Is

The PBC-6A "vintage-y" compressor possesses sonic bits'n'pieces reminiscent of many vintage compressors. From mild and smooth satin-like sound to over-the-top squashing, the PBC can be dialed-in to enhance almost any sound source. The PBC provides an unusual control complement to provide maximum flexibility in dynamically sculpting your sound: variable sidechain, sidechain access, hyper-exponential & linear release envelope control (Normal/THICK mode), 4 different linking methods, separate ATTACK & RELEASE time controls, hardwired bypass function and balanced audio input/output stages.

How It Sounds

The PBC is capable of a large range of effects. In a minimum DRIVE and KNEE setting, the resulting effects is a subtle, slight textural change to the source. Increasing DRIVE levels and, more drastically, increasing the KNEE control causes a less gradual change from low ratio compression to larger ratios occuring over smaller input signal changes. The result can be a drastic alteration of the source sound. Whether you're trying to get a sound to "sit right" in the mix or create over-the-top sonic effects, the PBC can be adjusted to help you realize your vision!

How It's Done

Combining FMR Audio's trademark digitally-controlled analog processing in a "no-threshold" (i.e., very low threshold) feedback configuration, the input DRIVE, KNEE and SIDECHAIN FILTER controls are key to the PBC's flexibility. Additionally, the THICK control subtly restores the natural transient dynamics to the signal.

Notes: What It Is

Based upon the successful Really Nice Compressor, this variation not only fits the increasingly popular API500 series rack, but delivers an improved dynamic fidelity befitting the format! This dynamic-range compressor provides positive signal control while leveraging its pedigree for simultaneously reducing collateral sonic damage. Additionally, some thoughtful features have been added that most folks won't overtly notice, but will be glad that they're there: overcurrent protection prevents a rare failure from bringing down your whole 500-series rack, an early-warning power supply detection that causes the RNC500 to enter bypass-irrespective of the front panel switch position-to avoid power-down "pops", a robust 18 guage electro-galvanized enclosure that keeps the delicate electronics safe from harm and helps protect against Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) from affecting things inside or outside of the enclosure.

How It Sounds

As with the original RNC, the RNC500 can exhibit a sonic neutrality while giving the recordist a level-of-control difficult to obtain without adding unwanted artifacts. Unlike the original RNC, however, the RNC500 possesses a sonic "beefiness"-a growl, if you will-that adds a slight, but very compliant, bottom-end to the source material. Years ago, FMR Audio designed a multi-channel RNC for London's famed Air Studios. It was with that device that an RNC with extra "heft" was first encountered. It turns out that much of this "un-RNC like" growl is a result of the higher operating I/O levels like those present on the RNC500. It seems that the harder the RNC500 is hit, the heftier the sound. The RNC500 could be broadly characterised as "clean", but with a hint of attitude...that's under your control!

How It's Done

Like all FMR Audio dynamic audio processing products, sidechain electronics have been replaced with chunks of software to accomplish both a bill-of-materials cost reduction while simultaneously improving dynamic performance accuracy and consistency. The beauty of this approach is that the main signal path (all dynamic audio processors have two paths: a sidechain/control path and the main audio path) remains firmly in the analog domain thereby avoiding latency and digital conversion artifacts that are sometimes unwanted. Coupled with a faster (40x) processor and higher-resolution (24-bit) arithmetic, sealed switches & relays, multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB) the RNC500 will deliver smooth, controllable and reliable compression for years to come.