The Really Nice Levelling Amplifier (RNLA) is a compressor, of sorts, with a character that works well with vocals, bass guitar, acoustic guitars and two-mix sources. The RNLA's tone sounds as "thick and gooey" and the RNLA still fills a niche that the others don't!
The sonic performance of the RNLA harkens back to the Really Nice Compressor's (RNC's) origins. The original RNC was, in fact, based upon an optical gain element that was ultimately rejected (and tucked away) due to its imparting of a sonic signature (i.e., "color"). However, just like trying to throw away a ball of adhesive tape, this one has also stuck with (to?) us! What's the old saying? What's old, is new again? The implementation is a little different (i.e., no opto) from the 1984 version, but the final sound is eerily similar...
Features
Wide Dynamic Range. Despite the unbalanced input/output connections, the RNLA has a dynamic range of 117dB, minimum, which is appropriate for today's digital systems and exceeds that which is attainable with many older, ìvintageî levelling amplifiers. The RNLA offers a clip point (<3% THD) of 22.5dBu.
Inputs and Inserts. As with the RNC, the RNLA has unbalanced inputs that also double as Tip-Ring-Sleeve (TRS) inserts to mate with popular mixer and equipment inserts. This allows you to connect, using only a single TRS-to-TRS cable per channel, an RNLA's channel (in & out) with a single cable to a mixer or other compatible device (such as our own Really Nice Preamp, Great River Electronics MP-NV preamp, etc.).
Balanced Outputs. The RNLA has balanced, non-differential outputs. Although the “cold” part of the signal is not driven (that would be a “differential” signalling scheme), the impedance in both legs are the same, thereby giving your audio the benefit of reduced noise if the RNLA is connected to a balanced line input.
Precise Gain Reduction Metering. A highly accurate gain reduction meter is provided to allow visual verification of what you're hearing. Although meters should never be a substitute for what you hear, a dynamically accurate meter is better than one that can "lag" or misread the actual dynamic performance of the compressor. Due to our digitally-controlled architecture, even the peak-detection errors of a pure digitally-implemented meter are avoided and a dynamically accurate meter is obtained.
Full Parametric Control. Some of the more common Levelling Amplifiers don't have full parametric control. Many LA's are missing the ability to control the ATTACK time. Some of them don't even provide a RATIO control, let alone a continuously-variable RATIO control! The RNLA provides both for maximum artistic flexibility. But, most importantly, both the ATTACK and RELEASE controls go to 11! In addition, all of the front panel controls are merely a “control surface” for the RNLA's internal digital engine. This means: (a) No main channel audio flows to/from the front panel controls that might increase its noise susceptibility (that's bad) or dreaded “scratchy pot syndrome” (that's annoying), and, (b) We can use a “ratiometric” measuring technique, along with robust digital filtering, to derive repeatable and precise compression parameters.
Technical Specifications
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RNLA7239 SPECIFICATIONS*
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| Size |
1/3 x 1 EIA rack unit |
| Connectors |
Left/Right 1/4" unbalanced inputs (TS, or TRS for console inserts)
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Left/Right 1/4" balanced, single-ended outputs |
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TRS sidechain |
| Controls and Displays |
Rotary: Threshold, Ratio, Attack Time, Release Time, Output Level
Switches: Bypass, Mode Select
Meter: 8-segment LED Gain Reduction, 0-16 dB
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| Modes |
Normal: Provides fast attack/release
Log Rel: Provides release envelope acceleration to aid maintenance |
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of transient "punch" |
| Operating Level |
0.775 Vrms (0 dBu) nominal for +22 dB headroom |
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1.228 Vrms (+4 dBu) nominal for +18 dB headroom |
| Noise |
Less than -90 dBu over 20-20k Hz |
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Typically -95 dBu over 20-20k Hz |
| Frequency response |
10 - 100k Hz ±0.5dB @ 0 dBu |
| Clip point |
+22.5dBu @ 3% THD, 1kHz, greater than 2k Ohm load |
| Distortion |
Less than 0.1%, no gain reduction @ 1 kHz, 0 dBu;
Less than 0.5%, 6 dB G.R. @ 1 kHz, 6:1, 6.0 msec attack, 0.5 sec. |
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release, 0 dB gain, 0 dBu |
| Threshold range |
-40dBu to +20dBu |
| Ratio range |
1:1 to 25:1 |
| Attack range |
0.2 msec to 200msec for 100% correction with <15dB over threshold input signal |
| Release range |
.05 sec to 5.0 sec for 100% recovery with 15dB G.R. |
| Output trim range |
±15dB |
| AC Power |
Wall transformer, 9VAC @ 500mA, 2.1mm jack |
| Dimensions |
5.5" x 5.5" x 1.6" |
| Weight |
2 lbs |
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