Empirical Labs EL7-X FATSO Tape Simulator

The Empirical Labs EL7-X FATSO is a 2 Channel full analog tape simulator and compressor

The Empirical Labs EL7-X FATSO (Full Analog Tape Simulator and Optimizer) takes the smooth, analog sound of the original FATSO and adds a new "Eleven" compressor setting modeled after the UREI 1176LN. The EL7-X Fatso gives musicians and engineers easy access to the warm, smooth vintage sound of older tube and Class A electronics and magnetic tape mediums. This two channel audio processor musically integrates frequencies and transients, increasing the apparent volume while keeping tight control over peak levels.

The EL7-X FATSO allows recording studios and audio production facilities the ability to enhance and soften the sound of Hardware Digital Recorders (HDRs) and Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs). Mix engineers will have the option not to have to use bulky, expensive analog tape recorders to get the warmth and sweet high end they’ve come to rely on for so many decades. Owners of DAWs and HDRs can finally put a stop to complaints about the coldness and brittle edge of their mixes and instruments. Even audiophiles can benefit from the FATSO, bringing back the warmth and ambience of LP’s and tapes to their CD players and other digital reproduction mediums.

The Empirical Labs EL7-X FATSO has large Distressor-style knobs control the input and output levels. Four meticulously tweaked compression modes - including the extremely popular “Buss” setting and the legendary “Spank”, a subtle knee followed by hard limiting resembling the SSL talkback compressor - can be selected (and combined!) with the push of a button. Seven different high frequency saturation “Warmth” settings are accessed just as easily. The FATSO also features switchable transformer circuits, which can add the musical artifacts generated by classic devices like NEVE, API, etc such as low order clipping and inter-modular distortion, transient clipping... and some other very musical non-linearities. True to its name, the FATSO Jr. is rather sturdily constructed - you’ll be impressed with how well built it feels when you first lift it out of the box.

The FATSO Jr. has been the “secret weapon” of studio and live engineers for many years, call or chat with an RSPE specialist to find out how FATSO can tranform your mixes!

ELEVEN compressor simulates the classic UREI 1176LN

ELEVEN is a new compressor for the Fatso, replacing the old GP Ratio, and emulates the famous UREI 1176LN in 20:1, with the slowest attack, and fastest release. This 1176 setting has been used on countless hit records through the decades. With the slower “1176” attack, the transients keep the dynamics present, while the high ratio, can radically limit the dynamic range of any source, making it present and sitting in a nice little place in your mix. One can slam it, or just touch it with a few dB of compression. You will find it great on Vocals, Bass, acoustic guitars, drum room mikes, pianos etc.

Empirical Labs FATSO Features

• New “Eleven” compressor setting, which emulates the 1176LN.
• Add the warmth and depth of analog tape to your digitally recorded audio
• Four Types of processing: Harmonic Generation and Soft Clipping, High Frequency Saturation, Transformer/Tape Head Emulation, and Classic Knee Compression

Fatso's Four Types of Processing

• Harmonic Generation and Soft Clipper (Distortion Generation) - this class A circuit gently rounds the peaks like saturated tubes or tape.
• High Frequency Saturation (Warmth) - a one-of-a-kind dynamic low pass filter which softens high frequencies when they “pile up” on a source.
• Transformer & Tape Head Emulation - a simulation of the effect of input and output transformers of older devices, which adds the low frequency harmonics that characterize them, as well as analog tape..
• Classic Knee Compression - your typical automatic leveling device found on just about every instrument and vocal track as well as on the overall buss, done Empirical Labs compression – smooth and sweet, but in your face!