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Empirical Labs EL7 Fatso Jr Compressor  From Empirical Labs

Dual Channel Compressor with analog effects

Empirical Labs

What We Think

Two words - NOT SUBTLE. This box is not merely a compressor, but an awesome tool for breathing rich color and saturation back into a mix that has been thinned by the brutal digital world. The Fatso is an effects monster, with the ability to add dense analog coloration to mixes that need them the most. But, once again, the box really isn't subtle! If you are looking to add just a splash of color, it may not be the box for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for thick analog saturation, color, and warmth, this box isn't shy and does an incredible job.

Given the thinness of mixes that we've been hearing lately, it is probably not a bad idea to have one in the rack at most studios. Because of just how thick this thing can get, it may not be the choice for every single mix, but there will always be tracks in a mix that would greatly benefit from the help of a Fatso.

Manufacturer's Description from Empirical Labs

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!

 

Arguably the coolest and most unique device in the Empirical Labs arsenal, the FATSO (Full Analog Tape Simulator and Optimizer) is a digitally controlled analog device that gives musicians and engineers easy access to many of the desirable characteristics exhibited by 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.

With the FATSO, recording studios and audio production facilities can 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.

As with most Empirical Labs products, the unit is incredibly easy and fun to use. 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, allowing them to add the elusive magic of vintage gear to their sound.  Once you start using it, you’ll never want to be without it!

Empirical Labs

About Manufacturer

Empirical Labs Inc. (ELI), designs and produces professional audio equipment and software. This includes equipment used in recording studios, live sound, broadcast studios and other audio production facilities etc. We also make software for digital signal processors. Most of you are here because you have heard about or used our Distressor. This product, which is our first hardware product, was designed in 1994, tested and revised for several years, and released in early 1996. The Distressor is the first in a series of audio products from ELI that will offer original features, ease of use, long product life, and a very musical audio path. Empirical Labs was started in 1988 and functioned mainly as a recording studio and electronics consulting firm. The founder, Dave Derr, was also employed at the time by Eventide as an audio engineer. Dave was part of the core design team for the H3000, H3500, and DSP4000. His experience at Eventide proved valuable for his later work. While working alongside Ken Bogdanowicz and Bob Belcher (both now at Wave Mechanics), Dave was exposed to great engineering and the modern world of digital signal processing (DSP).

Specifications

Freq. Response: 2 Hz to 60 kHz in clean audio mode (+0, -3 dB).

Dynamic Range: 110 dB from maximum output (20%THDsoft clipping) to minimum output. Greater than 100 dB signal to noise.

Distortion Ranges: .06% and 20% depending on mode and settings.

DC coupled Input and Outputs

High quality audio caps used internally

Compressor Time Constants: Attack range 1mS - 60mS. Release range .05 sec to 3.5 seconds. Attack and Releases are fixed by the compression type selected.

Downloads

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Fatso Owner's Manual

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