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- Details
- Features
- Tech Specs
- Reviews
*Please note -- This pre-owned item may show signs of use. Please see the photos for details.
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.
Product Name | Empirical Labs Fatso EL7x Full Analog Tape Simulator and Optimizer |
---|---|
Brand | Empirical Labs |
Condition | Pre-owned |
MPN | EL7x |
UPC | 008474927410 |
What's in the Box?
- Empirical Labs Fatso EL7x Full Analog Tape Simulator and Optimizer
- A new ratio “ELEVEN” which emulates the favorite classic UREI 1176LN compressor setting
- 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 - typical automatic leveling device found on just about every instrument and vocal track as well as on the overall buss, done in Empirical Labs styled compression – smooth and sweet, but in your face!
- Switchable transformer circuits, which can add the musical artifacts generated by classic devices like NEVE, API, etc. These artifacts include frequency "rounding", low order clipping & intermodular distortion, transient clipping... and some other very musical non-linearities
- Four Compression modes including the extremely popular “Buss” setting, the legendary “Spank” setting, a subtle knee followed by hard limiting resembling the SSL talkback compressor, and “Track” setting for tracking
- SPANK! - An additional limiter that musically smashes the dynamic range, and can be used to stop clipping before digital recorders – There is a subtle knee followed by hard limiting
- Distortion indicator lights - A 0 VU LED and a "Pinned" (5%) LED – No hard clipping until a few dB past "Pinned"
- Sidechain output and input for eq-ing control signals
- Locked, calibrated, output level - Allows speed in setting tape and live mix levels
- Discrete and integrated combination - the best of speed/linearity with repeatability – Hand tested & selected components – All metal film and Roederstein resistors in the audio path - top quality components, most being high temperature military spec parts
- Switchable 110/220 volt operation - Extra fuse provided inside unit
- True bypass - Know what it's really doing – All contacts doubled up for maximum reliability – No internal audio connectors
- XLR and 1/4" phone ins and outs - XLR fully balanced, transformerless design, pin 2 hot – Changeable by user to pin 3 hot
- New Two Color Front Panel
- Improved Logic
- Separate TRACKING LED, more intuitive display
- Backwards stepping when a front panel button is held
- New extended stereo link functions. More choices of how to lock compressors
- Cooler running Logic Circuitry, resulting in an overall cooler operating temperature
- Improved overall noise floor, due to lower logic power consumption
- Interface and features found nowhere else
- Hand wired, calibrated in USA
Frequency Response | 2 Hz to 60 kHz in clean audio mode (+0, -3 dB) |
Dynamic Range | 110 dB from maximum output (20% THD soft clipping) to minimum output. Greater than 100 dB signal to noise |
Distortion | Ranges between 0.06% and 20% depending on mode and settings |
I/O | DC Coupled input and outputs |
Compressor Time Constants | Attack range: 1ms – 60ms Release range: 0.05 sec – 3.5 sec Attack and Releases are fixed by the compression type selected |
Power Consumption | 15 Watts Max |
Metal Chassis | Single height 1.75″ high, 10″ deep, 19″ wide |
Shipping Info | Box dimensions: 22.5″ x 18.5″ x 3 1/4″ |
Empirical Labs Fatso EL7x Full Analog Tape Simulator and Optimizer
*Please note -- This pre-owned item may show signs of use. Please see the photos for details.
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.
Product Name | Empirical Labs Fatso EL7x Full Analog Tape Simulator and Optimizer |
---|---|
Brand | Empirical Labs |
Condition | Pre-owned |
MPN | EL7x |
UPC | 008474927410 |
What's in the Box?
- Empirical Labs Fatso EL7x Full Analog Tape Simulator and Optimizer
- A new ratio “ELEVEN” which emulates the favorite classic UREI 1176LN compressor setting
- 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 - typical automatic leveling device found on just about every instrument and vocal track as well as on the overall buss, done in Empirical Labs styled compression – smooth and sweet, but in your face!
- Switchable transformer circuits, which can add the musical artifacts generated by classic devices like NEVE, API, etc. These artifacts include frequency "rounding", low order clipping & intermodular distortion, transient clipping... and some other very musical non-linearities
- Four Compression modes including the extremely popular “Buss” setting, the legendary “Spank” setting, a subtle knee followed by hard limiting resembling the SSL talkback compressor, and “Track” setting for tracking
- SPANK! - An additional limiter that musically smashes the dynamic range, and can be used to stop clipping before digital recorders – There is a subtle knee followed by hard limiting
- Distortion indicator lights - A 0 VU LED and a "Pinned" (5%) LED – No hard clipping until a few dB past "Pinned"
- Sidechain output and input for eq-ing control signals
- Locked, calibrated, output level - Allows speed in setting tape and live mix levels
- Discrete and integrated combination - the best of speed/linearity with repeatability – Hand tested & selected components – All metal film and Roederstein resistors in the audio path - top quality components, most being high temperature military spec parts
- Switchable 110/220 volt operation - Extra fuse provided inside unit
- True bypass - Know what it's really doing – All contacts doubled up for maximum reliability – No internal audio connectors
- XLR and 1/4" phone ins and outs - XLR fully balanced, transformerless design, pin 2 hot – Changeable by user to pin 3 hot
- New Two Color Front Panel
- Improved Logic
- Separate TRACKING LED, more intuitive display
- Backwards stepping when a front panel button is held
- New extended stereo link functions. More choices of how to lock compressors
- Cooler running Logic Circuitry, resulting in an overall cooler operating temperature
- Improved overall noise floor, due to lower logic power consumption
- Interface and features found nowhere else
- Hand wired, calibrated in USA
Frequency Response | 2 Hz to 60 kHz in clean audio mode (+0, -3 dB) |
Dynamic Range | 110 dB from maximum output (20% THD soft clipping) to minimum output. Greater than 100 dB signal to noise |
Distortion | Ranges between 0.06% and 20% depending on mode and settings |
I/O | DC Coupled input and outputs |
Compressor Time Constants | Attack range: 1ms – 60ms Release range: 0.05 sec – 3.5 sec Attack and Releases are fixed by the compression type selected |
Power Consumption | 15 Watts Max |
Metal Chassis | Single height 1.75″ high, 10″ deep, 19″ wide |
Shipping Info | Box dimensions: 22.5″ x 18.5″ x 3 1/4″ |
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