FATSO stands for Full Analog Tape Simulator and Optimizer, which is a lot of acronym for a box whose actual job is making digital recordings sound like they went through something. Dave Derr built it as the Distressor's warmer, ruder sibling. Two channels, 1U, and four separate processes you can stack: a soft clipper, a high-frequency saturator, a transformer and tape-head emulator, and a soft-knee compressor. Nothing in it is modelled. It is all analogue, and it is doing real harm to your signal in exactly the way you asked for.

FEATURES & PROS:

• Warmth: a dynamic low-pass filter that behaves like a cross between a high-frequency limiter and a dynamic EQ. It takes the glare off harsh transients without dulling the source.
• Tranny: transformer and tape-head emulation, adding low-frequency harmonics and the body that old gear has and your interface does not.
• Soft clipping: rounds peaks the way saturated tape or a driven tube does, so you get level without the crack.
• Four compressor modes: Buss (gentle 2:1 for the mix bus), G.P. (general purpose, medium attack), Tracking Comp (a UREI 1176 impression), and Spank (firm limiting when you want it to hurt).
• Stack them: all four processes run independently and combine, though the compressor hits the signal first.
• Two channels in 1U: stereo bus processing without giving up half a rack. Channels link with one button.
• Insert points per channel: Insert 1 and Insert 2 on the rear, so you can drop something else into the chain without re-patching the whole rack.
• External Link: chain multiple FATSOs together for multi-channel work.
• Runs on 230V: there is a voltage selector on the rear, so no step-down transformer and no adaptor nonsense.
• The honest bit: Sound On Sound loved it on individual sources and warned that across a whole mix it could easily destroy one. They also called the front panel garish and unintuitive. Both are true. You will stop caring about the panel in a week.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Empirical Labs FATSO Jr, EL7 (Full Analog Tape Simulator and Optimizer)
• Not the EL7X: this is the original EL7, four compressor modes, no Eleven mode
• Year: rear panel marked ©2000
• Type: two-channel analogue saturation, compression and tape simulation processor
• Format: 1U rack, 19 inches wide, 1.75 inches high, 10 inches deep
• Processing: harmonic generation and soft clip, Warmth high-frequency saturation, Tranny transformer and tape-head emulation, soft-knee compression
• Compressor modes: Buss, G.P., Tracking Comp, Spank
• Metering: per-channel LED ladders with Pinned, 0 VU, Bypass and Linked indicators
• Inputs and outputs: balanced XLR in and out per channel, DC-coupled
• Inserts: Insert 1 and Insert 2, tip out / ring in
• Linking: External Link (5.1) for chaining units
• Power: voltage selector on rear, runs on 230V
• Condition: used, honest surface wear to the lid. Fully functional.