The Universal Audio Empirical Labs FATSO brings the legendary saturation processor to your DAW with the FATSO Sr and FATSO Jr native plugins.
Released in the early 2000s, the original FATSO gave studio engineers access to tape, tube, and transformer saturation with four processing engines that allowed it to be used across a wide range of applications, including tracking, mixing, and even mastering.
Universal Audio Empirical Labs FATSO
While the FATSO plugin has been available for UAD hardware users since 2009, this new native version makes it available for all DAW users on macOS and Windows. You can use all four of the original FATSO processing engines, and Dave Derr’s Custom Mods section of the FATSO Sr plugin extends the compression controls further for added flexibility.
The FATSO generates 2nd- and 3rd-order harmonics through transient shaping and soft clipping, which is ideal for thickening tracks that sound inherently digital and thin. The more you drive the input, the more saturation you get, and the process works like soft-knee limiting, except without using conventional compression.
The Warmth control recreates the complex high-frequency attenuation that occurs when an analog signal hits magnetic tape. This fast-acting, frequency-dependent process tames harshness in a range of high-frequency elements while maintaining the natural sonic character. This is ideal for dealing with cymbals in your overhead mics, overbright acoustic guitars, and vocal sibilance.
In addition, there are four compression modes for different applications, including Buss, a gentle 2:1 glue setting, G.P., a general-purpose compressor, Tracking Comp, a Distressor-style leveler, and Spank, an aggressive limiter inspired by the SSL LMC. What’s more, you can add the distinctive weight and phase shift of transformer circuitry with the Tranny feature.
Pricing and Availability:
The Universal Audio Empirical Labs FATSO native plugin is currently available at an introductory price until 1 November.
More about Universal Audio Empirical Labs FATSO:
- Official Product Page
- Browse Universal Audio on Thomann*
- Read more about Universal Audio on Gearnews
*Note: This article contains affiliate links that help us fund our site. Don’t worry: The price for you always remains the same! If you buy something through these links, we receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
The post Universal Audio Empirical Labs FATSO: The Versatile Saturator is Now Native! appeared first on gearnews.com.