Fatso for drum machines and synths?

[jsrockit]

Been recording my Elektrons (MDUW and MnM) straight to an Apogee Duet and am not pleased with the results....even with software warmers and tape emulators. I'm thinking I could use something like the EL-7 Fatso to warm up individual tracks when tracking.

Anyone using one of these? Outside of the distortion and tape warming features...are the Fatso's compression capabilities suited for drum machines and synths? Is it relatively easy to use to achieve a desired sound?

[CircusofMind]

I haven't tried the Fatso, but the distressor works well on the MnM or MD.
I also occasionally use the API 2500 on the MD buss, which thickens its sound up nicely.

What is it about the sound of the MnM and MD that you don't like?
If you want warmth, maybe elektron gear isn't for you.

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by CircusofMind

What is it about the sound of the MnM and MD that you don't like?
If you want warmth, maybe elektron gear isn't for you.

A bit thin and not as deep in the low-end as I'd like... also, the BDs on the MD that I can get to bump are lacking in harmonic content... just feel bland. I love working with these machines, but would like to run them through something for a little extra something. The fatso seemed like it had many solutions that would suit the elektrons.

[CircusofMind]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

A bit thin and not as deep in the low-end as I'd like... also, the BDs on the MD that I can get to bump are lacking in harmonic content... just feel bland. I love working with these machines, but would like to run them through something for a little extra something. The fatso seemed like it had many solutions that would suit the elektrons.

Just a suggestion: I agree that the bass on the elektrons isn't as "warm" or "thick" as some other machines. What I do is send a control signal from the MD kick to trigger the Jomox MBase01. This way, I can still sequence my kit from the MD.

I also often use samples or layer snares to get the low thud. Both kick and snare get separate processing.

To add harmonic content to the kicks on the MD, try sending the signal to an analog distortion unit. The fatso seems like it could work. I often use the Sherman Filterbank 2. I think the Culture Vulture could be amazing for the MD, but I don't have one.

I would love to hear about the fatso as well. Perhaps others will chime in.

I think the hats and other percussion over about 300hz sounds great on both MnM and MD. As you know, the p-locks are where its at. I also use the MnM to sequence my Voyager.

Basically, the elektron machines do some things very well. Other things they don't do as well. The key is getting a setup that emphasizes the strengths and delegates other machines to cover the weaknesses.

[Popbott]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

The fatso seemed like it had many solutions that would suit the elektrons.

I have used a Fatso recording synths/loops/drums using an Apogee Rosetta 800 into PT. I tracked almost everything with the Fatso, including all of my sampled drums. Using the tranny function is nice, adjusting the warmness was more like turning down your high frequencies at times. I wasn't happy with the compression sound and didn't like it for tracking vocals. IMO, in the end, tracking my Juno-106 through a Summit pre and then going into the Fatso, I just didn't hear a difference worth $2200. I believe this unit is more suited to acoustic instruments like guitar, drums, string and wind instruments. It didn't work for me, but if you can try one before you buy it, that is my recommendation.

[jsrockit]

Thanks popbott... I am afraid that I'll spend $2200 and still not be satisfied... and I don't really think I'll be able to test one before buying... I'm just a nobody making music in my bedroom...and I generally can't tell if something works for me until I go through my whole process over time.

COM: I have a Jomox 888 that I'm using in the meantime to keep me happy... I'll eventually use both that and the MD together.

[cosmos]

My Fatso is on Drum groops 24/7 here. thumbsup

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by cosmos

My Fatso is on Drum groops 24/7 here. thumbsup

Real drums or drum machines? If drum machines, which ones?

[Ben F]

Much better off with a pair of distressors- they are more versatile, especially for electronic music. The Fatso sits in the cupboard unfortunately.

[Tibbon]

I got some of the sickest drum sounds on the planet once using a Shadow Hills Gama 8 preamp, a pair of distressors, LA4As and a Tubetech EQ with the Machinedrum. Insanely huge.

[vibralux]

Dont like the sound? Change the machine. +1 For the Jomox Mbase mentioned above – if You want fat*sounds I would suggest a good valve EQ –*I had some great results with MD's E12 kick run thru Amtec EQ.

PEace

M

[cosmos]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

Real drums or drum machines? If drum machines, which ones?

Real drums, i dont own any drum machines , i sample drums w/ Akai s5000.

[jsrockit]

@ Ben F: Yeah, that may be true...but I like all the tape emulation and stuff like that. I'm not looking for only compression I guess.

@ Tibbon... I should hope so with that rig. Must sound great!

@ vibralux ... yes, you may be right. I'm getting better results using my Jomox 888. However, I just can't get rid of the Monomachine...I love it too much. That said, it needs to go through something to take that adge off it. Any suggestions on a valve EQ?

@ cosmos: Hey, to each his own. The drums probably sound cool as hell.

Why are you guys seemingly against the Fatso for this use?

[bentley]

The Fatso sounds nice but I don't think it's going to drastically alter the sound of your MD to your liking. I had both and sold both. The Fatso just wasn't as flexible as a dedicated compressor and the warming features were too subtle for me. As for the Machinedrum, I loved the concept but never got on really well with the sound of it.

[cosmos]

Im not against the Fatso, it adds some harmonic distortion to the lower freq which i love .. it is expensive but you get to know it and love it over time. it does not give a massive affect but the little it does ... wonderfull thumbsup. sometimes it goes on 2buss as well ..

it is not the first thing i would buy to get warmth, it is a nice addon.

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by cosmos

it is not the first thing i would buy to get warmth, it is a nice addon.

Any other suggestions?

[gundam]

You might be better off with a pultec-style eq like Amtec or Tube Tech which you could also use to take away some of the edginess from your MnM.

I'm not a big fan of the fatso. In fact, I'd rather choose a culture vulture but if you need to add warmth+balls to kicks, a passive tube eq is your better choice.

Peace.

[cosmos]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

Any other suggestions?

you could achive that warmth in a few ways.

- you could use summing device like tube tech/Neve, run 16ch to stereo out, sound will improve and will not sound digital harsh like before.
there are very nice boxes, search GS for many reviews.

- you could use analog synths, run individual channels thru high end pre/analog comp (Tube, whatever), it will cost more per channel.

thats the way i do it.. it takes time to collect gear, ive been dooing that for over 10 years. but once your signal chain based on analog, you will get that analogish warmth that you want. + you could control each channel flavor to your taste.

- you could use something like Massive passive/ API 2500 on your 2buss, it will take your tracks to a whole different level soundwise.

be patient, save up $$$ and get what you need. unfortunatly those boxes are expensive and we are poor. it takes time ..

the Fatso alone will not give you the results your after.

thumbsup good luck.

[jonnypowell]

Bought one and didnt dig it that much... Not worth the cash IMO.
Might be better for acoustic stuff though..

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by jonnypowell

Bought one and didnt dig it that much... Not worth the cash IMO.
Might be better for acoustic stuff though..

What were you expecting from it and what didn't you get that you were expecting?

[OurDarkness]

Originally Posted by cosmos

- you could use something like Massive passive/ API 2500 on your 2buss, it will take your tracks to a whole different level soundwise.

+oo

[jonnypowell]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

What were you expecting from it and what didn't you get that you were expecting?

Phatness...

[aeonlux]

I tried the FATSO in this situation, i.e., Elektron MDUW. Didn't do enough for me for the price.

As I have said before though - the Kurzweil KSP8 is a killer in this situation - eq/filters, waveshaping, and harmonic drive on the way in, before you actually hit any effects - and when you do - killer compression and dense reverb that sounds the business on drums.


cheers,
Ian

[Ben F]

The 'warmth' is just a high frequency deesser. I can make things warmer with digital gear such as the Weiss DS-1. the compressor is limited, no attack and release. It sounds nothing like an SSL in SSL mode. For tape emulation use tape it can't be beaten, but most vari mu compressors such as the TC Phoenix will do a good job of warming and fattening beats.

[jsrockit]

So this thing really sucks for synths and drum machines? Wow. Would never have guessed that. How about the Culture Vulture? I'm not going to go for real tape...

aeonlux, I don't think I'm ready for the Kurzweil KSP8...seems to complicated for me.

[Jamzone]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

So this thing really sucks for synths and drum machines? Wow. Would never have guessed that.

It doesn't..

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by Jamzone

It doesn't..

but that is what it seems like this thread is saying no?

[KC Blitz]

I owned a Fatso for about year and used it for electronic music, mainly. The compression is great on drums as you can really get them pumping and the warmth settings are nice on synths. The tape effect is great on the main bus, does analog-style soft limiting that software just can't emulate.

But, I sold it because I could acheive similar effects with software and given that I only have RME converters I was loosing some of the fatso magic when recording back in.

In my opinion you really need something like Apogee or Prism converters to hear the fatso's true colours (with electronic stuff anyway).

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by jamieversion

In my opinion you really need something like Apogee or Prism converters to hear the fatso's true colours (with electronic stuff anyway).

Well, I do have low-end Apogee converters. I may just try a mono distressor...and just record the few stereo sources I have through the Duet alone. That should help a bit...and if I like the distressor enough, I'll buy another.

[Thinktanx]

I think you will totally dig the Distressor, JS. And remember, it's not just a compressor, it has the distortion unit as well, which adds odd or even order harmonics depending on the setting you choose.

You'll want a second one.