Anyone here using FATSO JR. on their Master bus?

[RightOnRome]

Originally Posted by brightshine

Report back after you have used it a few times.

took the bite out of a harp, violin, and a super shrill el gtr amp today..love it

[brightshine]

Originally Posted by RightOnRome

took the bite out of a harp, violin, and a super shrill el gtr amp today..love it

Exactly what it can do. Use it on a full mix. It just glues it all together. Works very well on drums/percussion too.

Enjoy!

[mike vee]

can you describe in detail the fatso on the 2 bus? the setting, are you mixing into it from early on, etc? do you find that the gain reduction on the compressor aligns nicely with the amount of saturation since the two are not independently adjustable?

[brightshine]

Originally Posted by mike vee

can you describe in detail the fatso on the 2 bus? the setting, are you mixing into it from early on, etc? do you find that the gain reduction on the compressor aligns nicely with the amount of saturation since the two are not independently adjustable?

My mixes are started with the Fatso on. Depending on the dynamics of each mix I will have it maxed at about two lights of reduction- if that makes sense. If the tracks have too much brittleness I add the warmth up to about 3 lights of reduction to the highend. It is subtle and highly subjective.
The mixes I do all start in the BUSS mode. I use the output of the Fatso to make sure I stay around -5db on the two buss. If I wonder if the Fatso is doing anything.then I hit the bypass and there is the answer. Fullness, roundness and highend taming are what I have found it adds/subtracks in the mix.

I have found that if I hit the buss compressor too hard, on a mix, it can fool you into thinking it really sounds great. Percieved loudnness can easily turn into mush. A little bit does wonders for the whole mix. One or two lights worth works on the type of music I have been mixing (acoustic, no vocals).

[mike vee]

cool man thanks. i have been between this and the API 2500 for literally months with cash in hand. i can't make the decision.

api:
- more adjustable
- more versitile
- great transformer sound
- famous make-up gain sound
- low pass filter
- better looks
- one setting for both channels

- more expensive
- harder to recall
- no saturation/warmth (except what it may do naturally)

would follow up with API 5500 (con - no filters)

fatso:
- much easier to recall
- ssl style comp which is always good for bus
- warmth/saturation
- tranny off or on
- much cheaper

- no real cons, a tad ugly haha
- independent stereo controls may make matching harder

if i get the fatso will probably follow it up with the dangerous BAX eq for filter right before converters and the sweetening shelves.

[RightOnRome]

Anything with big nobs is not ugly

Sent from my PG86100 using Gearslutz App

[aTelecine-Lex]

Never liked it at all on the Master Buss - But it is absolutely wonderful on a DRM Buss.

Best,
Lex

[ctrlshft]

I absolutely love it on the master buss, but you MUST control gain staging and threshold settings properly (you'll need to sidechain the comp input unless you're going for the UAD version). Fatso colors stuff very very quickly. I'd never go higher than 2 for warmth, tranny off unless the track has almost no lows in it.

The above said, I use it on every track now and aren't looking back. It's a wild beast when you want it to be, and a great subtle coloring/gluing tool just as easily.

fatso forever

[mike vee]

"MUST control gain staging and threshold settings properly"


as in? I plan to mix into it on master bus....it will come right after D-box, so I plan to try and leave the fatso settings the same and control input using the trim on the D-box output.

[ctrlshft]

Originally Posted by mike vee

"MUST control gain staging and threshold settings properly"


as in? I plan to mix into it on master bus....it will come right after D-box, so I plan to try and leave the fatso settings the same and control input using the trim on the D-box output.

Fatso colors stuff very very quickly. Just be careful about your gain staging unless you want a hot crunchy mess on the whole mix. I love smashing stuff with it on various instruments individually, but when it comes to the master bus you need to be judicious with it.

[Sotsirc]

Originally Posted by alkor

yes, used the ubk-version on our latest bit.. lovely..be careful with the tranny u might need need to make adjustments going into it

How so?

[Sotsirc]

Originally Posted by ctrlshft

I absolutely love it on the master buss, but you MUST control gain staging and threshold settings properly (you'll need to sidechain the comp input unless you're going for the UAD version). Fatso colors stuff very very quickly. I'd never go higher than 2 for warmth, tranny off unless the track has almost no lows in it.

But the transformer roll off loads of sub, and the bump is pretty subtle. If anything it takes away some of the bass and tightens the bass that's left.

[ctrlshft]

Originally Posted by Sotsirc

But the transformer roll off loads of sub, and the bump is pretty subtle. If anything it takes away some of the bass and tightens the bass that's left.

I think it's program dependent, most of the stuff I mix is pretty bass heavy so I typically turn off the transformer on anything touching the master buss. That sub bass is a good thing for me, I don't really cut anything lower than than 30hz ever unless it's a individual track...usually it's more like cutting 12-16hz on the master. A transformer is going to cut quite a noticeable bit higher than that as well as shift some of that energy into the first couple of harmonics. It's useful, definitely, but I personally have some trouble using it on the master buss most of my mixes, as well as clients'. Each to their own though.

[Sotsirc]

Originally Posted by ctrlshft

I think it's program dependent, most of the stuff I mix is pretty bass heavy so I typically turn off the transformer on anything touching the master buss. That sub bass is a good thing for me, I don't really cut anything lower than than 30hz ever unless it's a individual track...usually it's more like cutting 12-16hz on the master. A transformer is going to cut quite a noticeable bit higher than that as well as shift some of that energy into the first couple of harmonics. It's useful, definitely, but I personally have some trouble using it on the master buss most of my mixes, as well as clients'. Each to their own though.

I agree, I use it sparingly too. Could you explain a little about the shift in energy? I've been trying to find a good source to read a bit more about this.

[Ben F]

I always found it too limited, and was never that fussed on the sound. Controls were too finicky and it was difficult to do level matched comparisons. SSL spank mode probably the best but why not just buy an SSL based compressor? Like the distressors a lot though.

[Sotsirc]

Originally Posted by Ben F

I always found it too limited, and was never that fussed on the sound. Controls were too finicky and it was difficult to do level matched comparisons. SSL spank mode probably the best but why not just buy an SSL based compressor? Like the distressors a lot though.

Isn't Spank modelled after the talkback compressor?

[ctrlshft]

Originally Posted by Sotsirc

I agree, I use it sparingly too. Could you explain a little about the shift in energy? I've been trying to find a good source to read a bit more about this.

This article has some good info to get you started: Analogue Warmth

Lots of analog gear will bring out additional harmonics, odd and/or even depending on the gear, amongst other effects on the signal like low and/or high roll offs, bass bumps, etc.

[Sotsirc]

Originally Posted by ctrlshft

This article has some good info to get you started: Analogue Warmth

Lots of analog gear will bring out additional harmonics, odd and/or even depending on the gear, amongst other effects on the signal like low and/or high roll offs, bass bumps, etc.

Thanks, great article. Read it a while ago and forgot about it. Definitely worth reading again.

[cdog]

I think the Fatso is one of the best processors ever made, yes its a bit pricey but for what it does there is no substitute although the UAD version is very good you cant exactly track through that, which is what I use the Fatso for - tracking vocals, electric bass, and 2buss compression. You cant adjust it too much which is sometimes an issue but just a few dbs can be great and even just cranking the input sounds great to me. Its a classic IMHO.

[mike vee]

Thanks c-dog. I have decided on it for sure. Can't wait. I'm going to follow it up, most likely, with a BAX EQ.

NOW....For my Pre-amp LA-610 mkII or Empirical Labs Mike-E!!??!

I am thinking of sticking with Empirical Labs - I just wonder if the saturation on the EL9 pre will sound bad when then passed again through the Fatso on the 2bus??

the LA-610 seems tried and true and everyone seems to love it.

[sbackdoor]

I've had a UBK fatso on trial here for a couple days now. I also have the SSL bus compressor. These are completely different animals of course, but I was pleasantly surprised that the fatso does glueing just as effortlessly as the SSL.
Analog heaven.

Yes, it does make everything thicker, fatter, but in a good way. Just don't overdo it.

[mike vee]

good to know ^^

I used to have an SSL rack and found it totally boring. I sold it for 400 more than I paid