FATSO VS. WARMING PLUGS

[faeflora]

How does the Fatso compare to warming plugs like

inflator
psp v warmer
psp mixsat
bbe exciter
some waves stuff
various tube emulators ala antares tube


etc.?


I know it has compressors, but I'm really interested if it sounds "more better" than all the plug warmers.

[jbuntz]

I've heard several people say it does but i've heard heard one. Antares sounds kinda tube-y and fattens but simultaneously muddies that sound. Semi-cool. I've had better luck with Magneto and True tape. Not as "earthy" to my ears as a real tape machine but pretty cool. The bbe is not a warming tool. It's supposed to "realign phase." If you are starting with good sounds to begin with, it's a little harsh, but it's still okay for restoriong sub par sounds to something more usable. The only warming stuff I'm aware of that waves does is the RCL and channel. Although it's a decent compressor, the "warm" feature doesn't seem to do much. All I can tell it's doing is adding mud. I havent had much luck with the PSP stuff but I have a friend that loves it. I like the UAD-1's LA-2A. Not really just a "warming plugin" but kills any other plugin I've heard trying to do something similar like the RCL's "opto" mode (haven't heard the bomb factory stuff though).

[alphajerk]

i dont hear the PSP VW as a "warmer"... i just think of it as a single/multiband compressor/limiter with LOTS of character. works with some things, doesnt work with others.

[wolfhound]

Don't forget, the Fatso is more than a warming box. It's a good (if limited) stereo compressor, warmth, and......DISTORTION box.

I love mine!!!

[Teacher]

Originally posted by alphajerk
i dont hear the PSP VW as a "warmer"... i just think of it as a single/multiband compressor/limiter with LOTS of character. works with some things, doesnt work with others.

o yea? i found that it can work on anything...may not be the best choice for certain things like vox but it can def work and won't suck IMO

[alphajerk]

of course one could make it work on anything, but sometimes something else might suit something better... and often does.

[C.Lambrechts]

IMO there's little or no software stuff that's a match for harware boxes. At least not top range high end hardware.

As for plugins ... they are getting there. All of the sony stuff is high end worthy, including the inflator. Waves, ... well .... waves is waves .... meaning that they offer the best all in price vs quality package of plugins available today. As for warming up plugins worth mentioning is definately the analog channel range, and the duy plugins.

[Jules]

Fatso is a good tape transient simulator..

I find that different conceptually than 'warming'

[etherize]

SoundToys has this tape plug thingy coming out and from what I remember at a digiworld demo it sounded great... hopefully now that filterfreak is released this plug won't be far behind... It is definately in the effect catagory probably less subtle than a fatso but I only heard a fatso for a second at aes so im not one to comment on that...

[The Mink]

What about McDSP Analog Channel? I heard that's the closest to tape/Fatso etc. in the digital realm.

[2064]

Yep, I hold my hand up, i´ve tried them and squinted my ears towards the monitors trying to convince myself that these things actually work. My hearingmay be missing something, but all I hear is ´weirdness´ across the entire frequency range. Basically who cut the tweeter wire.

If your looking for warmth the Fatso will beat the socks of any warming up plugin. In fact dont use a warming plugin. Simply lose the top end and boost the bottom end a fraction caus ethats all the plugins do . Ok maybe a little harsh.

Someday I guess plugins will emulate better than they do now. After all samplers did after their infancy.

[Stargazer]

I know the Fatso has compression, dist and the "tranny".
But, if we discuss only one function; the "warmth" (hi frequency saturation).
I've heard the Fatso and like it a lot, and the reason for me to buy it right now would be the "warmth"-function.
Can CS Phoenix or any other plug do the same thing?

[Jules]

The Cranesong Pheonix is damn fine.

I use a Fatso on tracking and the Pheonix during mixdown

Fatso - helps put un aggrivating audio on your hard drive
Phoenix - makes it bloom in a great euponic saturated way

You need em all!

[Stargazer]

Thanks, Jules!

Of coarse i need them all!
That's what i needed to hear, and that's what i expected to hear on this forum...

[Chae Ham]

Originally posted by Jules
The Cranesong Pheonix is damn fine.

I use a Fatso on tracking and the Pheonix during mixdown

Fatso - helps put un aggrivating audio on your hard drive
Phoenix - makes it bloom in a great euponic saturated way

You need em all!

The FATSO is bit of a touchy bastard (perhaps its his weight, har har, har) but its pretty versatile if you just be careful not to over do it. I like to think of the phoenix as being beautifully subtle. You can also get some nice saturation from the Waves Renaissance plugs as the level approaches clipping on the output.

Hope that helps!