Fatso jr. mod

obyone · 7th April 2005, 04:28 PM

OK, so we have all received a few mods for our beloved distressor's...

Don't you think it's time for the Fatso to get a couple of mods! I would love to get an emulation of the neve 33609 compressor on there.

Any thoughts?

Denis

**Jules** · 7th April 2005, 04:39 PM

How about a "completely worn out Otari 2inch 24tk headstack" sound so I can get closer to that 'great sound' I always got as a freelancer here working around London's mid level studios before I moved over to buy Pro Tools & opened my own place 6 years ago?

pigpen · 16th September 2005, 04:47 AM

But seriously...I have read on here that a mod is coming...Mr Derr???? Help us poor souls who keep logging onto the ELI site just for the thought of fresh info!

kevinc · 16th September 2005, 05:21 AM

Yeah in the manual it says theres mods coming but that was years ago.

Personally I only use the "buss" and "tracking" compressors so I`d be happy to can the "G.P." and "spank" for 2 new ones. (if anybody uses these 2 for anything tell me what you find them usefull for. I just gravitate torwards the others first)

It`d be cool if there was something else you could do to the other features as well.

If Dave`s not working on stuff for the FATSO I wonder what kind of madness he`s got in store for us next.......

(other than the Lil Freq of course)

patheticus · 16th September 2005, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinc

Yeah in the manual it says theres mods coming but that was years ago.

Personally I only use the "buss" and "tracking" compressors so I`d be happy to can the "G.P." and "spank" for 2 new ones. (if anybody uses these 2 for anything tell me what you find them usefull for. I just gravitate torwards the others first)

It`d be cool if there was something else you could do to the other features as well.

If Dave`s not working on stuff for the FATSO I wonder what kind of madness he`s got in store for us next.......

(other than the Lil Freq of course)

Ditto

mixerguy · 24th November 2005, 11:04 AM

bump

3rd world order · 25th November 2005, 07:31 AM

I'd be happy if they stuck some UREI 1176 transformers into a Distressor.

cdog · 25th November 2005, 09:16 PM

Personally, I think a great Fatso mod would be a [/i]built in side chain EQ[/i], to remove the sub 100hz stuff from triggering the buss compressor.

If you're putting in a side chain filter EQ you might as well pop in couple preset selectable HF shelf boosts, something like "bright" +1db @ 4K, "presence" +1.5db @ 8K, and "air"+2db@12K (after the warmth cicuit has smoothed out the top, bring some of it back).

It would really turn it into the "do everything" mix buss box. You'd have your input saturation, tranny, buss compressor, side chain EQ, HF limiting and HF boost all in one box.

I could see using the air boosts when tracking vocals as well....

FWIW, I think the buss is "modeled" after the SSL buss compressor, the tracking comp after the 1176, the GP after the La2a, and the spank after the SSL talkback mic.

Anyway, the Fatso is already a great unit, a couple cool mods could maybe make it the best single processing box on the market.

pigpen · 24th January 2006, 03:06 AM

Lets relive this for the sake of hoping Mr Derr will read it!!!!

Mod us out man!!!!

Love this unit!

Dave Derr · 24th January 2006, 05:42 AM

Pigpen

I just happened over this link tonite. Good stuff! We are working on some mods for the Fatso Jr, and have been on and off over a few years. It's hard to narrow down what we want to do and fit it in the price range we are aiming for. We try to be reasonable because people have already laid out lots o' money for the basic unit.

A couple of quick comments. First, the Buss compressor does have a HP filter in the sidechain. I forget where it starts but I know it's above 100Hz. It is there expressly to keep it from pumping with LF content as you guys suggested. This may be why the Buss compressor seems to be a favorite. Don't forget you can sidechain more EQ if you ever need.

Also there is already are some slight bumps in the Freq response to emulate tape head bumps and under bias. One is way up high in the air frequencies. Again it's been awhile but I think its very smooth and slight.... like 1 dB or so.

BTW, Jim, I don't use OP275s. There's a few things about them I don't like, including cost!

I kind of ruled these opamps out back in the 90s when I was still working at Eventide. Burr Brown has been known to make some extravagant claims about "improved sound quality" that I don't really subscribe to. But... I do use some great Burr Brown/TI parts.

JULES, is that the MTR90 OR MX80 Completely-Worn-Out-Head Mod you want?

We are working on this thing but it's been a fight to keep the cost down while still adding some inspiring new features... but we're gettin close, baby! I hope you guys are happy with the thing once it's done. We're trying.

Thanks gang for laying out your hard earned money on the FATSO Jr to begin with. We came close to not making it at all... but that's another story.

kevinc · 24th January 2006, 05:46 AM

Great news Dave !

I`m looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

dolo · 24th January 2006, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Derr

Thanks gang for laying out your hard earned money on the FATSO Jr to begin with. We came close to not making it at all... but that's another story.

love to here that story.

mixerguy · 2nd April 2006, 10:21 AM

is it time yet for the mods?

;-)

Bump Music · 2nd April 2006, 10:40 AM

I sure hope so!

Waiting sooooooooooo excitedly!!!!! DAVE DERR SAVE US!!!!!

macr0w · 2nd April 2006, 02:33 PM

I love my fatso, mods or no mods. I don't have tons of gear but it is without a doubt my favorite piece.

Bump Music · 2nd April 2006, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macr0w

I love my fatso, mods or no mods. I don't have tons of gear but it is without a doubt my favorite piece.

I love my Fatso too, but I'm craving different colors. Even as simple as a different Tranny.

Anyone ever open theirs up to see how much room is inside?

TML · 2nd April 2006, 08:54 PM

[quote=cdog]Personally, I think a great Fatso mod would be a [/i]built in side chain EQ[/i], to remove the sub 100hz stuff from triggering the buss compressor.

Cdog-
Your a mind-reader. I second that.

I love my ssl on the drum buss but the fatso tames the digital high end....just need it to not trigger from the kik. Again I use the comp with bus and gp in.....
Tim

Bump Music · 2nd April 2006, 09:08 PM

[quote=TML]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdog

Personally, I think a great Fatso mod would be a [/i]built in side chain EQ[/i], to remove the sub 100hz stuff from triggering the buss compressor.

Cdog-
Your a mind-reader. I second that.

I love my ssl on the drum buss but the fatso tames the digital high end....just need it to not trigger from the kik. Again I use the comp with bus and gp in.....
Tim

According to a previous post by Dave Derr on Gearslutz, the Fatso buss comp DOES have a built in side chain.

TML · 3rd April 2006, 01:32 AM

yup...I use both buss and gp pressed in......I think that means there's NO built in sidechain. Anyone?
tim

Jim Williams · 5th April 2006, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Derr

Pigpen

BTW, Jim, I don't use OP275s. There's a few things about them I don't like, including cost!

I kind of ruled these opamps out back in the 90s when I was still working at Eventide. Burr Brown has been known to make some extravagant claims about "improved sound quality" that I don't really subscribe to. But... I do use some great Burr Brown/TI parts.

OP-275 = $1.22/100 pieces.

TI 5532P = $.45/100 pieces

BB OPA2134 = $1.58/100 pieces

BB OPA2604 = $2.66/100pieces

TI THS4052 = $1.94/100pieces

Cost differences are minimal at the quanity used. BB parts are more expensive than the OP-275. Even if the more expensive parts are used, adjusting the list price $15 dollars or so wouldn't bother too many folks if they heard improved sound quality.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

mixerguy · 28th April 2006, 06:50 AM

Ok Dave - is it time for mods now?

pigpen · 18th September 2006, 04:07 AM

OK Dave...hows about now?

Bump Music · 18th September 2006, 04:33 AM

Yes please

J-Deb · 18th September 2006, 05:44 AM

i use mine on gtr buss .....in gp or gp with spank all the time.......my favorite settings.

how about something a little different for a mod...... like a spectrasonic 610 or maybe a vari mu/ fairchild......... or a pye mod....... stuff thats kind of hard to come by.

i guess youll never know if you dont ask...

peace

sasha222 · 21st November 2006, 06:36 PM

mods?

insomnio · 21st November 2006, 08:19 PM

I know that Mr. Derr didn't want to talk about prices but, can anyone with the EL8 mod experience tell me what kind of $ are we talking here? I don't have the slight idea.

_______________
Insomnio

Cojo · 21st November 2006, 09:21 PM

I really would like a treshold knob for the compressor so I can use light compression and pinned at the same time.

/Cojo

pigpen · 21st November 2006, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obyone

OK, so we have all received a few mods for our beloved distressor's...

Don't you think it's time for the Fatso to get a couple of mods! I would love to get an emulation of the neve 33609 compressor on there.

Any thoughts?

Denis

I give a BIG

to this idea!!!

chimpleton · 23rd February 2007, 12:57 PM

7 Hz · 23rd February 2007, 03:14 PM

AFAIK, there are some resistors on a header in the Fatso. I think they may be for attack / release / threshold time for various modes, right? So surely someone could open a Fatso up and play about with then, maybe wire some pots instead and see what happens?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Fatso	basement	High end	14	19th January 2004 07:15 PM

7th April 2005, 04:28 PM	#1
obyone Gear Head Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Montreal Posts: 43	Fatso jr. mod OK, so we have all received a few mods for our beloved distressor's... Don't you think it's time for the Fatso to get a couple of mods! I would love to get an emulation of the neve 33609 compressor on there. Any thoughts? Denis

7th April 2005, 04:39 PM	#2
Jules Gearslutz.com admin Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 11,814	How about a "completely worn out Otari 2inch 24tk headstack" sound so I can get closer to that 'great sound' I always got as a freelancer here working around London's mid level studios before I moved over to buy Pro Tools & opened my own place 6 years ago? __________________ Jules "...there are some amazing deals to be had in this right now. it brings battleship mixing closer to the jilted generation" - reptil

16th September 2005, 04:47 AM	#3
pigpen Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Athens, GA- US Posts: 2,228	But seriously...I have read on here that a mod is coming...Mr Derr???? Help us poor souls who keep logging onto the ELI site just for the thought of fresh info! __________________ Me- "You know he's not playing in key right?" Unnamed Producer A- "Really?....Uh, Does that matter?" Me- sigh...."In all other cases, Yes, in this one...I guess not so much." http://pigpenstudios.net http://www.myspace.com/pigpenstudios

16th September 2005, 05:21 AM	#4
kevinc Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Beantown Posts: 2,464	Yeah in the manual it says theres mods coming but that was years ago. Personally I only use the "buss" and "tracking" compressors so I`d be happy to can the "G.P." and "spank" for 2 new ones. (if anybody uses these 2 for anything tell me what you find them usefull for. I just gravitate torwards the others first) It`d be cool if there was something else you could do to the other features as well. If Dave`s not working on stuff for the FATSO I wonder what kind of madness he`s got in store for us next....... (other than the Lil Freq of course) __________________ - Kev

24th November 2005, 11:04 AM	#6
mixerguy Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,017	bump

25th November 2005, 07:31 AM	#7
3rd world order Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: ann arbor, michigan Posts: 1,948	I'd be happy if they stuck some UREI 1176 transformers into a Distressor. __________________ 3WO - Mixing Without Tears "Tape is a mangler.." -- Slipperman // "The idea of the perfect album is this amorphous thing we're always aiming at. For us, it can mean something full of imperfection. Part of our aim has always been to destroy the sound in a beautiful way. It doesn't mean we expect everyone would like it. I'm not sure we will ever get there... but the whole point of making music is at least to aim at your own idea of perfection." -- Boards of Canada

25th November 2005, 09:16 PM	#8
cdog Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 2,219	Personally, I think a great Fatso mod would be a [/i]built in side chain EQ[/i], to remove the sub 100hz stuff from triggering the buss compressor. If you're putting in a side chain filter EQ you might as well pop in couple preset selectable HF shelf boosts, something like "bright" +1db @ 4K, "presence" +1.5db @ 8K, and "air"+2db@12K (after the warmth cicuit has smoothed out the top, bring some of it back). It would really turn it into the "do everything" mix buss box. You'd have your input saturation, tranny, buss compressor, side chain EQ, HF limiting and HF boost all in one box. I could see using the air boosts when tracking vocals as well.... FWIW, I think the buss is "modeled" after the SSL buss compressor, the tracking comp after the 1176, the GP after the La2a, and the spank after the SSL talkback mic. Anyway, the Fatso is already a great unit, a couple cool mods could maybe make it the best single processing box on the market.

24th January 2006, 03:06 AM	#9
pigpen Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Athens, GA- US Posts: 2,228	Lets relive this for the sake of hoping Mr Derr will read it!!!! Mod us out man!!!! Love this unit! __________________ Me- "You know he's not playing in key right?" Unnamed Producer A- "Really?....Uh, Does that matter?" Me- sigh...."In all other cases, Yes, in this one...I guess not so much." http://pigpenstudios.net http://www.myspace.com/pigpenstudios

24th January 2006, 05:42 AM	#10
Dave Derr The Distressor's "daddy" Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 444	GOOD IDEAS! Pigpen I just happened over this link tonite. Good stuff! We are working on some mods for the Fatso Jr, and have been on and off over a few years. It's hard to narrow down what we want to do and fit it in the price range we are aiming for. We try to be reasonable because people have already laid out lots o' money for the basic unit. A couple of quick comments. First, the Buss compressor does have a HP filter in the sidechain. I forget where it starts but I know it's above 100Hz. It is there expressly to keep it from pumping with LF content as you guys suggested. This may be why the Buss compressor seems to be a favorite. Don't forget you can sidechain more EQ if you ever need. Also there is already are some slight bumps in the Freq response to emulate tape head bumps and under bias. One is way up high in the air frequencies. Again it's been awhile but I think its very smooth and slight.... like 1 dB or so. BTW, Jim, I don't use OP275s. There's a few things about them I don't like, including cost! I kind of ruled these opamps out back in the 90s when I was still working at Eventide. Burr Brown has been known to make some extravagant claims about "improved sound quality" that I don't really subscribe to. But... I do use some great Burr Brown/TI parts. JULES, is that the MTR90 OR MX80 Completely-Worn-Out-Head Mod you want? We are working on this thing but it's been a fight to keep the cost down while still adding some inspiring new features... but we're gettin close, baby! I hope you guys are happy with the thing once it's done. We're trying. Thanks gang for laying out your hard earned money on the FATSO Jr to begin with. We came close to not making it at all... but that's another story. __________________ Dave Derr

24th January 2006, 05:46 AM	#11
kevinc Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Beantown Posts: 2,464	Great news Dave ! I`m looking forward to seeing what you come up with. __________________ - Kev

2nd April 2006, 10:21 AM	#13
mixerguy Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,017	is it time yet for the mods? ;-)

2nd April 2006, 10:40 AM	#14
Bump Music Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 615	I sure hope so! Waiting sooooooooooo excitedly!!!!! DAVE DERR SAVE US!!!!!

2nd April 2006, 02:33 PM	#15
macr0w Lives for gear Join Date: May 2004 Location: Charlotte N.C. Posts: 833	I love my fatso, mods or no mods. I don't have tons of gear but it is without a doubt my favorite piece. __________________ Art is making something out of nothing and selling it. Frank Zappa www.clearspotrecording.com

2nd April 2006, 08:54 PM	#17
TML Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 901	[quote=cdog]Personally, I think a great Fatso mod would be a [/i]built in side chain EQ[/i], to remove the sub 100hz stuff from triggering the buss compressor. Cdog- Your a mind-reader. I second that. I love my ssl on the drum buss but the fatso tames the digital high end....just need it to not trigger from the kik. Again I use the comp with bus and gp in..... Tim

3rd April 2006, 01:32 AM	#19
TML Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 901	yup...I use both buss and gp pressed in......I think that means there's NO built in sidechain. Anyone? tim

28th April 2006, 06:50 AM	#21
mixerguy Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,017	Ok Dave - is it time for mods now?

18th September 2006, 04:07 AM	#22
pigpen Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Athens, GA- US Posts: 2,228	OK Dave...hows about now? __________________ Me- "You know he's not playing in key right?" Unnamed Producer A- "Really?....Uh, Does that matter?" Me- sigh...."In all other cases, Yes, in this one...I guess not so much." http://pigpenstudios.net http://www.myspace.com/pigpenstudios

18th September 2006, 04:33 AM	#23
Bump Music Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 615	Yes please

18th September 2006, 05:44 AM	#24
J-Deb Gear Head Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: nashvegas Posts: 49	i use mine on gtr buss .....in gp or gp with spank all the time.......my favorite settings. how about something a little different for a mod...... like a spectrasonic 610 or maybe a vari mu/ fairchild......... or a pye mod....... stuff thats kind of hard to come by. i guess youll never know if you dont ask... peace

21st November 2006, 06:36 PM	#25
sasha222 Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 412	mods?

21st November 2006, 08:19 PM	#26
insomnio Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 917	I know that Mr. Derr didn't want to talk about prices but, can anyone with the EL8 mod experience tell me what kind of $ are we talking here? I don't have the slight idea. _______________ Insomnio

21st November 2006, 09:21 PM	#27
Cojo Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden! Posts: 1,466	I really would like a treshold knob for the compressor so I can use light compression and pinned at the same time. /Cojo __________________ Conny Johansson [ www.asteroidkiller.com ]

23rd February 2007, 12:57 PM	#29
chimpleton Gear nut Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 118	bump

23rd February 2007, 03:14 PM	#30
7 Hz Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 901	AFAIK, there are some resistors on a header in the Fatso. I think they may be for attack / release / threshold time for various modes, right? So surely someone could open a Fatso up and play about with then, maybe wire some pots instead and see what happens? __________________ "You're going to AMPLIFY this crap?!?!?"

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page</