Empirical Labs Fatso Jr. EL7

The Empirical Labs EL7 FATSO Jr is a modern digitally controlled analog device that offers many of the "musical non-linearities" exhibited by the older tube, class A discrete, and magnetic tape mediums.

This two channel audio processor will musically integrate frequencies and transients and increase the apparant volume without actual increase in peak levels. In addition, two channels of famous Empirical Labs compression are provided. There are several compressor "types" with fixed attacks and releases (if you want a fully controllable compressor, you will need the Empirical Labs Distressor!). Users can enhance & soften the sound of mediums such as modular digital multitracks (MDM's), HD recorders, DAW's, Dat recorders, Ram Recorders etc. Mixdown engineers will have an option not to use bulky, expensive, (and often flaky) analog tape recorders to get the warmth and sweet high end they've come to rely on for so many decades.

DAW users and owners of Adats, MDM's, RAM and modern hard disk recorders can finally put a stop to complaints about the "coldness" and "brittle edge" of their mixes and instruments with the "rounded" and "musically non linear elements" of vintage analog. Finally, audiophiles can bring back the warmth and cuddly sound of LP's and tapes to their CD players, and other digital reproduction mediums.

Fatso's Four Types of Processing (Available on both channels)
1. Harmonic Generation and Soft Clipper (Distortion generation)
2. High Frequency Saturation - WARMTH!
3. Transformer & Tape Head Emulation
4. Classic Knee Compression - Empirical Labs Style!

Empirical Labs FATSO Jr. EL7 Features :

• Soft clip features modeled after broadband tape saturation. Smooth clipping up to 20% THD
• User programmable high frequency saturation
• Switchable transformer circuits, which can add the musical artifacts generated by classic devices like NEVE, API, etc.
• Four compression modes - One for tracking, one general purpose, one "bus" compressor, and SPANK (see below). All LINKABLE!
• SPANK!- An additional limiter that musically smashes the dynamic range, and can be used to stop clipping before digital recorders
• Huge "DISTRESSOR" knobs with high resolution numbering
• Distortion indicator lights - A 0 VU LED and a "Pinned" (5%) LED
• Sidechain output and input for eq-ing control signals.
• Locked, calibrated, output level - Allows speed in setting tape and live mix levels.
• Foolproof operation - it's almost impossible to get a bad sound
• Discrete and integrated combination - the best of speed/linearity with repeatability. Hand tested & selected components
• Switchable 110/220 volt operation
• True bypass
• Three Year Limited (Yet Generous) Warranty.
• Hand Wired and Calibrated in USA!

The History of Empirical Labs :
Empirical Labs Inc. (ELI), designs and produces professional audio equipment and software. This includes equipment used in recording studios, live sound, broadcast studios and other audio production facilities etc. They also make software for digital signal processors. This product, was designed in 1994, tested and revised for several years, and released in early 1996. The Distressor is the first in a series of audio products from ELI that will offer original features, ease of use, long product life, and a very musical audio path.

Empirical Labs was started in 1988 and functioned mainly as a recording studio and electronics consulting firm. The founder, Dave Derr, was also employed at the time by Eventide as an audio engineer. Dave was part of the core design team for the H3000, H3500, and DSP4000. His experience at Eventide proved valuable for his later work. Dave was exposed to great engineering and the modern world of digital signal processing (DSP).

In 1998, Empirical Labs closed the doors of the recording studio. The sales of the Distressor had flourished after a shining review appeared in the December 1996 issue of Mix magazine. Later that year, the company picked up and moved to a larger facility to meet their increased production requirements.

Another goal of Empirical Labs is to make their products less prone to obsolescence and be easier to update, modify or repair. Instead of entire new products that may be outdated in 2 years, their thinking is to make a few great products that can be supported and upgraded for decades.

Empirical Labs' engineers & technicians are encouraged to play with and use their designs along with other expert beta-testers. The word Empirical in its most positive interpretation means, fashioned from experience. Empirical Labs considers real world use to be one of the best resources in developing innovative, user-friendly and robust designs. Before final release, all of their products will be extensively tested in the environments for which they are designed. They will not throw products out there and see what sticks.



Their Philosophy is very simple - but very hard to live up to :
Empirical Labs wants to make products that work a little easier, a little better, and a lot longer - and make sure they are fun to use.

Empirical Labs Fatso Jr. EL7 Specifications :

• Freq. Response is 2 Hz to 60 kHz in clean audio mode (+0, -3 dB).
• Dynamic Range 110 dB from maximum output (20%THDsoft clipping) to minimum output. Greater than 100 dB signal to noise.
• Distortion Ranges between .06% and 20% depending on mode and settings.
• DC coupled Input and Outputs High quality audio caps used internally. Compressor Time Constants - Attack range 1mS - 200mS. Release range .05 sec to 3.5 seconds. Attack and Releases are fixed by the compression type selected