The Empirical Labs EL7 FATSO plugin delivers the warm and musical character of classic analog equipment by emulating the sound of magnetic tape, tube circuits, and class A transformers. Developed in collaboration with Empirical Labs designer Dave Derr, this plugin captures the unique tonal qualities and dynamic response of the original FATSO Jr. hardware, allowing users to enhance their audio with natural harmonic saturation and dynamic shaping. It is designed to integrate frequencies and transients musically while increasing the perceived loudness of source material, making it an essential tool for adding analog warmth to digital productions.

Universal Audio has also included the FATSO Sr., a previously unreleased original concept from Dave Derr, within the plugin at no extra cost. The FATSO Sr. offers additional sonic control with features like adjustable transformer saturation, sidechain filtering, and customizable attack and release times. These enhancements provide deeper tonal sculpting and compression options, extending the creative possibilities beyond the FATSO Jr. Both versions operate in stereo or mono with independent left and right channel controls, ensuring flexible integration into any mix environment.

The plugin’s interface includes controls for input and output gain, saturation levels, transformer effects, and multiple compression modes inspired by classic analog gear. Users can achieve a range of effects from subtle warmth and smooth compression to aggressive limiting and distortion. Detailed metering provides visual feedback on warmth, compression, and distortion levels for precise sound shaping. Designed for use with Universal Audio’s UAD-2 DSP platform, the FATSO plugin faithfully recreates the character and response of its hardware counterpart, making it a powerful addition to any professional audio toolkit.