Slam drums into thick saturation, warm a vocal, and glue your whole mix together. The Empirical Labs FATSO Tape Simulator puts tape, compression, and high-frequency smoothing under one set of knobs. From subtle color to total destruction, you’re mixing with the definitive FATSO, developed with its designer, Dave Derr.
Get the Full Analog Tape Simulator and Optimizer
Empirical Labs founder Dave Derr built the FATSO to capture the musical characteristics of multiple compressors, Class A electronics, and magnetic tape, all in one box. That’s why it’s a favorite of legendary engineers with credits ranging from Willie Nelson to AC/DC. Now that box is yours in the form of our FATSO plug-in, endorsed by Derr himself.
Replace Your Entire Chain
You shouldn’t need three processors to make a mix warm, controlled, and smooth. The FATSO pairs multiple styles of compression with tape warmth and saturation – taming dynamics while it softens harsh highs and thickens your tracks.
Access Four Compression Modes
Get four classic compressor curves in one box: Buss, a gentle 2:1 with a soft knee for mix glue; G.P., an invisible workhorse that holds a steady level; Tracking, an 1176-style compressor for vocals and instruments; and Spank, a radical limiter that recreates the squeeze of ’70s SSL talkback compressors.
Go from Tamed to Trashed
Push the Input knob and decide how far to take it. A little drive softly clips peaks and adds musical harmonics. Keep pushing past the Pinned LED and you’re into thick, crushed distortion. Blend in the transformer and Warmth circuits for tape tone, from a hint of color on a vocal to a drum bus that’s completely destroyed.
Enjoy Legendary FATSO Sound for Any System
The FATSO is one of the most widely used analog saturators in recording history. Now get the same subtle harmonic coloration and extreme squeeze of the original hardware unit, with or without an Apollo.
requirements:
mac:
cpu: Intel or Apple silicon processor
version: macOS Big Sur 11, Monterey 12, Ventura 13, Sonoma 14, Sequoia 15 and Tahoe 26
internet required: no
plugins:
VST-3
AU
AAX
windows:
cpu: Intel, AMD
version: Windows 10 or Windows 11
internet required: no
plugins:
VST-3
AAX
trial: no
notes:
feature: Warmth for Everything. Slam drums, make bass pop on small speakers, or warm up a vocal instantly
The Only Authentic FATSO. Get the same tape and saturation processing heard on recordings by AC/DC, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and more
Beyond the Hardware. Enjoy features like sidechain filtering, variable transformer saturation, and deeper compression parameters
Two Plug-Ins. Access iconic tones with FATSO Jr or get deeper compression control with the FATSO Sr
Four Compression Modes. Glue your buses and mixes together with Buss, G.P., Tracking, and Spank settings
platforms: mac
windows
1178-4461
