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Empirical Labs Fatso EL7x Full Analog Tape Simulator and Optimizer Certified Open Box , $2,081.65 - Add to Cart Skip to Product Information

Empirical Labs Fatso EL7x Full Analog Tape Simulator and Optimizer Certified Open Box

2-channel Analog Tape Simulator and Compressor
Item ID: Fatso7Xd1
Empirical Labs Fatso EL7x Full Analog Tape Simulator and Optimizer

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Empirical Labs Fatso EL7x Full Analog Tape Simulator and Optimizer Certified Open Box

Certified Open Box Savings!

Save $367.35 What is Certified Open Box?

The price below reflects your savings.

Savings: $367.35 New for $2,449.00

This is What's Missing from Your Mix

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Our Product Research Team

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The Empirical Labs Fatso EL7x adds even more sonic goodness to the original Fatso analog tape simulator, one of the most popular "sweetening" processors we've used at Sweetwater. This version of the Fatso packs a new compressor model based on the classic Urei 1176LN, plus an improved interface, more stereo link functions, and cooler operating temperature. Whether you're tracking drums, creating electronic music, or finalizing a full mix, you'll soon be addicted to adding smooth analog saturation and compression to your tracks with the Empirical Labs Fatso EL7x analog tape simulator.

Add harmonic richness to your audio with four different processing modes

Engineers worldwide love the Fatso for adding analog tape vibe to warm up digital tracks, and you've got a lot of sonic flexibility with the Fatso EL7x. The Harmonic Generation and Soft Clipper modes use a Class A circuit to gently round-off the peaks of your audio, just like saturated tubes or tape would. The High Frequency Saturation mode employs a clever dynamic high-cut filter, which reduces HF energy only when it piles up beyond a certain point. And a favorite among Sweetwater engineers is the Transformer and Tape Head Emulation, which simulates the effect of input and output transformers of vintage gear and sounds fantastic on just about anything you run through it.

"Eleven" compressor setting emulates the classic 1176LN

While it doesn't give you extensive parameter control like a dedicated compressor does, the Fatso EL7x's compressor modes give you smooth dynamics and undeniable character that you'll want to use on every track. This updated Fatso includes the "Eleven" compressor mode, with a slow attack, fast release, and high ratio that nail the sound of the classic Urei 1176LN.

Updated design lowers the noise floor, and the operating temperature

The sonic gurus at Empirical Labs knew that the original Fatso ran just a bit warm, so they set out to find a way to cool things down with the Fatso EL7x. Long story short, a happy side effect of the re-design is that the current draw dropped over 20 percent, which considerably lowered the noise floor. You still get the awesome sound that made the Fatso a worldwide hit, just lower noise and less heat in your rack.

Empirical Labs Fatso EL7x Features:

  • Add the richness, depth, and harmonic enhancement of analog tape to your audio
  • Ideal for smoothing harsh high frequencies, adding depth and body, controlling dynamics, and more
  • Updated "Eleven" compressor mode is based on the Urei 1176LN with slow attack, fast release, and high ratio
  • Works magic on stereo buses and full mixes, but it's also perfect for tracking
  • Processing modes include Harmonic Generation and Soft Clipping, High Frequency Saturation, Transformer/Tape Head Emulation, and Classic Knee Compression
What is Certified Open Box Gear?

At Sweetwater, we're so picky that what we call "Certified Open Box" is actually better than what most music retailers sell as "new" gear! Our gear hasn't endured hundreds of people a week plunking away at all the keyboards, fumbling through Stairway to Heaven on every guitar or playing with every fader and knob on a mixer or control surface.

Certified Open Box (also known as a demo) means we’ve had it out of the box for our YouTube channel, displayed at events, tested in our studio, or maybe it was in a customer’s hands for a few days and isn’t ‘factory fresh’ as a result. Every Certified Open Box item we sell has Sweetwater’s 2-year Total Confidence Coverage™ warranty and has been tested and verified up to ‘new’ specs by our factory-authorized technicians to make sure it’s in perfect working order before we ship it to you.

When you buy a Certified Open Box item at Sweetwater, you get:
  • 2-year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty™!
  • Products inspected and tested by our factory-authorized techs, guaranteed to function like new (or better)!
  • FREE shipping on most items
  • Equipment that will MEET or EXCEED your expectations!

Click HERE to browse our current inventory of Certified Open Box equipment. Purchasing Certified Open Box gear from Sweetwater is a smart and safe way to save!

Warranty Info

Sweetwater's FREE 2-Year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty

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  • Save money with FREE parts and labor
  • Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time
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Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage

Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. Select manufacturers may require that only the manufacturer’s products qualify towards the minimum purchase amount needed to be eligible for promotional financing. Otherwise, an invoice that meets the minimum purchase amount and contains at least one qualifying manufacturer product is eligible for promotional financing. No interest will be charged on promo purchase balance, and equal monthly payments are required on promo purchase until it is paid in full. The payments equal the amount financed divided by the number of months in the promo period, rounded up to the next whole dollar. These payments may be higher than the payments that would be required if this purchase was a non-promo purchase. During the last month(s) of the promo period the required monthly payment may be reduced due to the prior months’ rounding. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases. New Accounts as of 07/31/2025: Purchase APR is 34.99%. Penalty APR is 39.99%. Min Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders: See your credit card agreement terms. Subject to credit approval.

Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. No interest will be charged on the promo balance if you pay it off, in full, within the promo period. If you do not, interest will be charged on the promo balance from the purchase date. The required minimum monthly payments may or may not pay off the promo balance before the end of the promo period, depending on purchase amount, promo length and payment allocation. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases and, after promo period ends, to the promo balance. New Accounts as of 07/31/2025: Purchase APR is 34.99%. Penalty APR is 39.99%. Min Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders: See your credit card agreement terms. Subject to credit approval.

The estimated required monthly payment shown which excludes taxes and delivery equals the amount financed divided by the number of months in the promo period, rounded up to the next cent. During the last month(s) of the promo period the required monthly payment may be reduced due to this rounding. These payments apply only with the financing offer shown. If you make these payments by the due date each month, you should pay off this amount financed within the promo period, if it is the only balance you are paying off. If you have other balances on your account, this payment will be added to any other minimum monthly payments.

Applies only to select items from this manufacturer. Ask your Sweetwater Sales Engineer for more details.