CoolCat
Well-known member
I finally got this thing plugged in and a few hours on it.
The setup and manual are simple and kind of a "just do it" instructions, and it was a "use your ears" easy setup (the manual helps too). after I tried so many preamps last year, the comps became the Mojo, imo.
once you set the gain of the preamp (35db is a safe place) my mic has 28mv , an LDC KSM44. I think with this one theres about 80db gain with the large knob called OUT and theres some under the hood with the other large knob Drive.
FATSO/DISTRESSOR (Saturation and Comp)
clean isnt why someone needs to spend money, so everything was on full blast right away, comp and drive. the Output large knob controlled the system, making it a friendly one knob unit with Mojo.
My best here in this closet studio is a Neve1073/LA2A plug.
The EL9, MikeE..includes the Fatso and Distressor and adds a Nuke (all in) squash comp but its designed to sound good with everything full on and I like that. It makes it drunk idiot proof, it makes the EL9 sound good from Clean to Full MOJO. Then the useful Dry/Mix knob can go from PreAmp only to Fatso/Distressor Tape sat and the kitchen sink.
I love it, it has a sound thats familiar taking from vintage gear ...and really I like this for simplicity.
the only CON i can see goes for all Hardware in general, even the $10,000 LA2A and the $6000 1176's and that CON is "recall and save as".
getting back to reality...the Emperical Labs and its Fatso/Distressor = Mike E (named after his brother) is like getting that NEVE/LA2A sound I got from the plug. Hardware vibe? Mojo lots of it. SOS gave it super high ratings, and many others, they actually use this in real studios with Horns and Drums and vocals and DI usage. Here i dont even need recall sheets. Worked great with the KSM44, I'll probably do some SM58 next and a bass track. Its the best Hardware piece Ive had to date. I think my past overall favorite was the old Joe Meek VC1Q and this one has that cool color but with more clarity and the EL9 is easier to setup.
The setup and manual are simple and kind of a "just do it" instructions, and it was a "use your ears" easy setup (the manual helps too). after I tried so many preamps last year, the comps became the Mojo, imo.
once you set the gain of the preamp (35db is a safe place) my mic has 28mv , an LDC KSM44. I think with this one theres about 80db gain with the large knob called OUT and theres some under the hood with the other large knob Drive.
FATSO/DISTRESSOR (Saturation and Comp)
clean isnt why someone needs to spend money, so everything was on full blast right away, comp and drive. the Output large knob controlled the system, making it a friendly one knob unit with Mojo.
My best here in this closet studio is a Neve1073/LA2A plug.
The EL9, MikeE..includes the Fatso and Distressor and adds a Nuke (all in) squash comp but its designed to sound good with everything full on and I like that. It makes it drunk idiot proof, it makes the EL9 sound good from Clean to Full MOJO. Then the useful Dry/Mix knob can go from PreAmp only to Fatso/Distressor Tape sat and the kitchen sink.
I love it, it has a sound thats familiar taking from vintage gear ...and really I like this for simplicity.
the only CON i can see goes for all Hardware in general, even the $10,000 LA2A and the $6000 1176's and that CON is "recall and save as".
getting back to reality...the Emperical Labs and its Fatso/Distressor = Mike E (named after his brother) is like getting that NEVE/LA2A sound I got from the plug. Hardware vibe? Mojo lots of it. SOS gave it super high ratings, and many others, they actually use this in real studios with Horns and Drums and vocals and DI usage. Here i dont even need recall sheets. Worked great with the KSM44, I'll probably do some SM58 next and a bass track. Its the best Hardware piece Ive had to date. I think my past overall favorite was the old Joe Meek VC1Q and this one has that cool color but with more clarity and the EL9 is easier to setup.