| TL Audio Fat Track Details
The TL Audio Fat Track Tube Pream & EQ is designed to be the centrepiece of any home, project or professional studio It combines some of the best-loved TL Audio features into one compact and professional unit, adding warmth and sonic pleasure to all recordings and mixes. Drawing on our larger and highly acclaimed M series consoles, the Fat Track offers you that unrivalled big desk sound in a more compact, intuitive and affordable package..
The Fat Track can capture your recordings with two premium TL Audio tube preamps as used on our M Series consoles contained within two fully featured channel strips with 3 band swept musical EQ taken from our M1 console. Use the Fat Track for summing and mix-down also, with 4 stereo and two mono returns. You will immediately become aware of the richness and clarity of sound you gain when summing your audio analogue via the Fat Track. You can even bring your entire mix back via the 2 mono channels to add some EQ or final warmth, patch in a compressor to the master inserts and suddenly you have a complete mastering solution too!
The monitor section also comes packed with features, including, separate return solo and selection buttons, effects return, alternative loudspeaker mode, loudspeaker mute, and 2 headphone outputs with individual rotary control. Headphone output 1 (producer) also follows your selections in the master section, whilst headphone output 2 (artist), stays fixed on the stereo bus.
The multitude of inputs and outputs available within easy reach on the top panel makes for a flexible and intuitive workstation where quick cable changes are made easy. Space for fitting a TL Audio DO-8 ADAT interface is also provided allowing easy digital connectivity.
Designed for the producer, musician, singer/songwriter, engineer or general enthusiast, this product caters for every requirement, is easy to use and produces fantastic, professional results.
TL Audio Fat Track Features
TL Audio Fat Track SpecificationsLine Input:
- Balanced, via 3 pin TRS jack
- Nominal Level: +4dBu, Gain range: +/-20dB
- Frequency Response: 10Hz to 40KHz, +/-0.4dB
- Maximum Input Level: +22dBu
- Noise: -83dBu unweighted, 22Hz to 22KHz
Mic Input:
- Balanced, via 3 pin XLR
- Gain range: +16dB to +60dB (-14dB to +30dB with pad)
- Input Noise (EIN): -127dBu, 22Hz to 22KHz @ 60dB gain, 150R
- Frequency Response: 10Hz to 40KHz, +/-0.5dB, @ 40dB gain
- Maximum Input Level: +6dBu (+36dBu with pad)
- Switchable 48V Phantom Power
Instrument Input:
- Unbalanced: 0.25" jack
- Nominal input: -16dBu, Gain range: +/-20dB
- Maximum Input Level: +8dBu
- Frequency Response: 10Hz to 40KHz, +/-0.5dB
- Noise: -83dBu unweighted, 22Hz to 22KHz
Direct Output:
- Post EQ and Fader, Pre Mute Switch
- Balanced, via 3 pin TRS jack
- Nominal Level: +4dBu
- Maximum Level: +22dBu
All Inputs:
- Phase Reverse Switch
- Switchable High Pass Filter, -3dB @ 90Hz, 2nd order
Equaliser:
- High: +/-15dB @ 10KHz
- Mid: +/-15dB, swept 150Hz to 7KHz, Q =0.7
- Low: +/-15dB @ 80Hz
- Tube Stage: Pre EQ
Drive LED:
- Variable intensity, from 0dBu to +12dBu, indicating increasing Tube drive.
- Distortion is predominately 2nd Harmonic, increasing with Drive LED from 0.5% to 3% (typical)
Peak LED:
- Illuminates at +19dBu
- Multiple point monitoring at Input stage and post EQ
Insertion Point:
- Post EQ, Pre Fader
- Semi-balanced Send, balanced Return, on separate 3 pin TRS jacks
- Bypass switch
- Nominal Level -2.7dBu
FX Send:
- Post EQ, Fader and Mute switch
- Variable send level
Inputs:
- Balanced, via 3 pin TRS jacks
- Nominal Level individually switchable +4dBu/-10dBu
- Maximum Input Level +22dBu
XLR Outputs:
- Balanced, nominal level: +4dBu
- Maximum level: +26dBu
- Noise, all faders @ 0dB, -80dBu, 22Hz to 22KHz
- Noise, Main Fader @ minimum, -95dBu, 22Hz to 22KHz
Insertion Point:
- Pre Fader
- Semi-balanced Send, balanced Return, on separate 3 pin TRS jacks
- Bypass switch
- Nominal Level -2.7dBu
- Monitoring:
Source:
- Normally follows Main Output, overridden by 2-Track AFL selection
- Level controlled by large diameter knob
- Main / Alt LS switch
- LS Mute switch
LS Outputs:
- Main and Alt LS, balanced on 3 pin TRS jacks
- Nominal Level +4dBu
- Maximum Level +26dBu
- Noise -80dBu, all faders @ 0dB
- Noise -100dBu, Monitor Fader @ minimum or LS muted
Phones Outputs:
- 2 stereo outputs, with separate level controls
- Phones 1 follow Monitor selection, for Engineer/Producer
- Phones 2 follow Main Output at all times, for Artist
- 3 pin TRS jacks
- Minimum Impedance 32 ohms
Digital I/O:
- Optional DO-8/Firewire cards available, to fit slot on rear panel
- Dimensions: 381mm W x 330mm D x 150mm H. (15" x 13" x 6" approx)
Power Requirements:
- Voltage: 230V 50Hz or 115V 60Hz, internally wired
- Consumption: 37VA, without digital I/O
- 41VA, with DO-8 option fitted
TL Audio Fat Track Extras
TL Audio Fat Track Downloads
TL Audio Fat Track Reviews
Resolution
FATTRACK : A compact and integrated answer to all those who wished they had never given away their analogue consoles
It happens as infrequently as it ever did but every now and then you come across a product that you feel is right. Operation is like child's play and I found the scale and layout to my liking. You can track through the channels and listen to your backing either coming back in stereo subs or as a complete mix from your workstation. Two people could happily work on a Fat Track but I have a feeling it will find most homes with solitary users. You have a ridiculous amount of connectivity here and its easy to access although when you've filled all the sockets it does begin to take on a completely different appearance and starts to feel a little cramped.
TL Audio refined its valve orientated signal paths years ago and this unit displays a comfortable front end with a surprisingly characterful mic preamp and a gain structure throughout that allows you to balance things nicely in terms of drive and richness.
From the standpoint of summing the same character traits are carried over although for me I am drawn to the Fat Track most for the number of inputs you can get into it - you have the stereo return too, of course - and how easy it is to access them. From an equipment reviewers point of view it is ideal kit for comparisons and testing purposes.
You can rely on quiet and solid performance.
Future Music
FATTRACK : Fat Track Review
So, after the connections are all in, how does the Fat Track perform in the heat of the studio environment? Spectacularly well, as it transpires.
Having access to stereo groups of sound sources is glorious, for a start, and being able to feed separate pairs of monitors and independent headphone mixes for clients is great but ultimately this box is all about the sound and it’s one well worth hearing.
Its warmth is the standout feature and I don’t mean an artificial sense of brightness or ‘saccharine sheen?but rather a depth and width, which it’s much harder to attempt to replicate directly inside a DAW with plug-ins. The Fat Track quickly becomes familiar almost as an extension of the computer and if you’re in the habit of bouncing your audio in real time anyway, no time is lost sending your signal out through the Fat Track and back in on a spare pair of inputs.
Certainly, if these concepts appeal, you should check the Fat Track out immediately. It’s a mid-size wedge with a sonic heart of pure gold and is ready to be the mixer you thought you’d never need again.
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