5
GETTING STARTED
5.1
Connections.
There are various ways that the FAT 1 can be connected into your audio system. The three
most common are:
a)
As an instrument front end
b)
Connected to a channel insert point
c)
Connected to a group or master insert point
To use the FAT 1 as an instrument front end, connect the output(s) of the FAT 1 directly to
the line (not mic) input of your console, recorder or sound card. The FAT 1 has balanced
line outputs for professional sound quality, but can easily connect to an unbalanced line input
(see Installation section 3.2). Once the outputs are connected, simply feed your instrument
into the front panel jack input(s) on the FAT 1. Recording direct to the multitrack recorder
(thus bypassing the console) is a common technique these days as it keeps the signal path
short, and of the highest quality. No unnecessary console stages are passed through, thus
maintaining quality.
Many mixers have sockets called ‘insert points’, which allow processors such as dynamics
devices and EQs to be patched in-line into the mixer signal path at various points. The most
common points that insert points are provided are in the channel, group and stereo master
sections. Patching the FAT 1 into the channel insert point means that any signal passing
through that channel will pass directly though the FAT 1. Compressing a vocal, for instance,
can be achieved by connecting the microphone directly to the console mic input, then
connecting the FAT 1 into the console insert point. The mic signal will be amplified by the
mixer before being passed into the FAT 1’s inputs via the mixer insert ‘send’ connection.
The outputs of the FAT 1 connect back to the insert ‘return’ connection, thus returning the
signal to the mixer and ensuring continuous signal flow.
Group insert points are used to compress sub-grouped signals such as drums or backing
vocals. It’s common to mix an entire drum kit to a stereo group, then use a pair of group
faders to control the overall level, rather than having to adjust each individual drum level. If
you then wish to compress the overall stereo kit signal, you can connect the FAT 1 to the
relevant group insert points, using the same ‘send and return’ technique as the channel insert.
Having compressed individual tracks while recording, it is common to apply compression to
the stereo mix while mastering it to 2 track tape, DAT or CD. Doing this will help fatten the
sound further and control levels. Like the channel and groups, the stereo L/R mix buss will
normally have a pair of insert points to facilitate this. If not, the FAT 1 can be connected in-
line with the mixer’s main stereo outputs, ahead of the master 2 track recorder.
