hardware Stereo tape simulators

Anyone using either the portico 542 or a sound skulptor STS? I'm thinking about getting an STS.

Anyone use an EL-7 Fatso?

i´ve read quite a few positive things about the STS on gearslutz, seems to be a nice unit

v00d00ppl wrote:Anyone use an EL-7 Fatso?

Every day for the past 6-7 years. I won't do a record without it. It's expensive, but well worth it for me. Versatile too, most times I use it as a saturator / tape sim, but also sometimes as a compressor. Overall nothing but thumbs up from me. Wouldn't be the first outboard piece I'd buy, but definitely essential once you've got some other things shored up.

SEMS wrote:

v00d00ppl wrote:Anyone use an EL-7 Fatso?

Every day for the past 6-7 years. I won't do a record without it. It's expensive, but well worth it for me. Versatile too, most times I use it as a saturator / tape sim, but also sometimes as a compressor. Overall nothing but thumbs up from me. Wouldn't be the first outboard piece I'd buy, but definitely essential once you've got some other things shored up.

SEMS can you set it to 7ips, 15ips, and 30ips?

v00d00ppl wrote:

SEMS wrote:

v00d00ppl wrote:Anyone use an EL-7 Fatso?

Every day for the past 6-7 years. I won't do a record without it. It's expensive, but well worth it for me. Versatile too, most times I use it as a saturator / tape sim, but also sometimes as a compressor. Overall nothing but thumbs up from me. Wouldn't be the first outboard piece I'd buy, but definitely essential once you've got some other things shored up.

SEMS can you set it to 7ips, 15ips, and 30ips?

Nah unfortunately not. Even tho it says "Tape Simulator" in the name, it doesn't offer control over ips, or wow & flutter or anything like that. The closest thing to selecting tape speed is using the Warmth control which can be set from 1-7. I don't use it all that often personally (my MPC 3k keeps sounds dark enough) but sometimes it's great for taking out some harsh high-end frequencies.