23DSP releases XY-FAT (Free) and XY-FAT Pro Fattening Tools

Marco Allegretti, the developer behind 23DSP, has released two audio plugins aimed at enhancing stereo mixes with a combination of compression, saturation, and tonal shaping: XY-FAT (free) and XY-FAT Pro (paid). Both plugins are designed around a simple yet effective signal path that includes envelope-followed compression, peak EQ filtering, and soft saturation. The main difference lies in their approach to stereo processing: XY-FAT works on the full stereo signal, while XY-FAT Pro processes Mid and Side channels separately. XY-FAT (Free Version) XY-FAT is a streamlined stereo effect plugin offering immediate results with minimal controls. It applies a unified processing chain to the full stereo signal, consisting of high-pass filtering, compression, tonal shaping, and soft saturation. Key Parameters: Fattness – Controls compression depth, output gain, and indirectly the intensity of saturation. Colour – Adjusts the tonal balance using a dynamic peak EQ and defines the saturation threshold. Input Gain (dB) – Pre-processing gain adjustment. Limiter On/Off – Engages a simple safety limiter to prevent digital clipping. Limiter Threshold (dB) – Sets the ceiling for the limiter. AutoGain On/Off – Maintains consistent output level by compensating dynamic changes. Bypass – Disables all processing for quick A/B comparison. XY-FAT is suitable for quick enhancement of drums, synths, vocals, or buses, providing a fast way to add weight and harmonic content without needing complex routing or setup. XY-FAT Pro (Paid Version) XY-FAT Pro expands on the concept by offering Mid/Side stereo processing, allowing for independent control of the center and edges of the stereo field. This version is aimed at users who require more detailed shaping of their stereo image, whether for mixing, mastering, or creative sound design. Each channel (Mid and Side) includes: Independent Fattness and Colour controls. High-pass filtering and dynamic EQ based on the Colour setting. Envelope-controlled compression and soft saturation... and global: Gain staging and output limiting. Global Controls: Input Gain (dB). Limiter On/Off with Threshold. AutoGain. Bypass. By splitting the signal into Mid and Side components, XY-FAT Pro allows producers to shape transients and harmonic content in a more focused way—boosting stereo width, clarifying the center, or creating asymmetry for creative effect. Processing Overview Both plugins follow the same general processing structure: Envelope-Followed Compression – Based on short attack/release times to respond musically to dynamics. Tone Shaping via Peak EQ – Driven by the Colour parameter, which dynamically alters frequency, gain, and bandwidth. Soft Saturation – Gentle harmonic enhancement via a dynamic softclipper. Limiter – Fixed-ceiling limiter to control peaks. AutoGain – Output gain normalization based on pre/post envelope following. Pricing and Availability XY-FAT is available for free (or 'pay-what-you-want') and offers fattening with minimal controls. XY-FAT Pro adds full Mid/Side processing and independent parameter control for €4.50. Both plugins are available now via 23DSP's official Gumroad page and are compatible with major DAWs. Read More