Open a Sweetwater Card & Earn BonusBucks
Back to results

API 505-DI 500 Series Direct Input

500 Series Direct Injection Module with Thin/Fat Tone Control, Bright Switch, and 20dB Pad
6 Write review Item ID: API505
$595.00

Or pay $99.16 for 6 months with Easy Pay

See all payment options

Free
Shipping
Tech Support

Free Sweetwater
Support

Free 2-year
Warranty
In Stock!

Only 4 left in stock! Order Soon!
Add to Cart
Notify me about deals

Ask An Expert

Our expertly trained Sales Engineers are ready to help!

(800) 222-4700
What is a Sales Engineer?
Sweetwater Gear Exchange

Have one to sell?
Check out Sweetwater's Gear Exchange!
Learn More

Most Popular Accessories & Related Items

API 505-DI 500 Series Direct Input
In Stock!
$595.00
Add to Cart
Add to list
Back to navigation

Written By

Our Product Research Team

Get to know them!

You Want the Fat, Punchy Sound of API DI

The API 505 delivers fat, punchy sound. The DI circuitry the instrument passes through has everything to do with that - you certainly don't want to degrade your sound right at the input. Now you can equip your studio or road rig with the same DI hi-Z input you've heard on countless hit records, with all the convenience of the 500 Series format. Equip your 500 Series rack with the 505 DI, and get killer direct sounds right from the get-go. Give your basses and synths the classic fat and punchy sound of the API 505 DI.

Related Videos: 505-DI 500 Series Direct Input

API 505 500 Series Direct Injection Module at a Glance:
  • The same direct injection circuitry used in world-renowned API consoles
  • Quality Gear From API
The same direct injection circuitry used in world-renowned API consoles

Put the classic sound of an API direct input in your 500 Series rack! Incorporating the same direct injection circuitry used in world-renowned API consoles, the 505 DI offers "bright" filtering and a 20dB pad, as well as adjustable instrument tone loading.

Quality gear from API

In 1968, Automated Processes Inc. began building quality consoles for broadcast applications. Soon, the company's products found favor with recording studios, and a string of industry-leading advancements (including computerized console automation, the first VCA, and more) followed. API produced the 2520 amplifier, one of the most famous op-amps in the recording industry, and their consoles and products found homes in such iconic studio facilities as Ocean Way, the Record Plant, and Sunset Sound, among others. In fact, there are over 700 classic API consoles around the globe - many of which are still in use. And the company certainly isn't resting on its laurels; today's API products give you the same unbeatable combination of utility, innovation, and great sound.

API 505 500 Series Direct Injection Module Features:
  • Classic, fat and punchy API DI sound
  • 20dB pad and gain control, for optimized gain structure
  • Thin/Fat tone control lets you dial in the right amount of girth
  • Bright Switch lets you contour your top end
  • Perfect for basses and synths
  • Requires 500 Series frame
Get fat, punchy DI sound, with the API 505!

Additional Media

500 Series Buying Guide
Signal Processing Buying Guide

Warranty Info

Sweetwater's FREE 2-Year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty

Extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

  • Save money with FREE parts and labor
  • Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time
  • Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department
Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage
2 Year Total Confidence Coverage
$59.00
FREE!

Free 2-year Warranty

Sweetwater's 2-year Total Confidence Coverage™ Warranty gives you extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage
Tools Icon

Save money with free parts & labor!

Fast Icon

Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time.

Award Icon

Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department.

Back to navigation

Tech Specs

  • Preamp Type: Solid State
  • Number of Channels: 1
  • Frequency Response: 30Hz-20kHz
  • Phantom Power: Yes
  • EQ: Yes
  • Analog Inputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • Analog Outputs: 1 x 1/4"
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 505 DI

What Makes Our Sales Engineers Great?

Sweetwater Sales Engineers are a world-class team of experts dedicated to you. Hand selected from across the globe, each brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the world of music gear to provide you with unparalleled service completely free of charge. Friendly relationships, real trust, and the right gear are only a call or a click away!

(800) 222-4700
Contact Your Sales Engineer
Back to navigation

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5

Customer Added Media

This product doesn't have any review media yet!

Write your review

Best DI I've Ever Used

I'm a producer and engineer but as an instrumentalist, I get most of my work as a bassist. I've generally been skeptical of DI-only recording because it just lacks some of the magic an amp gives you. Decided to finally get serious about DI and bought this and I may never go back to micing an amp. It really is that good. The few tone controls are more than enough to sculpt the sound and it's impossible to get a bad sound out of this. As other people said, if you can gain stage in a way that allows you to drive this thing a little bit, that's where the magic happens. I really need to get a second so I can begin tracking stereo sources.

My only caveat - this thing is expensive for what is, at the end of the day, a DI box. If you're a newbie, your money is probably better spent elsewhere. But if you are at the point where you are ready to drop real money on a DI, this thing is the real deal.
by Charley from TN on

Pure API sound

I have the Rupert Neve 5060 center piece they are known for the transformer and much warmth , on the other her hand the API has a huge transformer on it as well but give a different kind of warmth but add a bit more clarity with the warm, the fatter function is amazing the high function is superb the API gives you more punch and is great for drums percussions pianos and vocals I'm not saying it's better than the Rupert Neve sound. It's different and I use both on different projects
by Prophet K from Lothian, MD on
Music background: Pro audio production engineer and film maker

True API Sound

This thing sounds awesome! I have an MPC Key 61, Novation Bass Station II, Roland Jupiter X, and Prophet 10 all going through 6 of these in an API 500 series Lunch Box. The way you can dial in the tone you're looking for is legit. The magic happens when you drive the gain up just enough to get that saturation/distortion. I also own software plug-in emulations of some of the most iconic API gear, and now that I actually own API hardware, I can definitely hear the difference. The plug-ins come very close to "that sound", but the hardware delivers a tone that's truly amazing.
by D. Jones from Lakewood, WA on
Music background: Hobbyist

Great preamp

I replaced an Avalon U5 with this API unit. I am happy I did. The API has more punch and mojo, and is much more intuitive in use. With recording gear one of the questions that I ask first is "how much noise does this add to my signal chain?". This unit doesn't add any noise. It is clean and quiet just like pro level equipment should be. I mostly use it with my Ernie Ball Bongo, but I've used it with my electric guitars as well, both with results that I've been thrilled with. I will eventually add one more of these to my chasis.
by Sweetwater Customer on

This thing is great on bass

I'm sure this DI is awesome on pretty much anything you run through it... but at this point, bass guitar has been what I've used it for. AND IT's AWESOME! Clean, fat, tight... I'm blown away.
by Sweetwater Customer on
See also: 500 Series Compressors, API, API 500 Series Dynamics, API 500 Series Preamps
Close Close $2,000 Pick Your PRS Giveaway -- input your email address below to enter or click here to learn more.

See giveaway details & rules or check out our past winners!

Enter Now

Success!

Your email, has been entered to win this giveaway. Good Luck!