API Vision 48-channel Recording and Mixing Console

Custom configurations available

Decked out in opulent leather and wood trim, your Vision console will make a dramatic statement in your control room and elevate the status of your studio. Under the hood, it features the same no-compromise level of circuitry and build quality as API’s Legacy Series boards. Although this page highlights the 48-channel base configuration, Vision consoles can be custom ordered to your exact specifications. There are a variety of available options, and in the interest of having your console configured to suit your exact needs, we recommend you contact your Sweetwater Sales Engineer for expert guidance and support throughout the ordering, delivery, and installation process.

Final Touch motorized fader/mute automation system

API’s Final Touch Automation system provides the precision and finesse every mix needs. Human accuracy being what it is, computers are far more suited for repetitive tasks such as duplicating fader levels, pass after pass. Like most console automation systems, Final Touch takes the guesswork out of mixing, freeing you to focus artistically on the big picture rather than tedious housekeeping chores like multiple complex fader rides. Either way, Final Touch automation delivers bulletproof reliability, unprecedented flexibility, and straightforward, user-friendly operation. And like all API pro audio equipment, it’s also an outstanding value, with functionality rivaling that of the most costly and sophisticated console automation systems on the market.

• Reliable, self-contained fader automation system requiring no external computer
• Individual Switch Control on each fader
• Global Control Panel in the console Center Section
• High-resolution dual 7.5-inch Touch Screen Control
• Files are easily saved to standard memory cards
• Automated or recall switches on each channel (except Solo)
• Unlimited Fader Groups with 2 dedicated Group Master Faders
• Motorized surround and master fader
• DAW Control with unity gain audio bypass
• Unlimited Mix Restore points
• Comprehensive Operations Manual

The 550L parametric 4-band EQ

Designed by API founder Saul Walker in the late ’60s, API’s iconic 550B is one of the all-time classic console equalizers (and 500 Series EQ modules). The 550B and its variants have shaped the sound of countless recordings over the last 50 years, and they remain some of the most coveted EQs on the planet. Vision consoles come fitted with the 550L, a long-format module offering four bands of definitive API parametric equalization. The 550L’s four bands are spec’d with overlapping frequency selections, which gives you remarkably effective sound-sculpting capabilities. Combining API’s proprietary 2520 op-amp and Proportional Q circuitry, the 550L gives engineers access to acoustically superior EQ that’s quick and easy to deploy.

• 4 overlapping bands of definitive API equalization
• Each band offers 7 frequency centers
• 12dB of boost/cut per band
• High and Low bands offer shelf/peak switching
• Proportional Q narrows filter Q at extremes
• Bypass with illuminated indicator
• High headroom (+30dB clip level)

The 560L graphic EQ module

For those who appreciate the operational efficiencies of a graphic EQ, API offers the 560L (which is also included in the stock 48-channel Vision console). Originally designed for mounting in API large-format boards of the 1970s, the 560 EQ is unique in the fact that it manages to shoehorn the quick intuitiveness of a 10-band graphic equalizer into a console module format. As such, it offers sound balancing and signal sweetening solutions that other console equalizers cannot. With the 560L’s visual curve shaping and zero detents, it’s exceptionally fast to tweak and recall settings. Based on the original 560 design, today’s 560L incorporates API’s proprietary circuitry and components (including the API 2520 op-amp) while featuring improved resolution in the ±4dB region. A perfect companion for a parametric EQ, the 560’s Proportional Q design broadens the filter bandwidth at lower boost/cut levels while narrowing it at higher settings. What’s more, the boost and cut characteristics are identical, which makes it easy to “undo” committed equalization after the fact.

• Based on the original 1969 API 560 EQ
• 10 bands of proprietary API equalization
• Familiar graphic operation on 1-octave centers
• 12dB of boost/cut per band
• Proportional Q narrows filter Q at extremes
• Additional resolution within the ±4dB region
• Center detent for reliable reset
• Silent bypass button

The 2520 op-amp

Another Saul Walker invention, the 2520 operational amplifier (used in components throughout the API Vision, including the 550 and 560 EQs) offers the generous headroom necessary for consistent analog sound quality even when presented with radical equalization curves. Notably, the 2520’s capacity for driving low impedance loads is critical when it is mated to API’s custom output transformers. The superior results are quite audible with optimized low-frequency reproduction and crisper imaging, which delivers that sought-after, massive API “punch-in-the-gut” sound that jumps right out of the speakers.

Built for the long haul

Since the 1970s, API boards have been prized for their robust, mil-spec build quality. This is borne out by the impressive number of vintage APIs still in daily service around the world. Back in the Golden Age of Analog, pro audio equipment was meticulously assembled and wired by hand using military-grade components — factors to which the timelessly superior sound and performance of coveted vintage gear are often attributed. And that is precisely how API builds their consoles to this day. Your API Vision is built to reliably deliver superior sound, session after session, over decades of faithful service. And the company backs up their assiduous craftsmanship with an industry-leading 5-year warranty on all parts, giving you the confidence of knowing you have made an excellent investment in your studio business.

API: an American pro audio legend

Launched in 1968 by Saul Walker, Automated Processes Inc. began building high-quality consoles for broadcast applications. Soon, the company’s products found favor with recording studios, and a string of industry-leading innovations (including the 500 Series module, the first VCA, computerized console automation, 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 the Hit Factory, Record Plant, Ocean Way, Sunset Sound, and many others. In fact, there are over 700 vintage API consoles around the globe — many of which are still in use. Clearly, the company isn’t resting on its laurels; today’s API products give you the same unbeatable combination of utility, innovation, and stellar sound. That’s why, at Sweetwater, the name API commands reverence.

API Vision 48 Analog Recording Console Features:

• Vision 48-channel base configuration
• Final Touch motorized fader/mute/solo automation system
• 24 x 212 mic preamps
• 32 x 550L EQs, 8 x 560L EQs
• Optional dynamics (225L compressor, 235L noise gate)
• Resettable Switch Automation, assignable per channel or globally
• Resettable Bus Assign, assignable per channel or globally
• Dedicated 5.1 Mix Bus
• Final Touch moving fader/mute/solo automation
• 2 x 100mm automated faders per channel
• Simultaneous Surround and Stereo mixing
• Dual Inputs per channel
• 5-channel Surround Panning on each fader
• Dedicated 5.1 Mix Bus
• 24 Main Buses, 10 Aux sends, 3 Stereo Buses
• Comprehensive Surround Monitoring
• 8 Multi-channel Playback selectors
• Bass Management
• Individual Solo/Mute control of surround monitors
• Surround Fold Down Matrix
• Central Computer/monitor for Automation and Switch Control
• Machine Control
• Provision for optional signal processing
• 215L Sweep Filter
• 205L Direct Input
• 212L Mic Pre
• 225L Compressor
• 235L Noise Gate
• Monitor Calibration Controls
• 3 sets of speaker assigns
• Onboard/external patchbay included
• Integrated leg set
• Vision power supplies
• Pricing includes API commissioning engineers (excluding travel expenses)