API 550b 500 Series 4-band Equalizer
API 550b 500 Series 4-band Equalizer Reviews
Incorporating API's legendary circuitry, the API 550b 4-band equalizer exudes that royal API blood line in every ounce of its sonic character. Artfully blending the past with the present, the API 550b carries the torch from the now-classic API 550EQ — delivering just the right amount of controls to solve problems and sweeten the sound. On each of the API 550b's bands, there are seven carefully selected, switchable filter frequencies. It's packed with surprisingly surgical capabilities — but it's all about musicality — you'll find out why top engineers depend on the API 550b everyday. API 550b 500 Series Modular 4-band Equalizer at a Glance:
- A modern relative of a music-history favorite
- API's "Proportional-Q" Control
- Excellent at affecting or reversing tonal modifications
- API's 500 Series: Long-term flexibility, lasting value
A modern relative of a music-history favorite The API 550 EQ played a major part in the history of music recording in the USA during the 60s and 70s. Originally conceived for use in API's consoles, this latest 550"B" version, the API 550b, is a continuation of the original 1967 550 through the 550A with one additional filter band and several new frequencies. Incorporating API's exclusive circuitry and proprietary components (such as the legendary API 2520 op-amp), the 550b blends the past with the present. So many hit records still depend on the unique 550 sound — and you'll find that the 550b will be an invaluable tool you'll turn to again and again. API's "Proportional-Q" Control Making use of "API Proportional-Q", a design introduced by API in the 60s, the 550b intuitively widens the filter bandwidth at minimal settings and narrows it at higher settings — without the need for additional bandwidth controls. This feature minimizes the "phase-shift" sound found in many equalizers. Excellent at affecting or reversing tonal modifications You'll be surprised by the possibilities the API 550b 4-band equalizer opens up. One of the 550b's most compelling features is its ability to affect or reverse tonal modifications. If major tonal restructuring is required, the extraordinary headroom made possible with API's 2520 op-amp offers predictable and gentle "analog" performance under duress. You've got a surprisingly wide range of tonal variations, just a few knobs away. API's 500 Series: Long-term flexibility, lasting value The beauty of the entire API 500 Series is its long-term flexibility and lasting value — especially when you consider that needs change over time. With a range of mounting frame options, the API 550b will be a valuable asset to your ever-changing studio rigs. It's also ruggedly designed with sound you just won't outgrow — crafted to be your sonic partner for year after year. API 550b 500 Series Modular 4-band Equalizer Features:
- 4 bands of their famous-sounding equalization
- Each band offers 7 API-selected frequency centers
- Reciprocal and repeatable filtering
- 12dB of boost/cut per band
- EQ Band 1 and 4 offer shelf/peak switching
- "Proportional Q" narrows filter Q at extremes
- Traditional API fully discrete circuit design
- High-headroom +30dB clip level
- Reissue of 1967 API 550 EQ with an extra band
API 550B 500 Series Modular 4-band Equalizer Specifications:
- Modular 4-band Equalizer
- Filter Type:"Low" and "High" bands are Peak/Shelf switchable. Low-Mid and Mid-High are peaking type
- Low Filter Frequency Center: 30, 40, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400Hz
- Low-Mid Filter Frequency Center: 75, 150, 180, 240, 500, 700, 1Khz
- Mid-High Filter Frequency Center: 800, 1.5K, 3K, 5K, 8K, 10K, 12.5K
- High Filter Frequency Center: 2.5K, 5K, 7K, 10K, 12.5K, 15K, 20K
- Filter Boost/Cut: +/- 12dB
- Filter Slope: 12dB per Octave
- Input Impedance: 18.5 K +4 in, 7.5 K -2 in
- Output Impedance:Less than 75 Ohms
- Nominal Levels: -15 to +15 dBu
- Clipping Level: +30 dBu at +/-16 V
- Frequency Response:+0, -.3, 30 to 20 kHz
- Noise:Actual, unw noise, <-98 dBu, 20-20 kHz
- Distortion:.07% max, at +18 dBu Output
- Connectors:15 position .156sp edge connector
- Size: 1.5" X 5.25" X 6" Deep
- Weight: 2.5 lbs
The API 550b 4-band equalizer artfully blends classic API sound with modern features!
Sales Engineer Reviews
Dan Vranic
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API EQ is the best
Any way you push it, any way you pull it it sounds great. There's a reason why these cost as much as they do. They sounds great, are built to last and have been used by professionals for 50 years.
Great EQ
I love these equs they sound great the reason for four stars instead of five is because I bought two and one of them came in DOA and had me questioning in the quality built because I recently bought API high and low pass filter 500 series and one of the two of those was broke so I'm not sure what's going on here with that being said after both the units got replaced now they sound great but still brings up some concerns on quality control
Big, Bold, and Beautiful EQ
If you're going to pick an outboard EQ for your arsenal, this should be your first one. Amazingly musical and stunning in how clear and rich it is on every source. It has a crazy powerful low end and arguably one of the best mid-range character tones out there (yes, the highs are beautiful too). The build quality is superb - solid aluminum knobs and every setting is detented for easy recall. It's one of the more pricey EQ's for the 500 series but worth every penny. I can't wait to get my second one!
Workhorse and swiss army EQ
This is my second favorite EQ. The API550B can be a fantastic surgical tool. It can cut without making your sources sound hollowed out, and it can boost to bring things forward without over dominating.
This is the one
Been using these at studios for years and always wanted one for my own. Sounds great, easy to use, repeatable settings. Just get it, you'll use it on everything.
Better than Awesome?
I really didn't want to spend this much money on an eq when there are so many eq's out there. I heard it was great so finally just got it any way, thinking by the best and don't look back. I won't! This is the most musical eq I've ever used. It it is so detailed and instead of just boosting frequencies you like, it is like musical surgery getting rid of the nasties in your track. Used in conjunction with a good preamp (I chose the 512c) you can get your microphones dialed in and sounding so wonderful with just the details you want. This unit give me the control on the way into my DAW so that I don't have to do much if any eq'ing in software. I've used it with different mics, and it brings out the greatness in all of them. I will never sell this eq, it's just that good.
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