Classic Bus Compressor Plug-in from UAD
The API 2500 has been a 2-bus staple in many studio engineers’ racks for years. Now, thanks to Universal Audio’s decorated team of DSP engineers, you can also make it a staple in your DAW templates. The API 2500 Bus Compressor plug-in was created in direct collaboration with API engineers, who provided UA with schematics for both rackmount and in-console API 2500s. This partnership resulted in not just the world’s most accurate emulation of an API 2500 — it’s also one of the most accurate emulations in the entire history of UA plug-ins! With three custom compression Knees, two compression Types, API’s patented Thrust control, and unique L/R mix controls, the Universal Audio UAD API 2500 Bus Compressor plug-in is sure to make your stereo mix bus — or anything else you run through it — come alive with the iconic punch and energy of an API 2500.
Note: Do you own Apollo hardware? By purchasing this plug-in, you will receive two licenses: one license allows you to run the plug-in via your computer’s CPU and the other allows you to run it via your Apollo hardware. Please contact your Sweetwater Sales Engineer if you have any questions.
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One of UA’s most accurate plug-ins
API didn’t just license and authenticate the UAD API 2500 Bus Compressor plug-in; they were actively involved in creating it from the start. UA’s DSP engineering team consulted proprietary API schematics, which they meticulously studied while leveraging their esteemed modeling techniques. The result is a plug-in based on the entire circuit path and controls of Paul Wolff-designed all-discrete, in-console API 2500 hardware (including custom API amps and transformers). Sweetwater engineers concur: the UAD API 2500 Bus Compressor plug-in represents a milestone in UA’s history and for all analog emulations worldwide.
Famous API 2500 features
The API 2500 features two compressor types. The “New” feed-forward type anticipates and pre-adjusts the sidechain signal, which is excellent for hard limiting and taming transients; the “Old” feedback peak-based type is akin to API’s 525 Compressor. You can also select between three different threshold knees (Soft, Medium, and Hard) for shaping the tone and response. A huge part of the API 2500’s iconic punch is the patented Thrust feature, which evens out LF and HF energy by putting a filter in front of the RMS detector so that they trigger the compressor equally. Finally, whereas most compressors only allow you to link or unlink your L/R channels, the API 2500’s Link parameters and Shape control let you decide exactly how your L/R channels interact and sound.
Plug-in-centric features
As if creating the world’s most accurate API 2500 emulation wasn’t enough, Universal Audio also threw in some features found only on the plug-in! There’s a Dry/Wet Mix knob for quick and easy sidechaining, Headroom controls for custom user-defined operating levels, and stock presets from famous API 2500 users, such as Vance Powell, Jeff Balding, Ryan Hewitt, and Adam Hawkins.
Universal Audio UAD API 2500 Bus Compressor Plug-in Features:
- Impeccably analyzed by UA from both rackmount and in-console schematics provided by API
- Licensed and authenticated by Automated Processes, Inc.
- Provides the complete circuit path and controls of the Paul Wolff-designed all-discrete, in-console hardware (including custom API amps and transformers)
- Signature API 2500 features include New and Old compressor types, patented Thrust filter, and Variable Sidechain Link for unique L/R channel capabilities
- Exclusive plug-in features include Dry/Wet mix knob for quick parallel processing and Headroom for custom operating level
- Includes artist presets from famous API users including Vance Powell (Jars of Clay, Chris Stapleton), Jeff Balding (Taylor Swift, Eagles), Ryan Hewitt (Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Lumineers), and Adam Hawkins (Switchfoot, 50 Cent)
- Includes a native license that will run with any interface and a UAD-2 license that takes advantage of Universal Audio DSP-accelerated hardware