Put API’s Flagship Console in Your Apollo Interface
For decades, the API Vision console has shaped music with its crucial recording and mixing capabilities and, of course, the iconic punchy API sound. Universal Audio’s inscrutable analog emulation techniques now allow you to record and mix through a completely modeled — and routable — API Vision console channel strip. In the default signal flow configuration, you can begin crafting your sound with the 212L Mic Preamp that comes complete with Unison technology, making every characteristic of the Vision’s custom transformers and renowned API 2520 operational amps come alive right in your Apollo interface. Next, utilize the passive 215L High and Low Sweep Filters to broadly shape your sound before passing it along to the 235L Gate/Expander for further refinement. From there, the UAD 225L Compressor/Limiter sculpts your track into something exceptional before sending it through to one of two selectable EQ modules: a 550L 4-band parametric EQ or a 560L 10-band graphic EQ. Finally, the Global module with output meter and fader lets you monitor your signal throughout its entire journey. Sweetwater studio engineers are excited about this opportunity to track and mix through API’s flagship Vision analog console, and save a ton of space in the process!
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.
Related Videos: UAD API Vision Channel Strip Plug-in Collection
The 212L Mic Preamp and 215L Sweep Filters
While the UAD API Vision Channel Strip is highly configurable, every configuration begins with the 212L Mic Preamp. Unison technology means that every ounce of authentic API character found in its custom transformers and esteemed API 2520 op-amps is in your Apollo interface, so your sounds will get coveted API TLC right from the beginning. After the 212L, the next step in your API Vision’s signal flow is up to you, but a standard setup might involve quickly ridding your sound of troublesome frequencies via the 215L High/Low Sweep Filters module.
The 235L Gate/Expander and 225L Compressor/Limiter
The 235L Gate/Expander features two attack speeds and a continuously variable program-dependent release time in both modes. Its Depth control is scaled for fine, subtle gating of 0dB to -9dB, or from -10dB all the way up to -80dB for severe noise limiting.
The 225L Compressor/Limiter features two compression types: an “old”feedback peak-based style and a “new” feed-forward style. On an actual API Vision analog console, you wouldn’t be able to use sidechain filtering with “old”-style feedback compression; however, the UAD API Vision Channel Strip collection makes it possible to do so. A Soft and a Hard Knee allow you to fine-tune your sound, from gentle compression to a more intense limiting effect.
Two switchable EQs
The EQ module on the UAD API Vision Channel Strip’s interface can be switched between a 550L 4-band parametric EQ or a 560L 10-band graphic EQ. (Current settings are conveniently stored in both units.) The 550L utilizes two colored rotary switches that handle frequency band selection and +/- gain values: the blue inner switch handles frequency band selection (denoted by matching blue text) while the outer gray switch controls gain adjustments from -12dB to +12dB.
The 560L utilizes 10 sliders for +/- 12dB of gain in 10 different frequency bands. Both EQ units feature API’s proprietary Proportional Q, which naturally narrows or widens the bandwidth of your high-level or low-level EQ moves. Regardless of your EQ module, both will sound just as musical as an analog API EQ unit.
Included artist presets
This collection’s wealth of features is made even more user-friendly by a bounty of presets from more than a dozen famous studio engineers. You’ll get up and running in no time with presets from the likes of studio wizards Joe Chiccarelli, Ann Mincieli, Jeff Balding, and John Paterno, among others.
Universal Audio UAD API Vision Channel Strip Collection Features:
- Track and mix through a truly astonishing channel strip emulation of API’s flagship Vision analog console
- 5 distinct modules: 212L Mic Preamp, 215L High/Low Cut Filters, 225L Compressor/Limiter, 235L Gate/Expander, and 550L 4-Band Parametric Equalizer or 560L 10-band Graphic EQ, plus a Global Output module
- Enliven signals through the API 212L preamp with custom API transformers and renowned 2520 API op-amps, plus a Mic/Line Switch, -6dB line and -20dB mic pads, and cut filter — made even better by Unison technology for Apollo interfaces
- Sculpt your source’s EQ with the passive and sweepable 215L High and Low pass filters, with Sidechain On/Off button
- Shape compression musically with the 225L Compressor, with switchable “old” feedback type and “new” feed-forward type, plus Soft and Hard compression Knees for subtle or severe effects
- Create contoured dynamic ambience and effects with the 235L Gate/Expander, with scaled Depth control for subtle (0 to -9dB) or intense (-10 to -80dB) noise reduction
- Choose from two switchable EQs: the 560L 10-band graphic EQ module or 550L 4-band parametric EQ module
- Global output module with LED meter, output fader, plus Sidechain Link button for linking/unlinking the Left and Right channels of the 225L Compressor and 235L Gate/Expander dynamics modules
- Mix with presets from famous API studio engineers such as Kez Khou, David Isaac, Butch Walker, Mike Dean, and more
- Includes a native license that will run with any interface and a UAD-2 license that takes advantage of Universal Audio DSP-accelerated hardware
