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For over 40 years, Universal Audio's API 2500 Bus Compressor has been a trusted part of the creative process of top music engineers and producers in studios around the world. With its classic design based on Paul Wolff's API circuit designs, this renowned bus compressor adds amazing energy, movement and tone to your stereo mix or submix like no other.
Are you looking for warmth? Then the Universal Audio API 2500 is for you! It infuses your sound with an unmistakable signature warmth that will make your tracks sing. The compression works so subtly and naturally that it'll help transport listeners to a different musical realm, making even the most complex audio projects dynamic and balanced. You won't just end up with a better sounding mix - you'll end up with a mix that sounds exactly how you envisioned it.
All in all, this unique compressor will add class and attitude where none existed before - giving recordings a definitive edge over competitors while still allowing them to remain radio-friendly.
Universal Audio API 2500 Bus Compressor Features
The API 2500 Bus Compressor plug-in is a spot-on emulation of this classic compressor, capturing its all-discrete signal path with Thrust® circuitry — and features a fanatically detailed modeling of API's custom transformers and 2510 and 2520 op amps.
The Only End-to-End API 2500 Emulation
Poring over proprietary "for-your-eyes-only" schematics made available to Universal Audio by API, UA’s team of DSP experts analyzed two classic API 2500s — rackmount and in-console — ensuring one of UA's tightest behavioral circuit models to date. Working together with API's engineers, we scrutinized every facet of the plug-in against its analog counterpart, delivering the definitive representation of this iconic compressor. Early beta testing with UA artists confirmed that the plug-in ranks among the most accurate analog emulations in UA history.
Built for the 2-Bus
API designed the 2500 compressor with program material firmly in mind. Its Release control includes fixed or variable options, while the Attack, Threshold, and Ratio controls offer musical tweaking throughout their range, making the API 2500 a toneful dynamics overlord for your stereo bus.
Shaping Tone and Dynamics
The API 2500 allows selection between three custom-voiced compression Knees — Soft, Medium, and Hard. You can shape the tone further with two compression types; "Old" for characterful peak-detection harkening back to API's earliest, highly-coveted 525, or "New", which features a modern feed-forward design.
Thrust Control for Unmatched Punch
Taken from their Paragon series of consoles, the API 2500’s Thrust feature puts a filter before the RMS detector, evening high and low frequency energy — so neither triggers the compressor more than the other. This gives you a tight hallmark API punch beyond any other compressor.
Enhance Energy and Motion
Most compressors only allow you to turn left/right linking on or off. The API 2500 Bus Compressor Link parameters allow for precision control of your mix's L/R dynamic interaction. Set exactly how much dependence — or independence — you want your L/R spatial dynamics field to have, and hone your dynamic contours even further with the Shape control.
