API® 2500 Bus Compressor
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An obsessively accurate emulation of API’s flagship compressor.
The API 2500 Bus Compressor is a permanent fixture on the stereo bus of many of the world's top engineers and producers. Considered the best of the Paul Wolff-era API circuit designs, this famed compressor adds energy, movement, and tone to stereo mixes and subgroups unlike any other compressor.
The API 2500 Bus Compressor plug-in for UAD-2 hardware and Apollo interfaces 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.Included Versions
UAD Native
Runs on your Mac or PC without UA hardware.Apollo Realtime & UAD‑2
Runs accelerated on Apollo interfaces and UAD‑2 hardware.UAD Native plug-ins run on both macOS 10.15 Catalina or newer and Windows 10 and 11. Go to our UA Support page for system requirements.
- Glue together your stereo mixes and subgroups with the world’s finest circuit emulation of the iconic API 2500 compressor
- Select between "Old” and "New” compression, with feedback or feed-forward sounds
- Sharpen your workflow with plug‑in‑only Mix and Headroom controls
- Punch up low frequencies with API's patented Thrust technology
- Contour your mix's stereo interaction with percent-based L/R Link controls
- Mix with artist presets from Jeff Balding (Faith Hill), Vance Powell (Jack White), Ryan Hewitt (Red Hot Chili Peppers), and more
TAKE A LISTEN
API 2500 5-Minute Tip
Learn how to use the API 2500 on drums, bass, guitars, and your entire mix.
The Only End-to-End API 2500 Emulation
Poring over proprietary "for-your-eyes-only" schematics made available to Universal Audio by API, our 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.
“The API 2500 Bus Compressor is the only piece of analog gear that’s stayed consistent with me through the years. Now with the UAD plug-in there is finally a worthy model.”
– Vance Powell (Jack White, The Dead Weather, The Raconteurs)
“The API 2500 is my all-time favorite drum bus compressor. The Punch and sound is unmatched by any other in it's class. This is a must have in any studio.”
– Grieves
“The API 2500 plug‑in has all the same character and punch as the original hardware.”
– Adam Hawkins (Twenty One Pilots, Switchfoot, Keith Urban)Watch The Reviews
Customer Reviews
J. Frýbert
January 10, 2024
API 2500
Absolutely sensational compressor, I use it in every session.
Read MoreM. Boucher
January 10, 2024
I’m a fan!
Looked at it for a while. Glad I finally pulled the trigger and got it. Great option to have.
Read MoreL. Morandi
January 10, 2024
Eccezionale
Compressore molto trasparente ma anche aggressivo al occorrenza ottimo per molte situazioni,del resto un Emulazione APi non si discute Consiglio....
Read Morej. chen
January 9, 2024
nice tool
I feel it's a little difficult for me to have a good use,but it's a good tool.
Read MoreM. Tyas
January 8, 2024
Masterful Glue for Any Mix
The API 2500 Bus Compressor is a true workhorse. Its ability to blend and cohesively unite various elements of a mix has made it a staple my studio setup. From pianos and drums to strings...
Read More -
Key Features
Painstakingly modeled by Universal Audio's plugin design team, licensed and authenticated by Automated Processes, Inc.,
Beloved Paul Wolff-era API design, exclusively measured from the all-discrete, in-console version of the 2500
Provides the entire circuit path and control set of the API hardware including custom API op amps and transformers
Signature API 2500 features include patented Thrust® sidechain filtering, "New" and "Old" Compressor Types, and Variable Sidechain Link
Plug-in-only features include Dry/Wet parallel processing and Headroom for user-customizable operating level
Includes artist presets from Vance Powell, Jeff Balding, Ryan Hewitt and Adam Hawkins
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Customer Reviews
API 2500 Bus Compressor
T. Kwon
Just Buy
with bundle or edition. u never regret
J. Frýbert
API 2500
Absolutely sensational compressor, I use it in every session.
M. Boucher
I’m a fan!
Looked at it for a while. Glad I finally pulled the trigger and got it. Great option to have.
L. Morandi
Eccezionale
Compressore molto trasparente ma anche aggressivo al occorrenza ottimo per molte situazioni,del resto un Emulazione APi non si discute Consiglio.
j. chen
nice tool
I feel it's a little difficult for me to have a good use,but it's a good tool.
M. Tyas
Masterful Glue for Any Mix
The API 2500 Bus Compressor is a true workhorse. Its ability to blend and cohesively unite various elements of a mix has made it a staple my studio setup.
From pianos and drums to strings and synthesizers, the API 2500 masterfully shapes and controls dynamics, adding a touch of analog warmth and character that elevates my overall mixes.
The Thrust circuit ensures that the highs and lows remain in harmony, preventing the final product from sounding harsh or muddy.C. Natha-Amadi
Best Afrobeat Bus Compressor
The API 2500 Bus Compressor excels in Afrobeat production, providing a unique blend of punch and warmth that complements the genre's intricate rhythms and vibrant instrumentation. Its transparent compression preserves the dynamic nuances crucial to Afrobeat's energetic and layered sound. The adjustable attack and release settings prove invaluable in shaping the rhythmic elements, ensuring a tight and controlled mix. While its price may be a consideration, the API 2500 proves its worth for producers seeking a high-quality bus compressor tailored to the dynamic demands of Afrobeat music.
a. campoverde
Mix bus
Lo utilizo en el Mixbus estupendo compresor, transparente y musical
I. Grinsdale
This thing is violent! It's got punch that I thought was only possible with hardware.
The title says it all. Incredibly punchy. Even on the 'lighter' settings it gives you an incredibly realistic analogue punch to anything that goes through it. Whilst the tonality of it is a one trick pony (clean, super punchy) the features give it a lot of versatility within that tonal context.
J. Kerschbaummayr
Api 2500 bus comp
Excellence!
R. Hobson
Feels like the real deal
Having owned and mixing through a hardware API 2500 as my mixbus compressor for several years, I don't feel like I'm missing anything using this plugin. All the features and tricks I use respond the same. Even when using hardware recall sheets from past client projects, but using the plugin with the same settings, the results are without any significant difference. Seriously impressed.
J. Antonsen
I'm so happy!
This one lifted my final mixes.
J. Antonsen
I'm so happy!
This one lifted my final mixes.
J. Romero
Very versatile
I've read that it's the best emulation of an API 2500. I don't know, I just know that I love its versatility; And especially the punch he gives to the drums.
M. Addison
A Drummers Dream!
Really dresses up the overheads on my kit. adds that extra sparkle without sounding harsh or "processed". Great Plugin!
U. Soto
LUV IT!!!
ESPECIALLY ON DRUM BUSS, SO MUCH PUNCH AND CLARITY. DON'T SLEEP ON THIS BUSS COMP.
M. Braziel
Must Have
Love This on My Drum Bus.
J. Soendberg
Better than expected
The only compressor that I can run all my enormous trailer percussion through without losing a single transient.
N. Pongsuwan
The sound is smooth, clear, and incredibly clean.
With the price during the promotion, it is considered very worthwhile.
M. HARRIS
Great tool!
A must have for your toolbox!
