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
G. Soulier
December 22, 2023
Good splash
I love the sound and the workflow on this plugin, must have for your drum bus
Read MoreS. Bruinsma
December 22, 2023
A must have
This is one of those plugins you just have to have in your arsenal.. it could be the one that makes a difference on drums.
Read MoreS. Jacques
December 21, 2023
The sauce!
Used a different version of this compressor but the UAD version blows it out of the water.
Read MoreV. Santolamazza
December 21, 2023
Mixbus go to
I've tried lots of compressors on my mixbus, but none of them can give me the punch, the color and the glue all at once, that Api...
Read MoreC. Flores
December 19, 2023
SORPRENDENTE !
Me encanta su proceso y es lo que necesitaba para mis producciones
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
G. Soulier
Good splash
I love the sound and the workflow on this plugin, must have for your drum bus
S. Bruinsma
A must have
This is one of those plugins you just have to have in your arsenal.. it could be the one that makes a difference on drums.
C. Patrichi
Very punchy
A very punchy compressor. Nice tone.
S. Jacques
The sauce!
Used a different version of this compressor but the UAD version blows it out of the water.
V. Santolamazza
Mixbus go to
I've tried lots of compressors on my mixbus, but none of them can give me the punch, the color and the glue all at once, that Api 2500 gives me. By then, I would never start a mix without it parked on my mixbus.
C. Flores
SORPRENDENTE !
Me encanta su proceso y es lo que necesitaba para mis producciones
B. Lehaney
Very Happy
Love this on my drums and mix bus
E. Hines
My new favorite….
Great tone - predictable and organic results. Really keeps things punchy and ‘forward’ in a mix. I use one on Synth Buss and one on Drums Buss and love the way my tracks have been sounding. EDM/House/Techno producer
C. Melachrinos
Signature
Sounds great on drum bus and the master bus very punchy and characteristic
D. Libant
Punch and Clarity
ads up clarity and punch while gluing your mix together. It feels like everything is encapsulated in a clear epoxy glue when you can see everything yet you can not separate it.
L. Fagenson
My workhorse.
I have over a dozen software compressors from most of the major companies, but this is my go to. From subtle to pumpy and everything in-between. It adds just the right amount of vibe for my taste. Used in conjunction with the API channel strip it always brings a smile to my face.
G. Ramos
LOVE IT!
Sounds great on my mix buss.
M. Jansson
Smooth and easy to use
Very smooth sounding bus compressor. Works like a charm together with the API channel strip.
L. Haro
Punch City!!!
It’s my new favorite compressor on mix bus and drum bus for sure! Only complaint is that I had been wanting this plugin for a while. I waited for Black Friday/ Cyber Monday and got it for $150 as it was “on sale.” A week later it went on sale for $39. I paid 5 times as much
E. González
Always In my chain
The best way to make a strong mix. My favorite comp.
j. roe
Awesome
This 2500 is a great compressor
J. Smalls
Great all around compressor
I use the API 2500 in multiple ways, in the mix or for post mastering. I love it more for mastering its glues everything together and with the tone section really adds depth. I say for the sale price you shouldn’t need a review to help with the purchase JUST BUY IT. Otherwise this is an amazing plugin and I highly recommend it!
S. Shaboutin
Awesome! API 2500 Bus Compressor!
I tried the API 2500 Bus Compressor and I really liked it. It takes very nice colors. From now on this will be my permanent mixing tool!
N. Merrick
API 2500 Bus Compressor
Great plugin!
K. L
On my mixbuss and on my drum buss
Super versatile compressor. Using it on my busses and it delivers at 100%
