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
S. Ramsay
September 20, 2023
Go to bus compressor for the mix bus!
I love how well this compressor glues the sound on the mix bus. I've also started using it on a Kick/Bass sub to glue them together before hitting the master....
Read MoreE. Okorocha
September 19, 2023
Gotta catch em all
I'll call the sound aggressive and creamy, I tried it on some masters I thought were done and apparently they were not done, I've actually tried it on a drum bus too, It's quality....
Read MoreS. Lontano
September 19, 2023
The best drum bus comp
Your drums will love it. Punch for days!
Read MoreT. Fuxa
September 18, 2023
Must have compressor
Fantastic tool, which glues your mix bring more clarity and highlight.
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. Ginux
The best
Un grande compressore per il tuo mix bus
S. Ramsay
Go to bus compressor for the mix bus!
I love how well this compressor glues the sound on the mix bus. I've also started using it on a Kick/Bass sub to glue them together before hitting the master.
R. Novak
Essential
Essential part of every song
E. Okorocha
Gotta catch em all
I'll call the sound aggressive and creamy, I tried it on some masters I thought were done and apparently they were not done, I've actually tried it on a drum bus too, It's quality.
S. Lontano
The best drum bus comp
Your drums will love it.
Punch for days!T. Fuxa
Must have compressor
Fantastic tool, which glues your mix bring more clarity and highlight.
D. Minicucci
Great!!!!
Great on Drums end on Bass!!!
W. Rice
Great for self mastering
I’m new to engineering so I started to use Mixea for self mastering but I use this on my master track. It really glued everything together.
I use the VU meter to really see if my mix hits where it m needs to before masteringE. Ross
API 2500
API 2500 is one of my go to buss compressors. I use it on every mix. It glues everything together.
A. Karabelas
Glue
My favorite API 2500 emulation, such a lovely, transparent sound.
g. parenti
Lo mejor
El mejor api 2500 qué tengo en plugin, es excelente, sin comparación
g. parenti
Increíble
El mejor plugin de emulación del api 2500 qué he probado, lo uso en todos mis buses de baterías y master bus!
A. Vaquero Taboada
Love it
Love it , Love it , on drums, on snare and perc, Love it on bass .. love it loooooveeer it
D. GHO
Best for Glue!!!
Tight, Thick that I really wanted !!
E. Toesca
Amazing
Wow, the API 2500 is very punchy and it gives that extra energy. The GUI is very beautiful too, really recommend it
I. Radic
Top tier
It creates lively canvas trough all source material shine. Warmly recommended!
J. Branam
excellent
the 2500 is one of my favorite bus comps although i have never actually used the hardware but i have tried the lot of plugins and to my ear the uadx version seems wider and the dual mono a little more 'playful'. it is not as thick sounding as the others out there but it is tighter and a well rounded bottom. thanks again to ua for putting this out in native form and for selling perpetual licenses. this one has made my day
M. TODOROVIĆ
THE BUS COMPRESSOR!
Amazing peace of gear!
A. Sala
My dream come true
After years of using the xxxxx version... Now i have the right one! I use in tracks, buses and always have nice results...
R. Adams
Enhancer Maximus
This does a beautiful job of enhancing the shape of your source material whether vocal or instrument or mix bus.
