API® 500 Series EQ Collection
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The world’s most accurate
emulations of API’s legendary EQs.
The API 500 Series EQ Plug-In Collection for UAD-2 hardware and Apollo interfaces faithfully captures the punch, low-frequency transparency, and ultra-tight imaging of API’s iconic 550A and 560 Series EQs.
With unique filter shapes, complex band interactions, and musical filter amp distortions, the 550A and 560 Series EQs left an indelible stamp on legendary recordings of the ’60s and ’70s. Painstakingly modeled on pristine early-’70s units provided by Ross Hogarth and Capitol Studios, the API® 500 Series EQ Collection gives you stunningly accurate, end-to-end modeling of these revered EQs.Now You Can:
Track and mix with full-circuit emulations of API’s iconic 550A and 560A EQs
Harness API’s musical filter amp distortions and musical clipping behaviors
Use API’s proprietary “Proportional Q” for more precise control over your sources
Mix with artist presets from Ross Hogarth (Van Halen, Mötley Crüe), Darrell Thorp (Beck, Radiohead), and Vance Powell (Jack White, Kings of Leon)
![550A Parametric EQ]()
550A Parametric EQ
Introduced in 1971, the 550A was the standard channel EQ module on API's first consoles.Its three overlapping bands of parametric EQ, independent 50 Hz to 15 kHz band-pass filter, and individually selectable peaking or shelving modes make it the perfect tool for getting drums and guitars to stand out in the mix.
![560 Graphic EQ]()
560 Graphic EQ
With ten bands of graphic EQ, the 560 EQ is ideal for shaping your mix with surgical precision. API’s proprietary “Proportional Q” intuitively widens bandwidth at lower boost/cut levels and narrows it at higher levels, giving you more musical control over precise bands of your mix.
“The UAD API 500 Series EQ Collection has the best graphic EQ plug-in out there. Hands down, no contest.”
– The Glitch Mob![Jeff Juliano]()
“I've been a diehard API fan for 20 years. UA knocked this one out of the park. Twice.”
– Jeff Juliano (John Mayer, Shinedown, Train)![Dean Coleman]()
“After using the hardware, the UAD API 500 Series EQ Collection feels just like home to me.”
– Dean ColemanCustomer Reviews
H. Hamilton
August 26, 2013
not bad at all!
These eq plugins do a very musical job. Just a little sweetening is all it sometimes takes and these do it most nicely. They can also make some very agressive mods. I like the 560 a lot on...
Read MoreS. Simmich
July 12, 2013
fantastic lo end !
As an owner of the Waves API bundle I had to think more than twice before buying the same emulation again. After doing some mixes with the demos I had no other choice... These plugins...
Read MoreI. Papagiannidis
June 26, 2013
Best EQ !
the warmest, smoothest EQ i ve ever heard in the software world... nothing compares to it's sound! low end- so warm without make the sound boomy ... middle range brings the sound in...
Read MoreT. Crystal
May 17, 2013
Flawless Emulation of a Classic
We compared our 550's & 560's in our API Lunchbox to the UAD plugins and found that UAD has delivered another flawless emulation of a classic. 5 stars!!!
Read MoreA. Theakston
May 8, 2013
560: My favourite UAD EQ
Couldn't really be more impressed with the 560 EQ - as others have mentioned, it's completely transformative. You can put sweet air back into anything, like a subtle little swiss army...
Read MoreN. Afflitto
May 2, 2013
Nailed it.
These just kill. I demoed every eq in the UAD line and these were my favorite by far. The fact that you get two different eq's is also a big plus. It's hard to describe how exactly these...
Read More -
Key Features
Superior, licensed plug-in emulations of the most enduring API 500 Series EQs
API 550A discrete, 3-band bell/shelf parametric equalizer
API 560 discrete, 10-band graphic equalizer
Models the entire electronic path, including custom API 2520 op-amps and transformers, band interactions, and internal clipped filter distortion
Licensed and endorsed by Automated Processes, Inc.
Includes presets from famed engineers and producers, including Vance Powell, Ross Hogarth, Carl Glanville, Jeff Juliano, Eli Janney, and Darrell Thorp
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Customer Reviews
API® 500 Series EQ Collection
View All ReviewsH. Hamilton
not bad at all!
These eq plugins do a very musical job. Just a little sweetening is all it sometimes takes and these do it most nicely. They can also make some very agressive mods. I like the 560 a lot on guitar. Just a little extra high end a bit out of the middle and suddenly its the sound I hear in my head (which has obviously been trained by years of music shaped by API eq's). Well worth the money.
S. Simmich
fantastic lo end !
As an owner of the Waves API bundle I had to think more than twice before buying the same emulation again.
After doing some mixes with the demos I had no other choice...
These plugins absolutely shine on drums, my personal favourite is the 560 for kick and snare and 550 for drumbus and bass.
Especially the tight and fat lo-end impressed me, there is a certain tone that no other EQ i own ( and that's quite a lot !) has.
The question if it sounds 100% like the original is not so important to me, but I have worked with HW 550s and I own a HW 2500 comp, so I can confirm that these plugins have the familiar API tone !
Great tools, great times for ITB processing !I. Papagiannidis
Best EQ !
the warmest, smoothest EQ i ve ever heard in the software world...
nothing compares to it's sound!
low end- so warm without make the sound boomy ...
middle range brings the sound in your face and make it so clear and full of life and power
top end is a miracle .the soft distortion makes the sound so sweet and gives such character and opens up the sound
and a last thing ... it makes the sound sounds more stereo in a way...more open...with more definition ...
John Jeff Touch
Producer /singer/ songwriter
www.webartag.comT. Crystal
Flawless Emulation of a Classic
We compared our 550's & 560's in our API Lunchbox to the UAD plugins and found that UAD has delivered another flawless emulation of a classic. 5 stars!!!
A. Theakston
560: My favourite UAD EQ
Couldn't really be more impressed with the 560 EQ - as others have mentioned, it's completely transformative. You can put sweet air back into anything, like a subtle little swiss army knife; but you can also do big broadsword cuts and boosts - and it just plain sounds good doing it.
A major usability tip I've not seen mentioned is the benefit of using a mouse with a hardware scroll wheel with the API plugins. You can HOVER the mouse over the dial and just click-roll the mousewheel to adjust the setting. Super easy and tactile to use.
But yeah, it kills me; I have a track I'm working on with 560 on the master bus, and though all good sense and reason says take it off to mix, I just can't. Without: dull. With: sweet, polished, done.N. Afflitto
Nailed it.
These just kill. I demoed every eq in the UAD line and these were my favorite by far. The fact that you get two different eq's is also a big plus. It's hard to describe how exactly these compare to the other UAD eq's, but they are just fantastic. And compared to my vst's there is just no contest. So glad I have these.
M. Whatley
Hard to believe
I've used the hardware many times. It's hard to tell the difference and with the ability to recall settings on the plugin, I find myself going to it more than the hardware. These are the best plugin EQ's I've used by far.
E. Conesa
API EQ
This EQ is so good I don't touch anything else anymore.
From top to bottom this thing works wonders.
I might as well trim my plugin folder to just API EQ and a few other UA Plugins.R. Music
simply better....
This plugin version of the API's are simply just great!
I have a good list of plugins that i've used through the years of mixing and producing but this just sounds right.
Why use or buy an EQ or compressor if it doesn't sound better on the source than what a "natural" compressor all ready does(?), or more correct they effect of what EQ and compression does.
The UAD API 560 does something musical and want-able on drums (and other stuff), has an amazing way of adding what I want in 90% of the case by just adding it to the CS, or sometimes take the parameters to the extreme, dosen't matter... cause it keep on sounding good... just like good hardware EQ's usally does.
REALLY good work you guys at Universal Audio!!!
// mikeM. Olsen
A river of tears of JOY
I could go on forever about how awesome these plugins are. The 550A is nothing short of perfection on bass. The 560 is equally impressive on just about everything else. Sometimes, if the EQ of the 560 doesn't benefit the channel, I bypass the EQ and leave the plugin on pass-through just for the added magic of the API modeling. These are two of the finest sounding emulations ever made. They truly sound like hardware. God knows I could never afford the quantity of these I have in any given session now.
If you are hesitating to buy these, stop hesitating.R. Sokolovski
PURE MAGIC
Therie is nothing but "pure magic" to say. One of the very best UAD plugs. Thank you all in UAD.
M. Gervasi
Simple and effective
Just remixed a tune with new plugins and wanted a simple Graphic EQ. Demoed the API and it immediately did exactly what I wanted and sounds great. 300.00 seems a bit steep compared to what I paid for the Manley, Studer and Ampex but as soon as UA does another discount offer I'm grabbing it.
R. Baird
In Your Face Punch
I have been patiently waiting for UA and Api to get this plugin to market since they first announced a partnership, and it was worth the wait. This eq has such a tight punchy Q great for drums, guitars, bass, and vocals you name it. This will add tons of character to your recordings. Lets see now if UA can get a 550B, 2500, or 527 compressor plugin into my DAW. Put it in the cart. Thanks UA and Api.
P. Macdonald
Just what I needed!!!
Amazing EQ the 560 just makes things sound right!_
L. Hughes
Superb!
Tried the 560 on a badly recorded guitar track and it was just what I've been looking for. I had a ridiculous EQ chain to try and improve the sound, now I only have the 560 and it sounds so much better. Can't wait to try this on other material.
M. Bolton
Crisper Than Clean Sheets
Before having owned these two, I had been using the UAD Manley Massive Passive as my main go-to EQ. I used it for most all purposes, and I thought I was well off. In the past, I had demoed these a few times, but barely listen to them.
Then I got an API 512c preamp, and I loved its sound. So, I gave these another try in shootouts against the Massive Passive. They both made me find the Massive Passive to oftentimes be downright muddy in the low end.
The overall character of these — especially the 560 — is exactly as advertised: punchy and tight. Their top end has a specific sheen that takes a lot to get harsh. Heck, they'd be great for mastering, even.
I run a small home studio, and this was the best upgrade I've gotten in a long time.C. Knox
APIs Fatten & Clarify
Iv'e been using these puppies since UA dropped UA 6.5 on us...today!!!
I own the APi TCS and these emus are great - I'll be keeping the TCS tho, the 527 Comp and preamps are just to good in real life...
Now come on UA its time you got modelling some serious pr-amps for us all!!!!!
Meanwhile if you like punch clarity and flavour - hand over your cash to UA they are doing a great job as usual!!S. Notghi
API 560 IS AMAZING !!!
API 560 IS AMAZING !!!
It works on everything and can make dead horse come alive !M. Bolton
Crisper Than Clean Sheets
Before having owned these two, I had been using the UAD Manley Massive Passive as my main go-to EQ. I used it for most all purposes, and I thought I was well off. In the past, I had demoed these a few times, but barely listen to them.
Then I got an API 512c preamp, and I loved its sound. So, I gave these another try in shootouts against the Massive Passive. They both made me find the Massive Passive to oftentimes be downright muddy in the low end.
The overall character of these — especially the 560 — is exactly as advertised: punchy and tight. Their top end has a specific sheen that takes a lot to get harsh. Heck, they'd be great for mastering, even.
I run a small home studio, and this was the best upgrade I've gotten in a long time.B. Jester
The Real Deal !!!!!!!!!
This will give the API 2500 OP feel all day long. The sound of rock n roll.
