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
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
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
“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)
“After using the hardware, the UAD API 500 Series EQ Collection feels just like home to me.”
– Dean ColemanCustomer Reviews
J. Geary
January 9, 2021
Thanking myself for this one
Impulse bought this for a session expecting never to use them again and boy was i wrong. By far the closest plugin around when it comes to standing up vs the hardware. The 550A is wonderful...
Read MoreS. Nascimento
December 26, 2020
Amazing Eq
Amazing color eq! So much true than others clone api eq.
Read MoreY. Baribeau
December 23, 2020
Dope
I use this to create separation between tracks and trust me, it works like butter on toasted bread at morning time.
Read MoreJ. Markunas
December 22, 2020
Guitar Players... Buy This!!!!
There's nothing like an API 500 on a distorted rhythm guitar. If you don't own this one, you're severely missing out. The gain staging is weird (I guess all analog gain...
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
H. Barakovic
Hadoba
It sounds amazing and love it.
J. Geary
Thanking myself for this one
Impulse bought this for a session expecting never to use them again and boy was i wrong. By far the closest plugin around when it comes to standing up vs the hardware. The 550A is wonderful on claps, snares, synths, etc while the 560 always swoops in to save the day when youre in need of a precise eq but want to keep things sounding natural. High end too busy? Throw a 560 on your cymbals and solo it with the lead vocal. Flip through all your monitors in mono and you'll come out the other end with some clean results
S. Vasiľ
Best API plugins on the word!
Super replica !
S. Nascimento
Amazing Eq
Amazing color eq! So much true than others clone api eq.
Y. Baribeau
Dope
I use this to create separation between tracks and trust me, it works like butter on toasted bread at morning time.
J. Markunas
Guitar Players... Buy This!!!!
There's nothing like an API 500 on a distorted rhythm guitar. If you don't own this one, you're severely missing out. The gain staging is weird (I guess all analog gain staging kind of is), but this definitely sounds like the hardware gear would sound, and adds some nice, silky harmonics.
S. Muscio
clean and clear and under control
For real though, I can push the mids of vocals with the 550A more without them getting harsh. 560 is on steroids compared to competitor emulations. Definitely a solid tool in the kit.
F. Silvestry
I can't believe I waited this long
I have a ton of Neve colors in my setup (pres, compressors, and of course Neve summing in Luna), but I just got the API EQs and can't believe I waited this long. They bring a completely fresh and easy to dial in color to my tracks and mixes. Super easy to use and introduce a ton of character and enhancement to all my tracks. Having a blast with the 550A on my channels in Luna, with the 2500 on busses and master, and of course the newly introduced API summing - it makes for a totally powerful mix that has come alive with tons of character. Highly recommended!
H. Toapanta
Api 560
Solo decirles que el Api 560 suena lo más analógico posible es increíble y para mi es único
h. mat talip
Warm & vibe
As usual this plugin from uad give my mixes sound warm & vibe fullness after overall my mix setting cannot leave without this plugin.
J. Boes
Perfect
Just the right touch on bass.
B. Johnson
Great Colorful EQ
Love this EQ. Has tons of color and is easy to dial in great tones. A little goes a long way!
A. Tyulenev
Excellent EQ
Good for mix & mastering
B. Palmer
Top notch
I’ll often put the 550A across every channel. I’ve never been disappointed.
M. Malinski
Recently the best API emulation on the market
Hi
I own real 550a, and 2500, and of course UAD plugins
They sound incredibly close compared to real equipment, if someone is wondering between UA and Waves, it is worth spending a little more money and investing in UAD when it comes to API simulations.
I can safely say that they are much better than Waves when comes to API simulations, they sound less sharp, better harmonics, more fullness.
Sometimes when I mixing and it sounds good I don't use real devices but I leave UAD on.
Thank youY. Altana
Simply the best EQs
To my ears, the API 560 is THE most musical EQ plugin that I ever used!
That's it from me ;-)J. Bandes
A Must Own
I do remastering of old Dance music tapes from the 1970s and 1980. The Reel to Reel tapes sound good but often the low and high end have faded over time and this plugin is capable of returning the Tapes back to the way the maters must have sounded. I love this plugin. I dont often post reviews but for this plugin I just had to post a review. You should demo this plugin. It changed the quality of my masters. I just cant believe how fantastic this plugin is.
j. roe
Awesome
Awesome
B. Palmer
Fantastic EQ
The 550A makes everything sound better. It works on every instrument and puts vocals right out front. Game changer at my studio.
C. Gabbianelli
Corrupts Delay Compensation in PT
Consistently corrupts the delay compensation in my PT sessions. Pretty disappointed in UAD's lack of resolution to this issue after all of the money I've invested into using their hardware and software.
