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.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
F. Grüber
July 17, 2023
Amazing box of color!!!
It is not just a great EQ, it’s a beautiful box of character and color. Just try it without any eq moves and you’ll see how...
Read MoreG. Merino
July 14, 2023
Great emulation. Missing de 550B version
Probably the best emulation of the 550A eq. It would be perfect an update including the 550B (four bands) as other companies does
Read MoreJ. Mateo
June 28, 2023
An amazing classic
This is one of the most used plugin bundles in my collection hands down amazing
Read MoreS. Rico Hernandez
June 28, 2023
Increíble herramienta
una joya más de universal audio. Los amo!!
Read Morej. Brantley
March 20, 2023
very strong product
As a studio owner and producer i have used the API EQ plugin's on my vocal chain that i create for myself and other artis. this is a very easy plugin's to work with hand's down...
Read MoreR. DIAMOND
January 25, 2023
Great EQ
Already have the Waves version , this is slightly better but who wants to deal with Waves support.A great EQ, a small boost in...
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
F. Grüber
Amazing box of color!!!
It is not just a great EQ, it’s a beautiful box of character and color. Just try it without any eq moves and you’ll see how colorful it is, specially on the mix bus ✨
G. Merino
Great emulation. Missing de 550B version
Probably the best emulation of the 550A eq.
It would be perfect an update including the 550B (four bands) as other companies doesJ. Mateo
An amazing classic
This is one of the most used plugin bundles in my collection hands down amazing
S. Rico Hernandez
Increíble herramienta
una joya más de universal audio. Los amo!!
j. Brantley
very strong product
As a studio owner and producer i have used the API EQ plugin's on my vocal chain that i create for myself and other artis. this is a very easy plugin's to work with hand's down
R. DIAMOND
Great EQ
Already have the Waves version , this is slightly better but who wants to deal with Waves support.A great EQ, a small boost in any frequency adds a lot so good to get something to cut through the mix.
A. Thierry
Amazing
This eq is just magic for kick bass and in fact for anything .. thanks for this
I. Bandera
Ottimo
Grande suono!
Anche se in possesso della Channel strip Api, può essere un ottimo alleato. Leggero sui DSP con un suono caratteristico e molto bello. Comunque versatile.A. Mujic
Great products by API & Universal Audio
I definitely like API products by Universal Audio. For me sounds more "open and natural" than same emulations from other companies. For example API 560 is great for tone shaping during productions. Work off every paid dollar.
Thank you UAD,
Allen RixN. Merrick
API 500 Series
I own the hardware and this is really good!!!
G. Schwab
A very musical EQ
This EQ delivers very musical results. It sounds, carefully applied, warm and detailed at the same time.
O. Levi
Vocals
This just levelled up my vocals, I through this in my vocals buss and bam! Magic.
M. Vikman
New API user
I just got API and it has helped me a lot to find quickly the sound you want. .
it`s easy to use!
Best wishes from Finland
M.VikmanC. Romagnoli
Must have!
Epic punchy sound!
A. Rodriguez
UAD, Please Allow Your Plugins to be Resized!!!
I am giving this 1 star because here we are in the year 2022, and UAD plugins are still not resizable in Pro Tools. Come on, even $29 Waves plugins are resizable. It looks very unprofessional to have 50% user interface and 50% blank space in the plugin window.
Also, please add code that detects which plugins I own and only add those to Pro Tools rather than forcing ALL of your plugins on Pro Tools. Again, here we are in the year 2022. There is no excuse for this.M. Peak
Always Useful
Even before any changes are made to settings, the EQs add something special to the sound. Just sitting in the signal chain instantly works. The 550A works to provide that good overall API shaping and the 560 can really take adjustments to extremes if needed. Using both the 550A and 560 in a single signal chain can be really effective. You can get both EQs in the Vision Channel Strip, but if you don't need the entire strip, this collection works just fine.
The only real downside is UA doesn't yet offer a native version (at the time of this review) and I'm hoping that will change.Y. Larkin
Still not resizable......
Both do sound great. But the 560 raises the volume level without even dialing any EQing in and what keeps on frustrating me with UAD Plugins, is that they are still not resizable ! It‘s 2022 !
As a costumer, having already invested in the UAD hardware to be able to use the plugins, plus investing money in the software products, think that it should be surely possible for you as a company, to fix that issue. Please.
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So good
The graphic lives on my mix bus with everything at zero.
B. Bartholomew
Quality.
1. Just putting it the chain does something positive. 2. The gain does something positive too, it brightens the sound but not in a tube saturation type way, a presence that I can only describe as creamy. 3. The actual EQ is superb. No digital harshness, so smooth. The hard part would be to actually pull some bad results out of the plug in. Well done UAD, 5 stars.
G. Castle
Great Plug-Ins
I use UA API Plug-Ins on almost all of my Country mixes to get a clean and punchy mix.
