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 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 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.

Features:

• 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

Requirements:

Platform	CPU	RAM	Disk	Notes	Additional Requirement	Audio Card	Ports	Internet Required	32 Bit Support	64 Bit Support	Plugins
mac	Intel AMD or Apple silicon processor	0	0					0	0	0	VST-2 VST-3 AU AAX
windows	Intel AMD or Apple silicon processor	0	0					0	0	1	VST-2 VST-3 AAX