Plugin interface — screenshot pending
Compressor

API 2500

UAD / Universal Audio

The API 2500 Bus Compressor is a complete emulation of API's flagship 2-bus compressor, delivering hit-making glue and energy to stereo mixes and subgroups. It features selectable Old (feedback) and New (feed-forward) compression modes with three custom Knee settings, plus API's patented Thrust technology for controlled low-frequency punch. The plugin includes plug-in-only Mix and Headroom controls, precise L/R Link parameters, and artist presets from top engineers.

Key Features

01Old and New compression modes with feedback or feed-forward routing
02Three custom Knee settings: Soft, Medium, Hard
03API's patented Thrust control with three modes: Normal, Medium, Loud
04Seven fixed Attack times from 30 µs to 30 ms
05Seven Ratio values from 1.5:1 to ∞:1
06Variable Release times from 50 ms to 3 seconds
07L/R Link control with 100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, and 0% (IND) settings
08Link Shape filtering with HP, LP, and bandpass filter options
09Plug-in-only Mix and Headroom controls
10VU Meters with three display modes: IN, OUT, GR

Things to Try

  • 01Use Thrust set to Loud on drum bus for noticeably increased low-frequency punch with 15 dB attenuation at 20 Hz and 15 dB boost at 20 kHz
  • 02Set L/R Link to 50% or partial blend to reduce left-right imaging shift when one channel has higher signal peaks
  • 03Enable Link Shape HP or LP filtering to exclude specific frequencies from L/R Link control so single-channel sounds do not cause unwanted compression in the other channel
  • 04Use Mix control set to 50% for parallel compression techniques without creating additional DAW routings

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API 2500 by UAD / Universal Audio | Plugin Library